I wasn't gonna be politicking any more, but I gotta tell you this:
We went to the big Barack Obama rally downtown (in front of the capital) on Friday night, and...oh my goodness, I've never been so inspired! I was overwhelmed nearly to the point of tears at various points during his speech. I don't consider myself a sucker for emotional chain-yanking in politics, but Obama's got a genuine-ness that pierces through my cynicism.
Julia and I early-voted yesterday, and for the first time ever, I am motivated enough to Obama's campaign that, come March 4th, Julia and I will be caucusing for him at our nearest precinct. Wow!
See my last post if you're on the fence - it's got a link to Obama's senate record, and it's well-organized -- not too mind-numbingly boring. It's a tough call between Barack and Hillary, but as much as I'd LOVE to see a woman in the White House, Barack has something that Hillary doesn't. It's intangible. I can't explain it. All I can say is, try to watch both of them speak in a format OTHER than a debate. MSNBC is covering most of their speaking occasions, and you should be able to get a clear picture of each of their policy approaches and political tactics.
Maybe you'll see what I'm talking about when you hear Obama speak -- he makes big things seem within our grasp, and he doesn't make many promises - he admits that it's gonna take a massive national effort to change things. There's some Dr. King, some Bobby Kennedy, some Barbara Jordan, some Bill Cosby, and a little bit of rock star mixed in, and it's all on his sleeve. His wife is pretty darn amazing, too (there's a good article about her in the latest Newsweek).
If you can't tell...I like Obama. Obama, Obama, Obama.
If you're voting Republican...well, good luck with all that.
So go vote today!
You can early-vote at any early-voting precinct using only your driver's license -- it's easy!
Here's some pics I took from the rally. We were pretty close in, and it was incredible!
Wow! Sam, I am undecided and I have to say you give a stirring argument for Obama.
ReplyDeleteSo Nader entered the race. Does this mean you are going to flake out again? We all remember 2004...
ReplyDeletei'll still b ur friend
bff
:)
John -- you think you're funny, but really you have a tiny penis.
ReplyDeleteWell, Hilary, you certainly shouldn't base your vote upon what I tell you, but if you do - it's okay, because I'm right! Win win!
For reals - I've given all three (McCain, Clinton, and Obama) serious thought - believe it or not, I even ***shudder*** voted for McCain in the 2000 primaries.
He used to have it, but now he doesn't, and he won't hesitate to pander. He'll age QUICKLY in office, and he'll be working with the same political hacks that have been running the current White House.
AND...in order to win the conservatives, McCain's going to pick an ultra right-wing, evangelical Christian (Huckabee, anyone?) for a running mate.
Clinton has a similar problem - she plays party-line politics, and polarizes people either with or against her. Fear-mongering will not end with a Hilary Clinton victory.
Obama isn't making deals and promises so much as he's openly admitting to the hard work it will take to change things. He's not nearly as left as some folks want him to be, but that's a good thing, I think.
He had me at "increased teacher pay" and "college tuition reimbursements in exchange for community service."
***SWOON***