I had the opportunity to go see Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) in Auditorium shores a while back. I have great things about him- and given that I love politics and this guy was the "rising star" at the Democratic National Convention in Boston only 3 years ago- I figured this guy is the new voice of the Democratic Party.
So I got there to be amazed! The whole place was overwhelmed with enthusatic people all over the state. A friend and I managed to get a pretty good spot in the crowds- after a long wait... the band which was from New Orleans (no offense to them but they were terrible and tried to be political.... uh... ya... NO!) *On that note, new era political songs suck for the most part- now the late 60s, 70s music that was anti-war... AMAZING! Just a random tangent but anyhow.
So Barack enters the stage, he commands immediate praise and yelling. This guy is a star I think to myself. But I wonder if his physical statue can match his vision for the country.
I am not really sure how to explain; I like the guy- he definetly brings charm, intellect, and a sort of suave to what most consider a rather boring subject- politics. His background in being a community religious speaker can be easily picked up in his syntax, the smooth like pattern to his speech replicates a younger Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.
As far as substance, being more of a moderate, or perhaps a described "neo-conservative" in the neon-blue oasis called Austin, Texas in a sea of crimson red... ya thats right... a metaphor! I found some of his platform inagreeable. But I do give alot of credit to the gentleman from Illinois for his consistency on ALWAYS being against the Iraq War- a claim few Democrats can hold minus perhaps Senator Russ Feingold (D-MN).
His focus on results rather than simple rhetoric and bipartisanship is refreshing; I have somewhat skeptical still. One of his most famous quotes, "Ive been in Washington long enough to know that things need to change." In addition to all the other Democratic candidates, Obama wants universal heath care... but by 2012; something I cannot and will not support.
Obama also pushed his resolution which called for a redeployment of US forces outside of Iraq ending by March 31st, 2008. I cannot understand why the Democrats in general continue to insist on placing deadlines or withdrawal- regardless of the situation on the ground. From a military strategic standpoint that does not make any sense if you really committing to defeating an enemy. For example, if we are trying to capture and hold area A, and regardless of whats going on in area A, by date X- we are gone... um... are you joking me?! How does that make any sense. You go into the battle to win. Ultimately, I think the decision to leave, stay, whatever, should be based on the commanders closest to the ground and not some bureacrat or politician!
To have the advantage of seeing some heavy weights such as former Senator John Edwards (D-NC), Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and of course Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) especially when Texas is generally a given "R" state and few candidates come- I find it refreshing and will continue to challenge, comment, and question these fine people as they make their way for the White House.
1 comment:
what are your convictions as some1 who holds an opinion in politics? is it to follow the norms and the prevailing political winds of texas politics, or to gather information on the issues and formulate your own position? would you describe yourself as ideological or principled? these are serious questions. i find it troubling when one tries to identify with their surroundings, rather than letting their surroundings identify with them. meaning, for example, george bush trying to seem more agrarian by doing photo ops on ranches, instead of agrarian individuals looking at george bush saying "he's one of us."
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