I just shook hands with the next Senator from the Great State of Illinois

[Walt Starr]

Barak Obama was outside Chicago Union Station this morning when my wife and I came out after arriving on the morning train.

It was great to shake his hand and tell him we are both voting for him on Tuesday!

[liberalnurse]

1. That would indeed make my day!

I love those warm fuzzies! :smoke:

[kentuck]

2. Are people really smart enough to vote for such a name?

So close to Osama? I would be surprised, but I will take your word for it that he is an honorable and worthwhile candidate...

[harrie]

3. he's presidential

I have never worked for a more remarkable candidate. His campaign seems extremely intelligent and organized, and he sells himself. Last fall when passing petitions, people would say "Never heard of him," I'd give about ten words of background, and they'd be grabbing my pen to sign. The name has not been a problem. Every so often people say what you did, but it's rare.

He has said (paraphrase), "We're all connected. If a child can't read, it matters to me, even if it's not my child. If an elderly person can't pay for a prescription, it makes a difference in my life, even if it's not my grandmother. If there is an Arab-American being rounded up by John Ashcroft and denied due process, it affects my civil liberties, even if I am not an immigrant." Also: The current administration does not reflect the core decency of the American people.

He's a constitutional law prof and has been a state senator for 7 years with an especially impressive record since the general assembly flipped to Democratic (health care coverage, videotaped confessions in criminal cases, campaign finance reform, and more). Was president of the Harvard Law Review. Very charismatic.

Here's hoping! :toast:

[Cocoa]

4. people think he's Irish

which is a plus in Chicago. :-)

[harrie]

right! O'bama, or Japanese (n/t)

[harrie]

5. right! O'bama, or Japanese (n/t)