As soon as Obama finished, I called my mom and said, "I just watched the first black president of the United States on TV."

the whole board lit up w that sentiment.

I remember a few years later I was on a family trip. Summer of 2007. And we’re on an airport shuttle with just my family. The driver is talking politics with my dad who has never met a stranger. He’s sort of a Rockefeller Republican who likes mischief. So the driver is ranting about this “Muslim Obama.”

My dad turns around with a shit eating grin and says “Jeff, who are you voting for next year?”

I had planned on long looks for Obama, Clinton and Biden. In that instant I decided.

“Barack Obama” I said with a bit of an edge.

Deep down I think I would have settled on Obama on my own. But in the moment the bigot helped me find the clarity I needed to fast forward through the process. If for no other reason than to put assholes like this guy in their place.

As we were unloading I think the driver was expecting a tip. He didn’t get one from me.

I was out of town on Army duty. As soon as the speech was over, I called Herself and said the same thing.

I try and avoid a lot of these primary threads because it brings out the worst in people it seems. I remember those days and wonder who will shine in the coming months.

as to how far he goes, we will see.

But I am glad it was him. Hillary rocks, but it wasn't quite her time then. I heard of the nomination sitting in my doctor's office online on my phone, and jumped up going YES!!! Freaked everyone out in the waiting room...………….

to a coworker that he would be running for president someday, that he would be a candidate and not just a viable 'black' candidate.
I just didn't realize he would be running in the next election.

We had

John Edwards
Hillary Clinton
Joe Biden
Barack Obama
Bill Richardson
Christopher Dodd
Mike Gravel
and
Dennis Kucinich

It’s waaay too early to worry and jockey for position

Obama came in town to speak at a fundraiser for Claire. Claire sat me at Obama's table and we spent the evening talking about how Claire could win her race. I sat between Obama and Francis Slay. I remember coming home and telling my wife, Obama is the most intelligent, engaged politician I had ever met. The contrast between him and mayor Slay was immense and very favorable to Obama. I became a diehard Obama supporter that day.

I missed my chance of meeting him (or at least seeing him up close) in 2007. He had a rally at Georgia tech. I told my friends, who went, but I didn't go for some reason. I'll never forgive myself for that!

My dad was impressed when he ran for President because I was an early supporter of his Senate bid, getting regular mailings and such. I feel like I was there for the baby pictures.

I recently had to visit the state capitol here in Illinois, and I had to talk to Kwame Raoul's (Obama's replacement in the state senate) assistant, and I remember standing in the office and feeling amazed that an actual President had once worked there. It was such a small, accessible office.