Obama's Acceptance Speech
If we don't elect him, I'll be so disappointed - and disgusted. I'm not a Democrat, nor am I a Republican; I've never subscribed to the belief that one party has the answer. I think McCain is a good man. I think he's devoted his life to his country. I think Sarah Palin is an impressive woman. The Democrats have valid points... as do many of the Republicans. They'll waste their time, of course, attacking each other and trying to be right, painting their opponent as "wrong". Life is not black and white, though. While I'm all for Obama, I hear the Republicans and... they have a compelling story, too.
The first Black President. The first female Vice President. Nice. I don't care. All I want to know is... who is best qualified for the job. Period. Who can I trust to have the temperament and patience to weather any crisis or storm. Will Obama be another Carter? Is McCain too trigger-happy? These are good questions - questions you should be asking. Obama chose Biden because he knew he needed a backup who had the experience the position requires and Joe knows his way around. McCain, though, may as well have chosen Aunt Bee from Mayberry. She's sharp, yes... but do we want her a heartbeat away from the most stressful, most demanding job in the WORLD? Is she ready to lead the masses? It's pathetic. What about Condi Rice? Tied to the Bush Administration, but beyond qualified with one of the most dazzling resumes I've ever seen. Instead... he goes with someone he only met once? A former beauty queen who finished second in the Miss Alaska pageant. Small town mayor, then Governor (not of New York, Pennsylvania or California... but Alaska). Wise choice. Bottomline... I think McCain has too short a fuse - and he's too old. I have been following Palin for awhile and, while I genuinely like her, I'm sorry... she is not cut out for the position.
The time is now for a leader who will inspire - someone who will make us better than we are. Obama is that man. History is on his side. Do not succumb to the right-wing propaganda. He's not Muslim and he's more religious than McCain. He's not "risky"; he's in the United States Senate and represents a very large state. He's not young; Kennedy and Clinton were younger. Think back to the Cuban missile crisis. Imagine McCain in a position like that. Would he have been as patient as JFK or would he have acted, militarily, to show strength? To me, it's risky to trust McCain's response.
This is not a desk job; the choices a President makes impacts the world and a new crisis pops up every single day. It calls for intelligence, patience and humility. There can be no bias. You don't invade Iran to put them in their place or ignore international law. Obama gets it, but McCain? No. Let them attack each other (for the record... I'm not thrilled that Obama's campaign will, I'm sure, go on the offensive), but in the end... vote for the future - YOUR future. Do you really think McCain gets it - that he will help advance our society? Is he the best we can offer? I think there's a reason he didn't win his party's nomination before; he's just not that impressive a candidate. Even his own party is ho hum about him. Oh... they'll whip themselves into a frenzy next week, declare "Johnny" as the great White hope... but John McCain is simply not fit to be President. His anger management issues, alone, are cause for concern.
In this election... put aside your "party" or agenda. Forget the candidate is Black or White or... even a woman. Who is the smartest, most compelling candidate? Who can heal wounds and negotiate with other countries - get them to respect us again? Who do you want to listen to day in and day out? Who inspires you? Who moves you?
I'm not worried about racists; they're pretty easy to spot and I don't think the majority of Americans fall under that bucket. I'm nervous about the soccer mom who locks her car door if a Black man approaches... or the confused Dad who wants to know why his son is "talking Black." When you see Obama's family, do you see two cute daughters and a strong, brilliant wife... or do you see race? I honestly don't know if America is ready for a Black President. This is a big country and much of it loves their NASCAR, Budweiser and Toby Keith. Who will they vote for? Yeah.
Again... it's your future... it really is. Don't you want someone who will make the best, most informed decision? I know I want someone who treats others with respect. I've always found it ironic to hear the Republican mantra that Government has no place interfering in the lives of its citizens, yet they presume to past judgment on a woman's right to choose and on gays being able to marry. They're what I like to call "Sunday Christians." Right-wing rhetoric is just hate masked as religion. I believe in Barack Obama. You don't have to, but... at least believe in John McCain if you're going to cast your vote for him. Don't base your decision on fear or skin color or because you think it's time we had a Black President or a woman in power. Should McCain win, Sarah Palin will have no more "power" than the great Dan Quayle. Who is our brightest hope? Who understands our lives? Think of our great country. Be patriotic for the right reasons. Vote for the best candidate. Please... it's time we move forward.
Buddha
Reader Comments (1)
I agree. McCain has tried before and if his own party didn't want him the first time around, why now? He's not the kind of person to lead us and it is not a knock against him, but it's clear that he belongs behind the scenes.