I was one of seven or eight thousand people who went to a Barack Obama rally today at the University of Montana's Adams Center.
(Actually it was yesterday, since technically it's already tomorrow.)
I'm going to see Hillary Clinton in the morning. Both candidates are in Montana stumping to be the Democratic Party's next presidential candidate. Since the race is so tight and Montana's June 3 primary election is one of the last in the country, our sparsely populated state has turned out to be a potential battleground for votes. It's very exciting.
Even before seeing Obama today, I had pretty much made up my mind to vote for him. Nader is always a strong contender for me, because he best represents my progressive ideals, but I voted for Kerry in 2004 because I thought he actually had a snowball's chance in hell of taking Montana.
At one point, back when Bill Clinton was in office, I really hoped Hillary would run someday. I thought she'd make a great president. I still think she'd make a good president, and if she does win the nomination, I will support her. But Hillary voted for the Iraq War. And she's too entrenched in corporate, big-money politics. Case in point: Her only Missoula appearance initially was to be a $250 a plate (minimum) fund-raiser. Her Sunday morning rally was announced late Friday, undoubtedly in response to Obama's free rally. There are different values at play here.
Obama doesn't take PAC and lobbyist money -- that's HUGE. He voted against the Iraq War. He's a thoughtful and principled man. Furthermore, his unique parentage allows him insights that cross lines of race and nationality. If anyone can unite the people in this country, it's him. If anyone can improve our diplomatic relations with other countries, it's him. I want a president who can earn the worldwide respect and admiration that our country has held in the past and should hold even more firmly in the future.
Laugh if you want, but I got a little weepy during Obama's speech. He talked about ideals, about hope, about change. This man has dared to dream and look how far it brought him.
My faith in this country was severely shaken -- lost, even -- in 2000 and 2004. The battles over vote counting, the Supreme Court decision to give the election to Bush, how easily both Gore and Kerry gave up, our mindless response to the nebulous enemy of terrorism after 9/11 -- these things all destroyed my faith in my country and my fellow citizens.
Barack Obama has given me hope again.
7 Comments:
I hope that LOTS of Democrats vote for Nader :-)
Dream on.
Hi Patia. I spoke with a good buddy of mine yesterday who was also at the Obama rally and shared exactly the same feelings as you...even getting weepy. I haven't heard him speak in public yet, but I finished An Audacity of Hope last week and am just about done with Dreams of My Father, which is incredible. Highly recommend them if you haven't already read 'em, as they are so moving. He puts himself out there and seems to care about those around him. Did you hear about his new initiative to train people to become community organizers so as to bring positive changes to communities across election...that's thinking PAST the election. I hope he gets it, too, because I'm beginning to hope again. It's a good feeling.
Big love and hugs, Kel
I pretty much agree with you about this election. And I was so bummed that nothing this amazing happened in Missoula when I lived there! :-)
Hey Kelly: I have GOT to read Obama's books. I've been meaning to, but now I'm determined.
I'm going to post about Hillary's rally and more thoughts about the battle between the two of them later today. I have to go do some things first (and I'm still so tired, damn it).
Neva: It's pretty incredible, isn't it? Little old Missoula (and Butte) playing host to such major players on the national scene? What a weekend. I'm delighted that Montana is being taken seriously for a change. (Of course, there was that little matter of the last congressional election.)
hi Patia,,,i liked your comments on obama and i like him too
,,but what i really want to talk about is Martha Stewart,,,,
,,i have become a fan too
,,,recently i saw one of her shows and learned how to take leftover pasta and make a very attractive lamp shade,,,:)
,,HB
HB, do I know you? A lampshade from pasta, really?
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