Why I am voting for Barack

Jean — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:23:26 EST

Part I - Black Man for a White House In spite of this work’s title, the important thing about Barack Obama is not his color. What's important, is HOW he wears his color. It illustrates a unique potential for Presidential success. As Obama’s black friends seem to know, he is not what America calls ‘black.’ That is, he is not a descendant of the former slave culture. He comes instead out of free black Africa and from white middle-class America. This juxtaposition can temporarily confuse. However, when he listens to what our black citizens say and they, in turn, hear the pride he has in their accomplishments; when they see the confidence he embodies for their better future, they utterly warm to him. Carried along, they understand: Obama not only shares their physical origins, he walks with them. And once they experience that warm, genuine shoulder-clap that is Obama’s; they know, “He knows.” They are not the same, but their dreams resonate. They incubate within this person. Listening carefully to Obama, whites begin to understand something new too. They experience a state of identical purpose, a place where “color” fades to mere personal decoration. They see a statesman with the sort of experience they like; a candidate with intelligence of the highest order who also has that incalculable, but recognizable quality called wisdom. His manner of speaking and his easy good humor complete the effect. He makes sense. They share his vision. They discover his imagination revealed in workable plans. It sparks hope. Back in his childhood, Barack’s appearance was always quite different from those around him. Such a difference was undoubtedly painful at times, but pretty much unavoidable. Today, however, in his confident bearing, Obama reveals “being different” is really quite OK. He moves easily, more so every day - into black American culture and finds himself warmly accepted as a brother. Yet when he opens his mouth, he also displays solidarity with those in every class and of every color, at least with those who share his solid values and his demanding national expectations. He is often tried, but not yet found wanting. It is now past time for this black man to be in our White House. Like my much loved, adopted daughter, Obama is undoubtedly one of those who cannot help being “Oreos,” but in that, they are internal ambassadors, emissaries as it were, to our national self concept. Just as Christians believe Christ is at any moment truly God AND truly Man, Barack is truly white AND truly black; and everything in between. His DNA, intrinsically merged, has been experientially refined. The result? This articulate champion of the future. In this mirror of personal uniqueness, people see common hopes and shared dreams. In this urgent reflection of "What can be" we span impossible chasms of “culture” and social strata are bridged. Contagious, Hope tugs us through the mirror and across the bridge. On the other side, Obama is a midwife. He is facilitating a stubborn birth for a new nation. Will the baby survive to a better, fuller life; or will she be still-born? So much depends on the old nation and our willingness to push. Part II - Our Man for Our White House It seems Barack Obama appeals as much to the poor as to the “upper crust;” as much to the drop-out as to the well-educated. Displaying an easy manner with all, Barack’s demeanor suggests he is one of those lucky ones – the ones who have always been well loved. It pervades all he does, and thus armed, he seems impervious to snarky criticism. He disarms untruths with calm and clear, bitter-free facts. “Tell them they are misinformed,” he kindly advises shaken email recipients. It seems his secure childhood home, his strong family of the present, and just “learning to get along” has made Obama tough, and, at the same time, compassionate. These two personality traits may, in the end, be his most important Presidential assets.Such strength is something we have not had for a long time. We need someone like Obama, who is not just smart enough, but diplomatic enough to guide essential changes into being. Testiness or confusion, such as some of the other candidates have recently revealed would not stand them well in international confrontation. When one remains calm, one can think. Obama thinks well on his feet indeed, and it is, I think, because of his calm sense of purpose and an unrelenting regard for others and the truth. He is unflappable, but not because he is patient. He is impatient as we are for relief and leadership of which we may be proud. In these days preliminary to the primaries, how difficult for the candidates to get out their details so that people may understand their differences. People often wonder what this, or that candidate, actually stands for. But why? The candidates have websites. They provide issue pages on almost every relevant topic. Obama’s positions are well detailed; organized and filled with sensible originality. They are workable too, because of those he keeps close. Al Gore has been the primary resource for his environmental plans. He has Colin Powell and other experienced Generals advising him on the war. He has the help of Bloomberg, and Gates, in fact a whole stable of involved, motivated others who advise and have influenced his policies. These are a far cry from the “good people” with which Bush supposedly surrounded himself and a sharp contrast to some of those that Hillary Clinton has chosen to draw close.Aware of the technology now available, Obama plans to integrate it within his new measures, with plans to support the creation of new technological venues. Not embroiled in the bitter political battles of the past, he is in a position to effectively guide solutions for cities, small business and pensions; and to implement workable plans for health insurance and social security. Moreover, he well recognizes the needs of the third world, as do his advisors. He says influencing the well being of others around the world helps insure security for us here in the US.Obama’s relevant background goes on and on. Some of the Democratic candidates have experience in foreign relations. Obama would undoubtedly employ ambassadors with qualifications such as theirs, though his choices may be younger. He will probably be the first President with an actual degree in foreign relations. As a senator he has served on committees charged with setting foreign policy. Did the Democratic opposition work in Indonesia? Barack lived there…getting to know the Muslim mindset intimately. Not a part of it, but observing it, taking it in, understanding it, as only a bright child can. Have they been to Africa? Obama is out of Africa, learning of the place from his father, visiting there extensively as an adult. Did they meet people from other cultures? Barack spent his adolescence in Hawaii, getting to know people of a dozen or more different lands. Are they familiar with rural areas? Barack’s family was of Kansas. Did they serve in big cities? Barack married the city. He walked the streets of Chicago during a most desolate time, helping the people, working as a cause-driven public-service attorney. Ultimately he wed Michelle, a successful product of the city’s struggle.Finally, in this time of great damage to the Constitution – namely the blatant and overstepping extension of the current Administration’s powers, comes this man, Barack Obama, who taught constitutional law for 10 years. Ron Paul may love the constitution, but Obama really KNOWS the constitution. Not less motivated than Paul, who could be better than Obama to set these criminal infractions to right?There was a song in the 60’s: “To know, know, know him, is to love, love, love him.” I ask the reader to really get to know Barack. His book, The Audacity of Hope, is an amazing read. His position papers can be found at Barackobama.com. If and when you love him too, please let me know [jrbjhb@hotmail.com], because I believe you will want to act on it. And…I REALLY don’t want to be the only one standing for Barack at caucus. Our area Democrats know Barack Obama inspired the last Democratic National Convention at a time when it was most needed; AND that he came to Kansas to inspire our state’s gathering a couple years back. Now we can be there for him. It is not just loyalty; it is the embracing of the best we have.The White House sits “empty;” it’s waiting. It is not just waiting for someone nice, or merely capable, it is waiting for someone Great. Let’s send it the best we’ve got...not just anyone, but Barack Obama - OUR man for OUR White House.

Yellow ribbons and yard signs

Jean — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 01:39:47 EDT

I'd like to see TV ads that "model" foks who have yellow ribbons in their front yards placing Obma signs in their yards, and folks who have "Support our troops" magnets on their cars placing Obama bumper stickers and more ads showing people of all colors wearing Obama shirts, buttons, etc. This sounds bad, but real: Some of the white folks are going to need the support of an "everybody's doing it" campaign because of fear of what some people will think of their supporting a black candidate. They will vote for Obama,but we want their friends to also. If it's "the thing to do ," they will. Let's let everybody know "everybody's doing it."

Also, We will need a lot of Obama signs up early in this case, and then, lots more at the end. Remember...Everybody's doing it.

General suggestions

Jean — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:35:49 EDT

I am impressed with the Obama site. Hate being a gripe, but I'm not too cool with the logo but perhaps it's creator, on his/her own, or in consultation with other graphics experts can do something to subtlely enhance it. It looks a little dull and indecisive. On the other hand it contrasts nicely with the candidate it represents, who is anything but.

This may sound dorky, but I'd like to hear radio ads...a lot of them the closer we get to primary time. The nice thing about radio: people usually won't change the channel for a short ad and it is going straight into their ears, frequently too, and is a lot cheaper than TV. Barack has a wonderful voice and very persuasive sensible things to say. You could give us some specific way to sponsor [pay for] offical radio ads in our local area.

Campaign suggestions and feedback

Why I am voting for Barack

Yellow ribbons and yard signs

General suggestions