I still have hope and believe that Barack will win. I have tuned out the MSM, the polls and the chicken littles. But I understand the fear. This isn't political or idealogical. This is spiritual. This is about our nation's soul. Is it a good soul? Is it an improving soul? Or is there something rotten at it's core? On November 4th we will find out. And there is no pretending otherwise.
I look at the kinds of people who are attracted to the Republicans. They seem angry, resentful, scared of all things and people who are different and willfully ignorant. Call me an elitist, but I don't care. That's what I see. That's what I saw at their convention. That's what I saw in 2004 when people were wearing those purple hearts with band-aids on them. I saw cruelty and manevolence. I hear it on talk radio too. People who don't want their better angels to be appealed to. I don't want to be like them, but if Obama loses, I may not be able to keep it from happening. This a referendum.
There has been much arguing about strategy and tactics for the Obama campaign. How Barack should handle McCain, Palin, lies, smears, the media, etc. But here's the real deal: If Obama loses it will be because this country is what many of us fear it is: mostly ignorant, uneducated and hateful. And as if that isn't enough, they are willfully and proudly so. If the last eight years hasn't been enough then there was never anything Obama, the Democrats or us could ever do about it. The majority of this country will ultimately be whatever it is and we will find out on November 4th. This is a referendum.
Obama will do all that he can to the best of his talents and abilities and so should we. But the truth is he shouldn't have to work this hard. This should be a no brainer for at least 55% of the public. Nothing that the Repubs do over the next few months should be able to blind people to what 80% claim they see as the wrong direction the country is headed in. Nothing should make them forget who has been in charge over the last eight years. The majority of people should not be fooled by any Republican or media spin. The right choice, Barack Obama, is obvious to us because, damnit it is. I will hold onto my hope and work hard until November 4th, as I hope you all will as well. But I understand your fear. You don't want to lose all of the faith in your country if Barack loses after it's been so wonderful to have it back. I know what Michelle Obama meant and felt no need to defend her comments. It was the truth for so many people.
Even in an imperfect world, he shouldn't lose. You know it, I know it, and the world knows it. Hell, even the Republicans know it. The fact that he can is astonishing. This is a referendum on us.