Here I Go Again On My Own

Cynical about the state of American politics and policies, I’d hoped to keep my head down and avoid the ever loudening presidential election debates. Not to mention that six months ago, I left a six year long career in politics and yelled "good riddance!" at the top of my lungs.

Walking into a world where every conversation doesn’t start or end with, “The jackass voted for the Bush tax cuts” or “I hear the Whip doesn’t have the votes” I swore I’d never get covered up again by politics. But, here I am on Iowa Caucus Day and the inevitable had descended upon me—I must choose a presidential candidate.

As you know, I live in a bipartisan household. In November 2006, we had two yard signs. One for the rather conservative Republican gubernatorial candidate standing directly next to one for the rather liberal Democratic congressional candidate.

And, as you know, when I’m not planning the formation of the Pulaski County Libertarian Party, I’m a middle-of-the-road Democrat. I think the government could and should curtail spending and congressional earmarks, I’m in a constant battle with myself over the necessity of farm subsidies, and I think that our gay and lesbian friends should be allowed to choose marriage as a real option for themselves.

Months ago, I vowed I wouldn’t vote for Hillary no matter how centric she might turn out to be (I can’t abide two families running the White House for 28 years). John Edwards just doesn’t do much for me. Bill Richardson could be interesting, but, really folks, he doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell. And, I couldn't go by my 2006 school board election strategy: vote for whomever has the most yard signs.

Narrowed down to Obama, I started listening. I liked his intelligence and his youth. Then I saw this speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPtg-gvgWhE

Damn straight! A change I can believe in.

So here I am, right back in the middle of politics. A place I’d sworn off just a year ago. Oh, Barack, you’ve pulled me back in, and I thank you. You've given me the charisma. Now give me the policy, and we'll call it a day.

L.