In His Own Words
"I think I can bring the country together around a working majority for change... rather than simply duplicate the elections of 2000 and 2004 where 47% of the country is on one side, and 47% is on the other, and 5% are in the middle-- all of them living in Florida and Ohio, apparently. I believe I can expand the political map, get people involved who haven't been involved before, get independents and Republicans to rally around a progressive, although non-ideological agenda."
"I think I can do that more effectively than any of the other candidates in the race, and much of what's happened during this campaign confirms that sense that I can reinvigorate our politics."
-Barack Obama, January 18, 2008
This was Barack speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle right before
the South Carolina primary, in an interview brought to my attention by a fellow RFO on this board. It's amazing how prophetic these words are.
Does anyone doubt that Barack has reinvigorated our politics? By yesterday, almost as many voters had already gone to the polls in North Carolina than had gone in 2004. Turnout throughout the country has been off the charts, with some news agencies already predicting it could reach as high as 80% nationwide.
What strikes me the most, however, is how much Barack's call for unity has resonated with such a diverse group of voters. We'll find out later tonight exactly how many Republicans have come out for Barack, but you can be sure it'll be more than John Kerry got four years ago. If you count the millions of Republicans who have switched to independents during that time, the number won't even be close.
I do believe that Barack will have a largely bipartisan administration. I also believe that he will work to accomodate certain strains of conservative thought, even though he won't necessarily have to. Overall, he'll continue to not demonize Republicans, and will work to bring Republicans, Democrats and independents together as we work to move the nation forward.
Barack's constant efforts to reach out to Republicans is bittersweet for many of us. While Obama has continued his call for unity, certain elements in our own party continue to stage an internal war, as the party's appeal gets narrower and narrower. We're at the point now where anyone who disagrees with an irresponsible tax cut, supports civil unions, or feels that war is not always the answer is immediately labeled a RINO, and is encouraged to leave the party. Today's losses will cause many to push for an even harsher ideology, as they blame the party's woes on our not being "conservative enough."
Barack Obama has shown himself to be a expert at uniting and motivating people to achieve great things. It would not hurt our party to learn from his example.
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Comments
"Today's losses will cause
"Today's losses will cause many to push for an even harsher ideology"
I believe that will largely depend on how clear the victory is going to be. If it's close then there will be plenty of voices calling for a regrouping without analyzing the root problem. If, however, the message is clear, in the short term there will be a lot of blaming. The denial stage if you will. Those will lose the argument in the long run. Something will have to change for 2012.
It is clear that Barack
It is clear that Barack Obama has united this country to the levels of, if not more than, Ronald Reagan. The large voter turnout is exciting and invigorating. The masses are starting to believe again that they, indeed, can make a difference. Today is a good day for America!
With regards to our party, it is so fractured in its ideology that I believe it will take nothing less than a landslide victory for Barack Obama in order to send a clear message to our party leaders that we need to seriously review and restructure what exactly it is our party stands for.
Ellen, please explain: With
Ellen, please explain: With regards to our party, it is so fractured in its ideology that I believe it will take nothing less than a landslide victory for Barack Obama in order to send a clear message to our party leaders that we need to seriously review and restructure what exactly it is our party stands for.
It sounds as if you want Obama to win just to teach republicans a lesson.
I can not disagree with you more on uniting this country. A country divided is far from united. When the votes will be basically in half I don't see how people see this as united. This country will not be united under Barack or McCain. We have 2 distinct groups of people, its almost as if we need 2 presidents. No matter what happens I just have a horrible gut feeling of the future of our country, maybe its me, maybe I'm over exaggerating, I pray that I am wrong and I hope for the best. If Obama gets in. I hope it goes as good as it possibly can get, I can't tell you all how much I hope you all are right. I do seriously mean that.
"It sounds as if you want
"It sounds as if you want Obama to win just to teach republicans a lesson."
No Blakey, I didn't want Obama to win just to teach republicans a lesson. I wanted Obama to win because I honestly believe he is the best man for this time in our country's history, and I believe he will do his best to follow through on everything he has said he will do:
1. No new taxes on anyone over $250K, and only raising those to the Clinton era levels.
2. Healthcare: This one is HUGE for me, and many other Americans. Our healthcare system needs a complete overhaul. I like his plan. I only wish my mother and father could have lived to see it since it was our current healthcare system that contributed to their deaths.
3. College $$ for Community/Military Service Exchange: Again, huge for our young Americans, my daughter needs this - now.
4. A Timeline for Iraq: The end is now in sight for this debacle that has needlessly cost too many lives.
5. Help for our young Vets: It's the least we can do, they've been neglected long enough.
6. Ending our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuiels and creating a wealth of renewable energy: This is not only huge for us, but also for the entire world... not to mention the planet.
7. Creating jobs through our renewable energy programs.
8. Creating jobs by giving tax cuts to companys that choose to keep their production here, in the USA.
9. Creating jobs by rebuilding our infrastructure (long overdue.)
10. Investing in the education of our children. Hiring more teachers, paying them better, and keeping them accountable.
11. Restoring our foreign relationships around the world.
...and those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
It is true that our country is currently divided, but we are the ones who decide how long it will stay that way. Blakey, you have nothing to fear. I understand you've been pulling for a guy who used fear to persuade votes, but you don't need to fear. John McCain said it himself last night in his concession speech.
As far as our party is concerned, we are fractured. We need to decide, as a party, what exactly it is we collectively stand for. It's time for an honest look in the mirror! We have some strong ideology that divides us.
Even so, we are still America - Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. We are still a beacon of hope in the world. We have come through tougher times than these. There's hope, Blakey. There's always hope. :)