The Road We’ve Traveled

As a campaign volunteer for U.S. Senator Obama when he threw his hat into the ring as a candidate for President of the United States in 2008, I felt a lot of bumps in that road to the White House.

Although the up and coming young politician gave a rousing keynote speech at the ’06 Democratic Convention, my friends thought that the senator did not have a snow ball’s chance in hell in becoming president. Well…..

Last night, I shared the experience of viewing the 16min+ promotional documentary, “The Road We’ve Traveled”, highlighting the president’s tumultuous accomplishments in the last four years, with my youthful and bright-eyed fellow campaign workers and supporters at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters, just south of the U.S. Capital.

Before the airing, I mixed it up with the audience who looked like America. I saw black folks, whites, Hispanics, Asians, many young people and old. I spoke to a young Columbian in a wheelchair. I thought about all of the footage I see of Republican gatherings, I never see an honest representation of this country.

Our local coordinator, Kouri Marshall, introduced a leader of the Woman’s National Democratic Club who spoke passionately of the need to not allowing the Republicans to set this country back another 100 years. I am convinced that the GOP set its fate with its assault on women. Women will assure the world that the American Taliban, the GOP’s efforts, will be hermetically
sealed and given a final burial.

I wish I had a heads-up about the quality and strength of this vignette because, had I known, I would have stayed home just like I did for the inauguration. You see, I’m a big softy. I get teary-eyed when I witness the culmination in victory of all the struggles that we’ve shared. I was consoled by knowing that I was surrounded by people who are just as passionate and committed as I am to the success of this campaign.

So, check-out the link below of “The Road We’ve Traveled” and be inspired too….we’re fired up and ready to go….Obama-2012!

http://www.barackobama.com/Road-Traveled

Damn, white folks did a good job!

Is she too dark? Is her hair too nappy? Why is he so dark that he is blue? What will my children look like?

Growing up in River Terrace, Washington, DC, I never heard these question asked until I left my little comfort zone on the banks of the Anacostia River. At the renowned Howard University, I had an opportunity to go to school with black kids from all over the world at a time when Negroes were beginning to refer to themselves as “Black”. Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud!

In those days, I thought Howard University had the most beautiful women I had ever seen! I guess that’s why keeping my grades up was always a challenge. I saw all hues, hair and dress styles. There were history classes that taught us not just “his-story”, but delved thoroughly into Black History.

I was inspired to write this piece because of a You Tube video that was shared with me titled, “A Girl like Me”. I was shocked by what I saw because I just realized that young black folks, especially young women, are still struggling with the aesthetic issues of race from the days of slavery. The position of our First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama, became even more important to me after viewing this video because her actions and style will impact women of color all over the world in terms of how they perceive themselves. I’ve been told that on-paper, one would have assumed that the president married a white woman or a very light-skin black woman. But, no the president married a statuesque dark-skin woman with, OMG, a butt!

Folks, I don’t know who has the hardest job, now…..President Obama or the First Lady?

The GOP Marionette Show

President Barack Obama, tonight, met his objective of making his intentions quite clear. And that was to inspire the American people to face the issues that are before us and to overcome them with unity. Well done, Mr. President!

However, I was more interested in what the Republican response would be. Earlier, I commented to a fellow blogger that the Republican Party (GOP) could not nurture legitimate leadership for this new epoch because of the perceived hate and greed that is, historically, at the base of the party.

It appears to me that the GOP positioned Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La) during the campaign to help ameliorate the infectious affect that then Sen. Obama had on the imagination of the American electorate. I can not get my arms around the “sincerity” of the GOP in selecting the governor to speak after the president tonight no more than I can get my arms around their sincerity in appointing the ex-Lt. Governor of Maryland, Michael Steele, as the Republican National Committee Chairman. Based on Gov. Jindal's out-of-step-with-reality speech leads me to believe that the GOP just want to put a brown face on their last century politics because even Stevie Wonder can see that the federal government needs to be involved with getting this economy out of the crapper. So, why can’t the GOP?

Assigning Gov. Jindal and Chairman Michael Steele scripts written for Ronald Reagan in 1940 will surely fail at the box office in 2009.

A cartoon is just a cartoon? Hmmmm

Well, I guess Nixon with his sweaty upper-lip fall from grace, Billy’s blow jobs in the oval office and Bush getting the “shoe” in Iraq just brought down the respect and integrity of the presidency to the point where anything goes.

The chimpanzee execution cartoon depicted in the New York Post did not shock me. Come on, folks….we knew this stuff was coming! Racists die hard. This is only the beginning. Nevertheless, we should be prepared to fight these attacks at every turn. We must be steadfast at defeating the racists’ attempts at denigrating the change that President Obama is trying to put in place.

What the racists did not factor in is the fact that the majority of the people in the world are people of color. Just as in the fiasco at Abu Ghraib, the 19th century thinking racists are only making matters worst for members of their ilk. The Occicontin-addicted, Rush Limbaugh, calling for the failure of President Obama’s administration only accelerated the free-fall of the conservative movement’s demise, as we know it.

Younger citizens and younger members of both political parties are starving for a new way of conducting this country’s affairs and I salute them.

What's good for the goose....

When pursuing anything government related, I’m always asked:

• Have you ever been involved with the government before?
• Have you ever been denied a government contract because of malfeasance?
• Do you owe the government any taxes?
  

I’m still wondering just how many more lawmakers (on all levels) may not have paid their taxes, yet you and I are bludgeoned by the IRS whenever we fall short. This issue brings into question, just what is the vetting process like?

We all knew that President Obama’s administration would be under close scrutiny, more so than most. I’m in it for the long haul. The president said himself that there will be some screw-ups along the way. But, I won’t resign to accepting something as simple as asking these three basic questions of anyone, and I do mean anyone who is seeking to hold a significant office in any administration.

Mr. President, you set the bar high to a new world record, which begs the question: can you maintain it?

Billy-Boy's Penitence

Hill and Bill over her prospective appointment as U.S. Secretary of State


I’ve been playin’ second fiddle to your ego, your interests and your women for over thirty years! Now......make no mistake about it, Billy Boy.....this is my time and you ain’t going to screw it up!

Baby, I know you’ve sacrificed a lot for me and this country and I’m truly indebted to you for what you’ve done. I stand here, today, and pledge to you that I will continue to do all I can to make your dreams come true.

Oh, Bill! Cut the crap. Just keep your zipper up and your mouth shut!

Uh?

Joe got his knife back?

Hello?

Joe lap dog! (chuckle) Keyes…Alan Keyes!

Lap dog? You were a lap dog before me! (chuckle) Hey, Alan.

Joe, seriously, I just want to congratulate you and tell you how much I admire what you did for John McCain and to also say how surprise I am at the fact that the Dems didn’t crucify your ass! Man, Obama is one shrewd dude.

Yeah, he’s really playing his cards right.

Joe, you know you were sitting on death row, but Obama is playing to the world how “forgiving” he can be by giving you a pardon. If someone had done what you did from the Republican Party, they would have been whacked in a New York minute.

But, Alan, that’s so last century. Barack is up to something. I don’t think I’m going to get off that easy. Eventually, I’m going to have to face the music in Connecticut. I think he’s got something much grander up his sleeve and I’m just going to have to see how this thing plays out.

Hmmmm, you’re probably got a point. But, however it plays out; it ain’t going to be in your favor.

I’m not sure about that, Alan. I might end up looking good until the next cycle, but the Republicans can end up looking worst. Obama, I think is trying to come off looking like a unifier by propping me up, the fallen angel, and the reprisals by the GOP-right will show the nation and the world just how recalcitrant and out of touch they are. Hence; fostering less confidence in that elephant-of-a-party!

That dude is shrewd!

The Bush/Obama meeting

Revelations:


Mr. President, thank you for your gracious hospitality.

Ah, hell....back home, I would've broke out the grill and barbequed-up a steer for ya! Look, Barack…you're goin' to be in this exclusive club real soon. How about we dispense with the formalities...... (chuckle) call me George or you can just call me plain old "W" !

Okay, George?

I'm glad we're havin' this sit-down 'cause I'm pleased-as-punch that America has risen to the point where we could put aside all that foolishness from the past and elect a Negro. I take great pride of all I've done for your people, with Colin and Condi high up in my cabinet. Did you know I've done more for Africa than previous presidents? Yes, sir! And I'm goin' to do even more than Bill Clinton when I leave office. You see, what bugs me, Barack, is that the American people don't really understand me. Oh, I know I don't speak all flowery like you and I made a few mistakes (as you will, too) but I love this country very much and all I wanted was the best for it. Just maybe, my best wasn't good enough. I think history will be kind to me.

I'm sure you tried, George.

Janet, the president's personal secretary, enters the oval office with a pleasant smile, bringing a silver platter with a silver pot of sassafras tea and large deli cookies and places it on a table near the two men. The president thanks her as she turns to leave. President Bush rises and begins serving the president-elect.

Barack, I don't care what those talkin' heads say about me, but being president is OJT, on-the-job training. I'll never forget when I first heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center. I was reading to some kids and my aide interrupted me and whispered in my ear what turned out to be the bane of my existence. I'll tell ya, I was numb with shock. I didn't know what to do! I felt like sayin', 'hey, somebody turn on CNN and let’s hear what the president has to say!". But, I am the president. What do I do next? It was times like that that causes a man to go deep within to find the answer. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, so I prayed on it. I asked God for direction and I did what I thought was best for America. I wanted to look presidential, to give the American people the confidence that I was in control!

Yes, Mr. President, that was a difficult time for everyone.

Barack, don’t let America’s existence in Iraq be for naught.

Mr. President, I understand the importance of our presence, there. But, I am also mindful of the human cost these wars have been and the toll it has taken on this country’s credibility. With all due respect, sir, I think we lost our direction after 9/11. I believe we should have been focused on where the terrorists reside. By doing so, we could have maintained the support of the American people and our allies throughout the world. Mr. President, I was not privy to the information that you and your advisers had at hand at the time you committed our troops to that part of the world, but today, the American people have given me a mandate to bring an end to the war in Iraq, a responsible end with dignity. My team looks forward to working with your administration to make that possible. Just as important is our concerned about the economy. I have selected a well respected person to be my secretary of treasury and I’ll be announcing my selection in short order. As you were so gracious in meeting with me, I’m looking forward to you doing what is needed to settle the markets and to appease the members of the upcoming G-20 meeting.

My goodness that sounded very presidential. Barack you can count on me and my staff to do all we can for you.

Mr. President, I know it is customary for the out-going president to take certain executive actions at the eleventh hour. I just want to remind you that there is a lot at stake, here. I only ask that you be cognizant of that.

Mr. President-elect, you have my word on that!

Laura Bush and Michelle Obama enter the oval office. Both men rise to their feet and kiss their respective wives on the cheek.

Come on….Laura and I will walk you to the door.

Political Decompression

Perhaps you feel like me. I am emotionally and physically spent!

As one who has done D.C. Marathons, Marine Corps Marathons, New York City Marathons, biathlons and umpteen 10K races, my body and mind feels equally exhausted after completing this political cycle.

I can only imagine what President-elect Obama and Senator McCain must feel like. Especially Senator McCain at seventy-two years of age!

After fielding the many phone calls, emails, debriefing meetings with friends, I just want to shut-down and rest. I have not had a sound-night’s sleep in the last two weeks because I have been consumed with work and anticipation of the things to come.

If you feel like me, let’s do something nice for ourselves. I plan to take a nice swim and treat myself to a massage.

Yes We Can!

Dedicated to my father, “Pastor Ray” 1922 – 1998

A wake-up call from my father:

Son, son…wake-up! How can you sleep? History has been made!

Hey, Dad. What? What’s going on? DID HE GET IT??? Did he win? Barack, won?

Yes, boy! Get your butt up and celebrate with the world!

Oh my God! We really did it, Dad!

Yes, son, victory is ours!

Dad, I wish you could be with me, now.

What are you talking ‘bout, ya big dummy? I’m always with you. I never left ya. Who do you think helped you to close that big contract you were working on for so long? Who do you think kept, that big ol’ Thoroughbred from crushing you when you two tripped over that six-foot fence? Who do you think guided the doctor’s scalpel in your surgery? It was the Big Guy and me, that’s who!

Thanks, Dad. I guess I’ve always felt your spirit with me. But, I just want you here to see Barack and the inspiration that he has given to so many us.

Boy, I knew all about that young man before you did and that’s why I got together with all of my buddies up here to make sure he would become the 44th President of the United States.

Dad, did you and your buds have the same issues about Barack’s candidacy as we have down here?

Ugh (chuckle). Son, we don’t have issues….we have grace. Everyone is represented, here: black, white, red, yellow and brown people. All of that foolishness we had on earth, stayed on earth. You know, when I think about it, earthly issues seem so stupid to me now. In my 75 years down there, I saw folks squabble over stupid stuff…and that’s all it was…stuff!

Yeah, Dad. I guess I see it, too. Who makes the most money? Who has the biggest house? Who has the latest clothes? Who controls the most land? You’re right…it’s just stuff.

Son, do you remember in ‘63, when I was ill and the doctors didn’t have a clue as to what my problem was?

Sure, Dad! How could I forget? You were in the hospital for three months and to a kid like me, it felt like a lifetime. In those days we weren’t allowed on the hospital floor.

Well, we lost John Kennedy during that time…...

Yeah, I remember calling your hospital room to tell you about President Kennedy and when the nurse answered the phone all I heard was what sounded like a man crying.

Yeah, son. It was me. I felt the same way about JFK as you do about Barack.

Dad, as a kid, I memorized the names of all of President Kennedy’s cabinet members. I can’t say I remembered any administration cabinet members’ names, since.

Hey, son…I’m going to have to run, shortly. I’ll be breaking bread with Jack Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin, Strom, George Wallace and others in celebration of Barack’s …..

Dad, Dad, excuse me, but….did you just say Strom Thurmond and George Wallace? What are they doing up…?

Son, like I said, all of that foolishness that started on earth, remains on earth. As a matter of fact, George is my Bid Whist partner, up here! Barack won’t be successful unless he has everyone working together like we do up here. Again, it won’t be easy, but it can be done. Jack said we could put a man on the moon and we did it! Now, get your butt up and get going. Do your part to help make America a proud country. Give your mother a big hug for me….love ya, son.

I love you, too…Dad!

A grandmother's love!

Senator,

My heart-felt sympathy goes out to you and your family. Rest assured that your beloved grandmother will always be with you. Because of her love and support, you have been prepared for the task at hand.

Be strong, senator! Your pain will endureth for a night...but joy comes in the morning.

A dream no longer deferred

Well, we are coming to the end of a hard-fought fight, folks! Tomorrow is the big day. I will be busy doing last minute campaigning for my guy. So, I thought I would take this opportunity to reflect and express my gratitude to those I have interacted with over the last twenty-one months.

In all my years of participating and observing political cycles, this by far has been the most exciting and rewarding cycle of them all.

I want to say thanks to everyone who has written me, called me, beat me up, cursed me and complimented me in my effort to express myself on these all too important issues of our time. I have grown and I think our society has become better as a result of this exercise we call electoral democracy.

I look forward to commenting on the new administration’s successes and failures in hopes of maintaining this new interest in civic studies and to make this country a place that we can all be proud of, once again.

In the parting words of the great Edward R. Murrow, good night and good luck!

Obama’08!

Where's Joe the Plumber?

.....Joe?....Joe? Has anyone seen Joe the Plumber?

As an ardent Obama supporter, I got to admit that I felt sorry for the Republican party presidential nominee at a rally in Ohio, yesterday. McCain looked embarrassed standing on the dais, wondering where his latest no-show gimmick, “Joe the Plumber” was.

They say Joe was cashing in at the time of the rally, trying to cut a recording deal? Cindy McCain looked like she has had enough and wants to pack it in and go home(s). Can’t blame her much. Going home(s) beats looking at the “plumber’s crack” all day and throwing down road-kill mooseburgers with the governor and kids.

Girl gotta do what a girl gotta do!

Palin discusses her future with Rick Davis (McCain's campaign manager)

Rick, after the O-man’s 30-minute dig last night, with all due respect for our boy, the senator’s moose is cooked! Now, I agreed to come onboard to generate some interest in the campaign, but, lets face it: I did my job, but you didn’t do yours! Now that I got a li'l following, a girl gotta do what a girl gotta do. Sorry, Charlie, I got to think about my future.

What’a ya saying?

Hmmmm game show host sounds pretty good about now.

Opportunist!

My monumental moment!

Yesterday, in the nation's capitol, I am proud to say that I casted my vote in the most important election in human history for Senator Barack Obama!

Dare to struggle, dare to win!

The following was inspired by fellow bloggers Jski1012 and Linebacker53 who spoke about the mean and hateful things that have been said about Senator Barack Obama.

I guess we were not “really” surprised as to what an Obama candidacy would bring out of America, if not the world. Racists’ and sexists’ worst fears are, now, upon us. Also, Senator Hillary Clinton and Governor Sarah Palin proved not to be immune.

As I have always stated, I am a 1st Amendment supporter and that is why I do not delete comments from my blogs. The hate-filled comments that we are subjected to should serve as evidence to the world of what type of people we coexist with. People of color and women are the majority people in the world and yet, quite often, we are at the bottom of the socio-economic totem pole while some wish it to remain that way.

Senator Barack Obama’s ascent as the nominated presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party of the United States of America…Wow!...has done so much to uplift the spirit, the esteem and has given hope to so many who heretofore had no dreams, nothing to look forward to.

This movement did not start with Senator Obama. It has been developing every since injustice and inequality has been practiced on these shores. Our DNC presidential candidate’s rise is the culmination of so many people of different backgrounds who fought to bring about fairness and opportunity to everyone in this society. Yet, pockets of recalcitrant haters still exist, a la the Ashley Todd-types, and perhaps, that is useful because it makes us appreciate all that we have gained together as a society.

The McCain Campaign: better than a reality show!

People, I talked to Senator McCain just after the final debate and I need to make some changes: new ads, new focus! If anybody got a problem with that, tell them to see me, Rick Davis.

Ah, Rick! Call for you….it’s Senator Grahm.

I’ll take it in my office, thank you.

RICK, WHAT THE BLAZES IS GOING ON? I TALKED TO JOHN AFTER THE DEBATE. THE SWABBIE THINKS HE WON ‘CAUSE FOX SAID SO! I WENT ALONG WITH HIM ‘CAUSE HE LOOKED LIKE CRAP AND HE’S MY FRIEND!

Sir, I was just about to implement some cha…..

DON’T INTERRUPT ME, SON. NOW... SOMETHIN’ GOTTA CHANGE, HERE. MY GUY’S CAMPAIGN IS BEGINNING TO MAKE HIM LOOK LIKE A PURE-D FOOL, THESE LUNATICS SHOWING UP AT RALLIES. YA NOT GIVING JOHN ‘NOUGH COGENT STUFF TO TALK ON THE ECONOMY. YA MADE AN ICON OUT OF A PLUMBER WHO IS A LYING NUT. YA GOT SARAH “ANNIE OAKLEY” PALIN APPEARING ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, TONIGHT AND, NOW, COLIN “TURN-COAT” POWELL IS GONNA ENDORSE “THAT ONE?"

"I am not George Bush....but, I love George Bush!

Senator Grahm….please hold for Senator McCain.

Phil?

Hey, swabbie!

Well?

You knocked it out of the ballpark, matie! That was the best I’ve seen you. Good job.
Look, real quick….I talked to Bill-O this morning. He’s onboard, but he said he needed something, he needs a hook, he needs some red meat. Got an idea: a government with all Dems!

What?

Imagine this: Democrats controlling both houses AND Pennsylvania Avenue! After the second session of Congress, the people will be begging for the GOP to come back. The Dems will be like kids in a candy shop. Spending will go through the roof and the deficit will be astronomical! So, what you need to do for the next twenty days is to push that fear to the people. That’s the hook Bill-O, your base and the indys need to hear. It’ll scare the hell out of the people that feel the markets have screwed them.

Hmmmm, one question, Phil: why did Fox’s poll say I won last night’s debate and everybody else said I lost?

Bill-O & Phil: Early morning tete-a-tete

Bill-O returns Senator Phil Grahm's late night call:


Honeyyyyy, it’s Bill O’Rileyyyyyy….

Thank you, Wendy-poo!

Bill-O! Hey, thanks for gettin’ back with me. Good morning.

No problem. Good morning, Senator.

Bill, I’m going to get to the point. Our guy is sweatin’ bullets and he needs to get a facelift. It’s T minus 20 days and we got to work together to turn this thing around for him. Now, I’m thinking that if our conservative friends in the media can get onboard, I mean REALLY get onboard; maybe we can stop some of the bleeding. I know Rush’s position on my guy. Your thoughts?

Well, Senator, have you talked to Rick Davis, yet?

No, I wanted to talk to you and a few others, first.

Senator, I’ll never say this in public, of course, but Senator McCain got serious issues. I want to assure you sir that I’m a devoted Republican and you know that. But I’m hard-pressed to prepare for my show everyday in support of our man when he doesn’t give me anything I can hang my hat on. With all due respect sir, how far can I take his POW experience….the war hero? His campaign is throwing out “economic decoys”: Reznick, Ayers, ACORN, trust. Senator, I want to go to bat for the senator, but he’s not giving me any red meat! At this point, he better hope that the “Bradley effect” kicks in. Like the kids say, “I’m just trying to keep it real,” sir.

I appreciate your honesty, Bill-O.

Senator, just give me something, anything! My people want to support him with their hearts and minds. But, honestly, they’re there only out of loyalty, now. [I] hope the debate goes well, tonight.

Thanks, Bill. I’ll get back with ya.

The weight of the world on his shoulders

I thought this was an excellent picture that speaks volumes, metaphorically, to the challenges this young man is facing. Yes we can!

Obama’08