Mr. President

I am too overwhelmed with emotion to write a coherent blogpost tonight. All I can say is I can tell my African American son that he can be anything he wants to be and I will know it is true. Congratulations President Elect Barack Obama.

The Truth Is?

Well, we have one more week until we know who our next President of the United States is going to be. As a supporter of Barack Obama, I like the position we are in. We are leading nationally as well as in the states that matter. But these are assumed votes. People, we still have to vote either now if you have early voting or on election day. Don't follow the polls! We still have so much work to do. If you have not done one thing for the candidate, I am going to say it, you should be ashamed! If you are a supporter I know you are voting and quite honestly that is your duty as an american to vote, no matter who it is for. But if you have made your choice, get out their and make a few calls, canvass, talk to your friends and donate your money. Go up to your local Obama office and ask, "What do you need?" We have not won this thing yet, but we have one more week so get going!

Now, let me switch gears for a moment. Did African Americans all get the memo that the media and the public has decided to use affirmative action in reference to the Presidency? Did you all know that? The new talking point is the media has helped him and he would not be here if it were not for the media. I am not so sure that Obama knew that. Did we forget about Rezco, Ayers, plagiarism, bitter and of course Wright. I mean really, apparently the media feels that they maybe they have not been as fair to McCain as they have been to Obama. Or not been as fair to Palin as they have been to Biden. Okay, let me break this down for you.

The bottom line is that both of the old guys are boring! McCain is boring. He sounds boring, looks boring and really he is just wrong on the issues this year. It is not the Republican year! They are on the wrong side of the issues. McCain sounds crazy and I think he believes it is 1988 when words like liberal, taxes, redistribution of wealth and socialist mean anything. I really believe that almost more than race, but age has been the real elephant in the room. The young guy sounds vibrant, fresh and new and honestly he is talking to the country, not a select few. I mean, is it coincidence that Obama can draw 100,000 and McCain is happy to get 5,000? The young guy is speaking to everyone! All people can find something to follow in Obama's words. That is why the media covers it. Also, that is partly why the media covers Sarah Palin. (I will have another post about her after the election.) She is young, new and has energized the base, but her problem is that she is not prepared,that is why the media covers it. When she speaks nothing substantive comes out. So for all the Republicans who read this, this is one reason you are losing. Your candidate is too old and he chose a young running mate who just crystallizes that point. Get use to it.

Black is Back Baby!!!

Well, I am witnessing a truly awesome time in our history. People are excited, thrilled and hopeful of the future. Finally change is coming. What am I talking about? Of course the surge of African Americans in baseball once again!

This is America's pastime, no matter what the NFL says. African Americans were apart of the history of this great sport. Blacks spent Sunday's attending and or playing baseball. When you think of the greateat African American atheletes, who is at the top of your list, but none other than Jackie Robinson.

Tonight, I just witnessed the Tampa Bay Rays win the American League Champship led by BJ Upton, Carl Crawford and new star David Price (last year's first pick in the draft.) Their opponent in the World Series are National League Champions Philadephia Phillies led by Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins, the last two National League MVPs. This is a major turning point for African Americans in the sport of baseball. African Americans will be showcased in the World Series and that has not happened in a long, long time.

African Americans have been preoccupied with basketball and football, both of which we dominate, but baseball will be coming back after this World Series is completed. Young black boys can find new stars to emulate because of these young stars in baseball.

I am hopeful that baseball finds it way back into the lives and history of African Americans. I could go into why I feel that baseball lost it luster, but that is another posting. Congratulations to both of these teams and I look forward to a great World Series.

Thirty Days and Counting....

Wow, so much time has passed since Feb 12, 2007 when Barack Obama announced his run for President. Now we are thirty days from election day and the finish line is in sight for us. I have been apart of this movement from day one. I have made calls, donated, registered, canvassed, blogged, emailed supporters and just all in all had a big mouth. Every time I can mention Obama's name or bring him into the conversation I try to do that. I have worked my but off for not just Obama ,but for this country. This country needs Barack Obama!

Now thirty days from election day and we are looking pretty good, but it does not mean I will stop working and get comfortable. We have much work to do because the attacks are coming. So much has changed in two weeks. The economy is falling, we have had one Presidential debate and the only Vice-Presidential debate. Neither was a major game changer, but Obama passed the Presidential threshold test for those who were wondering. McCain was angry and had complete disdain for Obama, which explains why he wouldn't even give a fellow US Senator the respect of looking at him. Palin did not look like a total idiot, but we know now for sure she has NO substance and Biden, as we already knew is, keenly aware of the issues and ready to be President if necessary. Palin, not so much.

So we have two more Presidential debates left, will they be game changers? I don't think so. The next one is a town hall style format, which is supposed to be good for McCain, but Obama is good in those as well, but we will soon see. The McCain camp has to do something to change the story. They will talk about Ayers, no connection to Obama, Rev. Wright and anything else they can think of. They don't want to talk about the economy because they have no answers. Now is the time when we have to buckle down, and just charge our way to the finish line. They are going to throw everything they can think of at us. So let's hold on tight. Think of a roller coaster and thus far we have been riding up the hill before the big drop. Well, now is the time for the big drop. The next 30 days will fly by. But we must keep calling, donating, canvassing, emailing and anything else we can do to get the word out. Barack Obama must be our next President. I am going to do everything I can to make that happen. What are you going to do?

Check This Out

http://www.thatminoritything.com/?p=53193

Just some things to think about.....

My, My, My Do the Tables Turn

So, Gov. Palin is qualified to handle national security issues? Gov. Palin believes the war is God's plan? Gov. Palin believes that women can't just complain, they have just work harder, smarter, and that Sen. Clinton was whining? Gov. Palin feels she was unfairly treated? All of these were questions that the media has posed this past week, but have not been able to ask because the McCain campaign has not made their VP candidate available for interviews. What is up with that? How can potentially the 2nd most powerful person in the free world not conduct one interview? So, we can't ask the most qualified person McCain could have chosen to be VP, so his campaign says, we can't ask her one question? Wow, the media feels slighted and screwed at the same time. They can't ask or discuss her personal family choices such as agreeing to run for president while having 5 children, one with special needs and a grandchild on the way, and they can't even ask her about her ideas and beliefs on pertinent issues that face this country. But you know what, the media wants the interview but the country needs the answers. I hope that the media continue to press the McCain campaign to let them talk to her. But then the McCain campaigns says she was thoroughly vetted, when we all know that is what they are doing now. The McCain camp needs to find out more about her before the media does.

He needs to be vetted. We don't really know him. We need to know what he stands for. These were the constant statements made against Sen. Obama and now 19 months later, I can say we know quite a lot a bout him. We know his family, his personal problems of the past, church beliefs, friends past and present and anything else you want to find out. But now when the tables turn we don't need to know much about Palin. Interesting.

The media has been the 3rd candidate in this election season for so long that sometimes it is interesting that the news of the day is sometimes about the media's role in the election. They have constantaly struggled to find their way and once again they are struggling. First Obama was getting easy press, which for the life of me I can't understand, but I guess for the McCain camp, bad press is better than no press at all. I really don't think constant clips and discussions about Rev. Wright, forced connections with Tony Rezko, bittergate, and plagiraism gate are good press, but maybe that is just me. So now when the tables turn and the press is seeking for anything they can learn about Sarah Palin and then it is reported, now there is a gender bias. Palin, if you are going to join with the big boys, please tell the big boys to shut up and that you can stand up for yourself, that is if you can. I think everytime women holler sexism, but it is the man that complains about it, we are retreating because we are not fighting our battles ourselves. Palin, please speak! Stand up for yourself! If you have something to say and more importantly something to contribute, please do it. I think you are losing the woman's vote that your camp claims they were not aiming for, I believe you are losing them daily.

Will It Help Us Eat?

So the news of the Sen. McCain's VP choice is all over the networks and it turns out to be Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska. She is not very well know because she has only been Govenor for about a year and a half. She basically pales in comparison to the VP pick of Joe Biden. Although Republican strategists have tried to say she is experienced they are truly grasping at straws. Their response has been she is about as experienced as Sen. Obama, which I know they have to believe is a stretch to say the least, but nevertheless that is their argument. So I assume that experience will be off the table. There is no way that McCain can talk about Obama not being ready when each time Obama speaks he proves more and more he is ready. Palin does not compare to Biden. So we wait for the first debate.

Many believe it is basically a choice to hopefully get some of the angry Clinton voters, but I question the success of that as she is ultra conservative. I ask the Clinton supporters, will any woman do? I don't think so . She is opposed to abortion rights in all cases including rape and incest. Is that what Hillary Clinton fought for ladies? I don't think so.

Interesting enough, these are the very issues that the Republican party chose to tell us about Palin during her introduction. Her anti abortion, pro-gun, pro-drilling issues that will definitely secure the Republican base, but I ask, will these issues help us eat? Is this what America really wants to talk about?

During the primary Barack got in trouble for saying that sometimes voters are bitter and vote guns and religion and oftentimes vote against their own self interests. Is that what McCain is banking on yet again? It seems that way. Not that abortion is not important because it is especially when you look at the potential impact to Supreme Court justices, but will this issue help us eat?

Economy has slowly but sure come to the front of this campaign and we know from past comments that McCain doesn't have very much to add to this issue. By choosing Palin we know that McCain is trying to pivot from the economy to those hot button issues that won't help us eat because something tells me that as governor of Alaska, sadly she may not have much to add to the economy discussion either.

Barack's Moment

All I can say is, "Wow!" I unfortunately did not get to see the moment live, but I did DVR it. I listened to the entire speech. I will definitely have to hear it again. Barack Obama had such a difficult task and he like an instrument playing a musical score he it every note! He was tasked with explaining and exciting at the same time. He did a great job explaining his stance on issues to those voters who had never really heard him on the stump. He explained what change would look like in clear and uncertain terms. That is so unimportant to me as I have always been a supporter, but it was crucial to hear for so many people.

Sen. Obama also still took time to excite and give hope. That is what he is most known for and I listened to his speech and left with the same excitement and zeal as I always do. He walked a thin line and did it beautifully. I am so proud of him!

Democratic Convention

It is Day 3 of the Democratic Convention and so much has happened since my last political blogpost. Sen. Obama chose Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as he VP pick. Most feel that it was a good choice. Sen. Biden has strong foreign policy credability and he is tough. He can say things that Obama won't and can't say. I was extremely happy with the choice and was excited about my 3am text message about the announcement!

Day 1 of the Convention featured Michelle Obama and she was fabulous. She tugged at the heart strings of America. She let you know about her life and Sen. Obama's life. I think America really got to see what makes this family tick. At the end of her speech when Sen. Obama appeared it was so beautiful to hear is lovely daughters asking where their daddy was. Such a natural and private moment that the world was able to see.

On Day 2, Sen. Clinton knocked it out of the park! She explained in no uncertain terms, regardless of what the right wants to tell you, why we should vote for Barack Obama! She reminded Democrats of their duty and their focus on the issues. When she asked, "Were you in this for me? Or was it because of the important issues of the day?" That was a pivotal question that Hillary supporters will have to reflect upon. I am sure that if they listened to her they will follow their instincts and what they know is right and support Sen. Obama. Sen. Clinton did what she needed to do and her speech reminded me of why I have always loved the Clinton family. Thank you Sen. Clinton for leading the way toward unity in the Democratic party.

Stay tuned to my posting for Day 3 which will feature President Clinton. I am watching now and so far so good.

Olympics

This is a little late, but I have been pretty busy. I just wanted to take the time to express how much I enjoyed the Olympics. I stayed up late like much of America on the east coast and watched most of the competitons. I was so proud of so many atheletes such as the gymnastics teams, men's basketball (I did not see the woman much) and of course Michael Phelps. Everyone was phenomenal and represented the United States well. We should all be proud of their behavior and their performances. Now one to 2010 in the Winter.

Everybody's got something to say!

Okay, so here we are 3 days from Baracks VP pick, one poll has him down 5 points of likely voters. The word likely is so freakin important we always conveniently forget that likely is not Barack's electorate! Don't forget what we have learned for 19th months. Barack is steady, disciplined, intelligent, patient, strong and tough! He will never be just right for anybody. The media spends all of its time talking about McSame and we fall into their trap everytime. Now we have the final push of the Clintonistas (to use Ed Shultz's term) to choose her has VP. If he does fine, if he doesn't fine! But stop acting like all of a sudden you know what is the right thing to do. Either way we know something is going to be wrong with his pick. The media will spend more time analyzing his choice then they ever will for McSame. Barack should be able to depend on us, his supporters, to support whom ever he picks. Stop trying the drive the car of his campaign when you don't even have a damn license! Stop trying to be experts of his next steps! Go be an expert at calling, canvanssing, and raising money. Barack does not need us analyzing every move he makes. It simply isn't fair. Please trust him. We go through this at every bump in the road. We have so much work yet to do it is unbelievable and you all want to do summersaults on one poll. Sometimes you all act like the campaign has been messing up all along and that they work in a bubble. They watch TV, they read, they know what moves they have to make. Trust them to make them. Everybody, just stop for a moment, in every tough spot, Rev. Wright, bitter, "just words", and debates, has he EVER let you down?

Who will it be?

So, I am anxious about who Obama will choose as his VP. Not because I think he will make a bad choice, but just so we can get rolling with the analysis. Either way the media will find something wrong with it. I happen to believe that anyone would be okay for him, it just depends on the route you go. Will it be a geographical choice, so you can pick up a state? Will it be a foreign policy choice? Or will it be a nice safe choice? Either way I am just happy it is his choice. So I wait and wait, and wait for my text message from the campaign. It will come soon enough. As the Obama campaign has continually shown patience and discipline they are definitely teaching the electorate a little something about that as well.

Past Thoughts

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/charmonawhitfield