Head over Heels

Cynics beware: over the next 36 hours I am going to, for the first time, let myself fall hopelessly and dangerously in love. I am going to allow myself be enamored with the voices of positivity, of progress, of unity, of hope. Regardless of how challenging it will be, I am choosing to believe in a person, in a government, that I've only actually known in episodes of the West Wing- not in real life. I am being swept away into Camelot: the reprise; I am scared to fall so fully, but I am swept up in the movement of possibility and I'm relinquishing personal control. I am in love with a skinny man from the south side of Chicago and I am praying to every god in all mono- and poly-theistic worlds that the majority of democrats in the 27 states that vote tomorrow feel the same way.

I had a difficult conversation this week with a Hillary supporter regarding Obama's stances on conversing with Iran and experience in general. I was on the line for so long that I can understand the compulsion to veer toward the Clinton machine in this, the most critical election of my lifetime. Following the conversation, I was pondering the most effective articulation of my choice of candidate- and why the 'classic' rebuttals from opposition candidates are not the most appropriate means of debate in this election. From the outset, this election has been as much about hope and change as it has been about policy and dirty politics. Clinton has remained with the latter, it's all she knows. Obama, when he's at his best, can articulate former's nerve with such acuity that it makes America stand up and not only believe in politics and our nation- but want to be a part of it once again. This is not the same as the Sept. 12, 2001 call to service; tragedy can bring out the best in anyone. With Obama, we are seeing our nation rise to its potential, not in the face of immediate tragedy, but in the spirit of unity and hope. We are no longer reactionary, we are participatory...and there is nothing greater, more inspirational, more innovative, and more American.

Hillary and McCain have more experience. H&M (not to be confused with the discount clothing shop) can better 'game' the system and have made more votes. But H&M can better polarize their own parties than they can galvanize Americans. H&M will be fine leaders; they are excellent at Washingtonian Chess: moving the political players around to please their bottom line. But H&M won't heal and progress the nation in the way that Obama will. H&M can't unite- they built their careers on elite 'insider/outsider' games, and their 35+ years experience each (QUESTIONABLE on the HRC side) doesn't allow them any leeway to change strategies.

Obama is much more than a dynamic speaker, the current box the Clinton camp is trying to shove him into. He is a bundle of potential. He is an entrance to the path forward to greater American prosperity. But perhaps most importantly to this democrat: he is the only person who can make me inspired, hopeful and fired up to serve in 4 minutes. I can only imagine what he could do with this country in 4 years.