Well, here it is. I'm going into no-man's land. Good thing I'm a woman.
I was hard-core Gore. All he did was win a few paltry prizes (snark). I gave my love to Edwards, but he had no stone. Wait, that was the cherry I gave my love. Edwards had no delegates. Ok, he obviously had some. But not enough.
So....decisions, decisions.
I don't vote with my gut. We all saw what that gets us (shudder, spittle). And hanging out here at the Kos, there's no need to. Facts at our fingertips.
Between the bickering of Obamites and Hillbots (or whatever the hell you guys were/are calling each other) I had to make a decision before I let everyone else make one for me. I molted off my Edwardian skin and have tried to form a bond with the person I felt represented me and what would be a good awakening for this country.
Obviously my choice was Obama.
Yesterday I found out he was going to be in Seattle. I frantically made it possible for me to go.
I got there early. The weather sucked. I stood out in it for about two hours. I had a pretty lucrative spot in line. Here, I took some pictures (albeit crummy ones) of the less fortunates who were further back than me.
Now, lest you think I am sent here to heap endless praise upon this candidate, let me tell you, I wasn't easily sold. I really rooted for Edwards in Iowa and New Hampshire and I scared the cat a few times when I was yelling at the television. Of course, I scared the cat when the Giants won (suck it, Brady). So mine is not a deeply-felt love affair with Obama. This is a relationship that is going to require work, and going to this rally today was the second date, as it were.
There was chanting going on here and there, but let's face it, this teenaged and early-twenties crowd was a bit too cold to really get into it. And that's who I saw while I was in line - tons and tons of VERY YOUNG PEOPLE. I heard that the school system was excusing kids who wanted to skip and go to the rally today. So this was a very colorful group (for those of you who do not live in the PacNW and understand the fashion here....it's pretty colorful. In a good way.)
They finally opened the doors, and I nearly wasn't let in because my camcorder was forbidden. (I should have heeded the advice from Kossacks in my last diary - bring digital cameras, which ironically also record videos - but NOT camcorders!) I swore on my mother's life (thanks, Mama!) that I wouldn't even take it out of my pocket if they just let me in. Thank Jeebus the Security Chief let me in anyway...I don't know how I pulled that one off. But that's why these next couple of photos, which were supposed to knock your socks off with their abundance and clarity are instead pitiful pictures taken with my camera phone.
I share them with you only to show that the Key Arena was MF'in PACKED.
I'm sure you've heard that the place was spilling over capacity and that 3000 unfortunates were left outside.
Ok, on to the "insightful" part of this diary, which is really just BS, because I'm not a political analyst.
Although I was somewhat lukewarm on Obama and I certainly do NOT believe the only way America can experience "change" is by moving the "older woman" out of the way to make room for "something young and new," I gotta say, Obama pretty much said everything I wanted to hear. Now, this is scary and I don't believe a lot that comes out of a politician's mouth. But Obama is certainly a shot in the arm.
I was about to fall asleep before he started speaking. I was already worn out. Can I say that I didn't sit down for a solitary second the whole time he was speaking? From what he said about healthcare and Iraq, to education and yes, all that fanfare about "beleive" and "hope" and the whole sack of cats, he made it sound real, do-able, and there is an effect he has that rings genuine to me. My hands are sore from clapping. I'm wasted tired right now and should have probably waited to write this diary. But it's coming from my heart.
I can't argue like so many of you Kossacks can. I don't have the chops. And I'm sure that several of Clinton's supporters can eviscerate me and ask me what Obama did - Obama, who I gave a chance to see live and in person - that Clinton can't do - a candidate who I haven't yet seen in person and will probably not have a chance to.
Well let me tell you this, and I'm putting my neck on the chopping block by doing so, I know: I went to see Obama, but I ended up seeing a president. He IS a shot in the arm. He IS something new. With all respect to Clinton, I do feel that you are a part of the past. I'm sorry, it is just going to come with the territory. Now, if she gets the nomination, I will be singing her praises and I will be casting my vote dutifully in November for noneother than our beloved Democrat.
Jus' sayin. Obama has "President" written all over him. My tongue's not wagging out, I don't have Obamamania; I'm just a woman who's done some research and I think this guy can take 'em on.
McCain's toast.