timeisnow

I have been amazed at the number of people who have told me [in so many words] that they are sick to their stomach about what is happening in the presidential campaign.  Literally, people have told me they can’t sleep, can’t eat, they are getting ulcers, have aches and pains, are psychologically perplexed and frustrated, and are depressed.  All the while, many Republicans seem to be basking in the joy of a new idea and a new candidate.  The purpose of this note is to hopefully put things in a bit of perspective, and sprinkle a little "change" on your fears.

Barack Obama has been running for President since January of 2007.  Not even halfway through a full senate term, Obama jumped into the presidential race taking on the most formidable and experienced Democrats in America including both Bill and Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, and Bill Richardson to name a few (and don’t forget all of their surrogates).  Before the first primary battle of the year, Obama was down almost 100 super-delegates to Hillary Clinton and by May had won the overwhelming support of Democratic leadership; including names like Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, and Chris Dodd.  You don’t get this type of support if you are a lightweight.

Obama has raised more money and has more donors than anyone in the history of presidential campaigning.  He participated in over 22 debates, including many where he was consistently cast as inexperienced and a friend of radicals and extremists.  And to this point, Obama has campaigned for over 18 months, with less than 20 days of vacation.  There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Obama is a movement and not just a candidate. He is a symbol of change not because he uses the “CHANGE” slogan, but because he is a political figure who has a new vision for America, is willing to admit mistakes and talking honestly to the American people, and still lead with strength, direction, and enthusiasm. 

Not even a month after his candidacy Obama was afforded protection by the U.S. Secret Service because of death threats to both him and his family.  If you have children, you know only a small part of the pressure he must go through every single day. In fact, at the beginning of the convention in Denver, three males (along with scoped rifles and ammunition) were arrested on suspicion they were going to assassinate Obama during his acceptance speech.  Yet, he and his family sacrificed their privacy and freedom to serve a greater goal. We should not take this sacrifice lightly.  If you have ever seen the way his daughters smile when they see their father, it is a sight to behold. The love is not passive or authoritarian, but energetic, compassionate, caring, and most of all, real. 

While Obama is no undoubtedly a racial minority, during his campaign he has had his racial authenticity questioned by not only whites (….yup, whites), but also African Americans.  Imagine the psychological and physiological stress this would cause anyone in a similar situation.  Obama has been very open about his struggles with his racial identity and the markings of race in general, but to have his racial identification questioned in public was an affront to humanity.  On top of this, prominent civil rights leaders openly questioned his masculinity, and commitment to the “black” community. While most of us would have resorted to some retaliatory epithets, Obama took this all in stride, confident in his skin and poised.  He knew that once people got to know him (not his skin), they would understand his vision, his judgment, and his mission.

Obama is undoubtedly a man of great faith, yet during the campaign he has not only had to distance himself from a pastor, but an entire church.  This action was necessary not because he wanted to, but because he knew it was the right thing to do, IF he was going to represent all people of the U.S.  Moreover, he was essentially forced to explain race in America to America!  He did this smack dab in the middle of the Democratic primary!  And, he did this after having members of the African American community question his authenticity as a black man in America! Talk about mentally tough and fearless? This is the person I want to run the country.

This is a leader who stood up in front of 80,000 people at a football stadium (and 38 million watching on TV… I was in a room with about 20 people, so there were really more than 38 million) in Denver and nailed a speech outlining his vision for America, and his readiness to take on John McCain.  The biggest speech of his life, with the whole world waiting for him to make a mistake, and he nailed it.  Did I mention that he has not completed a full term in national office? Did I mention that there were 80,000 people watching live? Did I mention the death threats?  Okay, just making sure.  I don’t need to mention what he accomplished in German…(where there are real “working class whites”), and the rest of his international tour.

All of this and some individuals have the nerve to question Obama’s patriotism, judgment, and readiness to be a leader.  What’s worse, many of us—his supporters—have the audacity (pardon the loan)  to waver in our strength and enthusiasm, while he goes out every day, keeps a tight façade, and delivers on cue with the whole world watching and waiting for him to slip.  To worry about Obama now, in the homestretch, is to worry about the bogey man under your bed: we know he’s not under there, but we get afraid because people tell us he is. 

Many will point to polls showing a downward trend.  I’ve said enough about the polls, but my last word is that you will know Obama is in trouble when his campaign contributions dry up (or he goes in debt), AND you see a bunch of people jumping ship.  Those two things in addition to slow poll numbers will be a neon sign.  Otherwise, if Obama continues to bring in big contributions, don’t worry.  There are many types of public opinion, and only one of them is a poll. 

Obama is 47 years old, and after this campaign, win or lose, he will be set for life either in the Senate, or at some university or other high profile position.  He can write many books, lecture to large audiences, take on powerful positions in the Senate, or become a diplomat.  So, there is some incentive for him to just tank it, but he knows that he has not come this far for nothing. He has sacrificed his time, reputation, friends, church family, close family, and his life to fight for this presidency, and the least we can all do is take some alka-seltzer and keep fighting too. 

I’d encourage everyone to flip-the-switch on any negative thoughts you have about Obama or the campaign, and put that energy into making him the next President of the United States. Donate time or money, volunteer, spread the word, wear buttons, write letters, work polls, respond to polls, participate in rallies, visit the Obama website and learn more about him, read his books, read other’s books, wear tee-shirts, wear stickers, or just mumble his name as you walk down the street.  Don’t be swayed this time by your fears. We owe it to Michelle, Sasha and Malia, and especially Barack Obama.

My grandfather, Wilson Q. Welch, a former professor at Fisk University in Nashville, always talked about the power of faith.  He talked about how it would carry you through tough times, and hang by your side in the good times.  He would say, “Faith is what keeps you going strong when everything or everyone else is against you.”  In my mind, Obama is that symbol of faith, and regardless of whether he wins or looses, he has shown us that it is possible to hope for something better and fight for it.  So, whenever you encounter doubts and need a real symbol of courage, consider the man who nearly everyone has doubted, and who has sacrificed almost everything to be our leader, Barack Obama.  

It's now time for us to change.

Oh, and the campaign didn’t pay me to write any of this.

David C. Wilson