Here in Tennessee, a common excuse for voting for the status quo goes something like this: "It's not that I don't like him; I just don't think he can actually win."  Voters, resigned to the notion that their actual favorite candidate will not be truly viable in the general election, show up at their polling places only to hold their noses and signal their approval of the Foregone Conclusion, a candidate who hasn't really won them over, but whom they think has a chance of beating the Other Guy, the one they REALLY don't like.  They figure they can live with their choice, and the better candidate - the one they really do like - will surely have his/her chance later on down the road, when the "public" is ready.

I have heard from some that they would vote for Obama, but they just don't think Americans are ready to vote for a black President.  To these people, I say: HELLO.  YOU are the public.  YOU are the person holding us up, here.  YOU are the person accepting less than you deserve.  YOU are the reason our country has been in this terrible, depressing rut for so long, and YOU are keeping us from a more promising future.  By casting your vote based on your impression of a candidate's viability, YOU are fulfilling the prophecy of the status quo. 

My challenge to Americans is this: Stop listening to the negativity.  Believe that you can make a difference.  Vote your conscience in your state's primary.  It feels sooooo good to cast a vote for someone you really believe in, as opposed to someone you think you're prepared to tolerate.   Barack Obama is the Real Deal.  I'll feel great casting my ballot on February 5th for the most exciting candidate of my lifetime.  And I'll feel even better when Barack Obama becomes my President, a President I can truly be proud of.  How profoundly refreshing.