And here's why:

So how did I chose Obama as my candidate for president? I'm a little ashamed to tell you the story, but only just a little.

It was a cold night, the night of the caucus, and the place was absolutely packed. And I went in early! I couldn't find anything that resembled close parking and wound up parking about a million miles away.

Now, I'm not a young woman, and I have my share of arthritis. That day, my back was hurting, and my knees were acting up, so walking a million miles in the cold wasn't exactly a good idea, but I figured I'd be able to sit down once I got inside.

Only once I got inside, it was so crowded that Standing Room Only had been retired a few hours back and Breathing Room had just taken up residence. And wouldn'tcha know, my district's table was about 40 feet away from the steps that lead up to the stairs so I couldn't even sit on those. Sitting on the floor was out of the question, unless I wanted to be trampled.

So I tried to tough it out. About an hour after things were supposed to get started, we lost Breathing Room and were just Packed Like Sardines in the school's gymnasium.

Now remember, until this year, caucuses were never really taken all that seriously during an election year. In a society where more often than not you hear people saying they don't vote because "what difference does it make?" we caucusers were lucky to see 27 people show up for the entire county. Obama and Clinton changed that a bit. My district alone had 100% turnout and there were more than 27 people at our dingy lil table.

I finally gave up and challenged a few people for a seat on the steps.

To make a long story short, and to get to the point (finally), my district finally found a little out of the way corner in a dark hallway to do our little debates and decide on a little candidate. By the time we got there, I was so tired, and my body was so aching, that I just sorta oooozed onto the floor and stayed put.

When I arrived that night, I had been thinking Clinton was going to be my candidate, but the captain decided that Clinton-ers should be on the left side of the hall, while Obama-ites should be on the right.

Guess which side of the hall way Mari was sitting on.

So there ya have it folks. So much for careful consideration of all potential candidates to decide who'd be the best. I just happened to be on the Obama side of the room.

*Cymbal crash!*

Caylee Anthony

Rest in peace, lil one.
Now you can.

Elections

I've been struggling through the up-coming presidential election for a while now, I guess as long as everyone has been. I struggle with all of these kinds of elections. I take my right to vote more seriously than other people do, or so it seems. I've met people who refuse to vote.

Which I really don't get. These are the same people who flaunt magnets on their car that say "Support Our Troops." They brag about their own military service, their son's, their daughter's, even their parents or grandchildren's. They never hesitate to salute a solder and commend his service when they're out at the grocery store, but they won't exercise this basic component of that democracy the soldier defends. To me, that is insulting to the soldier and transmits a double standard to the world. To me, this is not how you show your patriotism.

The turnout for this election is being pretty awesome, so maybe we're starting to get it again. People are suddenly turning out in record numbers to make sure their voice is heard. I don't know if it's because the current administration has messed up in so many ways that people are just fed up, or if the idea of a black president has sparked everyone's enthusiasm for the democratic process. It might just be a combination of both. Either way it's nice to see. That is the most basic way of showing your patriotism, in my opinion.

I just hope we don't have another repeat of 2004.

When I cast my vote this year, I'm voting for Obama. I like the clarity of his thought. I like the way he chose not to depend on taxpayer money to fund his campaign. I like how he thought about the uses for negative campaign tactics and used them only for specific purposes and reasons as opposed to just bashing an opponent for the sake of drama. I like how he has been willing and able to honor his opponent even as he is running against him. I like how he expresses himself without being condescending or patronizing.

I appreciate Obama's assumption that I am, not only an American, but proud of it.

I support our troops, but not necessarily the policies and government that put them where they are. I would love a woman to be second in command of our country, but one who is qualified, and not so willing to base her experience solely on her own geography. I don't want our president to be elected because he succeeded in using scare tactics. I want a president who won't waffle on decisions because of an admitted lack of knowledge.

I'm still open minded. McCain still has a chance with me, but if he thinks using scare tactics, being condescending, patronizing and flaunting the tits and ass of his running mate is going to convince me to switch sides, then he must be as out of touch with his potential constituency as Obama claims.

I am patriotic. I vote.