In the past, I never felt strongly enough about a candidate to campaign or even wear a button. They’d get my vote if they were the lesser of two evils. I liked Al Gore and voted for him, but wasn’t excited enough about him to do any real work. Things have changed. I’ve been watching Barack Obama for the last year and one thing is clear: I want to help. Put that into the context of a busy career, an over burgeoning garden, life, Must See TV, and catching up with email, when do I have the time to help? It’s coming down to the wire and I feel that Obama needs more than my vote. I’ve listened to him speak and I’ve watched his body language. Actually, I’m really good at determining what people are about by their body language and it’s something I paid close attention to with Bush. When I first watched him speak, I knew he was a bold faced liar. When I watch Obama, I think, this guy is pretty smooth, but he also seems to really care about fixing our problems as a nation. I like the idea of us coming together to fix our common problems. I like the idea that if we all put forth a little effort, we really can become the America we always knew we could be. He’s an excellent speaker and he says the right things. He’s honest that government can’t fix our problems and government isn’t solely to blame. He’s practical and wise. He’s different. I want to live in a world where yes, we can elect an African American president, but not because he’s black, but because he’s the right man for the job. I want to live in a world where people fix problems instead of making them. I want the corruption to end and I want an economy that isn’t the shame of the world. I want the rest of the world to see us as we see ourselves: That “We Can Do It”, “United We Stand Divided We Fall” country that pulls together when the going gets tough; the country we were during WWII.

That’s why I’ve decided to get off my ass in the final days and push for Obama. The choice is clear. Finally, do something or sit on my duff and watch the world I live in collapse into 4 more years of the same (to use a catch phrase). But it’s true, McCain and more convincingly, Palin, are prime examples of what’s wrong with government: overspending, rhetoric, name calling, bullying, fake plans, saying what you want to hear just to get the vote, tolerating intolerance, and claiming that they can fix all our concerns in 4 years. Right. Good luck with that. Obama has never said he can fix it all in 4 years. That would be great, but no president can. What we need is to hit the ground running, hoist up our sleeves and get to work.

Mostly, I admire a man that can inspire so many. That is he is inspirational has inspired me. I see the way people look at him and think, now that’s a man I want leading the country. A man that can rise above petty disputes and talk about the issues at hand. A man that says, hey, I can’t do it all, but I have an awesome team and I need your help. I mean, jeez, his entire campaign has been publicly funded. That says a lot.

Anyway, I like Obama for lots of reasons. Not because celebrities tell me so or because my boyfriend loves Obama more than he loves me. I like him because he really seems to care. I’ve heard people (my Mom) say he sounds too good to be true. And I think, yeah, that’s accurate. He does. But what if he really is the guy we see on TV, watch at rallies, and listen to on the radio? What if? I think the idea of believing in something so grand is scary to some people. It’s like thinking you could win the lottery. Why waste your time and money? Why hope for something that seems impossible? Well, you have to play to win. Yes, the chances of winning the lottery are slim, but the potential does exist.

Obama has a shitload of potential. He’s got great ideas, he’s logical, rational, and he makes sense. So yeah, I figure if I want change in this country, real change, I need to stop complaining to do something.

I’ve signed up for canvassing in Nevada over the weekend of the 1st. The last days before the election. AJB and I will drive out Halloween day and get up bright and early Saturday morning. Obviously, I’ll post updates on the way. I’m really excited. For me to be this excited is a big deal. Like most people, it’s been easier for me to sit back and watch things unfold and then complain about them at coffee houses. I really want Obama in the White House and want to help make that happen.

Keep in mind, I’m not the kind of person who that has ever actively become involved in a campaign. I never cared enough. I was cynical of Obama in the beginning and like a lot of people felt that he talked a good talk, but wondered if he could walk the walk. I’ve been paying attention. I think he’s got the walk down. And well, if it turns out he’s the anti-Christ, I for one welcome our new Satanic Overlords.