BAROCK the Vote - Reactions to Obama in Grand Rapids, MI

Last night I attended the Barack Obama's rally in Grand Rapids, MI. I really wanted to see for myself what the man can do live. He may in fact be our next President.

The event was held at the Van Andel Arena. I hated the way the floor was set up. The sound for the room was also poorly done, and I found myself having a hard time hearing what Obama was saying. However, there were people right behind me shouting "WE LOVE YOU OBAMA!" ever ninety-two seconds.

After sitting in my seat for about twenty minutes, my friend Chris sent me a text message: "Breaking News, Edwards to endorse Obama in GR." To which I replied, "oh good! maybe we'll be on th Daily Show tomorrow." Yeah.

So finally, Edwards comes up on the stage and starts things off. I was really surprised at how Hillary-nice he was. I mean, really Hillary-nice. I kept thinking, okay; how does this have anything to do with you endorsing
Obama? And, you know what? As far as I can tell - that question was not answered to my satisfaction. I mentioned this during my friend during and she said, "I've heard that both campaigns have changed their tone in the last few days."

Next, Obama spoke. There's no doubt; he's a brilliant orator. He does everything they say he does - inspire, lift up, and not answer how. Yes, I do realize that a rally isn't the platform to lay out your platform. However, I'd like to hear examples of how instead of examples of people in other states who are feeling the economic struggles that are sucking Michiganders dry.

Now after hearing Obama live, here's where the tiddlywinks land for me.

I do like Hillary's healthcare ideas. I do. I, however, hate much of her foreign policy. And to be blunt, when she speaks I feel like she's lying to me. I don't believe she's someone I can trust. It's the Clinton legacy that gives me that mistrust.

McCain. Well. I don't think we need to pull outright from Iraq. I think we'll need to continue to have bases and presence. We still have bases and presence in Germany and Japan. I do believe that our vision for democracy needs to change in regards to the Middle East. Our view of democracy isn't going to work in the Middle East the way it works in the US (and right now, it's not working here). I don't think McCain will understand the need to approach things differently - in the same way that Bush has been one-minded for the last eight years. I don't believe these men have a real understanding of how people in the Middle East think, live and believe, and so I don't think they're able to see a complex problem in any other hue than black and white.

Obama, I think is able to approach complex issues from the gray area first. I think how he's addressed issues of race and controversial friendship (Wright) is the very same type of approach needed to handle diplomacy abroad. While I want to hear more about the how I think there isn't one - and that's not a bad thing. When you approach a problem from the gray area first - you're coming at it to work from commonplace to find the solution. I think that's very healthy.

I believe there are four key things to being a leader: the ability to inspire, the ability to be flexible, the ability to have an open mind, and the ability to know when it is time to make a decision. I currently think that Obama has been the most consistent in performing all of these qualities, therefore I currently think he's the best fit to lead.

The whole issue regarding experience is somewhat moot. I think you can have experience in other areas and apply those skills to new roles. This garners freshness. I continually find that I have to prove my ability in my career because I am young and time and time again I'm told I lack experience - when I know in my heart I can perform as good, if not better, than those with more experience. What I lack in experience I make up for in passion - and because I know that uphill battle I'm currently willing to take a risk on Obama.

I think we've had enough of the Old-White-Dude view point and it's time to have a fresh change.




* Thanks to Flickr user Wizardkitten for photos.