dave roman ([info]yaytime) wrote,
@ 2008-10-08 16:02:00
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Current music:Public Enemy: Fear of a Black Planet
Entry tags:debate, election, mccain, obama, vote

Did you watch the debate last night?


I know it's superficial of me, but last night I couldn't help but think, "What if someone who was actually young and COOL became the president?" I was never the type to root for the popular kid, but it's not like Obama represents your average knuckleheaded jock. He's like the guy who is on the basketball team AND the chess team, friend to nerds and jocks alike. McCain just looked grumpy, shaky and irrelevant--like his best days were behind him. Hardly the respectable person he was just eight years ago (especially now that his campaign has gone the character assignation route). Seeing Obama and McCain side by side, I wondered how other people perceived the contrast.

Obama could be the Michael Jordan of presidents!
And I don't mean that just because of the race factor (which is exciting, I will admit!). The children of America would suddenly have a new role model. One that shows them firsthand that it can be cool to get involved, work hard, and help make a difference in the world. How many disenfranchised children will suddenly get a new burst of self esteem? Just think about the possibilities! Imagine how the world's perception of what America IS would be forever changed! It might even be a lot of fun!


Now imagine how kids would perceive John McCain if he became president. Do you think they'll actually get excited? MAYBE there is a comfort factor...but would it also confirm that some things NEVER CHANGE? Is this being too idealistic? Probably. But I'm convinced more than ever that even if he can only live up to 25% of his campaign promises, the psychological effect of an Obama presidency would be a huge win for America.

I went from being a casual fan to a full-blown Obama supporter last night.

So...what do I need to do to help get this guy elected? I've made some donations and I'm in New York, which is hopefully already in Obama's bag. Since I have a full-time job I won't be able to drive to Pennsylvania or Ohio. Anyone in the NYC area doing something I can help with? How can we convince the skeptics?


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[info]soggytoast
2008-10-08 10:33 pm UTC (link)
The awful thing is that whenever they address each other as 'Senator' or refer to 'The Senate', all I can think of is the prequels.

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[info]soggytoast
2008-10-08 10:34 pm UTC (link)
Also, I forgot to mention that if you want to help but are in new York (which will go blue anyways) you might consider joining a phone bank. I did one online last election. You get a list of numbers of undecided voters, usually in swing states, and remind them to vote, talk to them, etc.

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[info]yaytime
2008-10-08 10:36 pm UTC (link)
yeah, I might up for that if there's a good time I can do it. Maybe this weekend!

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[info]soggytoast
2008-10-08 10:52 pm UTC (link)
There are a few where they literally just send you a list and you can call the numbers whenever you have time.

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[info]yaytime
2008-10-08 11:51 pm UTC (link)
I know, but sadly I have a throat infection! Taking pain killers to try and numb it down, but can't really talk to well!

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[info]alexds1
2008-10-08 10:37 pm UTC (link)
lol, that graphic

Yeah, I feel the same way. I'm still sort of shocked that Obama is nearing the finish line, back before he started running even I was thinking how cool it would be if he were president (and how unlikely). I think people are finally wising up and considering the two alternatives. I hope in a month we'll all make the smart choice together T__T

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[info]yaytime
2008-10-09 03:25 pm UTC (link)
Yeah I hope things are becoming more clear and people don't forget to vote on the right day!
I"m sure the internets will spread the word.

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[info]ali_wildgoose
2008-10-08 10:45 pm UTC (link)
Did you see the video of Barack and Michelle working the room after last night's debate? The difference between how they interact with people and how McCain does (or rather, doesn't) is stunning.

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[info]arambulo
2008-10-08 11:30 pm UTC (link)
WOW. good point about the difference in interaction! that's really illuminating...

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[info]yaytime
2008-10-08 11:49 pm UTC (link)
yeah, Raina and I were watching that at the end of the debate.
I always wonder what they are actually saying to the people.

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[info]hirovox
2008-10-09 12:22 am UTC (link)
This honestly might be naive of me to think, but I always imagine moments like that are for politicians to connect and talk with the voters. I really do hope that they're there to discuss what their lives are like, how they can help out in office...at least, I think that whenever I see the Obamas doing that. With McCain, I'm a little more of a cynic, but I really shouldn't be.

As a Canadian, I have honestly no idea how to help...but from the electoral maps, it looks like NY is pretty solid. My thinking is that all that can be done now is making sure that supporters get out and vote...or cast early ballots, if their state offers it to them. Most of Obama's supporters are young voters, I think. Making sure that they're engaged with the process and get out there is the real key to winning this election!

(Man, I honestly have no idea as to why I'm keeping up with the US politics so much...it's just honestly very engaging this time around)

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[info]smuu
2008-10-09 12:17 am UTC (link)
I got to vote via Democrats Abroad (Obama, of course), my American parents and the year I lived in Georgia. I felt very ... historic.

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[info]yaytime
2008-10-09 03:24 pm UTC (link)
that is awesome. I think we all are going to feel historic this election. Hopefully!

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[info]abrassea
2008-10-09 01:06 am UTC (link)
"He's like the guy who is on the basketball team AND the chess team, friend to nerds and jocks alike."

that might be the best obama metaphor i've heard yet!

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[info]yaytime
2008-10-09 03:24 pm UTC (link)
thanks aaron!

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[info]nenimo
2008-10-09 01:15 am UTC (link)
I've been bugging any American I can find to vote. Even if their voting for someone I don't support, I think it's important to be heard.

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[info]yaytime
2008-10-09 03:23 pm UTC (link)
you are doing a good deed my friend. certainly you want a US to return to once you graduate :)

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[info]rikkisimons
2008-10-09 07:00 am UTC (link)
http://www.vulomedia.com/images/62548electiontrains.jpg

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[info]yaytime
2008-10-09 03:20 pm UTC (link)
ha! I just woke up from a dream about riding a new super train. Great timing!

And that pic of Thomas going off the rails, cracks me up.

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[info]rikkisimons
2008-10-09 09:03 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, I love Thomas' little "Ooooohhh!" face there.

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[info]atomicpanda
2008-10-09 04:22 pm UTC (link)
Awesome and true. Awesrue? Trusome?

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[info]mr_cow
2008-10-09 02:15 pm UTC (link)
right there with you, dude. obama's like a rock star. :)

hopefully my little floridian vote makes a difference....

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[info]yaytime
2008-10-09 03:22 pm UTC (link)
Dude you are in one the key-est of key states so I salute you!

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[info]vanmeeuwe
2008-10-09 06:14 pm UTC (link)

BARACK & ROLL!!!!!!!!

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[info]uniqueladym
2008-10-09 03:14 pm UTC (link)
He has my vote. And I agree with "abrassea" - it's a really great metaphor!

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[info]yaytime
2008-10-09 03:21 pm UTC (link)
hi-5!
What's the word down in PA? I'm scared to talk to family members about politics!

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[info]uniqueladym
2008-10-09 03:56 pm UTC (link)
Honestly... I've been a bit pollo-shit to talk about it with them too. With Bill, Tina's husband it's easier. But they are Republicans so not that much easier but the topic is on the table. I'm assuming Doris is for Obama.
I'm afraid they (Dad & Dottie) would pick color not person -and I just don't want to hear that (or something like that) come of out their mouth. That's IF they got out of the house and went and voted anyway.

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[info]alisa5179
2008-10-09 03:24 pm UTC (link)
Oh man, nice star wars reference!

I haven't watched the debates yet, but last night I asked my Pennsylvanian grandmother what she thought of the debates. She said she thought McCain looked tired and downtrodden. She also said someone she knows had some crazy idea that if Obama was elected he'd bring over a bunch of people from Africa and within a generation whites would all be slaves....thank goodness she sees how crazy that is. My grandparents were lifelong Republicans, but they voted for Kerry in 2004, they see Bush's crazy ways. I'm still not sure this time around who they'll go for, but at least they acknowledge Obama's speaking presence.

Also, I can't find the exact translation of the article I read yesterday, but here's another translation and the original Norweigian one.

http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/presidentvalg-2008/artikkel.php?artid=527005
http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2008/10/4/4756/38053/59

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[info]vanmeeuwe
2008-10-09 06:12 pm UTC (link)
Yknow, I agreee with you about tht 100%... I just never wanted to directly say it.

I think Obama would really put this country back in the year 2008... In the '90s, we were moving forward and Americans (at least as far as their mentality is concerned) were very hip, young, supportive of activism, and open to exploring new ideas. (I mean...dude, if I had I penny for every time I heard "Hey, c'mon...it's the '90s!"...)
But now, we've totally reverted to this stuffy, gun-totin', Conservative All-American mentality where we support soldiers like robots and limit social rights like it's 1950...

That's not to say that everybody has become like that, obviously (that's a huge, unfounded generalization)...but I had thought we were past that decades ago, but the past eight years, it seems to me that people with that mentality have been surfacing out from the woodwork more than they did before.

...and I'm a Libertarian, not a Democrat, so this isn't coming from somebody who has an inbred vendetta against Republicans.


I think you're right about the psychological effect of his presidency doing good things for America.
Obama is like one of those cool nerds... He's like Politics' version of the nerdy 17-year-old valedictorian who happens to be the frontman for a punk garage band in his spare time.
That's not the reason why I'm voting for him, of course... but it definitely makes me more excited about my choice.

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