Backing up Barack

[damali ayo]

Hello folks-

I promised that I'd blog about Hillary but I think it's more important to blog about why Obama is my candidate of choice in comparison to everyone else. And I'm pleased to announce that Dennis Kucinich feels the same way too! He's asked his caucus goers to put their support behind Obama if there's not enough to caucus for him. Since Kucinich is one of the strongest candidates (issues wise, not winability-wise) this is a powerful endorsement in which we can place our confidence.

you can read and comment on this post at http://damaliayo.com under "blog" (please comment there, instead of writing me back, so all can become involved.)

I'll keep my Five Things short and sweet:

1. Obama has a Strong "Getting Things Done" record.
Obama has a strong track record at the community (that means real people) level of getting change accomplished.
He's not holding up irrelevant experience (as Edwards does when he sites his time as a trial lawyer) and he's not claiming false victories or experience (as Hillary does when she brings up her weak one-shot attempt at universal health care). Obama does what he says he is going to do and doesn't give up until he has accomplished his goals. This kind of leader we need in both domestic and international issues. The world distrusts this country and its leadership. Obama will restore integrity to the office of the president- something this country hasn't seen in my lifetime (with the exclusion of Jimmy Carter). He is a true diplomat and much like his appearance at the Democratic National Convention, he will inspire everyone with whom he interacts to a new level of participation.


2. Obama is Honest and Transparent
Obama has been completely transparent about his workings and plans for this country. He doesn't make vague statements. He doesn't try to hide his positions or anything about his past. He is responsive to any and all challenges to his statements, proposed policies and opinions. You can go to his website and read exactly where he stands on everything. This is the kind of leadership we need. He's not afraid of the American public- instead he honors and responds to our voices, even when we disagree with him. He is willing to open to change and to be guided by the public. If there is something about his platforms you don't support, tell him. I know he'll take your voice to heart, and to action!

By the way, trusted sources have told me that Hillary Clinton accepted no advice on her health care plan while she was devising it. She called a meeting of advisors long after her plan was written and didn't incorporate their wisdom. That might be a part of why the plan was so unpopular. We don't need anymore unilateral decision-making in our government.

3. Obama Represents "America"
This comes from many people who are supporting Obama. He was born into so many different cultures and experiences: Christian, Muslim, Black, White, Hawaii, Africa, Mainland US. I'm amazed at how many white people are voting for Obama because he feels he represents this country and it's wonderful experiment in diversity. If he can do this, then he can connect with a wide range of congress members to get bi-partisan support behind his vision for the country.


4. Oprah
I have to mention Oprah. I think we should support Oprah's endorsement of Obama, not because Oprah is a phenomenal business woman, producer, and has gotten huge segments of this country to read again (among other achievements) but because when Oprah started campaigning for Obama, the media started talking about her as "a black woman." As black as Oprah is, her race rarely takes center stage. (often it's her money or philanthropy that leads.) Now that she's supporting the singluar black candidate, the media has made this decision about her race. This reminds us that racism is still alive and well in this country and it's time to see what happens when some change is implemented at a high level. Obama will have to face a great deal of racism once he is in office- but that means that this country will have to face it too, and we need to.

5. My Grandmother Deserves a Black President

My grandmother moved up from Mississippi to Iowa (yes IOWA) following her husband during the "great migration" of southern African Americans to the north and mid-west in search of jobs and fair(er) treatment. My grandfather was a former share-cropper (saw gum) and ran out of Mississippi with the Klan on his heels. He worked for John Deere Tractor company for years while he was building his congregation as a Baptist Minister. He died a few years ago, but i know he would be bursting with pride to have the chance to caucus for Barack Obama and to put this incredible black man in office at the head of this country. My grandmother misses my grandpop dearly, and a big part of her is ready to join him, but she's been holding on. I think that this historic moment would bring my grandmom a type of peace, pride and closure to a long and challenging life as a black American.

My grandmom deserves after all her hard work to see a black president in her lifetime. This may be our last chance to give her this. If you are caucusing in Iowa, think of my grandmom and how much it would mean to her to see her state be the first to back up a black candidate for president, and then even better- have that candidate make it all the way to the White House.

-- 

damali ayo
http://damaliayo.com
Have you fought racism today?