A week ago Monday I had a chance to see Senator Barack Obama speak in Keene, New Hampshire. This was the first time I saw LIVE, a presidential candidate in about 20 years. In about an hour's time, Obama spoke to approximately several hundred people in a crowded recreation center in Keene. (It was raining or he would have spoken outdoors)
I was most impressed with what Obama had to say. He covered many different issues including jobs, health care, the economy, education, the environment, foreign policy, and of course, the stupidity in Iraq. On all of these issues, Obama had well defined views and did not try to hide his views. He was well received by the audience: senior citizens, workers, students, and folks like me. I was especially impressed with his views on education and the stupidity of "No Child Left Behind". He spoke about how teachers across the country have been forced to teach to the tests that the federal government now requires states to have. He felt that this had to change if real education was going to come to America's students. When I entered the hall I was still (And still am to a certain extent) in the "undecided" camp on which candidate I will support when New Jersey holds it's primary. I did feel, however, that I could easily support Obama as a fresh face and a person who was comfortable speaking and would be comfortable AND competent as President.
After 6 years of stupidity in government, it is long past time for a change here in the US. I was happy to hear change coming from Senator Barack Obama and will strongly consider supporting him in the future.