Update 8.06.08:

If you haven’t taken the time to find out why Barack Obama is so much more qualified (yes, qualified!), capable, and appropriate than the Republican candidate, listen to some of his speeches or read at least one of his books or read his policy papers on his website. Be informed before you just make a knee jerk decision in November. That’s all I ask. Don’t fall for the spin.

Update 6.01.08:

If you need numbers to see why this nomination is his, read this.

Listen to him here and tell me he’s not real, tell me he’s out of touch or incapable of leading. In my view, he’s a compassionate, smart, motivational leader and exactly what this country needs right now.

Update (4.22.08):
Here’s one of my favorite ads from the Obama in 30 seconds competition (click many of the links below to see other entries):

Update: For folks who feel like they don’t know much about Barack Obama’s legislative experience (especially as compared with Senator Clinton’s), please read this article. If you want to read about his policies, click here and if you want to know a little about the attitudes of each of them, read this post. Finally, a few thoughts about the power of words.

___________________

For various reasons, I have stayed far, far away from politics on this blog. I used to be so deeply enmeshed in politics that it’s sometimes a struggle not to say something about the topic. Nonetheless, I’ve managed to stay far away. Until now.

This post may shock people who know me, but when I heard the first lady of California (Maria Shriver, wife of the Republican governor) share an Eleanor Roosevelt quote about taking risks (actually, she said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.”) I decided this post would be my risk for the day.

Whether you’re a Republican, Independent, or Democrat, I just ask for a few moments of your time (you have to watch it all the way to the end) to watch this video. In all my life, I’ve never seen a candidate (not just the video, more accurately the whole package) that moves me the way this guy does. I can’t help but think that he could do great things for our country.

Ask your kids who they support and who the other kids in their school think should be president. You might be surprised by the answer. Most kids I know (regardless of the party affiliation of their parents) enthusiastically say, “Obama!” Think about that. The little ones who, in many cases, have a closer connection to what’s real, to what matters in life (because they’re free from all the facades and spin and BS) have a passionate affinity for this man.

But no, I’m not simply saying that he sounds good to kids, so you should vote for him. Read his books, listen to his policy positions, really hear what he’s saying.

It seems to me that he’s just the kind of change this country needs.

Let’s not wait for the world to change anymore.

“We are the change we’ve been waiting for.”

— Barack Obama

___________________________

Want more? Read this related story: I Voted Obama

and, if you have another 30 seconds, watch this: