3 posts tagged “barack obama”

So I made my decision and voted today. If anyone else happens to live in a Super Tuesday state, GO OUT AND VOTE TODAY!

Harry Knowles from Ain't It Cool News wrote a beautiful piece on Barack:

Why do I like Obama?

It's pretty simple. My entire voting life - since 1989 - I haven't had a candidate that I looked at and actually believed in. That managed to make me dream like the characters in a Frank Capra film. What I loved about Capra's films - specifically MEET JOHN DOE - was the Populist message... to go next door to your neighbor, no matter his politics and invite him over for BBQ - to chat, to break bread - then to do something that improves both your lives. I love and dream of a candidate to inspire my apathetic political friends to care. A candidate that not only inspires those I love - but that cause people in other countries to possibly believe in the dream of America again.

A leader that inspires you to do more than you have and believe that Government could care. Bill called Obama a fairy tale, but you know what... if this country isn't founded on Fairy Tales - I don't know what it is founded on. A dream that people from all over the world came here to believe they can forge a better way, than how it was from wherever they came from. It's a fairy tale to get married, to buy a house, to raise a family. And Obama is a fairy tale that I believe will work out. I like his talk, his attitude and his charisma. After years of partisan politics getting next to nothing done on both sides - I'd like to believe that we've found a candidate that is dedicated to a better way.

So 2008 is here (Happy New Year to everyone, btw) and with it brings the 2008 Presidential Election. So far we've had the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary election. I have to say, I was a bit surprised by the outcome for both of these.

Anyone who knows me knows I tend to be somewhat of a bleeding-heart liberal. It's not so much that I reject the theory of conservatism, I just think it tends to benefit people who are blessed enough as it is. Survival of the fittest is not the mind-frame that a nation should have for its people. The "haves" should make a more conscious effort to help the "have nots" and allow them every opportunity that comes their way.

I was left scratching my head a bit when it came to the results of the contests that have happened so far. Barack Obama winning Iowa was pretty huge, as was the victory speech he gave afterwards. It was stirring and uplifting. It literally gave me goosebumps. I like the fact that Edwards placed so high as well.

Clinton coming in third was just about as shocking as Obama winning. I think Hillary is a very smart and capable politician, I'm not sure she's much of a leader though. Add to that, I get the distinct impression that she's kind of a phony. She panders to people but she hasn't quite mastered the art of doing so in a way that doesn't let your audience know they're being pandered to. Her stated views more closely align to my own than any other candidate, and if she ends up getting the Democratic nomination I'll support my party by voting for her, but I'm not entirely convinced she's the woman for the job.

This leaves me with a conundrum, Edwards or Obama? Both display qualities of leadership, but I'm wary of Obama's lack of experience in national and international politics. That's not to say he couldn't learn or do well if surrounded by talented advisers and staff members. At least he isn't completely ignorant like certain unnamed current Presidents.

I think ultimately my dream ticket would be Edwards/Obama. I think 8 years in the VP position would give Barack all the experience he'd need to launch a successful campaign in 2016. I also think that another 8 years would give middle-America the time to get acquainted with the idea of black President that's not on 24 or in a lame Chris Rock movie.

However it turns out, no one can say it'll be politics as usual this time around. This is a pretty remarkable position we're in with both sides running full campaigns and no clear front-runner on either side. Cheney's decision not to seek the nomination may turn out to be the best thing to happen to US politics in a long time. Finally people are faced with a choice on both sides in the same election and it makes us scrutinize more closely and hopefully open up a healthy dialog with our friends and neighbors.

However it turns out, it's only 375 days til we finally get a new President! That alone is reason to celebrate!