Barack Obama for President

In a moving op-ed piece back in January, Caroline Kennedy wrote:

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.

I hear you, Caroline.  Barack Obama reminds me of my dad, too.

The similarity goes beyond the phenomenal ability these men have to express their ideas in a meaningful way, to reach people, inspire them, motivate them: when I hear Barack Obama speak, I recognize the same deeply passionate intellectual curiosity, the same profound respect for science (it's hard to imagine Obama trying to score political points by disparaging planetariums or fruit fly research), and the same fundamental belief in the deliberate, self-critical humility that drives scientific methodology, what Seed Magazine eloquently describes as "evidence-based decision-making."  

My dad wrote:

In science it often happens that scientists say, "You know, that's a really good argument, my position is mistaken," and then they actually change their minds, and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics."

I don't know if anyone has the power to transform American politics to the point that the ideology and egos of those who govern us (on both sides of the aisle) will be checked in favor of getting the best practical results for the most people, but if anyone can do this, it's Barack Obama.  He's the kind of leader who listens carefully to all points of view, and despite the smears the opposition has leveled against him, his basic decency shines through, which makes him the best shot we've had at this in a very long time.

I've spent the past few days with friends and family making GOTV calls for the Obama campaign--I've spoken with people in Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and Missouri--and urged them to vote on Tuesday.  Most of those I've spoken with are passionate Obama supporters, male and female, young and old, black, white, Latino, Asian.  They've told me how disheartened they've become with the direction of the country over these past eight years, they've told me their personal stories, they've thanked me for volunteering to help get out the vote.  This country wants a change for the better.  Needs it.  I think we have it in Barack Obama.

Whatever your political beliefs are, please brave those long lines and vote tomorrow.  It's your government.  Make your voice heard.

Comments

[toomanytribbles]

i'm not adept at trackbacks -- here's my link to this post:

http://toomanytribbles.blogspot.com/2008/11/obama-effect.html

[Pat]

I was an election inspector in Oriskany NY, starting at 5:30AM and wrapping up at 9:30 PM. Long day right? I didn't sleep the night before either. None of the 3 other inspectors kept their political views to themselves as is required, and it was grating on me.
Since this was a library, the room we were in had a TV. I happened to have the COSMOS DVDs with me that Ann provided. So i popped them in to help silence the political chatter. Carl's voice calms many people, including me. It had the intended effect of limiting the chatter, as people would from time to time pause to watch the TV.

So this Republican stronghold had to vote in the shadow of Carl Sagan's COSMOS. :-)

My cousin votes there. He's a home-schooling creationist, and i hope he noticed what was on. ;-)

[Katie]

I am so happy Obama won, and I'm sure Carl would've voted for him too.

[Audrey Harper]

Hopefully this will make up for the last eight years in which Al Gore should have been in power...

It's good to hear that our newly elected President has the Sagan approval. :)

[Kara]

It's so interesting to read this post. I remember that last year, when I was researching the candidates for the first time, I was struck by how intelligent, articulate, and inspiring Obama was. But what I noticed most was the great similarities he shares with Carl...the calm collected way he addresses tough questions after a brief pause; his body language; his mannerisms--unbelievably similar. A few months ago I actually got to discuss this with Ann over the phone, and was shocked to learn that she thought the same. I guess your whole family noticed. Needless to say, I can't wait to see what the next four years hold.

[Gail]

I, like so many others, am also so grateful, relieved, and excited that Obama was elected. Now we just have to wait and see what happens in the next few years, but I'm hopeful. :)

[Felix]

Hello everybody,

I think, that's a new generation in this story
Ever we had old men for this position.
I know were are all going in a better time with Obama, why?
This generation is asked for.
His is young, hi has inperation, and he he know what he say's.

The technologie is over the human.
Million of Million Dollar's for what.
You know Leman Brother's

Is a manager god!!!!!!!!!!!???

For instance this is a small salary for USA, you know 10.000.000,00 Dollar
additioal bonuses.

The firm goes bankrupt, all people lost her job and he'll get a compenation?????????????!!!!!!!!

?????!!!!!!

Nobody have a performance to earn so much money.
either in USA or other lands.

Obama, will get this in the right light.

What a manager with 25 million dollars wants after three days without water in the desert.

Only one.

water.

[Remus]

Obama broke every campaign promise he made before the election. Why won't he produce his long form birth certificate? The man is not my President! He is merely a another puppet reading his teleprompter and lying to the American people. DOWN WITH THE NEW WORLD ORDER!