The Rick Warren selection

The media and many pundits on the left are going on and on about how inappropriate Rick Warren is to deliver the invocation at Obama's inauguration. They are outraged at the symbolism of someone so opposed to many of Obama's positions being placed front and center at this extraordinary moment in history.

Once again..... Bravo President-elect! I support Obama's position completely and find myself in increasing awe. I am angry at the 'lefties' who want to continue the politics of division we have so long suffered, who want to now wield the power so hard won in a way that dismisses and discounts the opposition - in a way that treats them the way they've treated us.

With Pastor Warren, Obama is signaling that he will be a president for ALL the citizens of this country. He is signaling that he wants to listen to all the people - not just those who agree with him. He is being extraordinarily magnanimous- much more than I would be with a similar choice to make. Inviting conservatives to the table does not mean they're going to plan the menu.

This is entirely consistent with Obama's overarching theme of inclusiveness. This, above all, is the reason I am such a fervent supporter. I am more than pleased to see him act in concert with these values. Liberal, moderate or conservative - we are all US citizens and our new president is clearly going to respect that.

Amen!

What does change mean?

Obama continued his streak of winning words, from my perspective, when he answered a reporter's question about change. The media has been all over Obama's cabinet selections. They keep asking how he can call it change when he is appointing so many familiar faces to his cabinet. They suggest he may alienate his supporters. When a reporter directly asked about this he demonstrated a perfect wisdom with his reply. He explained that we need experienced people but that the 'new vision is my job.' Bravo, President-Elect! The 'change we can believe in' does not happen by exchanging experience for inexperience just to be different. Change happens when a new vision is set and well-communicated to those charged with implementing that vision. Change happens when decisions are made by surrounding yourself with the best of the best and valuing their expertise.

I've tried to temper my expectations of an Obama administration. The road back from Bush's bungling is long and steep. Obama, however, continues to meet or exceed my best possible expectations every time he speaks. He consistently demonstrates the wisdom and judgment required to do this job well. Clearly Obama has a mandate for change. His definition of what that means and how to accomplish it does not disappoint this voter at all... it thrills me!

What's good for GM.....

Is good for the country... right? That's how the saying goes anyway. I've heard lots of historical analyses around how and why the auto industry is on the brink of bankruptcy. Here is one consumer's point of view.

I am disgusted with the industry at large. They certainly do not deserve a bail out. They are in this situation by their own fault. It is compassion for the workers and the simple fact that the auto industry is a huge segment of our economy that I will swallow hard and accept the inevitable.

My opinion is based on my own experience. My wife and I bought a brand new Chevy in 1980. I really liked the car at first but with extremely poor design, engineering and quality control the thing turned out to be an absolute lemon. When we finally traded it in, there were 111 recalls issued for it. Badly burned... it was many years before I could even consider another American car. We finally bought an early Saturn and liked it enough to recently consider another only to find that everything we liked about Saturn was ripped apart in a huge step backward by GM. We bought a Honda.

I travel quite a bit on business so I drive a wide variety of rental cars - some American some not. I am quite disappointed to report that I simply do not like American cars. The attention to detail is always lacking. The suspension is either too mushy or too stiff. I don't find the interior controls and dash layouts at all intuitive. The seats are less comfortable. The overall look and feel of the American cars are just not appealing to me and they are much less fun and relaxing to drive. Much of this is my own individual taste and I've always assumed that American automakers were designing for others, that I was simply not part of their target market. Apparently, their only successful target market is the gas guzzling one now disappearing. Apparently, I'm not the only one who doesn't particularly like the American automakers' product line. If these companies have ever actually asked real customers what they really want, they weren't listening very well. If these companies have ever thought strategically, they have not acted on it well. I don't doubt they have tried to do market research and strategic planning -- the point here is that they've failed miserably.

While I applaud the automakers for profiting from the SUV/Truck (i.e. gas guzzler) boom, it is unforgivable that they did not use those profits wisely and strategically to plan for the future..... the future that many foreign automakers had the foresight to see a decade or two ago. They'll whine about labor costs and unfair trade practices. Certainly some of these issues are real but they are not show stoppers. I imagine unions would be very open to all kinds of cuts when the alternative is wholesale job loss. The American buyer has shown over and over again that they're willing to pay a premium to get what they want, to get a better value through higher quality and/or more features. I see a sizable number of BMWs, Mercedes, Lexus, and on and on. If the big three would have built the better product, they could have charged more for it and it would have most certainly sold.

I know the auto industry will ultimately be rescued somehow.... but even this rather liberal and forgiving taxpayer will be mad as hell if one dime of taxpayer money ends up in the hands of the short-sighted, incompetent management responsible for this mess. Further, if taxpayers are footing the bill then the government ought to mandate intelligent forward-thinking design, as well as, innovation toward 'green' transportation.

By the way, in case anyone's wondering... I currently drive a '99 Volkswagen and love it.

California's Proposition 8

I grew up in a house where I was often judged more by the alcohol intake level of my father than by the merits of my actions. Growing up in the 60s, I remember even more of the racism that often still exists just below the surface... never blatant, sometimes wholly unconscious, but omnipresent. Traits I learned and inherited from my maternal extended family - representing for me what family and love were all about - very Italian and very LOUD, were often judged as obnoxious and overbearing. I've regularly seen some self-proclaimed Christians distort what I read as the message of Jesus to the point where I don't think Jesus himself would recognize it. Growing up is always a process of discovery and decision-making. These early experiences started me toward a belief I hold very strongly today. All human judgment is incomplete and, therefore, flawed. We are all a product of our own histories, our own frames of reference. Our knowledge and understanding are limited. Our societal norms are nothing more than a collection of prejudices shaped by our collective histories. I'm not proposing anarchy. I'm not suggesting that our societal norms are wholly invalid. I'm not even suggesting that our judgments are necessarily incorrect. I'm simply suggesting that, as individuals, we all have a responsibility to know that our wisdom is incomplete and imperfect. We all have a responsibility to accept the history of others as true and valid. We all have a responsibility to seek to understand rather than to condemn.

It is in this context that I express profound disappointment with the passage of California Proposition 8 banning gay marriage. To me this represents a collective condemnation and attempted invalidation of every homosexual American's experience. Whether I agree with or support gay marriage is irrelevant. What I believe with all my heart and soul is that everyone has the right to their own conclusions, to their own passions. Not I, or anyone else, can fully know another's history, can fully understand the path any individual life may take. I have no right or true knowledge to tell anyone their love is not valid... and neither does the voting population of California. Certainly that voting population has the right to pass laws - and has. That fact does nothing to change the individual experience of those affected.

President Obama

I'm still stunned. The media is well-articulating this historic shift in American politics represented by President-elect Obama's victory. Wow... that feels good to write. It has been a very long two years for this political junkie and I've never been more filled with hope for our country. My expectations, however, are easily kept in check. I'm old enough to have lost some of my idealism, but not my ideals. Agree or not - Obama's vision, values and priorities are nearly identical to my own and, for me, this is more than enough. Not since FDR has an incoming president faced such a daunting in-box as they enter the oval office. Succeed or fail, I know beyond doubt that President Obama will be working hard to move the bar in what I believe is the right direction! I hold out hope for a wildly successful administration but will be thrilled if President Obama only succeeds in reversing the disastrous direction of these last 8 years. Even that is a very tall order.

A fellow Catholic - Joe Biden

I am a practicing Catholic -- a practice increasingly difficult for me. This pre-election Sunday we were given the predictable, thinly-veiled mandate to vote 'pro-life'. Of course no one says it outright but the message is clear - vote Republican. I have argued before at some length that voting pro-choice is not the same as voting pro-abortion. My views actually parallel our new Catholic Vice President-elect, Joe Biden, who articulates his position well.
Here's a quote from his web site:

I remember vividly the first time, in 1973, I had to go to the floor to vote on abortion. A fellow Senator asked how I would vote. "My position is that I am personally opposed to abortion, but I don't think I have a right to impose my view on the rest of society. I've thought a lot about it, and my position probably doesn't please anyone. I think the government should stay out completely. I will not vote to overturn the Court's decision. I will not vote to curtail a woman's right to choose abortion. But I will also not vote to use federal funds to fund abortion."

I've stuck to my middle-of-the-road position on abortion for more than 30 years. I still vote against partial birth abortion and federal funding, and I'd like to make it easier for scared young mothers to choose not to have an abortion, but I will also vote against a constitutional amendment that strips a woman of her right to make her own choice.

This is America -- not an extension of the Vatican. To force papal opinion, or any religious belief, via legislation is nothing less than anti-American. I am quite pleased to see that a majority of voting American Catholics, 54%, voted for Obama. I'm sure this was a very difficult decision for Biden to make... as it has been for me and, I'm sure, the rest of that 54%. For anyone to dismiss our own struggle with the issue, to dismiss our long and hard consideration toward this decision made in good faith and good conscience is to dismiss the love of God. It dismisses the Sprit in all of us. I do not accept their judgment.

I came to the Church at the height of the post-Vatican II era. The Catholic church, then, valued a God of love and acceptance over one of judgment and damnation. It was a perfect fit for me at the time but now increasingly sacrifices compassion and broader social justice issues to a blind dogmatism. The fact that so many Catholics voted for Obama gives me a newfound hope for my church. The Catholic church, however, is not a democracy and I fear the respite will be brief. I'm sure if my own bishop were to read this I would be threatened with denial of Holy Communion... just has Biden has been... just as Kansas Governor Sibelius (who holds similar views) has been. I'm fine with that. My bishop may not understand, but I have no doubt that my God does. Opposing the criminalization of abortion simply does not imply that any of us are pro-Abortion. It is a ludricous assertion.

Resources are much better and more effectively spent toward changing hearts and minds instead of laws.

Message to Obama

With my final contribution to the Obama campaign today, a screen followed the usual confirmation providing me an opportunity to briefly "tell my story." This being my only opportunity to express my thoughts and appreciation to those directly involved in Obama's campaign, I seized that opportunity...

I am a 53 year-old white middle class male in the hard core conservative state of Kansas. McCain signs surround the Obama/Biden sign in my own front yard. When introduced to you the night of your 2004 convention speech I asked out loud (I thought rhetorically!) Why doesn't HE run for president!?!? I have been a passionate supporter ever since. Your books and your message speak to my soul. While I work a few extra hours to fund contributions to your campaign and the DSCC, my wife and 23 year-old son have been making phone calls at our local Democratic office. Thank you for your message. Thank you and your family for the willingness to serve. May God bless you all and your efforts to restore our great nation.

Thoughts on some current events...

• The 'Socialist', 'Communist', 'Marxist' charges against Obama are nothing more than the silliness of a desperate McCain campaign. If Obama is any of these things then so was Abraham Lincoln who instituted the first federal income tax in 1862 to fund the Civil War. The income tax was made permanent by a constitutional amendment in 1913 and we have been a 'socialist' country ever since -- by that standard anyway. Obama is talking about nothing more than restructuring our tax code. We've been 'redistributing wealth' as a nation for well over a century. Even if you believe this is wrong - it is undeniable that Obama is proposing nothing really new. Republicans are fast approaching the McCarthy era with their fear tactics.
  


• Alan Greenspan, a primary architect of modern-day economic policy, testified before congress that he had put too much faith in the self-correcting power of free markets and had failed to anticipate the self-destructive power of wanton mortgage lending. This is monumental. It seems to me that with all the college degrees and lofty theories that people sometimes lose a degree of common sense. I don't pretend to be an expert on anything. When the sub-prime thing started, however, I predicted that the house of cards would fall apart someday based on nothing more than simple common sense. The housing market has always been cyclical - and always will be. When vast numbers of people buy more house than they can really afford it defies common sense to think this sustainable in the long run. Yes, I'm angry at people who can't run their own budget numbers and realize they're in over their heads, but I'm even angrier at the lending institutions. The lenders are supposed to be the professionals. When a bank tells you that you 'qualify' for a certain amount and is willing to lend the money - it is not unreasonable to assume they know what they're talking about. The belief that free markets are fully self-regulating also defies common sense. Capitalism is greedy by definition. Stockholder value is the only thing that really matters in a totally free market. This truth is made irrefutable by the likes of Enron and Worldcom as well as the current economic crisis. Certainly the right balance of regulation is tricky, but a belief that fully open and free markets will self-regulate, or that CEOs will 'do the right thing' regardless of shareholder impact is truly non-sensical. If 'Reaganomics' has not failed outright it is certainly on life support. It is time for a change. It is time for a return to common sense.
  


• Palin is beginning to move toward a power position in the post-election Republican party. She's already speaking of 2012. I sincerely hope she succeeds. Her brand of radical conservatism is increasingly revealed for the sham that it is and quickly declining in popularity. With her at the helm, Republicans are virtually guaranteed to remain the opposition party for a long time. McCain pulled a political master stroke by announcing her nomination after Obama's outstanding acceptance speech and successfully grabbed the news cycle from him. She certainly has excited the base and I'm sure helped him get out that vote. Thankfully, it appears that exciting the radical conservative base may no longer be enough.
  


• I have already voted thanks to early voting here in Kansas. Despite the fact that an Obama vote is no more than a token protest here - I've never been so proud or excited to cast a presidential ballot.

Kansas Crap

Kansas has a way of getting national press for some of the most blatant stupidity. I am honestly embarrassed, at times, to admit I live here. First it is creationism taught as science in the public schools - now it is the popular election of judges. The following is on our district ballot this November:

Shall the following be adopted? The present method of nonpartisan selection of judges of the district court in this judicial district by the governor upon nominations by a district commission and subject to retention in office by a vote of the voters shall be discontinued and there is hereby adopted in this judicial district the election of judges of the district court by the voters. YES or NO

I've seen national press hailing this proposal as leading the advancement of Democracy. Despite the upside-down and backward wording, the intent here is clear. Election of judges by popular vote. It is ludicrous on its face. It is unquestionably contrary to the intent of our founding fathers, as well as, their wisdom. It is yet another power-grabbing attempt by our local radical conservatives. Hmmmmmm -- 'radical conservatives'. Shouldn't that be an oxymoron? A fundamental premise of our judiciary, at least according to the US constitution, is that judges are appointed precisely to keep them IMMUNE from the pressures of politics. Forcing judges to answer to the popular vote would force judges to do what the people want them to do instead of what may be the right thing to do, popular or not. The founding fathers are turning over in their graves.

If you live in Kansas vote NO on this proposition.

Behind the number

In this season of numbers ad nauseam, I've been puzzled to the point of exasperation with the number 26%. It seems like a relatively small number. It is the current job approval rating for George W. and it defies any rational explanation in my mind. I would welcome a comment from anyone to talk me down here. Especially if you're one of those 26%.

Who are you? I can completely understand those who believe and agree with Bush's philosophy, with his policies, or even his 'good ole boy' style. I can understand that you might 'like' him or think he's been maligned by the 'mainstream media'. OK... well maybe not COMPLETELY understand, but I can at least acknowledge that others hold values and priorities different from my own, making them inclined toward a candidate like Bush.

This is his personal job approval rating we're talking about, however. Even if you agree with everything he TRIED to do, I don't understand how anyone can conclude he has done even a majority of it remotely well. How can anyone give this man a passing grade? How do you look at his job performance and be anything but thrilled that his employment contract is almost up?

As I write this, Bush has 105 days remaining in office. My only fear is that it is still enough time for him to screw something else up. Regardless of which presidential candidate you are for, it seems like they would get an immediate 'black mark' in judgment, perhaps sanity, for even wanting the job at this moment in history.

Harry Truman Quote

I grew up in Independence, Missouri, Truman's home town. I even graduated from Truman High School. One of his quotes is certainly worth repeating at this moment in history. Straight from the Truman Library:

I wonder how many times you have to be hit on the head before you find out who's hitting you? It's about time that the people of America realized what the Republicans have been doing to them."


- Harry Truman
Address at Dexter, Iowa -- September 18, 1948

Gutter Politics

The worst part about being so openly liberal is that the people who need to hear the FACTS we have to say will probably not even listen. Here are some great videos exposing a bunch of McCain's Rovian fiction for what it is. LIES!

Even if I give McCain EVERY benefit of the doubt - the single fact that he is using Bush's abhorrent Karl Rove as a campaign adviser, proves beyond all feasible doubt that McCain is more of the same. Don't let the liars get away with this again. ENOUGH!

Rovian Politics Revealed

This clip from Jon Stewart's The Daily Show reveals Rove, as well as, Fox's O'Reilly and more for the liars they are. Too true to be funny. Caught in their tried and true tactics of stating lies as fact and enough people will believe you to make the difference. I don't understand the people who refuse to even scratch the tiniest bit of surface gloss away to reveal the bullshit inside. McCain may be a good man - but the campaign tactics are beneath contempt. Rove has now admitted to consulting with the McCain campaign regularly. This is not spin -- this is pandering. This is disgusting.

Hail Victory!

I know I will be branded as an extreme liberal, but I have to say it anyway. I have never allowed others to define me and my comparisons here are actually quite dispassionate and logical. Try for just a moment to really think about this comparison and give me the benefit of the doubt.

I once liked McCain. Really! I once respected his well-earned maverick status. His heroic service to the country earned him a great deal of slack, rightfully. I once believed him an honorable man. I don't know if he has really sold out or is just desperately flailing - grasping at the tried and true Republican play book of inflammatory deception. With his campaign's "Lipstick on a pig" accusations trying to paint Obama as insulting Palin with this often-used cliche has proven beyond all doubt that McCain will do absolutely anything to win. I am disgusted to the point of nausea. McCain has just used up any remaining slack he may have had. Victory at any cost. Victory through methods diametrically opposed to the 'family values', 'country first' and 'honor' they give so much lip service to. Victory through blatant lies pandering to the lowest common denominator. America is better than this. America does not deserve this lowest of the low. Politics is dirty, but this is beyond dirty. This is swift boating. This is using the same abhorrent Karl Rove politics that W used against McCain back when I was rooting for McCain to beat W.

The part that will get me labeled as an extremist is pointing out the simple fact that the literal German translation of 'Hail Victory!' is 'Sieg Heil!'. I flatly deny any accusation that I am comparing McCain the man to Hitler the man. The comparison is one of rhetorical device. The comparison is that the same inflammatory style allowing Hitler to deceive a nation is the same inflammatory style now being used by the McCain campaign. The same inflammatory deceit that elected George W. It is a fraud. McCain is a good man. I hope he wakes up and realizes that his current campaign tactics are beneath him. I hope the American people see these tactics for what they are. I hope all voters will dismiss any cheer-leading feel-good aspects of either side and choose our next president based on the issues.

Even if you honestly agree with the campaign's position - the tactics emphasizing such things in the face of the very serious problems facing this great nation are still pandering and beneath the American people. Even if you're convinced that Obama did exactly what the McCain campaign says he did - it is impossible to really know what is in a person's heart. The conclusions being presented as fact by the Republicans are actually an undeniably subjective interpretation. The real disrespect here is that the McCain campaign refuses to take Obama at his word.

Palin on Iraq: "Task that is from God"

I'm going to do something I don't often do.... I'm going to conditionally retract this post. Based upon the fact that Palin is finally granting interviews -- she has addressed this and put it in a larger context saying she would never presume to know what God wants. Just as I criticize others for not taking people at their word.... I will take Governor Palin at her word and give her the benefit of the doubt, at least for now. The conceptual warning regarding the separation of church and state still holds, but I will no longer cite Palin as an example.

Edited: 9/11/2008

---

From the Associated Press:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin told ministry students at her former church that the United States sent troops to fight in the Iraq war on a "task that is from God."

In an address last June, the Republican vice presidential candidate also urged ministry students to pray for a plan to build a $30 billion natural gas pipeline in the state, calling it "God's will."

I gave Palin a fighting chance. I listened to her with an open mind and heart. I know she is sincere -- which is all the more reason she is unfit to hold ANY public office, even less the Vice Presidency. I believe this is fact - not just opinion.

The second any public official believes they have a direct pipeline to God and makes judgments based on that little voice they hear - they are violating their oath of office. The second any public official puts even one American life in harm's way because they believe God is telling them it is the right thing to do -- they should be tried for treason. The second any public official is allowed to implement ANY policy decision with an arrogance that believes their mortal knowledge has somehow been enhanced by God to include even a small piece of God's infinite wisdom -- we have instituted our own version of the Taliban.

Abraham Lincoln said it well:

"In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both MAY be, and one MUST be wrong. " and "Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."

Those who would not share Lincoln's concern; who would believe that they need not be concerned because they already know what God wants are not only arrogant, they are blasphemous, and they are dangerous. How dare ANY mere mortal presume they know what God wants?!?!? Dismissing the arrogance, accepting for the sake of argument that someone DOES literally know the specific will of God - it is still, unquestionably, an unconstitutional act in this country to implement the will of your own God through laws which may or may not be in keeping with the faith of others.

I don't doubt that this post will anger some of those who hold views similar to Palin's. I can't help that. I believe in 'freedom of religion' and 'separation of church and state' as fervently as the N.R.A. believes in the 'right to bear arms'. To legislate Christianity would be to turn our great republic into a theocracy. ALL have the right to their own beliefs. NONE have the right to impose their beliefs on others.

Republican Convention

I like McCain. I like Palin. I don't doubt their motivation or sincerity. I think they both gave excellent speeches at the Republican Convention and I liked a lot of what I heard. While I would argue with some of their specific attacks on their Democratic rivals, I'll leave that to the media pundits. In the spirit of understanding I'm choosing to make this blog about some of my more conceptual thoughts. Admittedly my own interpretation but, nonetheless, a valid and honest perspective.

McCain tried hard to pick up and own the issue of change. He spoke of crossing the aisle and I readily admit he has done that in the past. This is a key component of making Washington work again. This is THE key required to actually implement change. There must be a search for common ground. There must be compromise. The problem with McCain's speech was that he used the word 'fight' 22 times saying, basically, that he would "fight for YOU". Fight is not what we need. Fight is what we've had. Fight is not change. It might fire up the base, but it is indicative of a generally aggressive approach that necessarily means 'win-lose'. I don't care how strongly a position is held... no actual progress can possibly be made in a democracy by fighting with the other side. This antagonistic attitude is the opposite of change.

I was particularly distressed with the education section of McCain's speech. I believe his approach would make things much worse. He spoke of improving schools through 'competition'. Many will disagree but I think this defies common sense. I am, quite frankly, sick to death of the 'free market god' seemingly worshipped by many Republicans. Competition and privatization are no more a panacea for the world's problems than big government is. School vouchers or not.... competition in our school system can only bring further discrimination and inequality. Those with enough money will be able to send their kids to the "Neiman Marcus" or "Saks Fifth Avenue" of schools while the voucher-only crowd will be forced to attend the "Wal-Mart" school or maybe even "Dollar General". Even strict limitation of the argument to public schools still guarantees that schools will be forced to succumb to whatever is popular with parents and students instead of what's right and effective toward the best possible education. We need leadership to fix our badly broken education system - not competition.

McCain also used the word 'country' 25 times. He spoke eloquently of his heroic service to this country. He is to be commended and greatly appreciated for that service. We are all forever indebted to all those who have sacrificed to make this country great. Chants of 'U-S-A' were heard regularly throughout the speech. 'Country first' was a recurring theme. As a very generalized theory it seems 'Country First' may accurately represent the highest value of the Republican party as a whole. For the Democratic party I think the highest value might be better expressed as 'Humanity First'. No slam intended here at all. Of course Republicans care deeply about humanitarian issues just as Democrats love and sacrifice for their country. It is simply a matter of priorities.

I fully realize that political conventions are about putting the best possible spin on your candidate and the worst possible spin on the opponent, but the overall dismissive attitude toward Obama during the entire event was just silly and, I hope, offensive to many undecided voters. Obama was made a caricature of fluffy words with no substance to support them. Words are important; words can find common ground; words seek to understand and be understood; words affect change. I would much rather take such words to our potential adversaries than threats. Yes, evil exists and negotiations won't always work. I'm not naive and neither is Obama. Guns always remain an option when words fail... but without words -- the ONLY option is guns. To dismiss Obama's approach as unrealistic and naive is to guarantee that more precious lives will be lost than absolutely necessary. 'Negotiate from strength' is a quote often used to justify an aggressive foreign policy. To deny the power of words is to eliminate negotiation altogether. This is not strength - it is self-righteous stubbornness.


P.S. I have to close with this more petty dig that just ruffled my feathers the wrong way. Palin is being touted repeatedly as some kind of governmental savior because of her executive experience. Her role as governor seems to somehow guarantee that she knows how to break through the bureaucracy of government and get things done. Hmmmmmmmmm..... let me think..... As I recall - George W. was governor for 6 years before being elected president! 'nuff said!

Obama's convention speech

Yes - I, like many others, thought the speech just about perfect and certainly historical. If you missed it - you shouldn't have. The media has been replaying lots of different clips, but I have not seen my personal favorite part replayed even once:

"We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country. The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than for those plagued by gang-violence in Cleveland, but don't tell me we can't uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals. I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination. Passions fly on immigration, but I don't know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child or an employer undercuts American wages by hiring illegal workers. This too is part of America's promise - the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort."

Republican/Democrat - Red/Blue - Liberal/Conservative... No matter how we place labels and draw lines, this country is truly great only when we work to find our common ground. We will never fully agree. We never have. This was as true for our founding fathers as it is today. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson passionately disagreed over the role of the federal government -- to the point of temporarily derailing their now-famous friendship. Just as a husband and wife must find common ground and compromise to create a strong marriage, we as a nation can only realize strength through compromise. To do otherwise is to do nothing. Our government has been paralyzed by stubborn partisanship for far too long. Neither extreme can possibly win. Neither extreme should win. If a Republican candidate had spoken these words - that Republican would certainly be strong contender for my vote.

We must make Washington productive again. Many politicians have said this before. I believe Obama, more than any candidate in my lifetime, has the resources and judgment to actually move this bar in the right direction at long last.

Obama / Biden

I could not be more pleased and energized. I am still stunned by the amazing turnaround in my personal political fortunes. Four short years ago, my worst political fear and nightmare was realized with W's re-election. Four short years ago I watched a nationally unknown Senator Obama deliver a speech at the Democratic convention that caused me to ask out loud "Why doesn't he run for president?!?!?!" I thought it a rhetorical question at the time. I could not allow myself to hope that a man who so closely shared my personal values and vision for America could actually become a viable candidate. In four short years, not only has Barack Obama become the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.... now he has selected one of my all time favorites to be his running mate. Sen. Biden is the original straight-talk express. The media speaks of him as a 'gaff-machine'. His willingness to speak from his heart, to sometimes throw political correctness to the wind in favor of open honesty may get him in trouble from time to time - but it is partially why I often find myself cheering out loud when I see him interviewed. It is a part of why he has long been a favorite of mine. Biden's senate credentials are impeccable and no one disputes that he is well-loved and respected on both sides of the aisle.

I believe the choice of Biden demonstrates, again, Obama's extraordinary judgement - as well as a profound desire and willingness to surround himself with the best of the best. The choice demonstrates a decisively NON-naive understanding that to change Washington one must work within it. A look at history shows beyond question that our very best presidents are always much more about leadership and judgment than experience. There is absolutely no doubt in this voter's mind that Obama has the right gifts, the right values and the right vision to get this country back on track.

I am more proud than ever to be a Democrat. I am ashamed that four short years ago I had descended to a level of hopelessness that was not worthy of this great nation. I have been calling Obama/Biden my personal dream ticket since Obama first became a viable candidate. I'm stunned it has happened - but excited and... hope-full!!!