As I sit here at my computer late at night trying to digest the events of the day, I have come to the conclusion that January 28, 2008 was a great day for this country. In fact, today was a turning point in American politics. I know that is quite a bold statement on my part but hear me out on this before you form an opinion. Then you can say "John, your nuts" but hopefully you'll be saying "John, I think you may have something there".
This day started out with Caroline, Patrick and Ted Kennedy endorsing our candidate for President of the United States, Barack Obama. The Kennedy family is the royalty of the Democratic party and has been ever since JFK was President. To have Ted and Patrick Kennedy throw their support behind Barack Obama is a fantastic turn of events. To have Caroline Kennedy throw her support behind Barack Obama is nothing short of a major coup. This is a lady that has, for the most part, stayed out of politics. Yet she has seen how Senator Obama has galvanized the Democratic electorate, how Senator Obama has instilled hope in people around this country, how Senator Obama has taken over where her father left off 40 years ago.
Now fast forward eight hours to the State of the Union address. The question that comes to my mind is "Can a State of the Union address be deemed irrelevant?" The answer, of course, is yes. Especially when delivered by a lame duck President trying to make up for eight years of failed policies. There was simply nothing in the President's speech that we, as Democrats, haven't heard before. But more importantly, there was nothing in the speech that the American public has not heard before. Iraq, entightlements, porkbarrell spending, immigration, Katrina. Every issue addressed by the President tonight was simply a repeat of past State of the Union addresses. This is a President that has thrown in the towel on a failed presidency. Mr. Bush would never admit that but it was easy to see tonight. And it was sad. I don't feel sad for the President, I feel sad for America, because we, as citizens of this great country, deserve and expect alot more of the Commander in Chief.
So how do these two different events make this day a turning point in American politics? Because today will be remembered as the day that Barack Obama became the hope and future of America. He has been handed the torch of Camelot from the family that has guarded it so well for so long. He has been entrusted with the Kennedy legacy. His entrance into the halls of Congress tonight should be proof enough that Democrats know a winner when they see one. The Senator was flanked by Senator Kennedy on one side and Senator Claire McKaskill on the other. He was mobbed like he was the President already. He sat in the gallery with Senator Kennedy by his side, listening to a man with no legacy, with no hope or future except a ranch in Texas. Tonight was the perfect storm. The bright light of American politics watching the switch turned off on the last eight years.
So remember this day. From here on out things are going to be different. Senator Obama truly became the beacon of hope, the beacon of change for this country. Today, Barack Obama became the torch bearer of Camelot. Perhaps it is not possible to bring back the feeling of 1960 and the excitement that President Kennedy instilled in us 40 years ago. Then again, with Senator Barack Obama leading the way, the path to Camelot is more brightly lit today than it has been in the last 40 years. I for one, will follow him down that path.
Hope is not just a thought when change is in the air!
John Harris
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