Media play up the notion that meeting Barack Obama is like meeting a
rock star. I fully admit it. I drank the Kool Aid and was an early
Obama supporter. I was in awe of him hearing him speak at the
Democratic Convention. I LOVE his brilliant wife and that she can talk about his dirty socks. I love that to me
he is what America can be again - optimistic, energized and ready to
take on the world. I even wrote a check to support him. I matched
someone's gift and even sent emails to encourage others to do the same.
I had never done that in my life for a national political campaign.
But as people asked me about why I supported Obama, it soon became clear to me that what I was "in love" with was the "idea" of it all. The idea of one man breaking down ALL the barriers and changing my/our world for the better. I had become a "groupie" without checkin' out who else was playin'.
I'm a product of the 80's. I was glued to my TV when Bob Geldoff and other rocker artists sang, "Do they know it's Christmas?" in 1984 at Live Aid. Remember that? It put the spotlight worldwide on hunger and poverty in Ethiopia. They inspired a generation of kids like me to work to make our community a better place. Bono, George Michael and David Bowie were rock stars who were simply part of the collective. No personality or ego was more important than the collective goal of the song.
I bring you all down memory lane because I think we need a president who can creatively write a whole new book of songs. More specifically, tangible strategies and plans for health care, taxes and education that is bold, practical and makes you want to download it right onto your itunes now. Barack may be a rock star, but I think we need a movement builder. I liken John Edwards to Bob Geldoff, the founder/songwriter of "Do they know it's Christmas?", who was the unknowing architect of a movement. I think an architect rocker is exactly what our country needs today.
I know that John Edwards and his entire campaign are working hard to engage all of us in the conversation. They are not trying to dazzle us with big star endorsements or fancy parties but rather are simply putting their ideas out there and are hoping they go viral. Real leadership today is not about the person at the top and his charisma, but rather real change happens when there are millions of others who take his ideas/strategies and work to make it happen. Edwards' campaign gets it. For example, the have built a corps of volunteers to not only solicit donations and votes, but to register voters, do community clean ups and build houses. Imagine what these folks can be mobilized to do after the election cycle.
Edwards has inspired me to think deeper about poverty, health care
and education.
He has helped me realize that addressing these issues can be the
foundation of profound social change. More over he helped me clarify
what I valued most - substance over flash, or Bob Geldoff v. David Lee
Roth.:)
I still believe that Barack is a fantastic candidate. I would love nothing better than an Edwards/Obama ticket. I would be an Obama Mama if it came down to it, but for now I think that Edwards is the one for me. I think he is the candidate who can architect/write a new song for our country. I am no Bono or Hannah Montana, but me and my kids will be first in line to sing back up! at the very least I'm officially an Edwards' groupie:)
This was originally posted at momocrats.com.
Hi. Found your blog on a link from Kerflop. I also checked out Momocrats -- what a great site that is.
Great, great post. I totally agree. I am hoping John Edwards can somehow come from third to first in a few primaries on Super Tuesday.
He just makes so much sense, and I get the feeling he REALLY MEANS IT!
Keep up the good work XiaolinMama.
Posted by: Geri | January 25, 2008 at 01:48 PM