Yo, Bill

I have a vivid memory of watching Rocky at Screen on the Green a couple of years back. Sprawled on the mall with the Capitol building looking like a glowy wedding cake behind the huge screen, I watched the famous underdog run up those Philly Art Museum steps.

I had never seen the movie before, and at the end, I turned to the others on my picnic blanket, devastated, and exclaimed, "He loses! How could he lose? He's Rocky!"

The thing is, his loss is the most poignant and moving part of the film. He fought as hard as he could, but he just couldn't pull it out. He collapses into the arms of his wife.

Sound familiar? It seems a little weird to run on the platform of losing, though maybe there will be a Russian instead of a black man in the 2016 primaries . . .

today's speech

I have never known quite how to tell the people I love why I care so deeply about the Obama campaign. Here's 40 minutes worth of why. It is a history lesson, a sermon, a philosophical treatise, a story, and political speech all in one. It is intelligent, undiluted. Obama has taken a weak accusation and transformed it into an inspiring moment, an opportunity for reflection and action. It makes me proud to be a part of giving this man and his message a voice and a chance. Our country needs him. Our world needs him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU

end sabbatical

I've been chided by some of you for not blogging recently. When I went to Iowa in December, the Obama campaign requested that we not blog. Afterwards, I got out of the habit of it. Nearly everything I've been thinking about has to do with the campaign, and I don't want to contribute negativity to the blogosphere. There's enough of that. As is, though, it doesn't appear the primary season is going to come to an end anytime soon. Time to start writing.

I've certainly had some interesting experiences in America as I work to elect Barack Obama to the presidency. Canvassing in Iowa, Virginia, Ohio. Phone calls to Mississippi. Upcoming trips to Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico.

Still fired up and ready to go . . .

frida

"How would you like them?"
"Just cleaned up, please. Not thin."

One minute passes as the beautician prepares the wax and combs and strategizes. Then she breaks the silence.

"You have lovely eyebrows."
"Um. Thanks?"

---

Nearly every person who has ever waxed my eyebrows compliments them. What does it mean to have good eyebrows?

guest blogger

"John McCain."

This blog post was brought to you by Dr. C. Evans.

chronicle of a death foretold

Every year on MLK Day, we hear recordings of the mellifluous "I Have a Dream" speech, but the "I've Been To The Mountain Top" speech is the one I want to hear. Dr. King gave the speech on the eve of his assassination. Somehow, the man knew he was going to die and gave his own eulogy. Whenever I listen to it, I am shaken:

"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

nobody's second choice

The caucus system is horribly flawed in many ways, but there are also some small benefits. One of them is that you get to see who is standing in your corner--literally. Also, you get to see who their second choice is.

I'm not sure why it's so edifying to see this written out in in another article about caucusing in Council Bluffs, but it seems to legitimize what I noted over and over again: "Hillary is no one’s second choice." I don't think she's the safe, electable choice that so many in the "I don't care who it is as long as it's a Democrat" camp seem to think she is.

The article effectively illustrates another point, too. Each vote counts.

one of my fifteen minutes

Here's a reason I should never be a press secretary.

a picture of purgatory evaporating from my soul

"Ready to go! "Fire it up!"

This morning, I entered a grocery store in Council Bluffs, Iowa feeling a little unsure and out of place. My rainbow stripy bag from Santiago felt like it was made out of carpet. Then I stood with other Americans and watched CNN coverage of Pakistan. The world felt very small, and I felt like I was just where I needed to be.

At training today, the campaign asked us not to blog about our experiences, so I'll try to send out a couple of group emails to those of you who are interested. Send me a message at my yahoo account if you want updates.

I will defy the campaign's request to say only this one little thing. Already today, on day one, I had one outstanding interaction which made it worth coming. If the rest of the week is a total disaster, I'll still feel like I had an impact.

One week until the caucus. Lots of work to be done . . .