A friend last night asked me why I, a feminist and pro-choice activist was endorsing Obama rather than Hillary Clinton (who I of course admire and support as a highly capable candidate). I explained to her that Mr.Obama has the potential to change the way politics are done in this country. I am hopeful that Obama will stay true to his commitment to “cleaning up” Washington, moving away from dirty politics and more toward honest, spirited, and principled social justice. Honestly, Hillary hasn’t proven to me that she is above the fray of “business as usual”.
Moreover, I want to see our first African-American president. If Obama wins he will be honoring the sweat, blood, and tears that our ancestors shed for this country. He represents all of us as the son of a Kenyan and a white woman from Kansas. He is what this country is all about.

Even if he loses and fights a good fight, he will defy expectations and will raise us up as a country; giving marginalized people hope that this American dream everyone always talks about might some day really include us. On February 5th, I look forward to casting my vote in support of Mr. Obama… To move toward an America where it really is possible for all of us to make our voices heard and be represented in spite of color, heritage, or background. I am proud to be a part of this moment in history and I get chills thinking about what it will feel like to cast this ballot, as the daughter of parents who lived through segregation in the South. My vote is one that is about hope, movement building, revolution and change. It will be about the principle– it will be about a need for change. We can’t give in to cynicism and fear to keep us from moving where we need to go. We can’t compromise. If change is what I really want and what the country needs, we need a new direction– Obama can provide this. I wholeheartedly endorse him and will do everything in my power to spread the word to young people who I think will be crucial in helping to elect him. We have already seen the power of the youth vote in the last two elections, and what just happened in Iowa shows that when we join together and take a stand… we can do anything… and have “The Audacity To Hope.”
Honestly, I want to see the pair work as a team. I want Edwards out as soon as possible (sorry because I love him and endorsed him last election but right now it’s about taking sides). I want this to be about Hillary and Obama working together to show America and the world that change is going to come– sooner than later. Ideally, I want to see a marriage of Hillary’s strategy, and pragmatism and Obama’s savoir faire, sincerity, and ability to inspire and drive hope in a diverse group of people.
After a long time experiencing the pain of the Bush Administration, we are hurting and need something more than just policies to heal this country right now. We need a regime change. A revolution in mind, spirit, and the way we look at ourselves and the world.
“Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won you earn it and win it in every generation.”– Coretta Scott King