"Madame Speaker, the President of the United States"
These words have been heard before. Nancy Pelosi has been Speaker for two years now and former President George W. Bush would have been announced for the 2007 and 2008 State of the Union addresses this way. But tonight, this simple phrase illustrates to a big reason why I vote Democratic.
The Democrats control the House of Representatives, the Senate and the White House. Yet, two of the leaders of these three arms of government represent people who are severely represented in politics - women and African Americans. Democrats really are the big tent party. They are the ones who have fought for civil rights and for greater inclusion of the people left out of the political process. They fight for minorities, people in poverty, and many others.
I do have to acknowledge that the Republicans have made some progress. They had a female VP nominee, the leader of the RNC is black and Bobby Jindal is giving the response to President Obama's address tonight. But the problem is that this all seems to be a response to the Democrats rather than any initiative of their own. Would Sarah Palin have been the VP nominee if not for Hilary Clinton? Likely, no. Would Micheal Steele be head of the RNC if not for President Obama? I doubt it. Would Bobby Jindal be such a rising star if his story wasn't so similar to Barack Obama's? Probably not. If not for the leadership of Democrats and progressives, the Republican party would still likely be represented by someone who represents the vast majority of their party - rich, white and male.
And this is why I support the Democratic party. This is a party that represents what I see as the best of our country - a party where all are welcome and where all can succeed no matter their race, gender, spiritual beliefs, sexual preferences or any other personal characteristics. I may not always agree with the Democratic leadership but I know that they are willing to at least listen to the other side and that anyone can succeed in their party.