On this historic day I decided to write my very first diary. There is no particular reason why I am writing today - I have no breaking news announcements or anything like that - I guess I just wanted to express my thoughts. I have very little experience in writing so please don’t expect anything too fancy or complex. I’m just a housewife with a few extra minutes on her hands. Yes, I know I should be down at the local Obama office helping GOTV but today, of all days, I woke up with sinus issues (probably an infection as I get them on a regular basis).
During the Democratic National Convention of 2004, I watched an unknown black man from Illinois give the conventions keynote address. To be honest with you I wasn’t expecting too much. I thought it would be just another one of "those" political speeches. As my husband and I listened to this young fellow from Illinois we couldn’t help but be drawn in by his words. It wasn’t because he delivered those words so articulately (in fact, I hate it when people refer to a black person who speaks well as being "articulate") it was the content of his speech that made my heart skip a few beats. When he finished giving that wonderful speech, I turned to my husband and said, "That guy is going to be president someday." Little did I know that "someday" was going to be so soon.
After the painful results of the 2004 election, I decided that I would keep an eye on this young new senator from Illinois. I followed him somewhat closely as the months went by. Then the pundits started talking about 2008 and who the democratic candidates for president might be. Senator Obama’s name came up often. I thought, "No, not yet. It’s too soon for him to run." Besides, I didn’t think this country was ready to vote for a black man.
Following the mid-term election of 2006, the presidential field started to materialize. One of those throwing his hat into the ring was my own governor – Bill Richardson. I was torn. At first I didn’t know who I should support but I was able to narrow my choices down to 2 people – Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I went with Hillary (btw, my husband went with Obama). I guess the reason I decided on Hillary was because she was a woman. Plus, I did not believe America would elect a black man or a Hispanic to be president. Perhaps I was being naïve.
I was very excited watching Obama’s announcement in Springfield. As I watched him on that cold winters day I thought what a wonderful field of candidates we have. The country would be in good hands with any one of them. As a democrat I was so proud.
In the New Mexico primary, which took place in early February, I cast my vote for Hillary Clinton. However, as the weeks went on, I started to get a little frustrated with Hillary. I thought she was running a campaign that was far too negative and I was worried that she (and Bill) was saying things that could pose a problem for Obama should he win the nomination. I probably foresaw the writing on the wall, so to speak. I wrote to her campaign several times asking them to "tone it down" I even threatened to withhold sending her more donations, but apparently they didn’t listen to me as they kept it up. By late April I was ready for a change. Now, some of you might be thinking that it was already over by late April, and perhaps it was, but Hillary was still in there fighting for the nomination. I, however, could no longer support her. By early June Obama had secured enough votes to win the nomination, I was so happy the primaries were ending and we had our nominee, a nominee we could all be proud of.
I was also happy to see Hillary step up to the plate! I think she has been awesome! From the speech she gave conceding the nomination to Obama, to her speech at the DNC, to her support on the campaign trail, she has been so helpful to Obama’s campaign. Whether you like her or not I hope you realize that Obama might not be in the position he is in now, if it were not for the wholehearted support Hillary has shown.
Speaking of negative campaigns, McCain has run a disgustingly negative campaign. I cannot for the life of me understand how anyone could vote for these two creeps. Palin has told one lie after another, even after they have been proven false. Because of the ominous tone of their campaign, our great country is now divided more than ever before. They should both be ashamed of themselves for what they have done. The hatred coming from the right is scary and I am fearful for our future should they be elected. Whoa...wait a second...what am I saying...they won’t be elected!! I do believe Barack Obama will win tonight, although I think it will be closer than anyone would prefer. Obama is going to have his hands full once he becomes president. I think one of the first things Barack should work on is uniting this country. The damage that McCain/Palin have done might be insurmountable but I think it is important he try to bring some of these people back into the fold. Having said that, sadly some of them will never come around.
Senator Obama has had to overcome a lot of obstacles to be in the position he currently finds himself in. Should he win tonight, he was able to do it because so many Americans put their fears aside and did what is best, not just for our country, but for the entire world. Thank you America!!