Back in 2005, during the debate on whether to confirm Chief Justice Roberts to the Supreme Court, Barack wrote a blog entry to Daily Kos (one of the more liberal sites on the web). If you read Obama's books and this profile -- see http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/05/07/070507fa_fact_macfarquhar?printable=true -- you'll learn how he would seek to form a Democratic majority, American consensus, and govern the country with a respect for others' views.
Below I share Barack's blog entry and just a few of the better responses which articulate the wide range of views it engendered. As we go into the campaign season and the rhetoric from both sides gets a little hotter, I encourage everyone to think about these issues and please share your thoughts in response.
I particulary found this profile of Barack in The New Yorker insightful. It gives a good background on Obama's approach as someone who can unite, not divide, us. See
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/05/07/070507fa_fact_macfarquhar
p.s. Barack did it again today... told the NEA that he favored merit-pay for teachers, and yet somehow managed to get applause. He refused to pander, challenged another group to do their part to improve the country and told them he'd work with them, not dictate down to them. I love this ability.
Some in the media and blogosphere are claiming Barack is an empty suit which can only utter the words "hope" and "change" and hasn't defined any clear positions. As supporters of Obama we need to help counteract this lie; we need to be able to point others to Barack's views and why we support him (and why he supports us!). Here are some links to do that:
Universal Healthcare Plan Link /> Foreign Policy Agenda Link /> Energy and Fuel Efficiency Agenda Link /> Documented consistent opposition to the Iraq war Link /> Obama's Iraq Bill Link /> Ethics Reform Agenda Link /> Faith and Religion Agenda Link
The "Issues" menu item at the top of his website has more. Spread the word!
It's unfortunate, but true, that money matters. With Barack having high approval ratings where he is better known but still hurting in some places due to lower name recognition, it's important the campaign have sufficient funds for travel and advertising to get him and his message more well known. So we can all feel good being part of the early stages of what is really becoming a movement -- more than 1/4 million people contributing $32.5 million in a goal to elect a leader who will unite the best of all Americans.
As many have said, the national polls means nothing at this stage. But with these funds, spent wisely, there is now an opportunity for the message to spread. Even without the funds, however, we can each do our part and start spreading the word. Talk to your friends at work or in the pew next to you. I think you'll be surprised how much we have in common and how much Barack speaks to cross-partisan values. Thankfully, Barack is also willing to challenge us: Note how he was told Detroit auto workers we need higher CAFE standards, and poorer black dads on Father's Day that being a father took courage beyond the biological act of creating a baby, for example.
So yes, let's feel good about the donation total announced today. But let's also realize if we speak with confidence and hope to those we know and each make a small, personal individual contribution to spreading our belief in Obama's vision, we can make our personal fire within turn into a renewing firestorm across the city, county, state and country.
We cannot expect Barack or any one person in Washington, DC to solve all of America's problems. But Obama has renewed my confidence that a real leader can set a tone, guide the ship of state with vision to inspire hope and confidence and lead us with values to help us all create the country we aspire to be.
Thanks to everyone who still has the "audacity of hope."
