My friend Dan has been working to convert me into joining the Obama cult for the past month or so. Every morning he comes to the office and tells me about Obama. I keep telling Dan I’m not sure my citizenship papers will be completed in time for the elections, "so you might be preaching to the wrong crowd here." "But you can convince your husband," he tells me.
I tell him: "I like Obama, but Hillary is the one with the experience. She is the one who will be able to deal with the sharks."
He says "You are from Jordan, you like monarchies and you feel secure with having the same family in politics." "Maybe," I respond.
"But Obama strikes me as arrogant and overconfident for a junior senator," I say. "And Hillary is not?" he retorts.
Dan never stops. He sends me links and articles to show me how good and genuine Obama is. I have to admit, though, Obama is looking good these days. Even as a self-described Clinton supporter, the Obama charm is reaching me. I guess it is the message of hope that touches me most. We all need hope. Obama might sound naive and might be describing a fairytale political existence, but hearing him is inspiring although I do not quite buy it. I guess I’m too jaded to believe in radical changes, especially when it comes to politics.
Today is Super Tuesday and you can feel the excitement in the air, at least here in DC. I would be happy with either one of them winning, but then again my opinion doesn’t mean much. However, my husband is still undecided. Maybe Dan needs to go chat with him.
dm, I think most people who like Obama like him because he’s very inspiring, whether or not this has to do with his race is unclear to me and perhaps to some of his supporters as well. It’s not the only reason people are voting for him, Jesse Jackson was a very reasonable candidate but he didn’t come as close to Obama in becoming the president.
America’s image in the world has become so negative in recent years thanks to the current administration and I know that most Americans do care, to various degrees, on how are they viewed in the rest of the world. No race has been discriminated against or persecuted more than blacks whether inside or outside the US, and democratically electing a president from that race to be the leader of the strongest country in the world sends a powerful message to the world that America is getting over racism.
He’s the least experienced -that doesn’t mean he’s politically naive- but Dick Cheney and Rumsfield had the most experience in Bush’s administration and you can tell that wasn’t that helpful.
But Obama combines 2 things, being young & charming and being a minority
Why should his race be a factor though? That’s what I’m trying to get at. A politician’s stance on issues and potential for being a great leader is what should matter, not the color of his skin.
Condloessa Rice is a minority and I hate her guts
This may be true for you, but I’m willing to bet you that if she ran for president there would be MANY people who’d vote for her because she is black, the same people who wouldn’t give her or Obama a second thought if she were white. Can we say Oprah? She has NEVER been political until now. Do you think that if Obama were 100% white she’d be backing him? She’s never campaigned with any other candidate, ever. Coincidence?
I think that one of my big issues with Obama is his lack of experience. He’s talks a good game, but I feel he isn’t nearly experienced enough in Washington to implement his ideas. If he ran again in 4 years I’d probably feel differently. He has wonderful ideas but I just don’t think he could implement them. This country is in such shambles that we need someone with experience to help fix it. Just my own opinion.
Again, I don’t care what race,nationality, gender, etc a candidate is. I base my vote on who I think can actually help this country. I feel it’s Hillary, many others disagree. After Super Tuesday, we’re seeing that the country is pretty much split. Either way, however, will be happy if either candidate gets in office.
Well if I to vote and this won’t be before 7 years from now probably when I get my US citizenship (if the conservatives are not in power again), I would vote for someone who is fit for the position. But Obama combines 2 things, being young & charming and being a minority. Condloessa Rice is a minority and I hate her guts. If I was to vote, I’d vote for a an Independent candidate and worst case I’d vote for a dmeocrate. Why does America has only two parties while other democratic countries have more than two like France, Italy?
wow an African American ruling this country!
My question to people — if Obama were white would you like him as much? Ali, this question isn’t directed towards you, just towards people in general in Obama’s corner for the wrong reasons. I’m tired of hearing about people voting for Obama or loving him because he’s black. Truth is, he’s half black, half white. Let me reiterate by saying that I know not everyone is doing this. I know a lot of people who truly like OBAMA, not “black” Obama, and those are the people who’s decisions I respect. How about, we’re voting because he is a great candidate that can make a change? That reasoning I respect but the truth is, I know a lot of people leaning on the race card with him, who truly don’t know anything he stands for. Many are doing the same with Hillary because she’s female. That’s wrong too. I don’t care if a candidate is black, white, yellow, orange, green…male/female…who cares?? As long as they can fix the mess that Bush made over the past 7 years…and is a democrat 😉
Hi,
would u like to see Bill again in the white house?
I know that Hillary is a hipocrate and I prefer to see Obama in the White House, wow an African American ruling this country!
Did you see Michael Chabon’s Washington Post piece on Obama? I found it pretty persuasive.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/03/AR2008020302526.html
Deciding who to vote for didn’t come easily for me this election, which I take as a good sign. It’s always a little scary when you feel there’s only one good choice and that if anyone else wins we’re all going to hell in a handbasket. 🙂
This year is might become the year in which those HUGE changes start!
Unfortunately, no matter who wins, I think that Bush has messed up this wonderful country so much that it’ll take a miracle — something that no man or woman can fix in just 4 years.
“I guess I’m too jaded to believe in radical changes, especially when it comes to politics.” Yeah I hear you on that…but you have to have hope. This year is might become the year in which those HUGE changes start!
Dan the Man…keep up the good work and convert everyone you can! There is plenty of room on the train.
Natasha, you can still give to his campaign even you your not able to vote just yet…. my.barackobama.com Click on the red Donate box 😉
I just don’t trust Obama. There’s just something about him. Granted, I’d MUCH rather him than Romney or Huckabee, but there’s something about Obama that worries me. I agree that he is naive too. Oh well, I already voted for Hillary so now I can just hope.
Natasha, if even I, the Evangelical Republican, am leaning toward Obama, DO think twice!! But hey, no pressure.
I just remember how awful it was under her last presidency. You know, when Bill was in office. 🙂
Plus, if Hillary the primary, I think some will vote for the Republican candidate just because they dislike her so!
(I just saw Captain Abu Raed. YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE IT!)