Obama's amazing fund-raising & what I don't like about Hillary...

A little good news today from the Obama camp. They set a goal two days after the New Hampshire primary of getting to 100,000 online donors in 2008 (just 2008) by Saturday January 19th, the day of the Nevada Caucuses. Well, they hit 100,000 last night, with a full five days to go. They've reset for 125,000 by Saturday. This is truly incredible, and makes the campaign look great! There is no better argument for having broad support than having over one hundred thousand small donors.

No matter what the pollsters say, it is unbelievable how Obama has been able to get average Americans to reach into their pockets during what appears to be the beginning of a recession. The media has been attempting to make this about race from the beginning. When they talk about Obama as a black man, they completely negate the fact that he is half-white. Anyone who is from two differing backgrounds knows how ridiculous this is.

Obama grew up without a father. He lived through his mother's remarriage, and he also lived with his grandparents. This is a very common experience in America these days, as children learn how to adjust to new blended and extended families. What the media don't grasp and what the politicians don't either, is that Barack Obama is one of us. The average American who made it good, of course, he made it really good. Harvard law, a beautiful, well-educated woman (also Ivy League) whom he refers to as 'brilliant', and two small children whom he obviously adores. Senator, writer, communicator, good husband and father... the man has already made it in every sense of the word. If he was my son, I would be enormously proud of him.

He is an honest man, outing his flaws in book form before the 'Nasties' out there could do it for him. He is a respectful man who doesn't stoop to some of the political tricks we see in others. Oddly, per an article in the Washington Post yesterday, he is not the 'choice' of many powerful Black civil rights leaders, several of whom are still wavering between his and Clinton's campaign or claiming neutrality. As Jackson, Sharpton and their contemporaries have made their livings off their Civil Rights credentials, this is probably to be expected although disappointing in some ways. Then again, this presidential race isn't about the racial divide but the human race. Just as I should not be expected to vote for Hillary merely because she is a woman, neither should they choose on race. In many ways, this shows enormous progress in our country.

Now what about Obama's main competition, Hillary? I finally figured out what I don't like about her. She is like a hyper-critical mother who can never be satisfied, no matter what we do. The woman has no joy. She can laugh, cry, do whatever, I feel nothing from her and I consider myself compassionate. She's much too uptight and competitive and as she charges forward she makes me anxious and concerned. I also feel like she can hold a grudge and punish but yet she's still with Bill. Would she have this much support without him? Are people still thinking those 'good times' will come back economically? Do we want the older, skinnier, finger-wagging Bill he has become since his brush with death?

Nobody says Hillary isn't smart. Perhaps she is even brilliant, as in the debate last night she talked about the 'economic conferences' she is having across the country. Smart move, as the Voters have been saying, "It's the economy, Stupid," for some time. Will the pocketbook trump HOPE?

If we believe Obama's message of unification and giving the American people, not the lobbyists and corporate machines, the opportunity to have our message heard, nothing is impossible. We Americans are not like the opportunistic aggressors of the current admininistration We are liberators, not occupiers. We are generous and kind, not selfish and greedy plunderers. Above all we are fair. We are a great people who individuallly and collectively express goodness, mercy, compassion and kindness throughout our land and the world. Our leaders should reflect who we are. Americans are willing to change our enormous consumptive behaviors, but our government makes this extremely difficult.

So until November, I will volunteer in this campaign, encourage my friends to volunteer also, light candles, encourage people to vote, then I'll even pray and hope Obama will be the Democratic candidate.

However, this election isn't about race or privilege or personality or whom I like personally. It is about our survival as real Americans and the land of the free and the brave. Whatever your political leaning, please get informed and then involved. Our children and grandchildren's futures are the prize for all of us. Think outside your own pocketbook and think about what needs to happen in the future for all people. We need great minds to solve the issues our planet is facing and we need non-polarizing leaders who can tap into the greatness and innovation of the American people.

I also respect your right to try to convince me and other voters that your candidate has what it takes to restore our rights, freedoms, quality of life, education excellence and a functioning medical care system. The most wonderful thing about election years is that there are so many national voices that are heard. Huckabee talks about bringing art and music back into the educational system and Kucinich talks about bringing our soldiers home now. Ron Paul brings up issues about our electoral college and the two-party system that is broken. These are valuable voices, even if we choose not to elect them as leaders.

Leading America is a big job. We need more than one person to produce the innovation required to restore us to our former glory. Get involved if you are not already. Let's have a real contest and elect the best person in November. Americans have proven we are capable of great sacrifice, which is why I believe we can take leadership again and help make this a better world for all people.