Paducah, Kentucky. A small town to the far west of Kentucky. All my life I've lived around Republicans bashing Democrats every chance they got. But today -- I noticed change. And not just little tweaks, it was a big change.
Now, naturally when driving down the road in Paducah you notice Republican signs everywhere. Our lousy Senator for the past 24 years, McConnell. Houseman. Nothing out of the norm for a red-induced city.
At the beginning of August there were McCain signs everywhere, I'd even gotten into the habit of angrily mumbling "Dang Republicans" every time I saw one. But driving home from school today, I noticed, huge Obama signs on almost every landmark in the city. Restaurants, homes, open land, EVERYWHERE.
When passing through a small little restaurant for a snack after a long day of classes, I walked in to find everyone sitting around a television watching Obama's campaign ad. At the end, a loud roar of "President Obama" started filling the room. Normally I'd have joined in on the cheering, but at that moment, all I could do was smile.
I've gone to calling parties, hosted debates for children who cannot vote at our community college here in Paducah, and even some door-to-door talks about how amazing Obama is. I never felt though, that I could encourage those around me in my city to turn Blue. Not even necessarily blue, but just turn towards Obama. And FAR away from McFrightening.
"President Obama", I liked the sound of that. It made my day. Music to my ears. With a couple of tears running down my cheeks, I went up to the take-out counter and ordered a small cheeseburger and a diet coke. While waiting in line for my order I could hear small conversations about Obama, about his integrity, his devotion to our country, and even some young women gabbing about his good looks.
I almost wanted to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming. Though I had craved the sounds I was hearing at that exact moment, I'd never have imagined I would hear them one day.
Walking out of my favorite fast food restaurant I noticed "Obama/Biden 2008" bumper stickers on citizens cars, Obama stickers in their windshields, (chuckle) I even saw a plush Obama hanging from someone's rear-view mirror. Then I looked at my plain, red Liberty. It had an Obama bumper sticker on it.
Without a second thought I ran back inside to ask who owned the Obama plush. The woman kindly pointed my into the direction of the gift shop that sold them. I am now the proud owner of a Barack Obama plush.
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Obama is a man of great integrity. Everyone has their faults, I won't relieve him of his own. I will say however, that they should have no impact on him today, right now in this election. Barack Obama stood up and realized that this country needs a change. This country needs someone to depend on. A rock, if you will. After this election, I think everyone will join me in saying that the change we need, the rock we want to lean on, is Barack Obama. A man of integrity. Kindness. Compassion. And the immediate desire to change this country. To get this country back onto its feet. To get us as people of America back to where we belong.
My fellow Kossacks, Yes We Can!