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When the Edwards and Obama campaigns rolled through my state of Iowa, during the caucus
run-up, choosing between Edwards and Obama was a tough decision for me. I agonized over it.
In my mind, the most critical issues in this election, deal with reversing the BushCo damage and
getting this country on the right track. I believe we need a paradigm-shifting leader
and I believe that both Obama and Edwards could catalyze that kind of change---bringing
us out of this war and conducting their Presidency in ways that honor our Constitution
and our civil rights.
I attended several Edward's events when he campaigned in Iowa. I was very moved.
He was the only candidate to say the word "neocon" and I was so impressed with that.
After all, that group of warmongers is the sole reason we're in this mess today. He's
committed to poverty--when it's not politically exciting to do so, and that meant a great
deal to me.
I could not decide between Edwards and Obama. I was so torn. I would hear Obama
speak and lean Obama. I would listen to Edwards and change my mind back to Edwards.
I began to lean toward Obama more, when I read about his commitment to restoring our
Constitution and our basic civil rights. Obama talked about these things at big
events in Iowa, but they were never covered by the mainstream press. Like Edwards'
poverty issues--Habeas Corpus just isn't sexy enough for the media. Unfortunately.
Obama is a Constitutional Scholar. He taught Constitutional Law, and other law classes
for a decade at the University of Chicago. He is an expert on what our Founding Fathers
laid down, and he is hell-bent on undoing the BushCo damage. In Obama's plan for America--
he specifically states his desire to restore Habeas Corpus--our rights as Americans to
hear the "body of evidence" against us--if we are arrested for a crime. Bush and Gonzo
haphazardly decided that we didn't need "the great writ" anymore. Obama found that offensive.
He's running to restore our Constitution.
As I continued to struggle between Obama and Edwards--Obama called me. I told Obama I was leaning
Edwards. Obama listened to me. He told me, "John Edwards is a wonderful guy. I can
understand why you would support him." He had nothing put praise and admiration for the guy.
Obama didn't launch into a speech which compared himself to Edwards. He just expressed
profound respect for him.
I stared asking Obama questions. I told him that I was deeply concerned about our civil
rights being stripped. I told him that our government was not about "We The People" any more.
He told me that he was against illegal wiretaps and Bush going around the FISA courts. You
can see yesterday, that Obama echoed those feelings. I asked him how he would vote on
giving the telcos retroactive immunity--he said would vote NOT to give them a pass. As you
can see, Obama voted yesterday in exactly that way. Privacy is a legal right of all citizens,
and Obama's passion for our rights will drive his administration to undo all of this BushCo
damage that has horrified all of us.
Obama also wants to close Guantanamo. Did you see that the lawyers representing the Guantanamo
detainees, many of whom have been detained for years with no charges filed--collectively endorsed
Obama? They understand what his deep respect for the Constitution means. No more indefinite
detentions. No more torture. No more denying people a fair trial and basic rights.
I also find Obama's health care plan very innovative and a SERIOUS solution to the problem. Did you
know that Obama's plan to cover the poor is about making premiums more affordable? He plans to
subsidize premiums---cutting their cost in half or more. Many have argued that this "fails to
cover everyone." It's a REAL solution. It's a first step. Hillary says she covers everyone.
However, did you know that her plan to help the poor with insurance coverage is a mandate? She
mandates that the poor have insurance. She does NOTHING to reduce costs or make the coverage
more affordable. If they do not buy the mandated insurance, they are fined. I don't see
her healthcare plan as workable. She says it's "universal coverage", but it's a mandate.
You can mandate that all Americans have a Prius in their driveway---that doesn't mean they'll
all be able to afford one. Obama is at least TRYING to make insurance more affordable. He
could have enacted a mandate, to give him an easier soundbyte. He didn't do that. He's
offering a thoughtful solution that addresses the number one reason that the poor don't have
insurance--cost.
From a strategic point of view--I can tell you this. I'm a stay-at-home mom now, but I worked as a PR
executive for 15 years. I have NEVER witnessed a campaign like Obama ran in Iowa. The campaign
was amazingly organized and staffed with respectful, enthusiastic and inspiring volunteers. When
they called, they listened. When they heard I was undecided, they sent over a supporter to talk
with me. They invited me to an Obama house party. This was one of 1,000 Obama house parties
that happened simultaneously. Unprecedented in Iowa or any political campaign. They're a very
creative, tenacious, gracious bunch. This campaign, if extrapolated onto a national stage---will
smoke any Republican candidate. I don't care what the polls say now. America has really not met
the full force of the Obama campaign--as many of the early states did. It is powerful. It is
unbeatable, in my opinion.
Speaking of that house party I attended...The person who invited me--and who was an Obama precinct
captain--was a disenfranchised Republican who was distraught about Bush. She is just as mortified
at what Bush has done, as any of us. There were Independents there, and liberal Dems. This small
house party was a political melting pot. We talked issues and our fears about the neocons for
two hours. It gave me hope to see that a candidate had managed to galvanized centrist Republicans,
Independents, Progressives and Centrist Democrats. Obama appeals across party lines and that
is key to being elected. Especially if McCain is on the ticket. You MUST have an exciting, inspirational
candidate ate who appeals to those sought-after Independents and centrist Republicans. Obama
can do that in spades. I've seen it with my own eyes.
I know this was long, but I feel so strongly about Obama--his plans, his ideas and his electability--and
yes, his ability to inspire. I had to choose between Obama and Edwards, and I struggled. However, I
know that there is a great deal of reciprocity between the Obama and Edwards camps, and I firmly
believe that Obama can repair the "Constitutional damage" unleashed by Bush. Only with that repair
can be begin to move forward with any Democratic agenda of helping the poor, stopping tax cuts
to the most wealthy, addressing corporate corruption, giving Americans healthcare, restoring our
nation's standing in the world and ending this never-ending neocon war plan.
Good luck with your decision. I'm sorry that Edwards didn't go on to a higher level. I know this
must be a tough day for all Edwards supporters. I really hate to see him go too. I hope
that when you're ready, that you'll consider giving Obama your support.
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