Sen. Obama, I choose to reflect upon what you have accomplished, rather then what has not yet occurred. Yet, I am confounded. As has happened before, and will happen again, the campaign was not smooth as silk yesterday. What astonishes me, however, is the response of some of your supporters. The chorus of "he MUST do this," "he NEEDS to do this," "why can't he just do this," and other questions and claims of the same ilk are difficult for me to understand.
Maybe it's my age that gives me a different perspective. From what the media tells me, I'm not in your demographics, as I am "older," (a relative term at best but the media loves to pigeonhole people.) I've been alive more than enough decades to realize that never will all the people agree on a single candidate so the vote will never be 100%.
I also have enough "experience" to realize that no candidate will win every single contest in every single state in any primary or general election. I've lived long enough to know that if there weren't any conflict or controversy, the media would contrive one to keep their ratings inflated. I've been around the block enough times to accept the fact that even the smoothest path has bumps along the way and a stumble here and there. I know better then to anticipate perfection and be disappointed when it is not achieved.
Sen. Obama, I choose to reflect upon what you have accomplished, rather then what has not yet occurred. I grew up in a town that would not allow (by various means) people of color to reside there, long after laws prohibiting discrimination were passed. Today, you, a black man, are leading the Democratic charge for nomination to the Presidency. From my point of view, what you have accomplished is miraculous and cause for celebration. I grew up in the age of the cold war and came of age during Vietnam, Nixon and Reagan, and you, sir, go against all the established views so entrenched in those policies. You are altering long-held mindsets regarding race, class, social inequities, the practice of politics, and our perception of what America really means. What you have already accomplished is stunning.
You lead, Sen. Obama, in votes, money, delegates, and states won. Of course, it is not a painless and easy cruise to the nomination. If anyone expected it to be such, they have a rose-hued lens on their view of life. Of course your every word, every act, is over-analyzed, parsed, disected, and often abused. You, sir, have gone against the grain, and bless you for that. Historically, no meaningful change has been accomplished simply, without discomfort or sacrifice. So, Sen. Obama, rather then tell you what you need to do, what you must do, I have a different message for you.
Thank you, Sen. Obama. Thank you for bearing this burden, for taking these risks and sacrifices upon your own shoulders for the betterment of us all. Thank you for being front and center, the target of the status quo machine, while we sit back safely and donate, phonebank, canvas, and yes, even criticize. Thank you for incrementally grinding away at those who tell us we cannot accomplish this goal of moving forward with our nation into a better day. Thank you for being our voice when you say "not this time," for having the courage to demand Change and requiring us to participate in that change rather then merely being spectators to our own government. Thank you for buoying our hopes in our sadder moments, warming our hearts in our disappointments, and returning our enthusiasm during our despair.
I won't tell you what you need to do, Sen. Obama, because you clearly know better than I with regard to this campaign. I know this because I could never have come as far as you have in this short a time. Instead, I will trust your judgment, your advisors, your instincts, and your abilities. If I could not trust you to run your campaign, I would not have voted for you, trusting you to be President. I will determine to work harder at my part of this bargain, donate more, make more phone calls, and participate even more in the process then I already have. I won't tell you what you must do, Sen. Obama, rather I will tell you how proud I am of you for smiling each day and retaining your strength and enthusiasm when I know you must be exhausted. You face each day, bracing yourself for the inevitable attacks, making a target of yourself, on our behalf, because you recognize the needs of this nation.
Sen. Obama, instead of advice, I sent you another donation last night. It's not much money, but it's representative of my trust, my support, and my encouragement for you. It also served to remind me that this was just another bump in the path, anticipated, because Change is never simply given to us, it must be earned.