My Obama story. Let's hear yours... [View All]

[CoffeeCat]

I'm a 43-year-old, stay-at-home mom who lives in Iowa.

I was leaning toward supporting Edwards in our state caucus, when I received an email invite
to an Obama house party. After my husband said he'd watch the kids, I decided to go--just to
get a few hours for myself, without someone asking me to put their hair in a pony tail or
find their stuffed penguin (Moms, you know what I'm talking about!).

After arriving, I met Republicans, Independents and Progressives who felt just like me. We talked
for two hours, totally in agreement about Bush's deplorable governing and how we desperately need
real, substantive change. We discussed corporate corruption, the Iraq war, our government's torture
policy and our withering Constitution. I still remember the woman who hosted the party--a two-time
Bush voter--saying, "I just can't believe that this is our country. How did this happen? I am
conservative, but I never signed on to any of this."

I left thinking, 'If Obama can galvanize this political diversity in an Iowa living room--imagine what
Obama could galvanize in a national election.'

Intrigued, but not convinced--I continued to get friendly phone calls from the Obama campaign.
A very kind and knowledgeable canvasser showed up in my driveway, as I was loading our kids
in the car. We chatted for a bit about Bush usurping the Constitution, and the canvasser mentioned
that Obama is a "Constitutional Scholar."

Persuaded and impressed by Obama's highly organized campaign of volunteers, I decided it was time to do my own research.

What I discovered was a wellspring of information. Obama taught Constitutional Law (and other law classes) at the
University of Chicago for nearly a decade. His commitment to and respect for our Constitution--drives his
policies and ideas.

Obama is the only candidate to commit in his campaign materials, to restoring Habeas Corpus. Bush
and Gonzales decided that Americans didn't need "the great writ"--a right dating back to the 1600's--which
guarantees each American the right to demand "a body of evidence" from the government, if they are accused
of a crime. Without Habeas Corpus, the government can detain us without producing evidence. Obama is
outraged and is dedicated to restoring our fundamental right.

Obama also disagrees with the "Unitary Executive" mentality that Bush has used to neutralize the checks
and balances built into our government. Obama will work to instill more transparency in government and bring sunlight
into policy discussions that Bush and others have led behind closed doors.

Obama wants to close Guantanamo. He will end illegal wiretaps. We often marvel that Kucinich has a copy of
the Constitution in his pocket. Obama has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Constitution and it provides
the basis for his platform.

It's sad that at this time--our country needs assurances that our next President will follow our Constitution.
After Bush, it's imperative that Americans have those assurances. The next President must be someone who won't capitalize
on the "Unitary Executive" playground that Bush has concocted, and will instead, govern according to the Constitution.

We have those assurances with Obama.

I also liked what I read about Obama's health care plan. He crafted a solution-oriented plan that drastically
cuts costs for people who can't afford insurance. Hillary's health-care plan is the "No Child Left Behind" of
health care. It's an unfunded mandate. Instead of cobbling together a "universal care" plan that is more sound byte
than solution, Obama's plan actually cut costs and slashes premiums.

And yes, I was impressed by Obama's speeches. After Bush, aren't we desperately thirsting for an
intelligent, inspirational leader who can communicate eloquently and make us proud on a national stage? I know
I'm ready for that.

I continued to receive calls from the campaign--and finally I got a call from Obama. He listened to me.
He didn't try to sell me anything. He had nothing but praise for John Edwards. He told me that he
would vote against immunity for the telcos--and he did a few weeks later. I agreed to be one of
his precinct captains.

I've been through many election cycles in Iowa. I've never seen a campaign so organized and so full
of dedicated volunteers. Obama's team--when extrapolated onto the General Election--is unbeatable.
People really like Obama. They're willing to canvass in the snow and make phone calls on his behalf.
Obama has inspired millions of volunteers and new voters. McCain can't match Obama's army of volunteers.

Combine the organization, large volunteer base and creativity--with Obama's ability to pick off Independents
and disenfranchised Republicans--and we're looking at a blowout. No other Dem candidate has this
across-the-board appeal that we need to beat McCain.

I imagine many of us have an "Obama story", and it would be great to hear how other Obama supporters decided
to climb on board.
:)