I hadn't watched any of the convention until last night when I wanted to see Barack Obama speak. I was completely blown away. His oratory style was excellent and the speech was enthusiastic, positive and uplifting. Given that he is so young I think he has the potential to be the first black President of the United States.
Update: Here is a part of Obama's speech.
One more thought: This morning I was listening to NPR. They played the Obama segments and talked about it. I was on the edge of my seat, happy and entertained. Then they played Cheney who was campaigning in front of the troops (illegal) and every time he lied or distorted the truth (which was everything he said) I just got angry. I don't think I can take another four years of the lies and the distortions.
Speaking of which, it's pretty obvious now that Rove and the pundits are starting to spin on Iran and that Iran is the probable October surprise. I'm not so sure that's a bad thing. First, I don't think it's feasible. And second, I think that the Bush administration is so out of touch with reality that they don't understand that there is no public support at all for another Iraq-style debacle.
Posted by jherr at July 28, 2004 06:19 AMBarack Obama is indeed an impressive orator, but I am not as optimistic about his chances as first minority president.
This country has a long way to go before it can successfully be the melting pot that many believe it is. Discrimination is alive and well and the examples of the dichotomy between social groups can be seen practically everywhere. I hope Obama can make an impact that this country desperately needs, but I don't think America would be willing to elect him or any other minority politician as president in my lifetime.
I hope I'm wrong, but we as a country have a lot of growing up to do.
Posted by: Mike at July 28, 2004 08:38 AMThat's why i said that it is good that he is young. I figure it will be about twenty years before he is ready for the Presidency, and I've seen this country come a long way in twenty years.
Of course, we have an actively vocal change resistant group of folks who want to take the country back to the fifties, but in twenty years they will all be old and it will be today's tolerant teenagers and twenty somethings that control politics.
Posted by: jherr at July 28, 2004 08:46 AMThat would make him 63 at least.
What makes you think that the free-thinking youth of today will all be not only voters, but also democrats?
Posted by: eigga49 at July 29, 2004 07:12 AMMuch like the time around Vietnam and the baby boomers. The same kids who are in Iraq, or on their way to Iraq, don't like being lied to and sent to die in a pointless war against the wrong enemy. I don't think the Republican party is going to recover from this radical right out of control Presidency for many years.
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