Barack Back from Iowa
I just returned from seeing Barack Obama at Pease Tradeport in Portsmouth. I've now seen the top 3 Democratic contenders, including Hillary and Edwards, so I've got lots to think about over the weekend. Barack was exhausted but clearly thrilled by his success last night in Iowa. Of the three candidates, he was not the most impressive speaker-- Hillary was more substantive, Edwards more energetic. Both Hillary and Edwards took questions, while Barack did not. But in a way, it didn't matter at this point; I have many resources for specifics on his views and plans. I just wanted to see what he was like in person.
As I watched and listened to Obama speak, I was struck by two thoughts. First, if I vote for him, it will my first time casting a ballot for presidential candidate who is younger than I am. His youth translates to great hope; in fact, he referred to himself laughingly as a "hopemonger." Second, he reminded me of Bobby Kennedy. Kennedy's political rise occurred during another distant, muddled war, and during the height of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Decades after his assassination, there are people who still contend that had Kennedy lived and won the general election, his presidency would have changed the course of this nation. Perhaps that is what I saw in Obama this morning: a person who has both the hope and the ability to unify a broad range of people so that for once in a long time, we are all rowing in the same direction.
I still haven't made a final decision, and have a lot to think about this weekend-- in fact, we all do!