This is it.
After a seemingly endless campaign, by next week we will know who will lead this country for the next four years.
These are the thirteen reasons I believe that it should be Barack Obama.
1) He cares about the middle class. Everything is about the middle class.
2) He is a bright man who values education and doesn't deride it.
3) Colin Powell, Scott McClellan, these are only a few of the republicans who are voting for Barack Obama. He speaks to Republicans as well as democrats. After the past eight years of hyperpartisian politics, I feel we as a country need that.
4) His health care plan covers people with preexisting conditions. As the wife of an insulin dependent diabetic nothing is more important to me than health care.
5) He values women. He does not put "health" in airquotes.
6) Look at the diversity of his campaign! Look behind him anytime there are blacks, whites, asians, hispanics. He's talking about being truly inclusive. Not divisive.
7) When John McCain says "let's work together" he means "do what I want you to do and we'll get along." When Barack Obama says it--he means it.
8) I find it insulting that John McCain thinks that I would vote fore a ticket including Sarah Palin just because she has a vagina. I look at the issues my candidates stand for...not their genitals.
9) America, it is time we had a president who didn't look like the other 43. It is time we had a person of color as president.
10) He will restore our standing in the world. The world doesn't respect us...if we elect Barack Obama, the world will begin to again.
11) The man can SPEAK. He is eloquent and is amazing to listen to. His great speeches can take you so high you have to look down to see heaven. I like the idea of having that kind of person as a president.
12) In the past 7 years, I have seen the America that I love disappear. When the towers went down, I could see the smoke from my apartment. My friend's cousin went to work that day and never came home. Another friend, was supposed to be there that day and by a miracle wasn't. In the digging they found the nameplate of his desk. Since that horrible day, I barely recognize my country. We torture. Our president listens in on private conversations. We attacked a country that didn't hurt us! I love my country, and I weep for what I lost. Senator Obama, has made me believe in it again. He has made me believe that this country can return to the hope that it was.
13) I want to see this look in the eye of every African-American child.
That--my dear readers is hope. Hope that "That can be ME!!!"
Please vote for Barack Obama on November 4th.
The most of the world hopes so too.
Posted by: Ann Bruce | October 29, 2008 at 08:22 PM
It's great to know what you want and to be able to express it well. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Brenda ND | October 29, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Wonderful post. The picture of the little girl gave me chills (smile). I've already cast my vote for change and now I'm just sitting around, counting the days with fingers crossed.
Posted by: Lori | October 30, 2008 at 06:19 AM
I completely agree with each and every one of your points. It's nice to know there are still smart Americans out there. I just mailed my absentee ballot and yes I voted for Obama. McCain/Palin scare me to death. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Michelle | October 30, 2008 at 06:19 AM
I completely agree with every word you say. I hope I'll be a citizen in plenty of time to vote for his second term.
Posted by: Nicholas | October 30, 2008 at 06:52 AM
I think Obama is a once in a lifetime chance to purge ourselves of so much of the same old partisanship and corruption. I haven't seen anyone that makes me feel that hopeful since Kennedy (who I only barely remember).
Posted by: colleen | October 30, 2008 at 07:17 AM
That's a lot of good reasons.
Posted by: Alice Audrey | October 30, 2008 at 07:26 AM
From what I hear here in Europe, nobody wants to have a McCain and even less a Sarah Palin in the USA ! She probably thinks that France is in Africa !
Posted by: Gattina | October 30, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Great post! I can't wait until Tuesday.
Posted by: M | October 30, 2008 at 08:03 AM
He's most likely the best person, but I've yet to know a politician who can be trusted.
Hopefully he proves me wrong.
Posted by: AnthonyNorth | October 30, 2008 at 09:16 AM
I wouldn't necessarily agree that we should elect Obama as president based on his ethnicity...if he weren't also someone who actually genuinely seemed like he can do the job and do it really well. Whomever is elected will have a gigantic mess to clean up - at home and abroad. I think that either of the two main candidates will have some stumbles with a task this Herculean; but I'm more confident that Obama will do the best job for the most people. His speeches have been pretty Kennedyesque...which is good, or could be bad. I was initially concerned that Obama didn't seem to have fleshed-out plans for economic recovery, foreign policy, and so forth. However, it's the people of the country who are just as responsible for what happens as the president and their staff. Obama makes people feel empowered. McCain wants people to sit back and let him drive. (McCain "the maverick"...only in the Republican party could a voting record of 90% consistent-with-party-line voting be considered that of a "maverick".)
Gattina, Sarah Palin would be able to see France from the White House, so she'd be able to keep an eye on everything :D
Posted by: Laughing Muse | October 30, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Even not agreeing with your vote, I totally love your list. I can stand behind my country no matter who resides as president, because it is a country run by the people, for the people and of the people. It's government protected by checks and balances. Didn't we all learn that in 4th grade?
...and no matter who becomes president, people tend to hate him/her by the end of eight years anyway. It's a thankless job. I would never want to do it.
Thanks for sharing your list.
Posted by: Bethanne | October 30, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Great list. Insightful and thoughtful.
Happy TT!
Posted by: Denise | October 30, 2008 at 09:42 AM
even though I can't really make a stand in this since I'm not in US, I think it's a wonderful T13. Great thoughts behind this :-)
Thanks for stopping by!
Posted by: Lifecruiser | October 30, 2008 at 11:01 AM
I am so with you on both #5 and #12. I used to admire John McCain, but this campaign has been a real eye opener for me. Like you, I'm hoping for an Obama victory next Tues.
Posted by: The Gal Herself | October 30, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Excellent idea for a T13 post...
I love the look on that young girls face!
Posted by: Ms. Behaving | October 30, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I've already voted for Obama. :)
I love that picture you included at the end. It's like she's filled with light.
Posted by: Celticlibrarian | October 30, 2008 at 02:23 PM
YAY! Good for you!
Posted by: On a limb with Claudia | October 30, 2008 at 03:44 PM
He will have my vote on Tuesday. He has more than earned it.
Posted by: pussreboots | October 30, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Great photo! Very illustrating.... And I agree on number 10. Obama, is already in the way to mending fences. At least here in Europe... It't time for Europe and USA to play on the same team again, when it comes to economical issues and enviromental issues.
Posted by: Carina | October 30, 2008 at 06:20 PM
I sure do hope you get your way in this!
Posted by: dewey | October 30, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Hey, I did a 13 with the same title! And a lot of your reasons that didn't go into my 13 would've if I'd done a second!!
Posted by: Library Lady | October 31, 2008 at 04:32 PM
yes yes, 13 times yes.
that picture is perfect.
Posted by: luna | October 31, 2008 at 07:35 PM