...and then i cried

today it was gray and rainy in new york, but it was sunny and warm as far as i was concerned. what a glorious day! a historic day! a new president, a role model, an inspiring leader.

last night, i was asked to explain my reasons for loving barack obama, our new president. i admit, i am not a very good debater. i understand the issues and the policies, i am well read and well educated, but when put on the spot i tend to crumble. the truth is, for as long as i have been interested in politics (which is probably only about 8 years or less) i have never been inspired by a politician like obama. in 2000, i know many people who felt that the candidate they chose to vote for was the lesser of two evils. that the election came down to florida is proof to me that the whole country was kind of like "eh." (for the record, i was a few months shy of my 18th birthday during that election and could not vote)

when i voted for kerry in 04, it was out of party loyalty, and loyalty to my hometown at the time (boston) and i hated bush, but i didn't really believe in what kerry was selling. i just wanted change. and i was sad that kerry lost, but i was not nearly as devastated as i would have been had obama lost last night.

since his speech at the democratic national convention in 2004, i have been moved by obama. but he is not just a pretty young face and a calming speaking voice. he believes in national loyalty and unifying a nation divided over conservative and liberal ideals. he is also true to himself and his ideals, and has taken the high road throughout his hard fought campaign against hilary and then mccain.

i believe in him. i believe he will help us to overcome all the challenges our country is facing right now: failing economy, growing unemployment, high energy prices, the war in iraq and afghanistan and terrorism abroad. he also makes me cry when he speaks from his heart about taxes and hope and his daughters and his grandmother.

i am happy today, and proud to be an american, proud that i voted for change, and glad that change is on the way. remember this day, november 5, 2008, a historic day in our lifetime.

yes we can.