I now know, WITHOUT A DOUBT who will win in November. [View All]

First, a little history...

The owner of the company where my wife works is a loyal republican. Worked on republican campaigns. Volunteered for Republican candidates. During the 2004 primary cycle, our involvement in the Howard Dean campaign nearly became so big of an issue, that she almost left her job. She works in an industry generally dominated by republicans. She is not the 'religious nut' republican, but instead the "lower taxes" republican, the "keep us safe from illegals" republican, the "how dare you give those minorities and advantage" republican.


Sooooo


My wife comes home in shock. The boss asked her if she saw the speech this morning. My wife reluctantly said, "yes", fearful of what was to come, because she is supporting Obama and doesn't want to have a political discussion with her republican boss. (who, by the way, has uttered a racially disparaging remark on occasion.)

The follow are direct quotes from the owner of the company (hearsay repeated to me), and they are somewhat derogatory, but I want to repeat them as they were repeated to me because they capture something else.



"That was really a really good speech."


"He doesn't seem like a black guy at all"


"this will be the first time I'm not voting republican."


I heard this and ran straight to this computer to type this because it told me everything I ever needed to know about today's speech through the eyes of a republican.

Obama clearly was able to give this speech, reach people AND NOT define himself as "The black candidate". In fact, he did such a good job that he managed to get someone (who often ONLY sees color and creed) to DISMISS the color of his skin in order to talk herself into voting for him. If Obama had defined himself as "the black candidate" there is no way on earth this woman would have even thought of voting for him.

I find it a little sad that she needs to dismiss his race to consider voting for him and can't vote for him because he is an intelligent and thoughtful PERSON, instead of "someone who doesn't seem black"

This isn't some poll with someone giving answers to "trick us" into supporting the weaker candidate... This isn't someone crossing party lines in a primary to game our system.

This is an honest to god life long republican planning to vote for Obama because she actually likes his message.


As I sit here, I am still absolutely stunned at hearing this, but I am glad, because I now know that I am not viewing the speech though tainted eyes of my own, hoping to believe it was good and effective...

It WAS good and effective!