I'm a 59 year old accomplished scientist who's shocked to find himself passionate about a political primary. I haven’t done anything in politics for the last 40 years.
I dearly wish to be optimistic about my country. But as a country we are confronting so many serious problems and have suffered from terrible leadership in recent years. It was almost unthinkable that a transformational national leader would emerge – one blessed with honesty, judgment and inspiration. But over the last 14 months I have slowly and progressively come to believe that Obama is just such a leader.
So I have found myself gradually becoming more and more engaged in the Obama campaign. First reading his books. Then providing a little financial support. Then attending his first rally near DC Then actively following the events leading up to the Iowa caucus, including immersion in the passionate chatter of the BarackObama.com blogs. On New Years day I first volunteered at the Arlington VA location, with a handful of other volunteers. The tempo then accelerated quickly. I attended an Iowa caucus-watch party and met for the first time a local republican fireman and his wife who had been out of state volunteers for Obama in Iowa. Suddenly, serious involvement in the campaign didn’t feel so foreign. The frustration of the loss in NH accelerated the commitment. I overcame the discomfort of phone-banking and became passionately involved in calling into Nevada. Thereafter, volunteering for 4 days out of state in SC seemed not only reasonable but inevitable. What an exhausting and exhilarating trip! (
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/ScientistSteve/CGxgH
); I was deeply impressed by the quality and intensity of Obama volunteers from all walks of life. So going to Delaware for 4 days followed naturally (
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/ScientistSteve/CGMRT
) as did 3 days of canvassing in MD, and hundreds of phone calls in to WI. Much remains to be done.
Many of my friends have been mystified by the unanticipated intensity of my commitment. But I care too much about where we as a country are headed and believe that this is a singular moment. How could I not do my utmost to seize this opportunity?
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