Barack Obama For President

Because the past eight years have been a disaster. A party that has become defensive, reactionary and far too instinctual has taken over the White House and imposed a combination of neo-con think-tank fundamentalist zealotry on our nation and world. The anti-intellectualism personified by George Bush and his beltway AM radio elite will be continued on in the policies of John McCain and especially Sarah Palin, whom I already predicted would be the downfall of the GOP. It’s surreal for me to watch her in action and think that McCain has a wise, calm judgement in picking this extremist ideologue who preaches a subtle bigotry and division, along with her spectacular lack of curiousity. Although McCain is indeed probably the most “liberal” Republican out there and I like him personally, his hothead rage, manifest in the first debate when he refused to look at Obama, is just what America does not need in this volatile world. And in the end, he’s content to let the “free market” work its magic even as Alan Greenspan Shrugged and Wall Street became Socialist Alley.

In the end, Barack Obama is just a politician. But he has a keen, empathetic mind, and a worldly point of view. With his diverse cultural background, he represents the ultimate distillation of the American experiment. Despite the silly claims that he represents some kind of radical background, what people have responded to in Obama is his calm optimism and genuine ability to reach across the aisle. There’s no doubt he would be a much cooler force in a crisis and he would also have the counsel of many wise folk, left, right or independent. Joe Biden proved to be a safe smart choice for VP, and despite his propensity for gaffes, he knows his stuff and he complements Obama well; they seem to have a genuine connection. Better still, Biden will not be Dick Cheney Redux. Biden’s line, “Dick Cheney is the most dangerous vice-president in history,” at his debate sealed the deal for me. We need politicians who understand the constitutional limitations of their office.

I’ve never in my lifetime seen such public support for a politician like Barack Obama. I am rarely swayed by the din of the madding crowd, but 100,000 people gathered hopefully to see one man must mean something. I do believe Obama is appealing to “our better angels” and the GOP Shit Machine has been so clogged up that even Joe Sixpack The Plumber can’t plunge its excess. This is what happens when politicians actually let Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Matt Drudge dictate policy; the endless chants of AyersACORNWrightSocialistMuslimAnti-American failed to penetrate despite the hysterical cries of the AM Radio Righties. That can only bode well for our collective intelligence.

Obama is offering a new direction, and though I’m skeptical of any political promises, the country desperately needs change, and a hard brake to the failed policies of the GOP. And yes, I think it’s important to show the world that America has transcended its slavery roots; a new generation of my nieces and nephews will help erase another swath of racism and bigotry from our consciousness.

As opposed to 2004, I feel cool and calm tonight, cautiously optimistic that by November 5, America will have elected Barack Obama as President of the United States in a historical landslide.

Or I’ll see you in Amsterdam.