Old nun votes Democrat
106-year-old voter chooses Obama
A 106-year-old American nun living in a convent in Rome could well be one of the oldest voters to cast a ballot in the 2008 US Presidential election.Sister Cecilia Gaudette, who last voted for President Eisenhower in 1952, has registered to vote and says she will vote for Democrat Barack Obama.
Although hard of hearing, she keeps herself informed by reading newspapers and watching TV at the convent.
"I'm encouraged by Senator Obama," she says.
"I've never met him, but he seems to be a good man with a good private life. That's the first thing. Then he must be able to govern," she adds.
Sitting in her modest office in the convent where she has lived for the past 50 years, the diminutive nun appears uninterested in the row inside the American Catholic church over Senator Obama's support for pro-choice policies on abortion.
Asked about her hopes for the US under an Obama presidency, she says: "Peace abroad. I don't worry about the Iraq war because I can't do anything about it. Lord knows how it will end."
"It is very complicated," she said. "Those Eastern people are not like we are."
But despite taking part in the 4 November election, Sister Cecilia does not intend to return to the US.
"I have no plans for the future. I am too old to go back to the US. Life has changed too much."
But she still watches "very important events" on TV. The election comes under this category.
Comments
Sister Cecilia was a visionary who cast a ballot in 2008 for Obama. Her choice was correct, despite she was hard of hearing and she reached 106. It's curious that she voted for Eisenhower in 1952 who represented the Republic Party. In addition, the mother of Eisenhower wasn't catholic, but Jehovah's Witness. She was encouraged by Senador Obama, as she said, but Mr. Obama represents the Democratic Party. There's no doubt about she is a democrat person.
I respect very much this kind people. I think they are wonderful, not only by her 106 years, but also she has clear ideas and she knows what she wants. She said that she had not plans for the future.
I have seen how life has changed for more 60 years, how much could it change for 106 years? Living to see it, but 106 years is too much.
See you.
The difference between the elderly and the young with regard to politics is that the over sixties are more likely to turn out to vote. Twenty somethings just complain but do nothing about it.
Brexit happened because younger voters didn't bother to cast their vote. Now they say that it is unfair that "the old" have a say in their future.
I think it's great that a centenarian takes an active interest in politics.
Sister Cecilia was a visionary who cast a ballot in 2008 for Obama. Her choice was correct, despite being hard of hearing and turning 106. It's curious that she voted for Eisenhower in 1952 who represented the Republican Party. In addition, the mother of Eisenhower wasn't catholic, but Jehovah's Witness. She was encouraged by Senador Obama, as she said, but Mr. Obama represents the Democratic Party. There's no doubt that she is a democrat.
I respect very much these kind people. I think they are wonderful, not only for her 106 years, but also she has clear ideas and she knows what she wants. She said that she had no plans for the future.
I have seen how life has changed for more than 60 years, how much could it change over 106 years? Living to see it, but 106 years is too much.