Back in Nov. we all knew this day was coming. Change of power, out with the old in with the new. Now I am not going to bash or belittle the old. In part I voted for it. To be fair I didn't think Kerry was a good candidate, and I think I was right. I have followed the Republican voting since I could vote. I have to admit that I have been heavily influenced by my environment and the people around me. I think too often we assume or think we are right, just cause the people we surround ourselves with agree with us. That is how I felt until the past few years.
I first heard Obama speak when he won as a senator. I liked what I heard. A few years later I saw him on Oprah go after Hillary, and all the old politics. He attacked partisanship and then at that point I knew I liked him. He was fresh, new, different. Then I read his books and found him to be smart, articulate. Then I heard him speak and found him to be inspiring, clever, and powerful. It was then I realized I wasn't going to vote Rep. this election like I had all the other times. I didn't care about party politics and for the first time I felt like I was really voting the person and not the party. A novel concept in Utah--especially for an active member.
Now I know that the heavens are not going to open, that the world's problems are not going to be fixed overnight. I know that. And luckily so does Obama. Does anyone remember what they did last inaugaration day? I don't. I don't think two million plus people descended on our capitol either. This year its a little different.
To those of you still bitter about McCain losing or Obama winning you should read this article I will reference a part here:Over the last three months, Mr. Obama has quietly consulted Mr. McCain about many of the new administration’s potential nominees to top national security jobs and about other issues — in one case relaying back a contender’s answers to questions Mr. McCain had suggested.
Mr. McCain, meanwhile, has told colleagues “that many of these appointments he would have made himself,”
Fred I. Greenstein, emeritus professor of politics at Princeton, said: “I don’t think there is a precedent for this. Sometimes there is bad blood, sometimes there is so-so blood, but rarely is there good blood.”
Mr. Obama’s cultivation of Mr. McCain is a stark contrast with the practices of past presidents.
I would also tell you to listen to last week's This American Life. You will be surprised at what our veterans have to say.
Finally I will quote some of President Obama's speech:
"To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
A truly historic day.
4 comments:
With all due respect Jared, I think the Jury is still out on president Obama! CZ
the jury is definitely out. He has only been in a day.
Hey, Jare--
Good comments! And I totally hope you're right about Pres. Obama. Time will tell, as with any president. I'm still one of those (few) who liked George W. to the end and who will most likely vote Republican forever---chiefly because their more conservative platform conforms more closely to my views. But again, I hope Pres. Obama will be a good president. And although your dad probably would also have voted Republican forever, you certainly would have had some influence on how he felt about Obama. He often quoted you on different subjects, always admiring your opinions.
Auntie Lynne
"I first heard Obama speak when he won as a senator. I liked what I heard. A few years later I saw him on Oprah go after [talk] Hillary, and all the old politics. He attacked partisanship and then at that point I knew I liked him. He was fresh, new, different. Then I read his books and found him to be smart, articulate. Then I heard him speak and found him to be inspiring, clever, and powerful. It was then I realized I wasn't going to vote Rep. this election like I had all the other times. I didn't care about party politics and for the first time I felt like I was really voting the person and not the party. A novel concept in Utah--especially for an active member."
I like this post and agree with you that President Obama is convincing in word, but wonder if you can point out things he had actually done in his past that justified him being elected to lead our nation. Any legislation he'd pushed through, important issues he'd actually voted on, etc.?? His short time as a (junior) senator was mostly spent campaigning for president, correct? He has definitly got a talent for being elected and swaying emotions but I didn't seen enough hard evidence of where he'd actualy put his money where his mouth was to vote for him.
I truly hope he proves my gut feeling about him wrong. Like you said the jury is still out. He's been in a while longer since the orginal post and I would like to hear your thoughts on what he's done so far.
How do you feel on him closing guantanamo, appointing lobbyists even though he said he wouldn't, appointing men guilty of tax fraud, supporting international abortion? I admit I am confused about the stimulis package he's trying to push through and would love your insight on it and these other issues (I'm sure there are more I'm not aware of). It is so hard to find the real information though our bias media.
Thanks!
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