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!!!