It's funny.
Four years ago, I did not care about watching the news, nevermind following politics. I was like the majority of my high school friends when it came to politics: apathetic (as many of them still list on their facebook profiles). It was Barack Obama that made me interested in this whole process we call democracy.
Quick story:
I was bored on a Sunday morning, changing channels on the t.v. at my home in New Hampshire when I half-accidentally left it on CNN. At that moment the media was mentioning the praise a senator from Illinois was receiving for his speech at the Democratic National Convention. They showed a short clip.
I was inspired.
I went online to watch the rest of the speech, and was changed for the rest of my life. I now had hope. Hope that we could improve our country. I went on to follow Obama, got to reading his two books, and thought in my head "we would be so lucky to have this man as a president." I attended his first presidential rally in NH a few days after the announcement of his candidacy. I sat a few rows from where he stood. But to be honest, I never thought he would get this close, at the time, I was unable to conceive that he had a chance in hell at the presidency.
Color me surprised. He is close. So close.
But Barack Obama was only the inspiration of my political enthusiasm and activism. Besides a few times of pitching his book to family and friends, and candidly discussing my support, I had nearly forgotten about Obama until the day of the Iowa caucus. I spent more time doing volunteer work following international and national news and reading about "progress" in Iraq than I did on follow the 6 months of campaigning leading up to the primaries.
A truism of Obama's words is that their affect on me have transcended my support of him alone. His beliefs have not directly changed my beliefs. His beliefs and words caused me to look at where I stand on issues, to read more, to watch the news, and to fill my head with an understanding and knowledge of the world around me. Ultimately, to shape my liberalism.
Without Barack Obama I would not be who I am today. Vote for FISA or not, become President or not, have any effect on improving my quality of life or not: Barack Obama has already successfully encouraged my social and political activism, and for that I thank him and hope my actions and donations assist him in his run.