1968

I don't usually post -on Fridays but Hillary Clinton's outrageous comment must be addressed. I would like to add my voice.

The 60s were a hopeful and very turbulent time. I remember them well. President John F. Kennedy was shot when I was in second grade. Can you imagine a 7-year old learning what the word "assassination" means?

Unfortunately, by the end of June, 1968 we all knew that word very well. First there was JFK. Then there was El-Hajj Malik Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X. Martin Luther King was assassinated in April, 1968. June brought the death of Bobby Kennedy.

I was eleven years old. My classs had just taken a field trip to the offices of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and our tour guide gave us each a copy of the day's paper. On the front was a picture of Bobby Kennedy. I read the article and started learning about him. That was the first time I became interested in a political candidate. We talked about him at home and I watched him on the news.

One morning my mother woke me up and told me that Bobby Kennedy had been shot. For the next forty years I searched for another candidate who would inspire me the way RFK had. I voted for unpopular candidates like Eugene McCarthy, hoping that my vote would make a difference. It didn't, of course. By the time I reached my forties I was sure everyone was right. All politicians are corrupt. We will never have a decent person in the White House.

Barack Obama changed that for me. When I listened to him speak, I felt inspired again. And this gifted leader actually has a chance. Can you imagine that? For the last few months I've felt like I was living a dream, afraid to wake up.

Hillary Clinton today invoked the awful memory of Bobby Kennedy's assassination and she also maliciously gave voice to the fears of many. There was no mistake in her words. Evidently she's waiting for a June surprise.

Those of us who were alive forty years ago still remember. Many of us also hope that this time it will be different.

This time we have found a true leader and this time he will take his place in the White House. This time the dream will not die.

What a Week!

Every day this week I've thought about what I would write about in my blog. In the end, though, I was too tired to write.

On Monday my 18-year old and I went canvassing for Barack here in Lexington. When we went to get our assignment, the organizer told us we were in for a special treat. Michelle Obama was coming to Lexington that evening to speak with campaign volunteers. The event was held at the Lexington campaign office, with 400 invited volunteers and members of the press. It was wonderful to see her speak. She'll make a great first lady. Canvassing the next day was easy because I was fired up and ready to go.

On Tuesday night we watched the results of the Kentucky primary. I cringed as the gap widened. There was one small victory, though. Obama won Lexington. Also Louisville.

On Wednesday I planned to write about sexism. That seemed to be the topic of the day. I disagree with the charges. First, I don't think there was blatant sexism--unless you're talking about the "sweetie" thing and that wasn't malicious. Second, I don't think women should go around moaning and groaning. The world isn't always fair. We do the best we can and keep moving.

I was online much of the day today. It was all about Michigan and Florida. I agree with those who say rules are rules. They may not have been the best rules, but all candidates agreed to them and the states knew what they were doing. If the people of Michigan and Florida feel disenfranchised, they need to fight their state leaders on the issue.

In eight days members of the DNC will meet to discuss Michigan and Florida. A few days after that, all the primaries will be finished.

I hope we have a clearly-recognized nominee on June 4.

Final Stretch

I have waited for this weekend for months. While every other state, nearly, in the union went through the primary process, I dreamed of the time when it would be our turn here in Kentucky.

Our primary is next Tuesday. I'm ready. I'll spend part of the weekend calling or canvassing for Obama, and I'll be busy on Election Day, too. This is it. I'm fired up and ready to go.

I wish Kentucky had a little more of the spotlight, though. The Clintons have come here, and Obama was in Louisville on Monday. I wasn't able to go.

Everyone says the Kentucky primary has already been decided. At times like this, I wish I still lived in Missouri.

I'm Back!

I've been gone for a little while, I know. A busy March led to a busy April and a very intense first two weeks of May. Now I have a breather and I'm very grateful for that.

I haven't blogged since February but I have kept close track of the Democratic presidential primary. I cringed when Obama lost and cheered when he won. Tonight was great. He got the endorsement we've waited for and things are looking very good.

I believe that Obama and Hillary Clinton will be able to work things out. Today they released a plan for joint fundraising, which is a very positive sign. I have my reasons for preferring Obama over Hillary, but the most important thing is to keep party unity.

We're living in very interesting and exciting times. When I listen to Obama speak and see the changes he is already bringing (did you know that fighting in an African country--the name of which has totally escaped me for the moment--has stopped because of Obama's mediation?) I feel that he is the culmination of what we hoped for in the 60s and 70s. They said it couldn't be done but I think we may be doing it.

No candidate is perfect and Obama readily admits that he isn't. But we finally have a real choice this year and that is wonderful.

P.S.--If you live in Kentucky, or Oregon, remember to vote!

Blurring the Truth

These are the comments I wrote for CNN earlier today. They are still awaiting "moderation" and will probably not be published:

If you want substance, vote for Obama.

Barack Obama has authored 152 bills and co-sponsored over 400 more while serving in the U.S. Senate. These include bills on government ethics, immigration reform, the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act and the Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act.

And during his eight years in the Illinois state legislature he sponsored over 800 bills.

He also taught constitutional law for ten years at the University of Chicago.

Oh, and he wrote a best-selling book about modern American politics.

That's substantial.

Apparently my comments are too substantial for CNN. Published comments include ridiculous attacks against Obama's character. The latest, plagiarism, is the worst and the most ridiculous. Most news networks aren't even taking it seriously. How many different ways can politicians express their thoughts before they're accused of copying? There are only so many words.

Barack Obama is running a fair campaign but he is being met with one smear after another. I continue to pray that truth wins out over falsehood.

Choosing Wisely

Tomorrow millions of Americans will go to the polls or caucuses and vote for a Democratic presidential candidate. Unfortunately I won't be among them--our primary isn't held until May--but I will be watching closely to see what happens, especially in my home state of Missouri.

I'm doing what I can to make sure voters know about Barack Obama. He's more than a few nice slogans and campaign rallies. Much more.

I just finished reading Obama's first book, Dreams From My Father. He wrote that book when he was in his 30s and already by then he had vast experiences that prepared him for leadership.

Most people know that Obama attended school in Indonesia when he was young. I've always laughed at the concerns about the 'madrassah'--the main reason being that Indonesia is very secular and even their Islamic schools would be considered liberal compared to Islamic schools elsewhere. I've been to Indonesia and visited Islamic schools.

What Obama did learn was that people can live vastly different lives and still have the same basic concerns. That lesson was reinforced by the time he's spent in Kenya with his relatives. Unlike other politicians, Barack Obama didn't travel to Indonesia and Kenya as a foreign dignitary, being greeted by the leaders in ritual ceremony. He lived among the people. He knows how people live in different parts of the world.

After eight years of "with us or against us," don't you think it's time for a leader who seeks negotiation over confrontation, someone who understands that people are people whether they live in brick mansions or grass huts?

And don't you think it's time for a leader who reaches across boundary lines of race, ethnicity, and party politics? We've had enough division in this country these last few years. How much more partisanship can we sustain?

I've read Senator Obama's policy statements and listened closely as he's outlined his positions in speeches. He provides a balanced approach--health care that is provided but not mandated, international relations that start with negotiation while leaving force as an option, economic solutions that start from the bottom down instead of the top up. (We've done that for 28 years and it still hasn't worked.)

Yes, he provides excitement and that's great. As a former social studies teacher I think it's wonderful that young people are buying back into the democratic process. He also provides hope. Most importantly, he will come to the White House with well-developed plans to raise this nation from the depths and help us reach our potential.

For all these reasons and more, I hope and pray that Barack Obama is the next president of the United States.

An Endorsement

The big news today was the endorsement of Senator Ted Kennedy for Barack Obama. Very big news.

My endorsement means nothing in the world of politics and I've been debating whether to mention it on this blog or simply stay quiet. A news story prompted me to speak up.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is very upset with Ted Kennedy for failing to endorse Hillary Clinton as the first woman president. Personally, I agree with Ted Kennedy. It's not enough to be the first woman president. The first woman must also be the best woman to hold the office of the presidency. I'm not convinced that Hillary Clinton is that woman and I prefer to hold out for someone else who would be better suited. I do hope she appears within my lifetime.

Sorry, NOW. I think the time is now for Barack Obama. I've followed his candidacy for months and I'm reading his book, Dreams From My Father. It's not only his writing style that impresses me, but the breadth and depth of his experiences. He is not simply a politician reaching for the brass ring. His very parentage and his upbringing helped prepare him. His youth and college days helped prepare him. He has worked hard to mobilize and build coalitions and I have every confidence that his hard work and vision will benefit the people of the United States. And, as Caroline Kennedy said, he is the first candidate to inspire in the way her father, and her uncle Bobby, did.

I was eleven years old when Bobby Kennedy was shot and I looked to him for hope. I remember the morning my mother woke me and told me he was dead. I mourned him. I had never felt this alive, as a U.S. citizen, until I heard Barack Obama speak and read what he had to say.

We truly must look beyond race and gender. Barack Obama is the best person for the office of the presidency in 2008.

I'm not famous or well-known. My opinion won't appear in any newspapers. I do encourage you to look at all the candidates. Seek the one who promises a vision rather than simply more of the same.