Obama: He's the one.

[bigwillq]

Ever since each Democratic candidate announced their intention to run for President, I haven't been moved by any of the "top tier" candidates. Sure, each one had his or her's good qualities as well as some serious flaws.

I immediately took to Dennis Kucinich, who I believe, and still do, was the most progressive candidate running. Of course, he was a long shot candidate, who didn't have the money, nor the appeal or the perceived elect ability factor and name recognition to win a national election. What a shame.

I wasn't initially moved or inspired much by Barack Obama. I was one of the those skeptics who didn't think he stood for much of anything, thought he didn't have enough experience and was dismayed by the McClurkin issue.

I always thought Hillary Clinton had the right credentials and the experience after her years of being a public servant, whether it was during the Watergate investigations, in her tenure as First Lady and as a Senator.

Her book, Living History highlights her successful, and at times, groundbreaking, eight years as First Lady. I didn't like her vote on IWR and I didn't think our country would progress if it fell further into dynastic rule. I also thought that as much good that came out of the Clinton administration, there was a lot that wasn't so good and not in just policy. I didn't want the scandals of the 1990s to divide us even more.

After it became apparent that Kucinich had no shot at the nomination, and the other candidates ended their bids, I, and we, were left with Obama or Clinton.

I really thought I would vote for Clinton in my state primary in CT because I was still mad over the McClurkin mess and I still wasn't moved or inspired by Obama like so many have been.

I went with my heart and voted for Kucinich because a primary is the only chance you can vote your heart.

But after reading up on both Clinton and Obama more-I finished Living History on Monday and I am 170 pages into The Audacity of Hope-I feel that Obama is the future.

For those that still think Obama doesn't stand for anything, read his books or his website.
He does have a clear vision in how to move forward in this country and around the world.

Like it's said so many times, Senators don't win the Presidency often because they have a public record that pundits, critics and the American voter can go back and look at, scrutinize and dissect. Making a decision on a bill, with all the pork and amendments, is a difficult one. I can't really fault Obama, or Clinton, for some of the decisions they made. I do believe that both made every decision in the best interest of this country.

I really do like, and admire, Hillary Clinton but, doing my best junior high impersonation, she is so 1990s.

I still think Obama has many faults and I disagree with some of his policies but I truly believe he is an agent of change. I still have yet to be really moved by him or any of his speeches but I finally "get" what he's been trying to say all along.

I think he's run a great campaign and I now understand his intentions in trying to reach out to all people even if at first I thought he was throwing some of us under the bus or reaching out to some groups, mainly the religious right, just to get a vote.
I think he really is the one that can unite us as a nation and improve our standing in the world.

Whether we are Democrat or Republican, Independent, white, black, latino, gay or straight, we need to all come together, to unite, to pass policy to make this country better than it is or ever was.
Many people use the expression hope and change during a campaign. I think most candidates do want change and hope that is possible or they wouldn't be running.
I feel Obama is the one, and with a Democratic president, and increased majorities in Congress, that, and more, is possible.

I fully intend to support Obama, or Clinton if she gets the nomination, because I want my country back. I am sick of the division and the partisanship. Who knows, Obama, if he's elected, may turn out to be another typical Washington politician but at least he's trying not to be. He's ready to end the division and put the people first again. I like that, and finally, I like Obama.

[FrenchieCat]

1. My story is similar to yours, but happened earlier.......

Until I really started to pay attention to him and I read his book, I wasn't that impressed.

It wasn't until Clark said he wouldn't run, and he endorsed Hillary, that I decided to "shop".

I'm very happy with my decision...and I believe, so will you.

[bigwillq]

2. I'm happy with my decision to support the Democrat

and now, finally, I feel happy and excited if it's Obama.

[LittleBlue]

3. Me too. I was voting D because it's not R.

They weren't getting anywhere with my issue. They just took up the space that the Republicans must not fill.

With Obama it's like I'm voting for a real person, not a DLC type.

[bicentennial_baby]

4. Yay!!

Glad you feel better about him :)

[Coexist]

5. i loved your story!

do you prefer the kool-aid or the robes?

me, I like the refreshing beverage.
:hi:

[smalll]

6. Obama's The One. Why don't you send that one off to the Sloganeering Department

of the Empty Rhetoric Division of the O-man's campaign? I've got another one you can send up with it: Obama: Now More Than Ever -- It's A Fierce Urgency.

[psychopomp]

9. Appropriate username

I don't know if you are trolling or not, but your facile attempt at derailing a Democrat's enthusiasm for one of our candidates is pathetic.

bigwillq, welcome! The punch is by the altar... :toast:

[scheming daemons]

7. Barack "Neo" Obama.... Going to take down John "Mr. Anderson" McCain.

...

[AtomicKitten]

8. Thank you for your testimonial and welcome to the cult!!!

I think Obama will make a spectacular president, something we are sorely in need of right now.

[Laurab]

10. This is an excellent post. It's not surprising to me -

when people look a little deeper into Obama, they find he's not any of the things the anti-Obama people call him. I liked his first book because it gave me a good sense of his character BEFORE he was running for anything, and it was easier to read for me. "The Audacity of Hope" is pretty wonkish, so it was tougher for me to get through, but you really do get a good look at the man, I think. And he's pretty wonkish, really.

I see an administration where opposing opinions are welcomed and weighed, and decisions are well thought-out, with all the information necessary to make them having been perused. I see an open and transparent government - by the people, for the people, sort of like it's supposed to be. I'm not naive enough to believe everything will be open and transparent, but it's nice to know one of our candidates is as bothered by the secrecy of this administration as I am. In short, I see the polar opposite of the present administration.

I agree with you about the increased majorities in Congress, and more, as well.

It's nice that your decision was made by researching the candidates - I'm afraid a lot of people with strong opinions haven't bothered to do that.

Kicked and recommended!