OK, He's Earned My Vote

I was going to vote for Barack Obama because I had to.

After his acceptance speech, I'm doing it because I want to.

As I sit listening to the recaps critics have already begun saying, well, it's just a speech, or just words. That, of course, could be said of the Constitution under which they live (the parts that are left in tact), or their very Holy Words, whatever they may be. Just words.

But like those words that are sacred either politically or spiritually, words, just words can inspire.

And if all Barack Obama has to offer, the only single thing, is inspiration, then he's earned my vote.

Yes, I saw Hillary, and yes, she was presidential and yes, I wanted her on the ticket. But it's time to let that go, she's not. And tonight, I did, because for once, the man lived up to the insurmountable pressure of the situation, his biggest moment, history, in the making on a day when King himself made history. Would he take us to a new mountain top?

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Indeed he did.

Before the speech I had wondered, would King endorse Obama? Is it folly to assume that because he's the first African American candidate to make it through the race that King would endorse his election? I'm quite sure that King would disagree with some of Obama's policies.

And then Obama came out and addressed issues in an approachable way, in a way that not only inspired but strengthened, look forward instead of back and didn't pander as much as most at this level.

And yes, he even said "gays and lesbians" and "abortion" and decided why run and hide. Let's just put it out there and get on with it. And let's have some perspective.

No president can educate the American electorate in a few months about why they should care about Russia and Georgia, why the economy really isn't working..no candidate can erase years of apathy both civically and many cases physically in one campaign or term. But, they can inspire, it's what the greatest of them have done.

And this speech was inspiring, to say the least.

I've thought a lot about inspiration recently. I lost mine almost eight years ago for reasons well documented elsewhere. Much the same time the country had the inspiration and breath knocked out of it on 9/11 and then the darkness that was and is the failed Bush group of neoconservative criminals.

It's been dark, for me and my country.

But now, through a lot of grief and pain, I see the light more than not. I'm inspired again more than tired. There's hope in my life.

And tonight, I saw hope in my country, in the eyes of 75,000 people who came together in Denver to welcome history. A shameful history no doubt, a fact that in over 200 years we've been so racist we've never allowed the many capable African Americans who have populated government and culture throughout America's history to elevate to Presidency; just as when a woman breaks that final barrier it will again be a bittersweet bit of history. But history a long time coming is still history.

Hope is a powerful thing, and it is lost very slowly. But 99% of the times, there's always hope. Or should be. No one has reminded us of that in some time, at least not in politics. They've told us to be afraid, they've told us we don't know what we're doing and let them handle it, they've told us spying on us was in our best interest and that spending billions to line the pockets of their friends was good foreign policy. They've told us plenty the last eight years, and at many other times before that, but seldomly have they told us to keep hoping, to keep moving, that we can, in fact, be better.

And that they can't do it for us. Obama made it clear WE must change before government can.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were both right in their inspirational speeches when they said that this election is not about either of them. It's about America, and Americans, it's about you and I, each of us (yes, breaking that third wall of detachment between you and I for a moment).

The country is on life support. The course of treatment with the doctors at hand has not worked. If we don't make a change in our triage team, we're dead. But we have to want to live just as much as they want to save us. That takes energy, that takes determination, that takes hope.

Maybe all Obama has to offer is inspiration, hope, feelings not policies or years of political pedigree.

Maybe right now some inspiration to be Americans first, to hope for a future instead of carrying the weight of the past divisions isn't such a bad thing for these very non-United States of America.

Comments

[sjmaureen]

Ah Karel, I just love you! Listen to you on KGO faithfully. I appreciate your honesty I know what a huge Hillary supporter you are.Obama's speech was wonderful.I am glad you feel good about voting for him. Keep plugging away I am listening to you right now on the radio and you are kicking a***s and taking names!

[JC1c1]

Great post. I also have to admit that I am a big O supporter, and really disliked the Clintons. But after the two great speeches they both gave, I have warmed to them. I think they really do want what is best for this country. I see that they really do support O. I only hope that all Hill supporters and O supporters can get together and work together. We can take this country from Bush and McBush.

[brandowoody]

It is even more clear now... Sarah Palin will go down in history as one of the worst picks for VP EVER!
11 years ago she was working in a snowmobile repair shop... She is less qualified than Dan Quayle... What will her and Biden debate? I would be interested to hear what she says about Artic cat or Kawasaki but International Diplomacy should be left to the Obama and Biden... Wow... I am stunned...

[donkat]

Great post - it means a lot to know how a loyal Hillary supporter has been moved. We really are all in this together and together, we have a chance of effecting change that will make our country what it should, and hasn't been - for the people, by the people. Hillary was, by the way, great (and I was not a supporter). A real class act.

Much has been made about the "experience" issue. Sure experience is important - Obama has experience. Little is made of what it actually takes to get things accomplished and that is not the same as "experience". Experience is not synonymous with effectiveness. Great things can be accomplished only when parties see and respect other points of view - not simply beat their fists on their chests and insist that it's their way or the highway. That's Bush's Washington - you're with me or against me.

We won't get everything we want - that's impossible. But we're all in the same boat and we will move in the better direction and make this country a better place for all.

[luisroman]

I sat in front of my television last night, waiting, much as you were, wondering whether Obama could take his skill for rhetorical flourishes and inspiriing metaphors and transfer them to the nuts and bolts specifics he needed to define what the beginning of an Obama presidency would look like. I was utterly blown away - he brought it all together in one package- the policy plans, the rhetorical vision, and the so long-awiated mugging of John McCain on McCain's own turf, national security (won't follow bin Laden to the cave he lives in- perfect!) Obama put himself so much closer to the goal last night, merely by energizing teh millions of new Democratic reigstrants to believe in him Todays Gallup tracking poll had him up 6 points - by Monday it will be up to 15

[Terriac]

I've been for Obama ever since I saw his speech at the 2004 convention, when I didn't know who he was and had never heard of him before But I saw something I hadn't seen in a very long time, and I knew it was something special. I was inspired. I'm excited again about where this country can go. I've never faltered in my belief in Barack Obama. This really is our time!

[SEQUOIABISON]

Makes me wonder why people are so lazy with their research, if it took a fire and brimstone speech yesterday to get you to vote for Obama than I am sorry but you obviously have not been paying attention.

With the exception of his bold attacks against McCain most of his speech was regurgitated remarks repeated over and over again on the campaign trail.

Glad to have you aboard but I must ask what took you so long?

Obama/Biden

[PATina]

I shouldn't even try to speak for this man... but I understand why it took this speech to bring some people on board. What you seem to miss is that good ideas alone aren't enough. Good ideas don't do anything if you can't (1) convince people to go along w/ your ideas and (2) that you can actually put your ideas into practice. While I've been a critical supporter of Sen O since Super Tuesday... he hadn't really shown (until yesterday) that he could actually put his ideas into practice. I for one didn't know (and to be truthful still don't know) how EFFECTIVE a president he would /will be... and after his positions FISA and off shore drilling changed... I was beginning to have my doubts. Last night though... he showed a real toughness and determination that's been missing.

[calijon]

another part of that argument is that last night was the first time people actually began paying attention to this race. if anyone knows the viewer ratings i'd appreciate the numbers

[All57States]

Great. I had you down as "undecided" before the speech. LOL.

[justjojo]

"About you and ME"

[DaOne]

Well written Karel, hope is back, with a vengeance.

[ga4ry]

Karel, you make my weekend nights on KGO, I have laughed and cried with you for a few years now and I am thrilled you have let go of the Hillary thing. Your dissapointment over the nomination really clouded your show for sometime. I truly look for you to get back to your pitbull like attacks on the neocons and your humanatarian take on world events. Oh, and your blog was great as well.

[flipbiscut24]

You can fool some of the people some of the time, and fool Americans EVERY (election) time.

What a "grand" (sarcastically inflected) choice for POTUS.

The lesser of two evils (fancy TV voice) "brought to you by" (insert global corporation that cares nothing for America it's citizens, or the US economy, only shareholder profits, and incentives) which they have previously "secured" via campaign contributions.

Come election day, they'll use "paperless" voting machines (hackable, as it has been proven beyond any doubt, yet they are still in use) from two companies which HAPPEN to be owned by BROTHERS Bob and Todd Urosevich. (do a Google search on these two.

Coincidence?
Still believe in coincidence?
Santa Claus?
The Easter Bunny?
Tooth Fairy?

[SurrealPumpkin]

Volunteer to be a poll watcher, or even better, to be a poll worker. Check with your local party if they are looking for tech savvy people to watch the machines.

Most of all, help get so many people registered that a "steal" isn't possible.

[rose london]

thank you charles for deciding to vote for obama. please share. text, e-mail your friends

[joanno]

Obama as a man is the embodiement of the American Dream. Obama, the presidential candidate is the embodiement of the country's dream of itself. He took us back to that wellspring and reminded us of its center...hope. He's reminded us that the potent dream needs only to be remembered to spark again our greatness. This is why he is so incredibly popular around the globe. This country is a beacon of freedom and has inspired over the years and the continents a veneration born of that dream, and we have drawn covers over that dream of late. Obama has drawn back the veil and invited us to reclaim the power and energy of that dream. He invites all of us to believe again, not in him, but ourselves...we the people. The many people around the world who yearn for the dream yearn to see its birthplace restored. Obama is the leader who has reminded "we the people" yes we can and the energy he has unleashed will not be easily bottled up again.

[PATina]

Beautifully written.

[tchristin]

The essence of Obama's message to America really is that "we the people" can expect more and do better. And he possesses a rare quality, of true leadership. He speaks the truth and you know it when you hear it. He inspires us to believe in our potential as a people and as a country.

[AshevilleVoice]

Not all words are just words.

When you make promises or declarations of action, your words are 'speech-actions'. As distinguished by Austin in the 1940s, performative verbs constitute actions that alter how we create reality in language.

Words are powerful when you demonstrate that you walk the walk as you talk the talk.

Obama has a history of bringing people together, generating hope for a better life, and then opening a practical way to get there.

Until I read about his life, the path he's walked, Obama sounded to me like any other politician. Now I listen to his visions knowing he intends to walk the walk, and I hear an invitation to come along.

[schatsie]

This convention demonstrated that Barack has walked the walk, worked darn hard and appreciated everyone who gave him a hand along the way. Besides he is intelligent, thoughtful and gives ideas due consideration (please refer to the race speech). I am certain now that he will be one of the best presidents! (I was originally reluctant as the MSM was only giving the parts of speeches that really made him sound like a Bush rerun)

Think about the repugs delaying their own convention so they can deal with the financial advantages they can scrape together from GUSTAV..

I do hope that we can get together the information to indict Bush and Cheney for at least tax evasion, if not that then downright corruption. If I was Barack, the first thing I would do would be start targetting the rich for tax audits, after all you can only go back 3 years unless you can prove out and out fraud....As a parent of a soldier, I realized I would rather have my son come back as a vegetable than die altogether (shades of Schiavo, wonder how many soldiers they let die who were in the same state she was in). and even though I am a nurse and CPA and know what a drain it would be emotionally on his wife and financially on the taxpayers and my own life. We parents (the Blue Star Parents for Obama) would love to push the buttons for Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld.