I just sent out my essay supporting Obama (scroll down to 10/21 post) to almost my entire email list, which felt a bit nerve-wracking. But I'm enjoying the responses, especially since no one's yelled at me yet.  Mostly, it's fascinating to hear first-hand how engaged everyone feels with this election, regardless of their preferences.  So many folks who say this is their first time they've been glued to political news, first time volunteering, eager vote for the first time in ages.  I even got a response from a Canadian to whom the piece was forwarded, emphasized how engaged the rest of the world is, too.  

I'd like to be a grown-up and say just this degree of participation -- regardless of the outcome -- feels so inspiring and hopeful. And it does in many ways.  But, really, I'd be lying.  While I truly respect each person's right to make an individual choice, I really really really want this guy to win ... (and maybe then his name will be embedded in spell checking dictionaries!)

Comments

[Chris]

The hardest thing about being a leader is that it is usually very lonely. By you stepping out of your comfort zone here, sending this out for Obama, you are taking a chance of being rejected, of not being loved. This takes more than it takes for those that do "what is safe" and basically do nothing to further the growth of the group or others. Granted, you are in good company here with this Obama thing. It is a safer stance than one might expect at this point but, the fact is, you respect those that take the chance rather than hidding in their safe worlds and so you yourself demand the respect of those that are aware of your guts in doing so... Thanks for taking the chance of being you.