Speaker's Stand: Obama & Sessions an unlikely bumper sticker combo?
Like others, when I go to vote on Tuesday I'll be using both sides of my brain. My decision-making process is personal and professional, rational and irrational; I'll go with a detailed analysis of issues and also my gut.
While I'd be curious to know more about how others make decisions, some of mine have landed on a combination of candidates that may appear as opposites.
My pick for president: Barack Obama.
My pick for U.S. Senate: Jeff Sessions.
Politically they may appear as opposites, but good leadership comes in different flavors. For years and always with a focus on the future, Obama has been intellectually stimulating and emotionally inspirational. My wife Roxana and I saw him speak in Birmingham and marveled at his ability to communicate with others. His positive spirit is infectious. I like his position on most policies and also I am comforted to know his constant companion and communications chief — Robert Gibbs. Having started his career in northeast Alabama and when he worked for our very own Congressman Glen Browder, Robert had helped us with projects like the Pinhoti extension to the famous Appalachian Trail. That's right: Obama's top guy has local roots!
Sessions has a similar charm and many of the same positive characteristics. While I may not agree with all of his policy positions, I always feel that he's open for debate and discussion. I like him personally. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work, travel and also become friends with him.
Indeed, without him there never would have been a Dugger Mountain Wilderness Area, a Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge or the national extent of support for programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
More personally, Sessions had also taken the time to write my dad after he had learned of his special role during World War II. A year ago, as he suffered from Alzheimer's just before he passed away, my dad would point to the framed letter, smile and always give it a big thumbs up!
Personal experiences matter and sometimes they should trump the stuff we read or see on television. With that in mind, I'm glad to share a few stories and explain my unlikely bumper stickers supporting Barack Obama and Jeff Sessions.
Pete Conroy lives in Jacksonville.
