Ever notice people use Clinton’s first name and Barack’s last name? Is that a gender thing?
This weekend was full of messing with bug’s nap time to see the country’s next leader. It was worth it. Major politicians were in my town in Montana. Democrats are actually spending time in the state that elected Judy Martz and Conrad Burns. yes. hope.
On Saturday morning we were one of 7000 people to see Obama speak at The University of Montana. Bug had her first bike ride. I was all amped up in my Obama t shirt that I printed upstairs at the Union Hall in downtown Missoula during a spontaneous and grassroots Obama fundraiser organized by my energetic college professor. Bug even had an Obama onesie.*
The energy in that room gave me chills more than once. I haven’t ever been a part of something like that. It was big. Bigger than I imagined. I was inspired by Obama’s ability to inspire. I was energized by his eloquent, original and accessible message. In my 12 years of voting ability, I haven’t ever felt this hopeful about a candidate.
So, to be fair and balanced (ha!), we also attended Clinton’s rally on Sunday. I hate to say this but it was depressing at first. The crowd just sat there waiting like lichen on a branch. When we entered the Adams Center for Obama, the room was pulsing with stomps and cheers and The Wave. With Clinton, it felt more like church; the excitement was sober and reserved. It was Sunday. But she came and talked and I liked her a lot.
I want Barack’s autograph. I want to have lunch with Hillary. In Baracks’ presence I feel inspired, in Hillary’s I feel comforted.
I want to pick the person who can beat McCain. I want to pick the person who will restore my faith in federal government giving a shit or two about me and my family and art and Montana and gardening and raising a kid while working and dogs and health and the earth and eating good food and ending blood spilled over oil.
I am idealistic. But I feel like I have to be. Really, after nearly a decade of W, my will to have hope in my country’s foreign relations and domestic pride was nearly gone. By the way, when are liberals going to take back patriotism? And the flag? When did those things become unique to Republicans? blech.
So. I find both candidates to be sincere and I think they both have good ideas. I feel like I need and my country needs a person who can affect profound change with this next presidency. It feels very important to do it now or our young nation could become extinct. I think I will vote for Barack Obama. I have thought a lot about it. I would love to hear what others think. My mind could still change.
*If you want a Montana Obama onesie, I’ll make you one and donate the proceeds to Obama. Cost is $20 and $15 will go to Obama. E mail me at nicirae (at) gmail (dot) com.
12 Comments
I couldn’t have said it better myself. It is nice to be hopeful again. I’ve been so torn between the two candidates but, before this weekend,leaning more towards Hillary as I was afraid that Obama was just all hype. After hearing him speak, listening to his message, and witnessing his power to shake people out of their indifference, I believe I could be proud to say that he represents our nation. As he said, we don’t need to learn how to play the political game, we need to put an end to it. I’m willing to put my faith in him to get it done. Here’s to restoring faith!
I want a Montana Obama onesie! Do they come in 3x?
“Lichen on a branch” — I love it!
Bug is getting so big!
Enough with the exclamation points. I also went to both rallies, and they only cemented my intention to vote for Obama. I believe he is the more inspiring, principled candidate — and the charismatic, caring leader that our country so desperately needs.
I’ve loved Obama from the beginning. He’s positive and hopeful and willing to lead the nation to a better place. I’m the eternal idealist and I’m just fine with that! Now tell us more about those chickens. Mine haven’t arrived yet so I’m living vicariously through you!
I should have waited for this post, but I was so fired up from the Obama rally I could not wait! SO, the following is what I wrote on your blog two days ago. Your gift of words are truly amazing Nici!
xo, Mom
April 6, 2008 8:52 AM
About Obama, just my humble opinion. Nici, thanks to your info on the online tickets I got one. I drove over to Missoula on Friday afternoon, had the honor of being a volunteer at the rally Saturday morning. I am so excited that I got to be a part of this history in the making, in my home town, where I grew up & went to school AND with our 3 generations of women, me, you and Margot Bea! (Not to leave out that Andy was there too!). This event will be forever remembered by me…OH and by the way, I shook Obama’s hand and he thanked me! GO OBAMA!!!!
You’re right; men usually get called by their last name, women their first. But there’s just something about Obama that rolls off the tongue. Or, as the candidate said Saturday morning, “it’s all those vowels”.
When my cousin’s two-year-old sees him on TV, she yells out “Rocko Bama!”
I consciously make the effort to use the same structure for each — first, last or first and last. But more often than not, I avoid using only Clinton to avoid potential confusion with Bill.
Ooh, I don’t live in MT, but I’m still tempted. How ’bout a “Babies for ‘Bama!” onesie?!
I voted Obama early on, here in NH, for many of the same reasons. It wasn’t enough for him to take the state, but still, I felt incredibly empowered going to the polls with my fiance and baby girl.
Cool, thanks for your post. I was looking forward to hearing about it.
As for the name thing, there was a piece on NPR about the strength of names… it is definitely a political move for Hillary to go by her first name. I would go by my first name too if I were her too… anything to put a little distance from her husband who… when he’s good, he’s very good but when he’s bad he is terrible.
I am so with you…torn between the two…just rooting for whoever has the best chance of beating mccain.
the thought of both of them having gotten this far gives me chills…I love what it says to my children.
love the picks of bug at the rally. you rock.
I’d just like to note that it was yours truly who started that Wave; it was supposed to be an “O”, but whatever.
I, too, have felt torn between candidates. I have been a Hillary supporter all along, but then grew tired of the bantering and bickering and tearing down that these two candidates have done to one another. I am one of the 20% who at one time said, “If Hillary does not get the nomination, I’m voting for McCain.” I have since recanted!! I saw the former president Bill Clinton speak on behalf of his wife in Bend, Oregon about two weeks ago. I was one of 2,500 piled into a high school auditorium and I have again found my way back to being a Hillary supporter. This solidifies who I will vote for in the Oregon primaries. I believe Hillary IS the agent for change. She does not just want or support change but she takes it a step further and embodies change and MAKES change happen. She has made change happen her entire life, long before she was in the political eye and she has very specific plans for change as our next president.
Now, as a Hillary supporter, I’m trying to come to a place of liking Barack so that if it comes to him being the candidate, I can support him and be happy with him.
In the end, I hope that whichever person is not the Democratic nominee will be humble and partner with the chosen person as the vice presidential candidate. I think the is the only guarantee of beating McCain!
I just saw him in Philadelphia at the biggest rally of the campaign. His speech wasn’t his best, but it was still amazing. The entire feeling of the crowd was hopeful. Hopeful for a better way and a better future.