Kissing Barak Obama

Over the past few years, I’ve developed a hideous aversion to politics. I haven’t been able to watch a State of the Union address for more than two minutes without feeling the urge to vomit, or shout, or weep. I haven’t been able to read more than a sentence or two about the latest end-run around the Constitution, or yet another erosion of my civil liberties without flinging the paper aside with a muffled cry of despair.

I didn’t even vote in the last major election. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I didn’t feel like punching holes in a little white card could possibly make a difference. Bleh. Call me Jaded.

But Change has come to town, and even I have been intrigued by the idea that something different (possibly better?) is on the horizon. I’ve surprised myself by making it all the way through the last two televised debates without feeling the urge to carve my eyeballs out with a rusty melon baller. 

One of my favorite moments came in the debate in Austin, Texas last week. Mid-way through, the candidates were asked whether they would meet with the new leader of Cuba. When the question was posed to Barak Obama, he replied:

“If we think that meeting with the president is a privilege that has to be earned, that reinforces the sense that we stand above the rest of the world at this point in time, and I think that it’s important… for the president to be willing to take that extra step.”

At that moment, I wanted to jump through the television screen and plant a big, wet kiss on the man, if for no other reason than the fact that he elevated the platform of ideas to include diplomacy. What a concept! Maureen Dowd wrote that Barack tapped into his “inner chick” in answering this question, but I’d like to think that he tapped into his inner sage.

His answer felt both wise and savvy, reflecting an understanding that the balance of international power has significantly shifted, and so must we. Look, I said to Petra, we have a candidate for president who will openly acknowledge, on a public stage, that there might be a better way to move throughout the world than through power plays and posturing and requiring other countries prove themselves while we stand aloof and disapproving. We have a candidate who is willing to talk about the importance of communication and collaboration. This is awesome!

Petra rolled one sleepy eye in my direction, and then fluttered her eyelid shut again to resume her nap.

Yes, I’m experiencing a frisson of excitement, but don’t worry: I’m not getting ahead of myself. Partisan politics are dirty by nature, and no single individual, no matter how level-headed and diplomatic, will be able to undo the myriad of knots we’ve tied ourselves up with.

That said, the mere notion of an America that talks before it shoots, that listens before it destroys, that leads by example, makes me feel a glimmer of joy – and even, dare I say, that much-derided word, hope – that I haven’t felt in a very long time. Be still, my heart.

So forgive me, Michelle Obama, but I sure would like to kiss your husband.

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Funny: Andrew Sparrow offers a hilarious 4-line summary of the last debate (scroll down to the very end).

Useful: the debate analyzer on the New York Times (I tried to get the screenshot above to link, but it didn't work. Boo.).

Comments

[Tiffany]

Ryan and I were stopped in our tracks (buzzing about the kitchen with the debate on) during that exact moment. We looked at each other like, "Well, there's an idea!"

[Anita]

I'm trying not to get my heart broken (again) by getting too excited by the possibilities. But sometimes I can't help mahself. Glad I'm not alone :)

[Tana]

Sweetheart, I stayed up until 2:15 in the morning the other night, watching and waiting to see the 1,000,000th donor (and yes, I'm one in a million) to the Obama campaign. I felt like I was watching the lunar landing all over again, I swear.

It feels really really REALLY good to support a man with that kind of integrity and calm. I am glad you wrote this: it makes me want to sing.

Happy beautiful day, Jennifer.

[brett]

I agree. I've been as jaded as you are about politics since the coup of 2000. Obama's collaborative approach has warmed my heart and even, dare I say it, inspired me. My fingers are crossed.

[susanna]

As a Canadian, I find it interesting to see how Obama is being received by Americans across the United States. A close friend of mine made "Obama, '08, O Yeah!" bumperstickers in her home and gave them out at her workplace. I get the feeling that the atmosphere around his campaign is similar to when the Kennedy's were running for office. And yes, I agree that diplomacy is much needed these days.

[Jennifer]

I am *so* with you! I remember reading his auto-biography several years ago, crying as I turned the last page and thinking "this man HAS to be president someday!" I really hope his day is here!

[The Purloined Letter]

Ain't it the truth! And that willingness to engage respectfully is what will keep the phones from ringing at 3am.

[Jennifer Jeffrey]

Everyone - well, it looks like we'll be keeping our fingers crossed for a while yet, won't we? (I have my toes crossed too, for extra measure) I find myself thinking things like: oh, it's not going to happen, and feeling that old sense of frustration and helplessness... but we'll see.

There's still a very good chance that we'll all be experiencing the big "O" in a few months! ;-)