“This is not a man who sees America like you and I see America,” Sarah Palin said recently, referring to Barack Obama.
I’d say that’s perfectly accurate.
No, Caribou Barbie, Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden certainly do not see America anything like you or the GOP sees it, and neither do I.
I see America as a country whose economic foundations and world opinion have been critically damaged by the fear mongering of the Republican Party and the Bush administration. And I see America as a country that will have a better chance of returning to greatness and prosperity without you or your running mate running the show.
Obama and Biden are in the home stretch of this election. Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and millions of Obama’s faithful supporters will head to the polls to cast their vote to send this country in a new, positive direction.
But for those of you who think that your vote for Obama is enough to ensure that this country heads in a new direction, I have an important message for you: WAKE UP!
In order to pass legislation that will bring the chance he has promised us, Obama will need as many Democratic senators and representatives in Congress as possible.
The Democrats hold a 51-49 edge in the number of Senate seats when taking into account Sens. Bernie Sanders and Joe Lieberman who are independents that caucus with the Democrats. The Democrats also enjoy a 235-199 edge in the House.
In order for the Democrats to break any attempt at a filibuster by the Republicans, they’ll need eight or nine more seats in the Senate. A filibuster is an attempt to extend the debate about a proposal to delay progress for as long as possible or to block a vote on a measure altogether.
While the Democrats already hold a commanding lead in the House, it’s possible that up to 20 Republican representatives are on their way out this year, paving the way for up to a 56-seat edge for the Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi predicted that at least 14 new seats are “very likely” to fall under Democratic control.
Some states with notably tight Senate races right now are North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Oregon, and even Alaska, whose Republican Sen. Ted Stevens is under investigation for corruption. All of these states have been traditionally Republican, but it’s a different story this year.
If all of these seats lean Democratic, look out! Congress could actually get something done for once.
As for our own state, a recent poll revealed that Levin, running for his sixth term, is enjoying an 18-point lead over challenger Jack Hoogendyk.
If the American people decide that Obama is the right man to lead our nation during the next four years, he’ll have no time to kick back and enjoy the view of the White House lawn.
He and his administration will face daunting challenges, which include, but are not limited to, combating global warming, taking steps to restore the strength and efficiency of our economy, planning a strategy for bringing our troops home, reforming the tax code, and working to provide health care to the 47 million uninsured.
But he won’t be able to do it alone.
As Obama said at a rally in Miami, “If we have learned anything from history, it’s that change doesn’t come without a fight.”
For those of us who have fought for Obama’s chance to change this country, we must now broaden our focus to the other important elections happening right now that will have a huge impact on Obama’s ability to produce real change.
So, while it’s easy to get swept up in the antics of the dumbfounded Palin, loose-tongued Biden, John McRage, and the big-ear contest being dominated by Obama, let’s not forget the importance of Obama’s supporting cast.
Be the first to comment on this article!