When Senator Obama met with Senator Clinton at Senator Diane Feinstien's home in Washington, D.C., I will admit I was pleased. I wanted him to tell her she was acting like a Big Jerk, but you know what? He is not that kind of man. I imagine he told her that he understood why she was campaigning the way she did. Then I suspect he said he hoped they could work together to end the Bush dynasty, as in let's keep Brother McBush out of the White House.Okay, so he probably made her laugh that awful... no, I won't bash Hillary anymore. Let's just say he made her laugh and leave it at that. I am going to follow Obama's lead. I am going to forgive... yes I am! Okay, so I may have a hard time forgetting, but I am not running for president and I don't have to be that evolved. Heck, I am probably not as evolved as my own children and I never forget if you've crossed me. Okay, so I forgave one sister, but that was family.:)
Yes, I've seen dementia patients hold a grudge longer than Barack Obama chooses to do. I swear I think the man has the patience of a saint. Although I am well-aware he is not the Messiah, it sure feels that way sometimes. It does make me wonder, though, if Jesus had a sense of humor. There isn't much about that in the Bible from what I recall. Well, I guess that is another article, but comment if you are so moved.
Personally, I love a man who can make me laugh. Right now that list includes Barack Obama, but more importantly, I have come to love and treasure everything that comes out of his mouth. When asked what he was going to do this weekend he replied he and Michelle were "going on a date" and that he was going to "savor his family". Wow. The ears of every woman who heard that perked up.
Neither did he horn in on Hillary's good-bye party. Okay, so she was sad-clever when she commented that it wasn't the kind of party she had planned, but when I laugh at her jokes I always feel a little sad. Don't misunderstand, I agree with Obama that Hillary broke barriers for our daughters and granddaughters and I will be forever grateful to her. The reality is that she was NOT the first female candidate to be qualified to be Commander in Chief, but she was the first female candidate of this caliber who ran and we all took seriously. And she got very close.
Another woman will follow in her path just as John Kennedy broke the "Roman Catholic" barrier and Barack Obama will break the "African-Amerian" one. Maybe one day there will be more than one or two Asian governors, Native American senators and even a Latin can get into the White House. Who knows, we might actually have a president who could speak French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or English. (Will we ever forget 'nuke-ku-lar'? Arrrrggh.)
Okay, so Hillary wasn't very polite or gracious on Tuesday and she didn't concede or endorse Barack that night, but who knows what was keeping her awake to handle that schedule of hers. Her eyes looked pretty bright to me, which I assume was heavy adrenalin powered by more than a few Red Bulls. (What were you thinking I was suggesting? I'm a flaming Democrat, remember?).
Anyway, I would have cried if I were her. Then I would have been angry with myself, but people would have felt sorry for me. At least she didn't shed those New Hampshire tears and make the rest of us choke up, and she deserved to shed a few. Yes, darn it, she earned a good cry. I guess I have a hard time imagining Bill comforting her either. He seems like the type who would be too busy licking his own wounds to think about hers, but what do I know?
So looking to a future in which Bill Clinton goes back to Dubai or wherever he has been making those millions, and looking forward to January 2009, my heart is beating wildly. Not that I don't think the Bush twins and Chelsea were cute, nice young woman who deserve our empathy/sympathy, but Laura and W. have strained my patience beyond the breaking point. I cannot even stand to look at their cute little Scottie. (No, not McClellan, he's got religion and has turned on them remember?) Their dog, Barney. I feel like the president has more compassion for that little critter than he does for American or Iraqi children, but that's another well-told tale.
Imagine we are going to have that new first family putting their imprint on those newly monogrammed towels. The Bush Crime family's portraits will be removed and maybe John F. Kennedy's and Lincoln's will go back up. I look at Michelle with her lovely clothes and tasteful jewelry, so elegant, colorful and ladylike. I'm dying to know what SHE thinks about all of this, but I have a feeling she's smart enough to keep her opinions to herself, at least for now.
She's also so darn fit, isn't she? She and Barack look years younger than middle forties and will probably start a fitness craze via emulation. I certainly wouldn't mind having her body. Then I look at those two adorable little girls whose father and mother will make history, but realize so will they. They will be the first African-American children to inhabit the White House.
That is, if you didn't consider Bill to have been our first African-American child president. Giving Bill his due, he also broke some real racial barriers, and Americans got used to seeing more than the traditional white male faces in those hallowed halls. Remember Janet Reno? Perhaps in his way he helped prepare us for this great moment in our history.
For sixteen months my family has been biting our nails, hyped up on hope, praying that our fellow Americans could rise above our fear, negativity and bigotry to chart a new course through history. Our personal friends around the world have expressed wonder over Obama's victory. Why wouldn't they? After almost eight years there is hope on the horizon. No one can deny the Obama after-glow that has become so powerful even traditional American values are being illuminated.
I wish I could find some way to prolong this feeling through November. In the meantime may all the gods bless our precious America. Me? I'm going to keep volunteering in Obama's campaign and keep praying. This old white woman still believes dreams can come true, because now we all have proof. I just hope I also have a fairy godmother.
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Comments: 61
That "Big jerk" has many followers and many of us are running to John McCain.
I honestly don't understand this position. Obama's policy stances are almost identical to Clinton's. If you were such an avid supporter of Sen Clinton, why would you now vote for McCain, who is at the opposite end of the spectrum on policy? Is it that you supported the idea of a female candidate more than the candidate herself?
I am struck by the recurrent appearance of retorts like those from Mary Ann S. and Linda G. who just don't seem to get what we perceive as so self evident. Somehow their limbic systems can't quite grasp the monumental sweep of what's happening. I strongly suspect that such brains will be incredulous at the forthcoming course of events by this time next year.
As for the two parrots up there - Pfffffft.
I have not been strongly moved by the Democratic primary contest, but I can see how Obama has created real enthisiasm for many people.
My support has always been for the candidate most likely to reverse the corruption and failure of the Bush regime.
Just speaking to my wife about you. Told her that I thought you to be a rational, humane and prolific human being. Though I don't know you personally, but I'm sure that I am right and, it could very well be that we get to know people best through their writing.
I go back to the Franklin Roosevelt era. I don't remember ever having had as much hope in any political figure as I now have in candidate Obama. Perhaps I will be disappointed again, but with you feeling as I do, the odds at last seem to be in my favor.
I mentioned to an immigrant from Albania that when I saw Obama's little girls on TV, I was convinced that he should have my support. She said that my words had sent chills through her. She too has seen something mystical and good in this man.
I read your comment with more than a little agreement. It appears that you get "it" about our dear Elizabeth AND the inimitable junior Senator from Illinois. And Lewis, I get you, too. In conversations for months I've been likening this historic election cycle to FDR's campaign in '32.
Two days ago I sent a private e-mail to Elizabeth Madrigal and a similar one to a handful of other Gatherers who seem to sense what is really going on with Obama's phenomenon. In light of what I just explained, you might want to treat yourself to my suggestion of a thrilling read. I hope you'll consider it.
Mark Morford (like Elizabeth) can r-e-a-l-l-y turn a phrase. Here 'tis:
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I don't know if you read Mark Morford but I respectfully encourage you to take a moment to check this out
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2008/06/06/notes060608.DTL&nl=fix)
It does not come as a surprise that once again Mark has put a complex thought into words so much better than I ever could.
I agree with his sentiments and admit I felt "it" about Barack from the gitgo. Initially I was attracted by his communication skills during the 2004 convention but as time went on I became wildly attracted (and relieved) by his "countenance", his "persona", and ultimately, his "being."
Curiously I just never "saw" a black man before me. To me Obama was/is a transcendent being who hailed from Hawaii and was/is almost otherworldly in connectedness, countenance, persona and being.
I have given up my American hopes and dreams to this man for safekeeping.
As Martin Luther once famously exclaimed, "Here I stand, I can do no other."
Judging from much of what I glean on Gather, many others (but not all) get "it" too.
Barack To The Future,
I guess this is why emotions ran so high over this primary. Those of us who committed early on to our candidates (and this included some Edwards and Kucinich supporters and even those supporting Ron Paul) felt desperate about changing the Bush White House, even if we differed on who best suited to accomplish that. So Hillary supporters, mea culpa if I offended you. We really do want you to come on over, as we have the same agenda you do. We want a better America.
Oh, Ken Grisnak, you can sure use the word 'limbic' and thrill the rest of us. It is almost as good as someone saying, "I'm really concerned, as I think they may need professional help." Wink, wink.:)
Sharon and Kimberly, thank you. I do really feel happy to be moving forward and I hope that the primary wounds, given time and respect, will heal.
In my family we always ignored the elephant in the room, and therefore things got messy. I would rather confess that I am pretty normal, have my beauty marks and warts (okay, so I don't really have any warts), and always feel this enormous impulse to share my feelings with... all you wonderful Gatherites.
Perhaps it is the positive, wonderful feedback that keeps me from walking my dog, making dinner, sculpting or painting when I can read all you write, comment and also put in my two cents worth. But hey, my husband's in New York for 10 days, so if I don't make the bed, or buy milk before I run out, who's going to care or tell?:) Oh... you wouldn't, would you?
The year 2008, which is 7.5 years into the 21st Century after all, will surely be the line drawn in the sand when prejudice lost its allure and sexism was found to be demeaning to all Americans.
Unless, of course, she told me she was voting for McCain, and then I'd have to cut off her kiln privileges at my house.:) (We both sculpt but she doesn't have a kiln right now, so I have the power.)
Don B. and Bill B.... you two should become Gather friends.... you obviously have lots in common.
And, together, they might have one working brain.
Given that my Clinton fatigue is not far behind my Bush fatigue and I think that Bill was a less than mediocre president, though being followed by the worst one ever has made Bill and Papa Bush look much better than they did.
I don't recall that you in particular are among the Obama supporter who have offended Hillary supporters, but thanks for the apology anyway. Also, it is not just some Obama supporters who should be apologizing and those who belong to that other group should be tending apologies to both Clinton and Obama supporters. I suspect many in that category are simply Internet trolls who get there kicks by tossing insults at everyone in hopes of stirring up trouble and fostering disunity.
As for the "Obama After-Glow" I can't say I feel it, but then I am among those who would be basking in the after-glow of a Hillary victory if she had won. So you will have to be satisfied with knowing that I and vast majority of Hillary supporters are proud that our nation has selected its first black candidate as the nominee of a major party just as I think you would have felt pride and will someday feel pride when a woman breaks that next to the last glass ceiling.
The primary contest is over and it is time to unite behind, the Democratic candidate, but as we do so I hope we have learned something and will not start casting personal insult at McCain's supporters. If we stick to the facts and the issues, we can disagree with them without insulting them or casting vile insults at their candidate. Such behavior only creates divides and such divides will only make it more difficult for Obama and the rest of us to achieve the goal of unifying our nation.
On another note, I have lived my lifetime waiting to meet a world of people who were able to see beyond race and sex. My mom and I cried Tuesday night when she called to say "son we are witnessing histroy." In the room with her was my son-a working journalist-who she and I raised to live in a world that did not exist for him-yet we knew that at some point in time and space the tide would shift and if not for him, then for his progeny. Our tears were not for Obama. They were for the many thousands gone who lived in the days when hope unborn had died.
I think Michelle and Barack look amazingly fit and in great shape physically. I do look forward to seeing them and their two little girls in the White House. It will be very refreshing.
I just read Michael's comment above and I say, Michael, I am so happy that your precious mother has lived to see this day. I know that down in Louisiana, all my church lady friends must be thrilled. They could not vote until 1965 although they lost husbands to War - lost sons in Viet Nam - yet they could not VOTE!!!!!! Anyway, Elizabeth, thanks for everything you are doing. The world is a better place because of folks like you and Michael! Salud.
I plan to checkout Morford shortly. Thank you for taking my thoughts seriously, often they are not. Perhaps, if you would take a moment to view some of my comments on Huffington Post, you may find something there of interest to you. I'm not sure that I offer a keen mind or anything aventurous, but you may find some fresh ideas regarding the single chronic problem that is causing the US to fall far behind the EU in social advancement and the US general decline.
Carol, I hoped not to offend Hillary people, but let's face it, emotions really ran high for all the right reasons - but now we have more people voting than ever before! Whatever I have written/said about Hillary has been a bit edgy, as I didn't like her style of campaigning, although obviously almost 18 million other people did. I know it takes a few days... weeks... or maybe longer for people to realize these are tribal/competitive feelings we need to rise above for the common good. Of course, it is easy for me as my candidate won the first round. I recognize that I am not really rising above anything here except I am not gloating, just grateful.
Steven, interesting prediction on Jeb. Somehow I think of him as finished, but I guess I am only deluding myself.
Michael Harvey - my son is a working journalist too! Another thing our families have in common. I can only imagine that there were many other families in this country feeling exactly the way you were. In my own way, we were too.
When I was a kid my favorite teacher in the world (4th grade, told me I was the smartest girl she had ever had in class - I learned 30 years later that it was her first year teaching, hahaha) took me to hear journalist John Howard Griffin, the author who wrote Black Like Me. That book involves his 1st person account of dying his skin and making other cosmetic changes so that he could 'pass' for a black man.
My mother was supposed to go that night, but as she wasn't really a civil rights activist, she sent me in her stead. I believe I was about 12, but mature by most standards for my age. That man, talking about all the degrading experiences he had - and they were nothing compared to anyone of African American descent in the south during those days - shook me to my bones. As my own mother suffered from a personality disorder, mental illness and alcoholism (and I was from a good family), because I had also suffered abuse, I related to the suffering very easily. Of course, there were many who said Griffin could have done more for African Americans as a white man in civil rights rather than a somewhat self-serving expose, but I think he helped open up some important conversations and contributed in his own way. I know I was never the same, and neither were a lot of other people who heard him or read his book or saw the movie eventually made.
I believe each of us contributes to a better society in our own way, but I don't think any white person can ever truly understand the suffering racism has caused over the generations. Nor can a man truly understand the affect sexism has has on women. Even the material aspects are dimished by white society, as if inheritance doesn't alter the destinies of others, and lack of inheritance, the same.
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Thanks for the posting.
I was looking for more information when I went to Senator Obama's first rally in Portland, and left walking 3 inches off the ground. I still listened to hear from Senator Clinton and never heard from her what was important to me the way that I heard it from Barack Obama. I have followed Obama and have since immersed myself in learning more about his platform, the Dem Party platform and activism in general. I often cannot bring up political/historical references the way some can on Gather, but I know that I drink up the discussion. Your style is so refreshing.
Lisa, I like Joe Biden, but I am not sure whom I would choose if I were Obama. There are some amazing people out there, and I love that Caroline Kennedy is on his nominating/search committee.
Thank you, Rhonda. I missed the first Portland rally, but my daughter and son-in-law and granddaughter were there. The five-year-old is so familiar with him that she thinks he's one of our relatives. Hence, she was concerned initially that when she waved at him while he was speaking, he didn't wave directly back at her.
I just bought Obama's two books this afternoon as I want to read what he has to say from a personal standpoint, but I admit that is merely to satisfy some inner longing for reassurance. We have been so burned by this current administration that it is taking all the faith I have in humanity to believe again that a politician will actually do the right thing. Perhaps that is Obama's real gift, an ability to be authentic and straight-forward and still have us like and respect him.
I will never forget the experience of being at the second Obama rally, which I wrote about on Gather. It was the most exhilarating experience I have had in 20 years, and certainly gave me hope.
Have you ever thought about suing that 'other chick' for purloining your moniker of 'OBAMA GIRL?'
Also, please know that your admiring public expects two (2) savvy book reviews.
I promise I will do a book review once I've really absorbed the Obama books. I have a packed schedule for the next week, but then I'll get into it.
Best line on this comment thread, Elizabeth.
I chuckled aloud.
I hope the Obama campaign continues to respond aggressively to the lies that are published through spurious e-mail "alerts".
Like my friend Sandy Knauer, I recieve oddious "news" from the American Family Association.
They continue to insinuate that Obama is Muslim and that he hates Christianity.
As if they would know Christianity, even if Jesus performed miracles inside their headquarters.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshome/
frikkin' PRICELESS.
if i were a voter, i'd certainly turn out for Obama. he seems to approach everything with the same level of UberSmooth as myself.
because i'm, y'know, UberSmooth.
all jests aside: he makes one want to hope. -i know that The Machine will attempt to eat him alive--to make him compromise himself, or his values (which comes to the same). i know the Zeitgeist has got his number, and that one of Its inheritors is occasionally breathing the same air as he (read: Rockefeller endorsement)...
...and STILL he giveth a chill.
yeah. if i were a voter, man.
i'd BE there.