president

Last night I attended an event with a local Barack Obama field organizer. The event was a collection of precinct leaders from Southern Chapel Hill and the question being addressed was "how do we work together". The answer was electrifying. Having spent a little time volunteering for the John Edwards campaign and having just touched on the databases there, I was really impressed with how the Obama campaign is managing their field campaign. In fact, I went into the meeting thinking I had a good idea for how we could turn out our vote in my precinct and left thinking that I am going to do exactly what the Obama campaign wants me to - and here is why.

Last night was the speech that I have been waiting for Barack Obama to make since he entered the race. As a supporter of John Edwards I often took Obama to task for clinging to the middle ground, for being too wishy-washy to stand up to the Republicans. It wasn't that I didn't believe in change or in the middle ground, it was that I wasn't sure he would stand up for the true middle, but would instead allow himself to be pulled to the right. Last night ended those worries.

I have never thought that I would vote for John McCain in this election. Never. I won't vote for a Republican any time soon, perhaps ever again, thanks for George W. Bush, Karl Rove, Jack Abramhoff, Dick Cheney, Grover Norquist, James Dobson, and John McCain. However, I was not fired up and in that way I was probably like many of the Clinton delegates. In fact, almost all my passion for politics evaporated with the exit of John Edwards. I tried to get excited again, but my heart was just not in it. Even earlier this week I was dispassionate about the process. But, Democrats this week finally ignited my passion again and I have to believe that it converted all those supposed PUMAs once more into Democrats.

(cross-posted at dKos)

Some thoughts from the perspective of a young evangelical Christian who long ago told the Republicans to go fly a kite ...

Overall, I have to call this a draw. Obama couldn't have handled himself better, and judging by the amount of applause probably got a few people off the fence. However, McCain may well have won some people over as well.

More thoughts after the jump ...

"There is one man who knows that knows and understands that this is a time for bold leadership. There is one man that knows how to create the change, the lasting change, that you have to build from the ground up. There is one man who knows in his heart there is time to create one America, not two ... and that man is Barack Obama, " John Edwards told a fired up crowd in Michigan, as he endorsed Barack Obama for President.

For part of 2006, all of 2007 and early 2008 my daily blogging life revolved around getting John Edwards elected President. During that time I did what I could to make it happen, not nearly as much as volunteers like NCDem Amy and Tom P. and not a drop in the bucket compared to the paid staff - Tracy Russo, Aaron Myers and the rest of the crew I got to know while volunteering at the office. When Senator Edwards dropped out of the race it felt like a kick in the groin. It was unexpected, it was painful. To me, John Edwards was really going to be the person that changed the system. I believe in him like people believed in JFK and RFK and as I told my wife "you only get one of these races every lifetime" and for me it wasn't or isn't about Obama it was about John Edwards.
But, he's out. So, after fluttering around for awhile I discovered the second-best candidate running in North Carolina, Dan Besse. Then, finally, I started blogging about the Neal/Hagan race. But, the thrill is gone. I'm all burnt out of candidate fights. I'm burnt out on fighting over he said/she said. I'm going back to issue blogging. At least, for now. So, this is it. This is my final blog on candidates.

gary, indiana

Yes.

MAKE.IT.WORK.....

That is what this campaign is about, Making it Work, for Americans.

cross-posted @ This Week With Barack Obama & One Million Strong

obama endorsed by gov. bill richardson in portland, or

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Most of you have seen the following video of John Edwards talking at Gnomedex, because I have embedded it about a million times. There is a reason for that, it was this video that turned my attention away from local politics and onto the national stage for well over a year. In this video, John Edwards threw down the gauntlet to the Democratic Party. It was a peek at how John Edwards would run for President, with his head held high and with a lack of "weasel words". This is the John Edwards elevator speech for me.

After the break I'm going to show the elevator pitch that turned me into a big fan of another candidate. I'm asking you to do the same, show me the elevator pitch that excited you about "your favorite candidate".

Making North Carolina count in every Presidential Election