I said that in May of 2006 to a question about when a minority candidate could be President. I didn't think we were far enough from Jim Crow and the Scottsboro Boys and separate but equal and the Edmund Pettus Bridge. I didn't think we were far enough from Reagan announcing his campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi and Willie Horton. I thought we had at least another generation to go... more time so that the older ones could die off and the younger ones could grow up. I was wrong. Change sometimes happens in a blink (not a wink), and that seems to be the case here. America never fails to surprise. I was also wrong about Obama. I didn't support him at the beginning. I held out hope for Gore. I dallied with Edwards. When it became clear that it was either Obama or Hillary, I reluctantly chose Obama... not really thinking he could become President, but that maybe he could push the envelope a little further. Then he started winning. And I still wasn't sold completely... I saw a green candidate not quite sure of himself... a candidate doing some good things but (in my mind) not quite in the top tier. He kept winning. And he kept connecting with people of all stripes. And he grew immeasurably as a candidate. I was coming around and starting to get a little more excited in spite of my doubts when the Wright "controversy" hit the news. Obama's speech on race hooked me. Never had I heard a politician talk about such things the way he did. He showed me intelligence and compassion and leadership... more importantly, it showed me he really knows the country he wants to lead. And he continued to grow. And his campaign... Wow! Unlike anything I've ever seen. I worked in the national office of Paul Simon's campaign in 1988 and have worked on several others since then. Obama's campaign has been like going straight from the Pony Express to email. It's astounding in it's breadth and depth and appeal to all. One of the marks of great Presidents in difficult times is that they continue to grow in office... in knowledge, stature, confidence... in their connection to the people. One of the marks of bad presidents is that they don't. During this campaign, Obama showed me he has the capacity to grow and mature and that tells me he can be a good president. Whether he makes it or not, we won't know until tomorrow night and then, years later as we look back. But he has enormous potential and that's enough right now. I used to think Gore was the only one with the requisite skills to get us out of the mess the current administration has created. Now, I can't imagine anyone else but Obama doing it. Now, I'm thinking of the East Texas kids I grew up with and their families... the ones from Smith Hill, Gospel Hill, and the Projects... you know, the wrong side of the tracks. The ones that integrated the school system and first taught and coached white kids. It's a horrible analogy, but I'm thinking of how tomorrow, 12% of America will experience something akin to what the Rockets first championship meant to me... only the sports suffering of Houston pales in comparison to the black experience in America and theirs will be an ecstasy orders of magnitude more intense. Tomorrow has the potential to forever change many, many people of all colors and thinking... and do it immediately. It will be something to see... and feel... and think about. I don't want to get too excited until VA is called, but I can't sleep tonight... I'm awestruck that this country is so close to electing Barack Obama, who happens to be a black man, as President. Amazing. I'm glad I was wrong.
That speech he gave about race relations might've sealed his candidacy. Others might say the DNC speech was more important, but that was the test for the public arena that set the bar on how he'd cope with adversity. Reading his books, I'm amazed at his story. Of course in the end he is a flawed man with some omissions here and there, but for him to be on the verge of being the President of the United States, that is the American Dream....far more than electing a son of the established elite whose fumblings with words makes you think you could share a drink with him. As for being wrong, I believe we collectively think that it will always be the "next generation" that cracks the barrier. Kind of like how the buck is being passed around for environmental responsibility. It's just that we could be the lucky ones to witness it.
I thought this election was too important to try to run an African American or a woman as the head of the ticket. That was long before I knew who Obama was, but once I discovered, researched, and listened, I knew he could do it. He is a transitional leader...this is a huge step forward for the USA. DD
My heart wanted Gore, but as soon as it was evident he wasn't running, Obama was my man. Even if he isn't a good President, his "new guard" effect will be something that sends ripples throughout Washington for years. I have confidence in him to do right by us, and be mature an forthright about his failings, not petulant and defensive. Here's to 270, let's make it happen.
I guess I’m what you’d call one of the true believers. I turned to my wife after Obama gave the key note in 2004 and said “you’re looking at the next president.” Just a feeling I had and one of the few times I’ve been right about these kinds of things. knocks on wood.....
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rimrocker, This was exactly my journey. By the time of the Wright controversy, I was a lukewarm Obama supporter. His speech in Philadelphia was unlike any political speech I've ever heard. I never thought I'd hear a U.S. politician speak so intelligently, honestly, and from the heart about race in our country. I'm not ashamed to say I teared up. That said, if Obama is elected I have no doubt he'll disappoint me repeatedly as President, but I do think he has the potential to be a once in a lifetime leader.
I hope Obama can really be the one to change the United States and really unite the nation in facing this new century and all the problems that comes with it. We really do need a great leader now. I hope he is the right man for the right job at the right time in this time of need for our nation.
Truly great post, rimrocker. And a great thing to read on the morning of this historic day. Thanks for writing it.
"It shows you what one voice can do. One voice can change a room, and if it can change a room, it can change a city, and if it can change a city, it can change a state, and if it can change a state then it can change a nation and if it can change a nation it can change a world." Barack Obama
I wanted Hillary and still do, but I think Obama will be a great leader. He will bring integrity back to the office.
For peopel who voted for one of the worst president in the US history you two should be the ones to talk about people voting for Obama.
I'm voting for REAL CHANGE in 2012. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fov5urSP8f0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fov5urSP8f0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
He did run a flawless campaign. It speaks to his leadership, oraganizational, and administrative skills soon to be deployed as president.
