…and the rest is history

You can think I’m silly, but when Barack Obama announced his intentions to run for the presidency, I was worried that I liked him so much for selfish, personal reasons. I was secretly excited about the idea of an African American president who would be one more bit of proof that the possibilities are limitless for J , a boy who will grow into a man in a largely white locale. However, because I’ve begun having almost seizure-like reactions anytime I hear Dubya’s voice, I remained undecided in an attempt to use my vote wisely.

I wasn’t so sure about casting my vote for Obama because of his lack of experience (although at the back of my mind, I wondered if that might actually be a good thing in this case). At that point, I also hadn’t heard much from him–and I only get one vote, so the damn thing better be spent wisely.

For months, I’ve read here and there on the candidates. I took survey upon survey in an attempt to see how my views matched up with the candidates’ views. I listened to the news. I even assessed candidate’s baby-holding techniques.

I do match up most closely to Obama’s viewpoints, although we do differ on some points–as I do with most people. What’s really made me chose him is what I’ve seen lately in the Clinton campaign. I just can’t support someone who wants to change the rules midstream and count the Michigan and Florida delegates, as does Hillary Clinton.

That’s not the behavior and character I’d like to see in a president. It’s not the behavior and character I’d accept from my 18 month old.

My primary is tomorrow. I live in Wisconsin, a state that is normally passover land but that has seen more February campaign action than I’ve ever experienced. I’ve gotten to experience first hand the negative campaigning that seems to be issuing mostly from the bowels of the Clinton campaign. I’m doing my best to avoid network television and it’s campaign ads, but in the last week I’ve gotten mailings and phone calls…all negative and all asking me to support Hillary Clinton.

I don’t think so. I’m taking J to my polling station tomorrow and he and I will be casting my vote for change. Barack Obama is a breath of fresh air–someone who spreads a message that brings back hope and who seems, at this point at least, to have character I’d love for J to grow up seeing, and not just because he’s Black…

…Or because he’s got the hands-down best baby-holding technique.