Obama's Speech: Why I am switching my support.

[RetroLounge]

First off, I was an Edwards supporter and have then been a supporter of Senator Clinton, and I voted for her in the Wisconsin Primary. But I am floored. I just now got finished watching Obama's entire speech (on youtube in 4 parts) and I feel something I have not felt during this entire campaign. Hope. There, I said it. And I'll say it again. Hope. I am in tears after hearing Obama not try to weasel out of anything or excuse anyone's words or deeds, nor push uncomfortable issues aside and hope they'll go away, but rather tell the cold hard truth as he sees it. If Hillary had made this speech, well, she wouldn't, would she? I have researched both their positions on the issues, and frankly, I think they are pretty damn close on most of them. The IWR vote needs to be looked at in it's time and context, but was a wrong vote in hindsight. And although I've watched speeches by Hillary, none have moved me as this speech by Obama has moved me. It was a call for reconcilliation without shirking responsibility, and for progress and a move toward making changes now, but tempered with cold hard reality that it won't occur quickly. It won't occur this election cycle. It won't occur easily. But I believe him when he says it can occur if we don't run from racial issues and instead try open dialogue and needed action. There were no false promises, no weasel words, no bullshit. A politician has finally told the truth, took the risk of doing so, and stood firmly for what he believes, not what a poll tells him to believe. That, my friends, is integrity. I for one am grateful to have heard this.

As of this moment, I am supporting Barack Obama for President of the United States.

RL