I’ve made it pretty clear that I support Barack Obama for President. His personality and skill as a communicator have made it easy to do so. But after listening to his speech after winning the South Carolina primary, I have realized why I will support Obama for as long as I can - he says the things that I have said for years.

  • Politicians saying things just because they are politically expedient to the point where we can’t believe what they say anymore.  Last week when he was asked what his biggest weakness was, he gave a real answer.  Obama, said he has a messy desk and needs help managing paperwork; Clinton responded that her biggest fault was being too impatient to change America for the better; Edwards said his biggest weakness is having such a powerful response to seeing pain in other people.  Clinton and Edward’s gave those classic, turn a strength into a weakness answer that we all know is bullshit.  This is a minor instance, but it matters - I’ve always wondered why our politicians can’t be a little more candid with us.
  • He speaks of getting rid of the undue influence of lobbyists in Washington.  Yes, he’s receiving money from the bigwigs, but that’s a moot point - they all are.  Until we have campaign reform, this is the system and this is how you run for President.
  • Obama speaks about reaching out to the other side of the aisle, that we need to put down our differences and work together.  I have never felt that George Bush gave a two cents about what anyone who isn’t a Republican thinks.  He has worked to disenfranchise half of the country for political benefit.  I think the Democrats have better ideas - they are in line with what I believe is right for the country, but that doesn’t mean that we can simply ignore the opinions of the rest of the country.

Politicians talk about these things all the time - but it’s rare that you believe them, and it’s rare that these ideas are the pillars of their campaigns. Download and read his blueprint for change if you need to hear more about his policies. It is important that we hire the best person for the job and it’s important that you do you homework.

You may be of a mind that politicians cannot be believed and will do and say anything to be elected, and when push comes to shove, they will turn their back on the American people. That doesn’t matter. Put your skepticism and pessimism aside, listen to the candidates, and pick the best one. But don’t choose a candidate because your negative view of what is possible doesn’t allow you to believe anyone who doesn’t toe the line.

Until I am six feet under, I will have faith in good people. Unfortunately we haven’t had that in the White House for a long time, but that won’t make me believe that it can’t happen again.

I believe that we can change things. And I will put my faith in the one candidate that has staked his entire campaign on change. Anyone else is just a different shade of gray.

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