Now, how in world am I going to get you to read what I have to say below the fold? How can I possible convince you that it is unlike anything you have EVER read in your entire life about Barack Obama?? Will you trust me? Will you take a peeky-poo?? I promise it will be short...
No poll was conducted, I have no numbers, I have no evidence, this is purely my perception, but I think that America is ready for a black President. What I see in Barack is a man who is very intelligent, very eloquent, who has worked hard to better his community and country, who has a rationale that appeals to liberals and faith that appeals to conservatives and a manner that is not divisive which appeals to independents. He just so happens to be black and the US is long overdue for a President who is not white (and hopefully soon, a President who is female). It is my belief that in the back of many people's minds they are thinking that Senator Obama presents us with an opportunity to make great social progress on the most divisive issue that has ever plagued our nation.
At the same time America is facing challenges of overwhelming proportion domestically, internationally, and in fact globally; greater perhaps than the challenges of our ancestors simply because the result of too many more mistakes could literally end the world as we know it. So I think it is legitimate that a lot of us here at DKos are concerned about Obama's 'lack of experience.' Still I can't tell if people are more concerned about Obama fulfilling the duties of the Presidency or more concerned about the perception that might be created of him. In this time of great fear, not necessarily of repeat 9/11s, but of a very uncertain future, his message of hope could resonate like those of FDR and JFK. He may very well posess the skills to rally Americans together once again.
With that in mind, it baffles me how the very people who harp on day and night about the Democratic Party creating and articulating a clear vision for the future on the foundation of the common good and justice and equality, can't see what's standing right in front of them.
"Oh my god, Obama said liberals can be insensitive to the religious." Well, sometimes we are and no it's not everyone, but it happens enough. Sometimes it's malicious, sometimes it's unintended, and sometimes we have no idea that something we've said could even be taken negatively. But being the empathetic, nurturing and understanding, rational liberals that we are, perhaps we ought to step into the shoes of the religious right for just a minute and try to understand where they are coming from. DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT - THEIR PRINCIPLES OR THEIR TACTICS. PLEASE DON'T MISUNDERSTAND WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY HERE.
Well I guess what I am trying to say here is that the conservatives are just scared about how quickly the world and even their very own communities are changing. In fact, so am I. I bet everyone who's reading this is too. The difference is that we as liberals, respond by embracing the changes, by trying to guide the changes, by seeking to make the best of new situations and in the process, learning from our past mistakes. Conservatives on the other hand sort of retreat into the past, in the hopes that if they don't go along, things will stay the same. So what needs to happen????
What we need now, is one of OUR guys to explain to them, that even though life seems really overwhelming right now, if we all work together and respect each other and get along, we'll be able to face any challenge that comes our way, no matter what. I THINK BARACK OBAMA CAN DO THAT.
And I happen to think that he's intelligent enough to run this country too. And I think he's brilliant for reaching out to white evangelicals, not just because of religion, but because of race as well.
PS. I really like Clark too!