Presidential election season. My favorite time of year, or, rather, every 4 years. I am so thrilled about the massive turn-out at the caucuses. Could it be that the citizenry is actually engaged? I so hope that turn-outs at the primaries and the general election are also double what they've ever been before.
I feel so excited for Barack. That a mixed race dude whose middle name is Hussein can win the Iowa caucuses is so incredible. 1965 was not that long ago...I wonder if Johnson ever could have imagined that a mere 43 years after the Voting Rights Act stomped out Jim Crow, a black man would actually be the front runner for president. On MSNBC, the collective thought seemed to be that this was big stuff; an historically important moment. As I watched the returns and looked at my little brown baby Johan, I thought how incredible it would be if the first president his is cognizant of was Barack Obama. (Yes, Johan is smart but I don't think he is quite aware the quagmire that is GWB).
While I love Hillary and will always love Hillary and the rest of the Clinton gang, I will happily acknowledge that there is something special about Barack. He is an amazing speaker in the tradition of Bill Clinton, JFK, RFK. That's something Hillary lacks- despite eloquent words and some good ideas, she lacks that inspiring something that makes shivers run down people's backs when they hear her. I have given her time and money, and I will be happy if she is the nominee.
But I am inspired by Barack. Or, better said, I am inspired by what he has been able to bring out in my fellow Americans. Civic engagement, passion, inspiration.
It's an exciting time. Who needs scripted TV when there's MSNBC? I can't wait for the next 11 months, and then, god-willing, the next 8 years.
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