Proud to be a DEMocrat

It has been a crazy week. HD and I decided to join BH out in Denver for the Democratic National Convention. As a former (President) Clinton staffer and a woman, I was soundly in the Hillary camp during the primary. Since Obama became the nominee, I, of course, have planned to vote for him for a number of reasons, but none of them were the personal, warm and fuzzy reasons that I wanted them to be. I've seen the ads and the snippets about his life and I think he is an intelligent and wonderful man, but I wasn't sure where he stood on so many of the issues that are important to me. Beyond being a parent, I didn't identify with him as strongly as I easily could with Hillary, a brilliant woman like myself. I wanted to love him, but I wasn't there. Now, I am.

Here are some of the reasons (scientific and emotional) why:

1. He promised a college education to young people who commit to serving their country or their community
2. Equal pay for women
3. He promised to eliminate dependence  on oil from the Middle East in 10 years (will we still be allowed to drive our SUV?)
4. He mentioned toy safety in his speech (e.g. phthalates)
5. He picked Biden as his VP - I didn't know much about him before, but so far, I haven't found anything not to like about his lifetime of public service, his dedication to his own family, his experience in Washington, and his seemingly true connection to and ability to communicate with "real" people.  Oh, and I totally think he could fulfill the duties of President if ever necessary.
6. He has young children.
7. Michelle Obama is brilliant, strong, protective, and fierce. I won't even mention that she was once his boss and emanates sophistication and style.
8. "It's not because John McCain doesn't care. It's because John McCain doesn't get it." - Seriously, folks. Sarah Palin? That's an insult to women everywhere.
9. Senator Clinton told me to.
10. President Clinton told me to.

I've been around long enough to know that campaign promises rarely turn in to real, live policies, but I finally know what his campaign promises are, and I like them, and I like him and I will leave Denver tonight with the hope and optimism that he will become our next President. And, I would be prouder to be an American than I ever have been before if the people of this country would elect a person of color to be their leader.