eznark said:
I don't know. I think sometimes we find a guy we like and put him on a pedestal. I don't for one second think Obama (just like every single other politician ever) hasn't molded, shaped, and yes compromised his views to be acceptable to the greatest number of people. I see no difference in the motives of the two candidates. Obama is likely more "progressive" in his views than he portrays, but that doesn't sell everywhere. McCain is probably more senile than he portrays, that doesn't sell anywhere.
To become a national politician necessarily means selling out your core values, because the same shit doesn't sell in San Francisco and Indiana.
That's just cynicism because the system has failed time and time again. It's cynicism because in the past that's how elections in the country have been fought and won. What's going to be different this time right?
Well... the guy has laid out his plans in his books and has repeated them and his stuck by them. He's not flipped flopped, he hasn't kowtowed to the republicans who slander him ceaselessly nor the democrats that wish to make him a tool to further agenda. He's proving himself, to himself and to those that care.
You have to be lying to yourself if you can say with a straight face that Obama is just been a politician like McCain. If you can't see the obvious gulf between the restraint Obama's campaign shows in continuing to focus on issues, rather than character assassination. Continuing to use a grass roots base, rather than pandering to special interest groups with money. Contrast with McCain's campaign, who has been caught lying repeatedly, betraying his own principles, going against his own words, becoming a husk and a puppet to his party, unable to excise his own will in his own campaign. The guy can't even get the VP
he wants, instead having to resort to a 'surprise' (to himself even) third choice, in order to fill a massively transperant political agenda.
Even contrasting between the choice of VPs is massive and telling. Biden, with a long distinguished career of serving his country. He's not rich like so many others in politics. He's been too busy doing what he can while in power to get things done, rather than to line his own pockets. Although he represents a veteran of washington, more than anything else he represents sound, conservative liberal judgement. Which compliments Obama's more idealistic judgement well.
As far as Palin goes... she's honestly the scariest candidate in recent political history, with values on par with Ahmadinejad's... albeit in different colors (fundmanetalist christian, female).
Maybe what we need is a democrat that can campaign like a republican. But that's not what Obama is. It's not what's gotten him elected into senate, and it's not what will help him get into the white house.
Getting him into the whitehouse without sacrificing those values are proof positive that America is ready for change. It's proof that there is an America out there that is more willing to be engaged in the process and the dialogue for national change and issues. It's proof that enough people are sick of the bullshit that plagues the countries politics. It'll be proof that there will be enough people willing to work for their part of the change.
His point rings true; change is not just something that only the government can bring about... the people have to stand up for themselves too and meet halfway. In non-rhetoric terms... if people believe this stuff, they should get out volunteer, talk to the apathetic and help them become a bit more informed. Help change the countries fate.
America now more than at any othertime in recent history, sits at a crossroads. It's now more than ever, up to its people to decide which path to take and not just sit back a chew the cud of apathy and cynicism.
Hopefully history proves him and the people that believe in his message.