Toph Speaks

I suppose I’ve been in a bit of a serious mood lately, which would explain the past 2 out of 3 posts. Actually, if we’re being honest, I was pretty serious about April Scott, as well. So, last night (Tuesday, Feb 5) was Super Tuesday. Let’s discuss, shall we?

If you couldn’t tell by the photo above, I’m a Sen. Barack Obama supporter. I wouldn’t go on record saying I was Republican or Democrat, really. I mean, I supported Bush Sr., then Bill Clinton, then Al Gore., and then Bush Jr. Yeah, I’ll admit it. I supported Bush Jr. I liked our chances with him rather than Sen. John Kerry. I never could get behind that guy. However, since our last election, I’ve been following Barack. It was his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston that caught my attention (Here’s a transcript). When he spoke that day, he embodied the “true American spirit.” His Dad, a foreign student from Kenya, and his mother, born into a poor family in Kansas. He’s not afraid of who he is. He wrote in Dreams of My Father of his struggles with weed, coke and alcohol. He was the first black president of the Harvard Law Review and taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago Law School, until he was elected to Senate in ‘04. And in that first speech, he summed up exactly what you need to know about him - “Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let’s face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely.”

It’s still unlikely for Obama to be on this stage. According to Clinton, she was supposed to have this race wrapped up after Super Tuesday. He wasn’t supposed to be around anymore, but his persistence that we can “change” is affecting Americans across the country. But, it’s this change that everyone questions. It’s this change that everyone is weary of. As a nation we are scared of change. We’re scared of what change can bring. We’re scared of going down the wrong path. We’re scared to take a chance. What is this change anyway? What will he bring that Hillary or McCain can’t? How can Barack Obama change this country? It’s my opinion that Obama is the closest thing we could ever have to a people’s President. I believe he’s no different than you or I. He has less money than any other candidate, he’s a reformed smoker (recently), has a wife, kids, came from a middle class family and believes he can change the world. Isn’t this what you want in a President? I do. I want someone who will fight for what we believe. I want someone who can work with Republicans and Democrats to solve our country’s problems. I want someone who can speak for me.

Let’s get to it with some Mo’ Flackin’ bullet points…

- Sen. Obama has solid plans to strengthen our economy.
- He has plans to reform the education of Americans.
- He will push for a clean energy future.
- He will and has taken on the lobbyist in Washington to stop them from being the voice of Americans.
- Sen. Obama wants to strengthen our families and communities.
- He’ll fight for an affordable Universal Healthcare system.
- Barack will improve our Homeland Security.
- He has a plans for change in Iraq.
- He will reshape our economy to compete in the digital age.

These are just the points that affect me right now. I’m not even touching on his plans for disabilities, social security, immigration, poverty and civil rights. Last night was huge for Obama Campaign. He showed that he’s in this race to be our next president. Unlike Hillary, he hasn’t even had to cry to get votes (here and here). I don’t want a President who cries. Am I the crazy one here? I want someone who is strong. I want someone who is charismatic. I want a President who I can believe will lead our country through it all. Is that sexist? Maybe, but I don’t want to launch a full on war against Korea because Bill fucked around again, or she’s on her ladies days. Ok, so maybe that was sexist.

I believe Sen. Barack Obama will change this country for the good of us, the people. There’s a lot of battle left after last night. The longer this fight is, the better chance we have. “I’m talking about something more substantial. It’s the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker’s son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. The audacity of hope!”

Yes We Can - wil.i.am

Look at the difference between the two Super Tuesday speeches by the candidates. How is the choice not clear? It’s time to make a difference…

Sen. Clinton

Sen. Obama