yes we can

**disclaimer**
dear grandpa, i have heard that you occasionally read this blog. i would like to suggest that if you are thinking about reading this post, you just skip it. there are four other posts on this page that you can read that do not contain any of the liberal ideas and democratic party chest thumping that you will find in this post. and there's no mention of underwear, either. i promise. love, amanda.

i know there are plenty of people who keep to themselves about who they support politically, but i'm just going to come right out and say it: i'm an obamaniac. i understand why many ladies are supporting hillary, and i have to admit i feel a little like i'm betraying my sex, but i was never a big fan of hers. since first watching him speak at the democratic convention in 2004, i have been an avid obama fan, and every speech i see him give steels my support of him even further. i think he is a powerful speaker who has clear and exciting ideas. his speeches can excite crowds of people numbering in the thousands, and i have to admit he has moved me to tears before.

i like him not just because he is young, honest and genuine. i like him because his ideas are not revolutionary, in fact they are not much different than hillary's, but i feel confident that some of his goals will get accomplished -- something i just don't feel with hillary.

yesterday, barack obama gave an incredible speech about race and racism in america. it long and takes awhile to read, but i recommend if, even if you are a republican. here are some highlights:

"Throughout the first year of this campaign, against all predictions to the contrary, we saw how hungry the American people were for this message of unity. Despite the temptation to view my candidacy through a purely racial lens, we won commanding victories in states with some of the whitest populations in the country. In South Carolina, where the Confederate Flag still flies, we built a powerful coalition of African Americans and white Americans."

"The fact is that the comments that have been made and the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we’ve never really worked through – a part of our union that we have yet to perfect. And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American."

"This time we want to talk about the men and women of every color and creed who serve together, and fight together, and bleed together under the same proud flag. We want to talk about how to bring them home from a war that never should’ve been authorized and never should’ve been waged, and we want to talk about how we’ll show our patriotism by caring for them, and their families, and giving them the benefits they have earned. I would not be running for President if I didn’t believe with all my heart that this is what the vast majority of Americans want for this country. This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation – the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election."