2008 Woodie Awards
Then I found Barack
A political re-evaluation
Joshua Rambo
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: On Topic
This election, like all of them I can remember, just brought me frustration and misanthropy. But, recently I saw a speech given in Philadelphia by Barack Obama and my whole view on this election changed.
Let me start by saying the issues that once mattered to me more than any other, no longer define the candidate for whom I can vote. My opinions and those of Obama couldn't be further apart. I'm pro-life, pro-gun and anti gay marriage which puts me at odds with Obama's opinions.
However, I have to concede that Obama is what this country needs right now. His A More Perfect Union speech proved not only that he was one of the greatest American speakers since Kennedy, but that he is an idealist. Even though his ideals differ from my own they are heartfelt and pure. An idealist is exactly what this country needs right now, because it takes an idealist to believe in change enough to create it . For once we have a presidential candidate that really wants to change these United States into the country it was meant to be.
There were several points in his speech where Obama spoke of his pastor, Jeremiah Wright, and the clips constantly circulated on television and YouTube. He does not defend the words of his pastor, nor does he condemn the man. He spoke of the man as a flawed man, just like every American is flawed. "I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community," Obama said. "I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother."
This part of his speech hit me hard because I see so many people around me pointing fingers at the faults they see in others and forgetting that those they are faulting are part of our community. As Obama said, we cannot forget or overlook things like racism, hatred or bigotry. We must do what we can to lead by example and change the circumstances that are creating them instead of pointing fingers.
If there was ever a president that could start the process toward uniting our nation as a whole and getting it on track toward a place of freedom and prosperity for all it is Obama. Obama said that not only are there problems facing the black community, but problems faced by communities of all races. If we unify and fight them together as a nation we can overcome.
Obama talked about how he knew one candidate in one term could not conquer years of pent up hostility and prejudice, but one candidate can try.
I may not agree with Obama on every issue but I'll be damned if I don't respect him. No man or woman at this point in time, is better suited to run our nation.
Let me start by saying the issues that once mattered to me more than any other, no longer define the candidate for whom I can vote. My opinions and those of Obama couldn't be further apart. I'm pro-life, pro-gun and anti gay marriage which puts me at odds with Obama's opinions.
However, I have to concede that Obama is what this country needs right now. His A More Perfect Union speech proved not only that he was one of the greatest American speakers since Kennedy, but that he is an idealist. Even though his ideals differ from my own they are heartfelt and pure. An idealist is exactly what this country needs right now, because it takes an idealist to believe in change enough to create it . For once we have a presidential candidate that really wants to change these United States into the country it was meant to be.
There were several points in his speech where Obama spoke of his pastor, Jeremiah Wright, and the clips constantly circulated on television and YouTube. He does not defend the words of his pastor, nor does he condemn the man. He spoke of the man as a flawed man, just like every American is flawed. "I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community," Obama said. "I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother."
This part of his speech hit me hard because I see so many people around me pointing fingers at the faults they see in others and forgetting that those they are faulting are part of our community. As Obama said, we cannot forget or overlook things like racism, hatred or bigotry. We must do what we can to lead by example and change the circumstances that are creating them instead of pointing fingers.
If there was ever a president that could start the process toward uniting our nation as a whole and getting it on track toward a place of freedom and prosperity for all it is Obama. Obama said that not only are there problems facing the black community, but problems faced by communities of all races. If we unify and fight them together as a nation we can overcome.
Obama talked about how he knew one candidate in one term could not conquer years of pent up hostility and prejudice, but one candidate can try.
I may not agree with Obama on every issue but I'll be damned if I don't respect him. No man or woman at this point in time, is better suited to run our nation.
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