Article Contributed on: 1/30/2008 2:29:59 PM
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In seven short months, Barack Obama will return to Colorado for the Democratic Convention. At that time, I believe that the young people of this country will have spoken, and he will be nominated to run against the Republican candiate to be the next president of the United States.
As a Baby Boomer, I recognized something in the crowd Wed. at DU I hadn't seen for a long, long time. Real enthusiasm and belief in a candidate, not just the better choice or voting against another candidate. When introducing Obama, Caroline Kennedy said that no candidate had inspired people this much since her father, JFK.
I would say since her Uncle Bobby, for he, too, was an idealist who truly believed in an America that gives everyone a chance. Who knows what would have been had his life not also been tragically shortened. But as Obama says, we shouldn't be looking back , rather forward. We can't undo the past, but we can direct the future.
And that future begins now, Obama continued. True change can begin with the next president, the next administration. We don't have to wait four more years or eight more years. The opportunity is now, not just to change what party is in the White House, but the political machine in Washington that works against change.
Obama points the finger at lobbyists as one of the biggest problems in Washington and vows to not let them in his White House. He has plans for improving education for both the students and teachers as well as tax-cut plans for the working poor and middle class. And, of course, anyone who is paying attention already knows that Obama is for a quick end to the war in Iraq. He is one of the few who was never for the war and voted against it from day one.
Speaking of "day one," he also said he's not just ready to change things from day one, but ready to make things right (my paraphrase). I have to say, I was inspired and glad that I stood outside in the cold for almost two hours to see and hear who I believe will be the next president of the United States. The next important step, however, is for us to show up at our caucuses Tues. Feb. 5th at 6:30 pm.
If you're a registered Democrat anddon't know where to go, start here:
http://colorado.barackobama.com/page/content/cocaucuscenter. If you're a Republican, you can start here:
http://www.sos.state.co.us/Voter/voterHome.do. The important thing for all of us as citizens is to show up. I'm certainly glad I did at the Obama rally Wed. I'm newly inspired.