nbierma.com
Barack Obama
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| My picture of Barack Obama speaking in downtown Grand Rapids on Oct. 2, 2008. more |
In January 2000, I had the honor of meeting Sen. John McCain after his appearance in a Republican primary presidential candidate debate at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. I shook his hand and said, "Senator, you're the reason I'm excited about voting in my first presidential election." He looked me in the eye, thanked me, introduced me to his wife Cindy, and moved on. It was a moment I'll never forget.
Four years later, while we were living in Chicago, a TV ad for a long-shot unknown Democratic primary candidate for the U.S. Senate caught my attention right away. By the end of that ad, I couldn't pronounce his name, but I could tell he was a different brand of politician, and a different brand of leader. Against long odds, he won the Democratic primary to run for that Senate seat (which he then easily won).
Since then, my disappointment with Sen. McCain's policies, and more recently his brand of campaigning, has deepened, while my admiration for Sen. Obama has grown even more. He's not perfect, but I do believe he's a once-in-a-generation leader. I'm looking forward to his presidency.
- NB
Links
- My photos and video from GR rally on Oct. 2, 2008
- BarackObama.com
- YouTube.com/BarackObamadotcom
- obama.senate.gov
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