My first primary vote was in 2004 - John Kerry had sewn up the nomination by the time NC got to vote, so I voted for the person I thought had the best policies on GLBT folks.
My first presidential general election was for Kerry - I was there when the doors to the precinct opened and cast ballot 67. Later, I stood outside holding umbrellas when the rain came in the afternoon. That election was hard for me - everyone I voted for, including the one Republican (local state rep who opposed privatizing mental health in NC - a big issue to me), lost.
(My absentee ballot, mostly filled out):
I have to admit that in 2004 - I just didn't care who won the primary. Being from NC (and having phonebanked for him), it would have been cool if Edwards had won - but I didn't support him based on his work in NC. Kerry was okay and I liked him more after he got the nomination. Dean was decent and actually I liked him a lot more after the "scream" - it showed he had passion and wasn't just playing the game like so many people.
Later, that summer, I watched most of the DNC convention on a small black and white television in my grandparent's dining room (where we had the N64 hooked up). My grandparents didn't care much about politics, especially watching hours of speeches night after night. So, I tuned into PBS on Tuesday night, to see the keynote speaker - someone I had heard about from friends.
Senator Obama gave an amazing speech than most, if not all, of Kossacks remember. And I thought that night - much to my chagrin - that I was watching the next President of the United States. Unfortunately I was at least partially right - Senator Kerry lost. After the election, I (like many of us) was eager for the next election - to finally rid our country of the Bush regime.
I was honestly surprised (a little bit) when Senator Clinton announced her candidacy. It was so telegraphed long ago that she would run, well I hoped that she wouldn't because it would prove all of those people wrong who claimed her Senate seat was just a step towards ambition. I knew Edwards was running and had friends supporting him, but again I just couldn't get behind him.
It was while working in a hospital in Chicago, as a chaplain, that I found out that Senator Obama had decided to get in the race. I bought train tickets to go to Springfield to be at the announcement and then found out he was coming to Chicago the day after - I decided to save what little money I had.
In the time since he started running - I've phonebanked (not the first time), donated (first time) and blogged heavily to support him. I've talked with friends and family. I even had the amazing chance to participate in the shooting of an ad (and shook his hand - I still beat myself up that I don't have a picture of us together).
While studying in Chicago (in Hyde Park), many of my colleagues registered to vote in Illinois. My favorite joke on Feb. 5 was, "Turns out I didn't vote for Obama today." I kept my registration in NC - for a variety of reasons. First, I am more plugged into the politics of NC and there are a lot of things happening there. Second, I wanted my voice and my vocal support for Barack to be heard in the South - in NC of all places. And finally, if there was any chance that it would help him get the nomination, I thought voting in NC was smarter than in IL. Turns out - I was right.
And so, I present you all with the least private ballot ever - my absentee ballot:
Meanwhile - Board of Elections officials say (Link) that, "More than four times as many blacks have registered to vote in North Carolina during the first few months of 2008 as four years ago..."
Besides a large Black electorate, NC has 16 public colleges and universities, several private schools, a few Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a growing progressive movement. Both Democratic candidates for Governor (Bev Perdue and Richard Moore) have endorsed Barack Obama.
After living in NC for most of my life - I am proud that my home state is poised to overwhelmingly support Senator Barack Obama. Yes, there is work to be done - phonebanking, dispelling of rumors, and getting out the vote. But it's time for "Change We Can Believe In" and to borrow a phrase from an activist from our neighbor to the south,
North Carolina is Fired Up and Ready to Go!