From Time:
The campaign left him $60,000 in debt and unsure of his future. At 38, he was a state legislator in a party out of power, a black politician trounced in the black heartland, an outsider in the tribal world of Chicago politics. His long absences from home had angered his wife. "He was very dejected when it was over," said Mikva, "and thinking of how else he could use his talents." When a nonprofit group dangled a high-paying job, as director, Obama was so nervous--for fear that he might get it--that his hands were shaking on the way to the interview, a former aide reported.
Like many Obama supporters, I have a great deal of personal affection for my candidate. In other words, I like him a lot as a human being, in ways that more resemble your relationship with friends than with politicians. I guess that means I have drunk the Kool Aid, which is alright with me.
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Anyway, as I was reading about the dazzling scene from earlier today--King Abdullah driving Obama to the airport in his own Mercedes--I smiled because it was all so picture perfect. This trip will, I hope, provide the images that can cement for low-info voters something that WE all know quite well: that Obama has extraordinary judgment, understands foreign policy far better than most of our leaders, and has a temperament and thoughfulness that we haven't had in the White House for a long time.
But, here's where the personal affection comes in. I also thought about how far Barack Obama has come. And how much he is a regular person, who has had some tremendous frustrations and disappointments but who is now acheiving phenomenal success. Much like you are happy for your friends when their merits are recognized, when they fulfill their dreams, I feel happy for him.
I also feel VERY happy for myself and for my fellow Americans since all of us will be far better off come November 4th.
(I don't take that for granted, by the way. Every days is another chance to work harder to make sure that it does happen.)