Meet Barack Obama

Since last I wrote about this, I’ve blogged plenty. He’s still my guy. At dinner last night someone mentioned that Hillary was promoting family on our recent Iowa tours…with mom and Chelsea. I just can’t help but wonder, was it family values that motivated her to overlook her husbands lifetime of indiscretions – or is it convenient to talk about family values now. I don’t require a saint for president, I require realism. Hillary promoting family values – that’s as fictitious as the unicorns I read about to my children. I wish they could vote for Barack Obama too.

I was amazed at the coverage of the fundraising results – not because of how much was raised, but because so little attention was focused on constituency. The majority of Barack dollars came from individuals, with the greatest percentage those smaller donors who have not reached their giving cap. I’m hopeful and audacious.

One of the reasons I’d like to meet Barack Obama myself is because of the poor reporting I see. NPR had a feature in News and Notes today, and they said “Barack swooned over Beyonce” at a recent hollywood party. I would have easily expected that from one of the Entertainment Tonight or Insider shows – but NPR. I remain outraged and irritated. If there is to be a serious debate about the political potential and platform of the candidates, I’d prefer to hear more about the core of each candidate, and less bias from all the media outlets. It may have been a win for Hillary who was portrayed as a strong leader in minority communities – but with millions and millions of dollars, there is bound to be some advantage. So…I’ve committed to raising $2,300 for his campaign. I figure, if I can ‘t give it personally, I can at least raise it. Reality is – I think his voice is valuable to the political envirnoment as a whole. Obama 08 for me – even though I don’t agree with all of his views.

So the latest in political reflections – Obama’s peer (Joe Biden) indicated that the presidential candidate was “clean, articulate…” and at face value one might question what is the problem? Well, when you say he is the first clean, articulate, black candidate – you express the “oh my goodness” this is possible right along side what you believe about the prior candidates. Open mouth insert foot.

If I could convince everyone that I know to donate $25 each time they were severely irritated by the dialogue surrounding a quality candidate in Obama, he’d build up his campaign treasure chest for sure. I do not agree with his every position – but in a society where “articulate and clean…” are the adjectives that surround Barack’s candidacy, its proof why the nation is desperately in need of a better caliber of candidate. A better dialogue about politics all together. I’d like to meet Barack. At the core – I think he’s more than articulate and clean. Joe Biden could learn from that alone.

I’ve started listening to Barack’s podcasts and the banter about him on the radio. Doesn’t matter if you are listenting to NPR, Left talk shows or religious news programs – the debate remains the same, can he win? They mention his lack of experience, his “novelty” within the Democratic party, and dear Hillary.

I have no idea what the ultimate outcome will be, but for a breath of fresh air and the start of something new, touchable, and tangible, I think he’s assured a new supporter in me. We’ve had extensive experience, we’ve had family legacy, we’ve had 1 term wonders, we’ve had disgrace in the office, on the capital and in the election process – we’ve also had better economic times, seasons without war, and seasons where there was more obsession about sexual history than legislation. I say – Run Barack Run. When I look at the field – this race is open and I’ll be making my first financial contribution to a political campaign…and I’ll keep listening and observing to learn where the entire field stands.

A wonderfully loving man – is a staunch republican. I believe I am by definition an independent – only to say I have voted for both parties, depending on the candidate and what they stood for. In my earlier years, I voted straight party line, I was frustrated, disappointed and uninterested about the impact long term. I’m older. I’m wiser.

So I join the Barack Obama online site- and my husband states – “do you even know what he stands for before you sign up for that.” I was taken aback. He later said, “Don’t rely on NPR for all of your information, they have a bias.”

Who doesn’t have a bias. I had to remind dear husband he married a very smart woman, and he made that decision on the basis that he needed “an intellectual stimulant, as well as all that jazz….” I joined Barack because for the first time in some years I had an interest in someone defined as a Democrat who intrigued me, and wanted to hear more. I had listened to several interviews and thought, I like what he has to say. I had listened to SEVERAL media outlets, and I followed the hype, including my bias to listening to Christian radio – which was for once mentioning a man of color in politics. I have the audacity to hope for more.

He may not stand for all that I believe, but no one does – that is what makes me me. What I do know, however, is that I will put my support, interest, and financial backing behind anyone that challenges me to think and aspire to more.