Upon watching the new clip added to the Obama Youtube channel, I (and I'm sure you as well) can't help but feel like this election means too much to lose. Hearing him speak to his campaign staffers in such an intimate environment makes the stories in the stump speech several times more heart wrenching and that much more important that, as he says, 'we can not lose.'
As active as I am for this, my first, election, & how much I care about the issues - for some reason the notion of failure is not an option never crossed my mind. That is until watching that clip.
It's that type of reflectiveness and genuine caring that drew me into Barack Obama. I know WE, those who visit Kos, will not throw away this election. But WE must spread the word about Mr. Obama to the Hillary supporters, to the moderate Republicans, to independents and undecideds, to our parents, to our grand parents. We need to let them know that what Barack Obama stands for and believes can not just be labeled at "LIBERAL" just because the other side wants to distract us. And that the other side will spread lies and rumors because that have nothing to show for the last 8 years of shredding the constitution, lying us into war, politicizing the justice department, to killing innocent civilians in Iraq with Blackwater. They can't defend the maximizing of the minor threats from the N.I.E. about W.M.D. They joke about how they've duped the American citizens in their private meetings and fundraisers
I know it's nearly impossible to say this without having it sound partisan, but -- The republican party does not care about equality or any shared investment in our neighbors. That they do not believe that we have a stake in each other's success and happiness. They do not believe that Government should be there to do more than just keep foreigners out (props to Grover Norquist) and deliver our mail. In both of the Bushes terms, we were left with a skyhigh debt --- so much for fiscal responsibility. Our party is not perfect, but there is a common belief that yes we have a stake in each other. We are a party where we do not look down at people, but we try to raise those under the poverty line up. Our programs may not be perfect, but it won't stop us. We are a party of true individuality whether it be Gay or Straight. We are a party where our happiness isn't dependent on how many millions we're making while millions are homeless, jobless, and starving. This is why elections, especially this election, is too important to give up to the other side. John McCain is on the other side, using the same tactics of fear and name-calling. Using the word LIBERAL as a dirty word.
Let's see some of the definitions of Liberal by Merriam-Webster
2a: marked by generosity : openhanded
2b: given or provided in a generous and openhanded way.
5: broad-minded; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
6a: of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism bcapitalized : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives
Being liberal doesn't sound too bad to me ;).
But they will insist to attack. They will send nasty emails filled with lies. They will try to put Michelle Obama in the limelight and make her an issue. What should we do? We fight right back with Viral Videos and maybe even chain emails of our own. As Barack said, there are people depending on him, his campaign, and us. We are family, every single one of us. If we sense the foul stench of Racist undertones in the media coverage, we will react. There will be those who try to misconstrue Barack's values -- but we know his values are our values and the values of the average American. It's our job to help him spread his message.
When someone says well McCain's been around longer and has more experience than Barack. Answer back with "well if that's really what's important why haven't we passed a sensible energy policy all the time he's been around?" or "He says he's for stopping climate change, but why did the League of Conservation Voters gave him a 0 out of a 100 on environmental votes?" Ask why he's backtracked on torture or the Bush tax cuts? Or why he is not for equal pay for women? These questions need to be posed to McCaniacs, Hillraisers who are angry, and independents.
Obama will do his best to tie McCain to Bush, and so should we. If we do elect a third term of George Bush, we are (pardon my french) royally fucked. There are some columnists who say this comparison is unfair...but how? Did I miss something? Just because McCain says he's for doing something about climate change doesn't make him light years better than Bush. Just because he finally accepts what the majority of the population does, does not make him that much different than the Neo-Cons that surround him. You vote for McBush, you will get another four years of the last eight.
I would venture to guess 99% of all of us on Kos have a deep, never-ending hatred for John McCain and what he represents. A hate that greatly surpasses any enmity that we may have for Hillary Clinton. Despite any uncomfort we felt at her presence, she did represent many of the values we hold and will fight for Democrats at the top and bottom of the ballot. John W. McCain has never been a maverick. John McBush is not a true conservative. John McCain is a neo-con, just like Dick Cheney, George Bush, and the lunatic fringe.
We are on the cusp of electing not just the first African American for president, we are on the cusp of taking back the White House that should have never left the Democrat's hands back in 2000/2001. The White House of Clinton and Gore was not without its share of scandals but the amount of shared prosperity should never have been taken from us. I was only 12 when Al Gore had the election stolen from him, but I remember those weeks during and after very clearly. Though, I was upset (and really for no reason that I knew of) a Bush presidency didn't make much of a difference to me at that age. Obviously, I have been proven wrong. John McCain presents that indifference to many, as well. I know a fair amount of folks who want a Democrat, but "wouldn't mind if McCain wins." Well, we have to let them know this time is our time, this time the White House needs to be taken away from the party of Dixiecrats and Activist Judges.
This time the White House needs to be presided by a leader who embodies the American dream, strong diplomacy, and yes fiscal responsibility.