COLUMBUS, Ohio (CNN) - Sometimes you stumble on stories. Thursday was one of those times.
We were outside Veterans’ Memorial in Columbus reporting on early voting. I approached a man with an “ I just voted” sticker on his lapel to ask him whether he’d encountered any lines. The “lines weren’t bad” he said, with a broad smile. Lines were the last thing on Aaron Wheeler’s mind as he explained why he drove 600 miles back to his old hometown from Virginia, where he moved this month, to vote in what he called “one of the proudest days” of his life.
“My family has been Republican for three generations,” he said, but “I knew I had to change and vote Democrat in the first time almost ever.”
Wheeler said he was one of about 16 black Republican delegates at the 2004 GOP convention, and was proud to support George W. Bush.
This time, he said, he did not attend the Republican convention –and decided he would go one step further and vote for Democrat Barack Obama.
What’s influencing his vote? The economy was one factor, he said. But said he he made his decision “when I saw Barack Obama beaten down for no reason by negative things by Palin.”
Wheeler reminisced about marching with Martin Luther King as a boy, and referred to the slain civil rights leader when he told me he voted for Barack Obama… “not just because of his color….but in the words of Dr. King, the content of his character.”
“Tears come out of my eyes as I cast my ballot,” he said. “I voted for Barack Obama today.”
From CNN Politics
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I am very proud to vote for Obama. I did'nt have to drive 600 miles. but it was a good day when I placed my vote ! A Woman for Obama!!!! Its awsome to see everyone getting out to vote early. GO VOTE!!!!
Smart guy, Obama/Biden
IF AMERICA BELIEVES jOE BIDEN'S STATEMENT THAT THE NEXT PRESIDENT WILL BE TESTED BY AN INTERNATIONAL CRISIS WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF HIS PRESIDENCY,, THEN WE NEED A MAN LIKE JOHN MCCAIN TO BE COMMANDER IN CHIEF.
This is a nice article for a change. Yay!
Aaron Wheeler for congress.
I'm proud of you brother. Lets all vote smart and not just by race. Obama is definitely the best candidate
Great stoy. Thank you for your support!
Obama 08
What a beautiful story. Thanks for the tears in my eyes!
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL. GOD BLESS AMERICA. AND GOD BLESS SEN OBAMA. YOU ARE A ND HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO MANY OF US. OBAMA 08
It will be a wonderful day when Barack is elected. This country will once again have HOPE.
I am a White Republican who voted for Obama. McCain has destroyed my Republican Party with his lies and negative divisive attacks.
What a great story. I'm not black, but I'm proud to vote for Obama because he reaches across all lines. This country is on its way back!
There will not be a dry eye around come November 5th. The day after the 4th and the day America counts the numbers.
I voted yesterday, and it was for Obama. Yet again, another Republican for Obama (me).
You reached deep inside my old white 65 year old heart and touched me deeply. Thank you.
If McCain had the same plans he would still vote Obama
lets face it
Really. You tear up when psychopaths lie to you. Interesting.
****
I am an Asian-American.
What a historic moment that we all live in!
I am proud to be part of the history.... tears in my eyes.
Congratulations to all Americans.
Yes, even to those who are still having hard time seeing what's important ... during our short stay on the earth.
We have moved forward significantly.
****
I admire this man for voting for Obama, and for the reason he did so.
However, I do not understand how one can march with Martin Luther King and turn out a Republican......this has got me baffled to say the least.
McCain's hormonal sniffing out of Sarah Palin which led to him choosing Palin as his VP running mate will probably define McCain's career as a politician...and nothing more.
Oh my God!!!! I know there are a lot of people who can not relate to the mean spirited things that Palin and McCain have said about Obama. Each time I hear their lies and hateful things, I think about Obama's daughters and how they must feel to hear people say those awful things about their father. For all that don't support Obama, that is your choice. But just imagine if someone spoke of your mother or father publicly the way Palin and McCain speaks of Obama. Obama let's it roll off his back and has NEVER attacked McCain or Palin's character on stage(Keating 5, AIP, Troopergate, G. Gordon Liddy and the list goes on). I'll bet 98% of the country would have folded by now.
Obama all the way!!!
VOTING--IS JUST LIKE DRIVING
IF YOU WANT TO GO BACKWARD
VOTE– (R ) EPUBLICAN
IF YOU WANT TO GO FORWARD
CHOOSE –(D) EMOCRAT
REPUBLICAN=REVERSE=GO BACKWARD
DEMOCRAT=DRIVE=GO FORWARD
Vote Now!!! Vote Obama/Biden!!!!!
My 93 year old grandmother in Ohio just cast her vote for the first time for a Democrat too. By the way, she is white.
GO OBAMA!!
God Bless !
PLEASE DO NOT LET THE POLL DECEIVE YOU. EVERY VOTE COUNTS. PLEASE WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE EVERY ELIGIBLE VOTER YOU KNOW TO VOTE FOR A CHANGE!