Wow! So much has happened during this election season. The primary election seems like decades ago. (smile)
I am so hopeful that Barack Obama will be sworn in January 2009, we all have to work hard to break past some of the stereotypes and smears that the Republicans seem to be perpetuating. They have made Hillary Clinton look like apple pie. (smile) As passionate and upset as we all were when Sen. Clinton was our opponent, I must say that it is definitely a different fight with the Republicans. I find myself becoming more and more exhausted by the Republican tactics.
I have every intention of standing with Barack and all of you involved in this campaign as we push through the summer and on into the General Election. I want to also ask all to say a pray for Barack. He has a very tough assignment of balancing his agenda for this country. He is trying very hard to maintain his core supporters, while appealing to the center. This is the call for "inclusiveness" at its best; plus it wouldn't hurt to actually WIN in November! (smile)
I know that many people have been disturbed by Barack's move to the center, but for anyone who has had an opportunity to read his book, The Audacity of Hope, you will know that he is really very moderate in his idealogy; not the liberal that the media and Republicans try to paint him. One thing that the Bush Administration has totally given new meaning to is, "you will not agree with everything your President does". We didn't know how determental that fact would be these past seven years, but I believe that Barack Obama is a very reasonable man and just like I heard one Democratic leader say, "Barack knows what he doesn't know and that is what shows him to have good judgment". Mr. Bush has not known what he doesn't know and has shown very poor judgment when making decisions that is in the best interest of this country. I see the same thing pattern with Sen. McCain. He seems to have no regard the strong opinion of the people of this country. He only knows what he knows and seems to have no interest in knowing anything else.
I have pushed away from the main stream media these days because they are really not reporting news, they are manufacturing and fabricating news in order to fill in the gaps of the slow season. As always, I still get my news and motivation from this website.
On more positive news - I am so excited about the Democratic Convention this year. I had plans to travel during that time, but decided to push it back a week because I don't want any interruptions as I look intently at the convention and the excitement that will be present within the Democratic party. This is definitely our time, a historic time. I am confident that this party will be rallied to take back the White House and there are many others who will want to be a part of the winning party!
This is my view of the State of the Campaign to date. I am still fired up and ready to WIN!
P.S. I want to welcome all Clinton Supporters on-board in the effort to pull our country back from peril!
Obama 08 & 12
Whew! This has been a very long nine weeks of continuous campaigning without the benefit of a primary win. There has been so many ups and downs, highs and lows for this campaign. It has given us all a chance to settle down into our perspective supporter roles and do what is needed to keep the momentum going through donations, phonebanking, morale boosting and defending this campaign against the outlandish efforts of the media and our opponents.
Like many other supporters, I have enjoyed the light moments we have experienced with Barack and Michelle on some of the comedy outlets. Barack showed his athletic side on Real Sports which gave us an opportunity to see just how much "game" he has. (smile) I am anxiously awaiting to see him on The Jon Stewart show Monday.
I have also experienced great excitement with each endorsement we have received from superdelegates, newspapers, organizations and yes, "The Boss"! (smile)
Although it has been a very long primary season and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight before June, I am so proud to be a part of something so empowering and fulfilling. I get so emotional about the attacks that have been lodged during this "silly season" my husband has said, "you need to walk away for awhile". I have often agreed with those suggestions, but then I remember my obligation as a supporter of this campaign- to help keep the momentum going in our community by frequenting this website, posting positive comments on other blogs regarding this campaign, donating and phonebanking, all of these tasks help in keeping the morale high and the "bitterness" low! (smile)
I was so very impressed with every Obama supporter after that event called a "Debate". Once again we all banned together toward the same cause and spoke out loudly to ABC regarding the pathetic performance of the moderators. After the debate this community was going crazy posting telephone numbers, emails, faxs, etc. in order to express our complaints. The next morning there was some push back against us, but as the day progressed we had made a difference in the public opinion of what was one of the weakest moments in television history during a primary election. Again, the grassroots effort went into full effect! I LOVED IT! Thank you Obama Family for your resilent support of this campaign!
So as we go into the final weekend before the long awaited Pennsylvania primary, I am sure we will all do our part in helping this campaign succeed. We will surely work like crazy and then on Tuesday will all be in front of the television surfing the channels between MSNBC and CNN all for the better part of the night hoping and praying for Victory!
I am not sure what will happen in the Pennsylvania primary, but no matter what happens, I am certain of ONE thing, this campaign will do everything we have been doing from its beginning with as much "passion and consistency" as it has always done.
Obama 08!
This has been a very intense month in the campaign. We have taken some pretty big hits from the media, critics and our opponent. However, we are still here standing more resolute in our belief that Barack is the right person at this time to bring this country together.
I am so inspired by Barack's integrity throughout this entire controversy with his former pastor. I was also so proud of his ability to take the subject of race head on with this speech in Philadelphia. It was truly a learning experience for the entire nation. The critics may not agree with this political positions, but they have to respect him as a man with a high level of integrity.
I am feeling good about Pennsylvania for the first time. I am not making any predictions about wins or losses, but I think that once the voters get to know Barack they will see what we have all come to see in him, loyality, integrity and honesty. The beauty of Barack is that he seems to connect with each and every individual personally even when he is in an arena of thousands. No matter what happens in Pennsylvania during the primary, getting to know Barack as a voter now will lay the groundwork for them in the General Election.
Barack has been the mobilizing factor for many who have seriously and honestly become engaged in the process and that can only be positive for the Democratic Party and the country at large. I am truly enjoying seeing Barack on so many media outlets. I am anxiously awaiting to see him on The View. I am antiicipating seeing him with Chris Matthews next week on the College Tour.
I hope Barack and his family have been able to rejuvenate a little during their vacation. This campaign as been very grueling for me as a supporter, I can't imagine how difficult it must be on Barack and his family. I wish them the best and I offer my gratitude for their bravery and commitment to step up to this most daunting and important task.
Signing off for now!
Okay, like most Obama supporters, I am awaiting Super Tuesday, March 4th. Like many, I am trying not to watch the polls but trying to busy myself with phonebanking and promoting my online fundraising goals.
Like most Obama supporters, my life has become consumed with this campaign not only because of its historical nature; not only because of the people who have responded, but because of the IMPORTANCE of the times that we live. This country is crying for a course of change. Some months ago, as I reflected on the state of our country and the reality that my children will become the benefactors of a broken America, I shuttered with fear and anxiety. I am more sensitive to what kind of life my children will lead in this country since losing my own mother 21 months ago.
Then there came Barack, speaking of hope and change in an arena that impacts our lives through legislature, national security, social and economic healthiness, and unity. I am happy to announce that those shutters don't represent fear and anxiety as much. They now represent hopefulness and commitment to Change.
I have been listening to the back and forth rhetoric, "Barack is not ready", "Obama didn't have to cast a vote for the war", etc. Barack has shown that good judgment trumps experience. I am not interested in the textbook version of the Presidency. I am interested in the human side, the gut feeling of moral judgment. Barack is so much more than a politician, he is a LEADER! A true leader does not follow the script; they go against the norm, they push back on the status quo.
I believe that Sen. Clinton regrets her vote on the war. However, undeniably that vote questioned her leadership skills. Is she ready to lead or is she ready to follow? While Barack was not in the U.S. Senate when that vote was cast, there were many in congress that voted against the war, even a Republican who lost his seat afterwards. But those few who voted against it showed that they believed in what was morally right and not what is politicially correct. For those who voted for the war, they had one or two reasons for doing so - either they were playing the "politically safe game" or they "failed to use good judgment".
I heard a pundit say, "Barack has an "Executive Personality", while Sen. Clinton has a more "Legislative Personality". I thought about that for a moment and I asked myself, "What kind of personality can truly lead and transform this country, an executive or a legislative one"? I then went to the dictionary to get the correct definition for both words:
Legislative: having the function of making laws; pertaining to the enactment of laws
Executive: ...capable of, or suited for carrying out or executing; decision-making
I decided that I want a leader who can execute the laws of this country; someone who can display good judgment and have a sensitive ear to the needs and desires of the people and not those of the lobbyists for corporate America. A leader who wants to lead in the world with diplomacy and regard for all countries. I think this should be the message to Sen. McCain.
So, I will now go back to promoting my fundraising goal, phonebanking and whatever I can do to promote Barack's message. I will continue to hope and pray for victory on March 4th; not only because if its history, but because of its IMPORTANCE to the future of this country.
Yes We Can
After yesterday's silly tricks of the Clinton campaign and the cynicism of the media, I have been on pins and needles with the anticipation of the debate tonight. With Clinton's current state of desperation and the moderator's desire to boost ratings, I think they will really try to rattle Barack. He has done so well under pressure up to this point and I am sure he will do just fine. Although that doesn't slow down my stress level.
I come to this website and look at many of the videos of his rallys and listen to the many supporters who have volunteered for this campaign for change and I get chills by the strength of millions who have answered the call for change. We have been so divided on so many levels for so long in this country, it just feels so good to be a part of a coalition that is working for the same outcome. I have seen, read and listened to so many people who have sacrificed so much for the candidate they believe is the one who will piece this country back together, one state at a time.
I was born and raised on the southside of Chicago and moved to the eastcoast two years ago. So I have been a supporter of Barack since his time in the Illinois State Senate and I always thought that he was a very compassionate and special individual. To see him replicate that kind of compassion and strength on a national level is like being proud of a big brother!
Me and my family have become consumed with this campaign and we joke that Barack needs to wrap up this nomination so we can take a "quick" breath before we move forward to the general election! (smile)
I hope everyone prays for Barack tonight. Just because he is the firstrunner everyone on that stage will be out to trip him up. I love Tim Russert but I know he will go after Barack tonight.
I know with all our support and prayers Barack will do fine.
Today I feel so proud of this country who is demanding the kind of change it needs. I am so proud that they have not allowed the cynics to dictate their vote. I have only been inspired to involve myself in two campaigns in my entire voting life and they both were for Sen. Obama. I volunteered during his Illinois Senate race and now the race for President. I truly believe that this man is a decent human being who really wants to serve this country to the best of his ability with the help of the American people.
While I know that we are all proud of the accomplishments up to this point, we all know that we haven't reached the finish line. I believe that cynicism is about to make a comeback in a very large way and their voices will only get more dissentient. (I guess I should credit that statement to Barack). It has already started with the petty politics of accusations of both Barack and Michelle. These kinds of tactics sometimes draws me into a place of cynicism and disappointment. As rewarding and hopeful as the wins of this campaign is, I know that it will probably get worse before we make it to the finishline.
I am hoping and praying for Barack and his advisors move forward with the good judgment that they have shown up to this point. I want Barack to know that we all have enlisted our support of his call to help him accomplish his vision for this country.
I know that the debate Thursday will be challenging, but I have faith that Sen. Obama will speak truth to power. I know that because of his level of integrity light will prevail over darkness.
YES WE CAN!
New polls have Sen. Clinton ahead in Ohio and PA by double digits. I don't generally pay much attention to polls, but with this race heating up I am paying more attention. However, I am confident based on how Obama's supporters have banded together these past couple of months and consistently delivered victories. I know that we have to work one contest at a time and the current contest is WI and HI. It seems like Barack is doing an excellent job of communicating with the voters in WI.
After Tuesday we really have to concentrate on Ohio and Texas. I was so inspired as I looked at those people who showed up in Ohio for the organizational meeting. I want to do whatever I can to help this movement toward victory. I plan to continue phonebanking, but I am also open to any and all ideas of support.
I will also be very happy when these debates are over. I think that Barack does well in these debates, especially when he keeps it above the bickering, but I believe that Sen. Clinton will try to take it down because she knows that the televised debates is her only chance to make her case nationally and she will try to push him beyond the limits.
While there has been some really stressful times during this campaign, these are also very exciting times. It has been very fulfilling to be able to take an active role in helping this process move forward toward change we can believe in!
Yes we can!!!
