First a little background.This is my first diary. I live on the central Gulf coast of Florida. Age and gender-wise I fell into the demographic of the Hillary women. Although I greatly admire the Senator, and as a life-long Democrat voted twice for her husband, I have supported Barack Obama from the early days of the primary.
I heard him speak and knew that this was the man who could lead and inspire us to face the challenges of the future and bring our country back from the brink. A better future not just for my children and grand-children I adore, but for everyone's.
My enthusiam for Barack was like nothing I had felt since I was a little girl and went to Tampa with my family to see the charismatic, handsome Senator from Massachusetts who radiated intelligence and confidence. Who made us feel like our best days were ahead as a people.Who became our President, our inspiration. Who was taken from us much too soon.
The parents who took me to see John Kennedy that sunny day in Tampa are still with me. They are much older now, still Democrats, but were staunch Hillary supporters. They took her primary defeat hard. So too, did my best woman friend. She was angry. Called Barack an empty suit. Threatened to vote for McCain. Even when I pointed out to her (she works for a non-profit) that he would continue to dismantle and destroy all the programs she believed in.
I had expressed my enthusiam about Obama to all three of them but they were not impressed. Too inexperienced, too young, untested. No matter what comparisons I brought up to past Presidents short-comings they wouldn't budge. I decided to give them some time. My parents were never going for McCain but told me they might just sit this one out.
Then Barack with his well thought out and wise choice of Joe Biden brought them into the fold. It gave them the confidence that this guy Obama knows what he is doing.He will surround himself with the best and the brightest. He will listen and be thoughtful. His acceptance speech and the Clinton endorsements clinched it. This is why judgement matters in a very big way.This is why they view McCain's choice with disgust.
What about my friend, the Hillary supporter?? After our disagreement, for the sake of friendship I decided not to mention it again. We met the other night for happy hour and she put her hand on my arm and told me not only was she voting for Obama, but she had written him a check that day! I whooped right out loud in the lounge and hugged her.
Three more votes in a swing state for Barack. We will turn it blue one vote at a time. YES WE CAN!