Say what? Many in Europe are excited by the prospect of change in the U.S. Government, and I've discovered a website in Dutch proving just that: De volgende president van de Verenigde Staten.
It's inspiring what you can find in the blogs not directly affiliated with the campaign site - here's a short list of "Audacious Blogs" which can serve as a starting point. Meanwhile, even if you don't speak Dutch, it's worth a quick visit to the Netherlands to see the sort of coverage - and hope - Senator Obama's candidacy is inspiring. You can do it.
De moed van Obama, de openhartigheid, de charismatische persoonlijkheid, en de goed-gearticuleerde visie inspireren overzee verdedigers. Ons ogenblik is nu. Ja, kunnen wij!
This morning I sat watching the Yes, We Can video with tears streaming down my cheeks.
Today for the first time in my life, at the age of 43, I am going to vote for a Black man to be the Democratic candidate for the presidency of the US.
I realize he is not the first Black man to run for president here. However it is the first time I have voted this way. Not because I was racist in the past, but because I believe in Barack as a person. The tears however are because he is Black. Because I believe FINALLY this country I love is moving past color and gender and towards the best candidate for the position.
I cried too because sure, music moves me in my soul and the Yes, We Can video is magically moving and awe inspiring. I cried in part also because he speaks so eloquently and intelligently. It has been a long drought when it comes to those traits in a US president. I've so missed that.
So I wiped my tears and pulled something warm on to keep my fibromyalgia muscles from getting ticked and joined my husband as we got in the car to drive down the street and vote. Vote together. My Dutch husband who now has US citizenship voting in his first Presidential Primary. God my eyes are welling up again. He takes this seriously. He studies the issues, the candidates and propositions. I love this man, not because he is also voting for Barack, but because he takes his citizenship within this country as an honor and participates fully in society. Voting for Barack too is cool. We cheer him on together now. Up until recently we still discussed options, issues, candidates. Now we have our candidate!
Our experience campaigning in the last presidential election still stings a bit. Horrible people here in Orange County screaming profanities and flipping us off as we campaigned at the Orange Circle for Kerry/Edwards and other locations and days. It happened over and over gain. Old men in mercedes, soccer moms driving hummers with their kids in the car. Fellow Americans who I would probably have given food and clothes too in a natural disaster but seemed to wish me dead because I didn't want to help reelect Bush. Dark days, dark times. Those memories will always sting. But Barack Obama is helping me to believe again. To be willing to stick my neck and opinions out there again and find hope in the process and the man.
We arrive at the school and are the first there! How cool is that. I am first in line to vote. I have to check the box to make sure it is empty and not stuffed with ballots and sign a ballot sheet as the polls are declared open. I felt extra special on this day that I cried about voting.
This day, this Super Tuesday. God it feels good to have hope again. I'm proud I voted. I'm proud of who I voted for. I am even proud that I had a choice to vote for a woman and hell a Mormon if I was so inclined and registered differently.
Perhaps that speaks the loudest at how much this country, my country is disgusted with the Bush. That a black, a woman and a mormon are on the ballot. Sounds like some lead in for a cheezy joke. But it isn't. We are past joking. White men are no longer the only option. Not that they are bad those white guys... hell I married one. But isn't it good to have options.
Here's wishing you all a Super Tuesday!
Live well,
Julia Ferguson Andriessen
After months of reading articles, books and the website, and watching the videos on this site and YouTube, I have finally decided to get my own My.BarackObama account. Senator Obama has become my favorite candidate for the presidency of the United States of America. First, it was his charms that appealed to me. He appeared to be nice, honest and intelligent. Then, after reading about him and reading his book The Audacity of Hope, I realized he was all that, and more. His speeches, as published on this site and YouTube have impressed me as well. I even made him the subject of a research paper I am writing right now, for my studies.
But why do I care for a presidential candidate in another country? Because he might the next American President. And in that fashion, he will have much influence on the entire world. So I want him (or her) to be the best person there is for the job. And in my view, the best person is Obama.
So today I have joined the movement of Barack Obama. Although I cannot vote in the US election, I would like to express my symbolic support for this candidate. I will keep a close eye on the campaign, the primaries and caucuses in hopes of this man's nomination. I wish him, his family, campaign team and all his supporters a successful campaign! Obama '08!
