If we really think about what we have control over in any given day, it's not much. We can't dictate what the media will put in the headlines, or what the columnists will write, or what supporters will say that supports or unintentionally damages the efforts of the Obama campaign.
So why work at it at all? Because each of us is an Army of One. We do hand-to-hand combat with everyone we come into contact with. And what we say, our level of knowledge, our demeanor and grace, our ability to articulate our thoughts - they all reflect on the candidate himself.
I invite this every day by wearing a wardrobe of Obama t-shirts. Early on, it was all flowers and sunshine. I attracted all the Obama supporters. As we get closer to the election, I'm starting to hear from the other camp.
Case in point was a Happy Hour with former colleagues from my former company. It is McCain country over there at the new corporate headquarters - I knew that. And I wore my Obama t-shirt to the bar anyway. These people are friends (sort of) and they've known me for years.
I was astonished at what I heard. The level of . . . ignorance. It was incredible! And they ganged up on me (which didn't bother me a bit.) It's not too hard to pary attacks based on: 1) He's a Muslim and won't take the oath of office on a Bible; 2) What about gun control?; 3) What about partial birth abortion?; and What experience does he really have - what has he DONE?
It was a good thing that a fair amount of beer was involved here. I think we'll all still be "friends" after the election and they've watched him take the oath of office on their big screen HD TVs. They will learn to love their President. The country will embrace him.
Until then, we fight the battle every day one person at a time. And that is enough. It's all we need to do. For the most part, our sphere of influence is the people we know personally or those we meet campaigning. Are we up to representing Barack Obama every time someone engages us in a conversation about him? This is how we will win the election - one person and one conversation at a time.
The only thing we need to ask ourselves everyday is this: What will I do today to convince one other person that Barack Obama is the best candidate for President? (And then) What did I do today that helped convince one other person to vote for Barack Obama on November 4th?
Army of One. We are looking for a few good supporters.
Comments are closed for this post.
