Rah, Rah

OK. I don't usually talk about politics. My family was not one of those holding political discussions of any kind at the dinner table. My parents always voted, and I was always taught that it was very important to vote, one of our greatest responsibilities. But we didn't really talk about politics. I remember my dad watching certain candidates on TV, but it wasn't really a big thing.

So I've always kept my political opinions to myself, for the most part. I have a hard time talking about them. I certainly have them, very strong opinions, especially about certain social issues (I have no problem talking about those). I have some very strong beliefs; I just have a hard time articulating them before I've totally made up my mind, and often it's very difficult to tell with politicians what is true and what is not true, even when I theoretically like the person.

I have been watching this political season unfold with great interest. I tend to keep my mouth shut until my heart says, "Yes!" or "No!" Until now, it has said, "Wait. Watch. Listen."

And now I feel like I can, as Terri and I call it, "pundit" a little bit.

I feel extremely proud that the Democratic party has presented a strong woman and an inspirational African-American as candidates. I find this inspiring and amazing beyond belief. I voted for Hillary -- not because I thought she would be a far better candidate than Barack Obama (I thought either of them would be great) -- but because I felt that she embodied everything I believe in as a woman, and that was most important to me. She is strong, tough, fights for what she believes in, and has withstood amazing adversity and came out rocking. I think it would have been heart-stopping for a woman in America to become president. Her speech Tuesday night was absolutely fantastic -- she was incredible. She has also handled herself with admirable grace these last few days, and I really think that shows some pretty strong integrity. She didn't win this time, but she opened the door wide for women from here on out and I think that deserves some applause.

I just hadn't made up my mind about Obama. I shied away from his soaring rhetoric, inspirational though it was and is. It didn't hit home for me. I didn't read his book(s). But I wasn't against him -- I just wasn't sure. I certainly wasn't going to vote Republican but my heart just wasn't sure about him. But after watching him speak tonight (and crying my eyes out), I am now firmly in place as an Obama supporter. He is my candidate. I think he will bring good things to Washington. I think he will bring good people there and do his best to change what can be changed, and yes, perhaps even bring some hope to a tired, disillusioned country. I thought his speech was great, and felt very sincere. I feel good about supporting him now. I'm in.

I actually don't know very much about John McCain, but what I've heard, I (mostly) respect. However, every bone in my body is telling me that four more years of an old white man in the White House will pull us further down and depress me personally. I just can't bear to think about it. It's time for something new. I'm on board.

I will now step off my soapbox and head back to the library aisles where I usually dwell. I'm not sure if I'll go so far as to get a bumper sticker (I have never put any sort of bumper sticker on my cars), but I might pull a volunteer shift or two. I'd like to be a part of this amazing, historic time. No matter what, what happened tonight -- the first African-American man accepting the nomination to represent a major party -- is something that I am very proud to have witnessed. Finally. Progress.