3 posts tagged “barack obama”

I don't know how many Iowans will ever see this, but that's not the point. I just want to express my appreciation to everyone that leaves the warm comfort of their homes today to go out and caucus for Obama. Being from California, I never really have to put myself in physical discomfort to work for our campaign, and being that it's quite literally 3 degrees in Iowa, I consider myself to be very fortunate. So, once again, thank you so much for going out of your way to stand for change- y'all should feel really good about the work you're doing. Give yourselves a pat on the back and a warm mug of hot chocolate! :)

Hey guys!

(In case you missed my post below, or the entire debate in general.) I was a guest of YouTube to attend the first ever CNN/YouTube Debate in Charleston, South Carolina! Not only that but one of my questions was actually asked in the debate! Doesn't get much cooler :)

Seriously, the entire trip was absolutely amazing. From my arrival when I met Anderson Cooper on the front steps of the hotel, to my appearance on American Morning on the day of my departure, it was one of the best experiences of my life. I never in a million years thought that I would be able to directly ask a question of a potential future President of the US. It really is ground-breaking when you think about it.

The most successful part, to me, was that some of us present got to ask follow-up questions of the candidates, just to make sure that they answered the question fully. In a sense I feel sorry for John Edwards because it seemed as if he was unaware that he would be held accountable immediately for his answer, so when the Reverend Longcrier followed Edwards response with yet another question, for a moment there, John Edwards face went white. I'll post the video below in case you didn't catch it:

Honestly though, despite his initial reaction (which is totally understandable. He might be the first President in history to have been asked a serious question by a citizen and have a clear and honest answer demanded of him!) I feel that this was one of John's finest moments in the debate. He made very clear statements: "I will not do that" being one of them. During debates we hear a lot of, "As President of the United States, I will..." always, "I will" never "I will not." That question of, "what won't you do?" might guide a lot of my submissions for the Republicans.

Well, way to go John, you are the first person to experience what politics is certainly coming to: one on one dialogue, and you did quite well. I might have started crying or something :/

After the debate we headed to the Spin Room where I had the pleasure of interviewing Governor Howard Dean as well as two YouTubers, John and Zach. Governor Dean was very easy to talk with and seemed genuinely excited about the impact that this debate will have on politics. John and Zach were awesome, and honestly, I wish I had more time to get reactions from the people that make YouTube so popular. It's "our" (and I use that term loosely as I'm almost 24 years old, which is about a decade older than John, who I interviewed) age group that is really going to be affected by this whole thing.

I'll tell you what, I'm glad that I'm on the younger end of this because I get to watch the Vets navigate through this changing world of old-campaigning vs. new-campaigning, and it's a little scary! Imagine, you spend your whole life essentially perfecting a style of discourse, only to have it turned up on it's end. Poor guys/girl. Really though, it's about time that real questions are getting real answers demanded of them.

Back to my experience. I spoke very briefly with Senator Obama and that experience in itself made all of my traveling woes worth while. (I don't want to go into detail, but it took me 23 hours to travel to Charleston, and 23 hours to return home. Enough said.) Mr. Obama was amiable, as you would expect. Seeing his face change when he realized that I was "the girl" who asked that question was entertaining. Overall, very nice guy.

After my time in the Spin Room I had the pleasure to appear on Anderson Cooper's post-debate wrap-up, which was amazing! First, let me get this out of the way- I have a silly little girl crush on Anderson, but more than that he really is an inspiration to me. I'll tell you more about our interaction later. So, Anderson Cooper Live. I think I did fairly well considering it was both my first time appearing on television and my first time appearing live on television. I have a DVD of it, but I think it would be against the law for me to post the footage on here. But here's a picture of me and my new BFF:

After Anderson's show we all headed over to the Google/CNN after party. Decent music + open bar + tons of people I've always wanted to talk to = best time ever! I had a single google-tini, mostly so I could retain the glowing ice-cube that was placed in each one. I got to see Anderson again, which was fun, and this time we took a picture or two. Also, I met a lot of really cool kids who had been watching the debate, and we took a bunch of photos together. Always good times.

The next morning I appeared on American Morning with John Roberts, which was so much fun! Everyone there was really nice and very easy to get along with. I would be lying if I said I wasn't enamored with the experience and hoping to replicate it in the near future.

I'm running out of steam here, I can only talk about myself for so long and then I just get bored. If you have questions about details of the event or want more reaction, please PM me as I'll be more than happy to provide it. I just feel like a tool yammering on and on and on about myself like this. :)

Don't get me wrong though, you'll hear more about me and Anderson soon. Our repeated interaction was a highlight of my trip. :)

So what's next? As I eluded to earlier, I'll be posting questions for the Republicans for their debate in September. Now I feel like everyone's going to think I'm submitting questions just so I can go to the debate, which is a bummer. I just want my questions answered, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to go.

Plus, I'm STILL reading Harry Potter because I've been so busy! For shame, Melissa, for shame...

I know that I promised an entry regarding the radness of one Mr. Jon Bon Jovi, but the here's the thing: I'm not obsessed now like I was about a month ago when I said I was going to write about him. Don't get me wrong, I still love me some JBJ, it's just that my attention span is that of a six year old girl, and I've moved on. That's the point of the whole idea of "Obsess Much?" I become infatuated quickly and deeply and frequently, and I need an outlet for all of that misguided fascination.

To save both of us time, here is a list of my recent obsessions that have found the same fate as JBJ:

• Tom Petty- Who doesn't love Tom Petty?
• Home Cooking- A frequently occurring player in the dramady that is my life.
• Madeleine Peyroux- Not currently obsessed, but still enamored with.
• Awful 90's Comedy- Billy Madison, Ace Ventura (I&II), and Dumb & Dumber all fall into this category.

That pretty much brings us current. I'm pleased to say that my current obsession, and the likely major player of OM until November 2008 is American Government. Folks, election season is upon us and I don't know about you but I've got both my soap-box and foam "we're number 1!" finger at the ready.

I've abstained from even so much as engaging in political conversations since Kerry fumbled the Presidency back in 2004. It was just too much. Did I like John Kerry? No, not that much actually, but he had one great thing going for him and that was the fact that he isn't George Bush. I was ready for anything in 2004, I might have voted for a highly-trained eight year old. Now, I'll be the first to admit that it takes more than not being George Bush to be a great leader, but it is certainly a start.

I'm most excited about the fact that there will be no incumbents in the 2008 Presidential Election. Yes, there are already favorites, but no one is really that much ahead of anyone else. This election is going to be based on change; change in personality, change in policy and change in priorities. Candidates will not only have to have detailed plans of action, but will have to have enough positive energy to carry the nation, to convince Americans that things can get better, starting with the choice of the right leader. I'm looking for part Steven Hawking, part Joel Osteen. And part badass, like Mr. T or David Hasslehoff or something. I'll figure that one out on my own time.

I know Hilary and her Political Death Machine are already favored, but my loyalty lies with Barack Obama. I would give John Edwards a chance if only he were a little more definable.

Unfortunately, I've got to cut this inaugural edition of Obsess Much short as it is time for me to go and watch The Queen (finally!). I really hope that you all are doing well, and as I begin to make more time for myself again you will see an increase of my activity and involvement here at Vox.

xoxoxo,
Melissa

PS- Cate, your manifesto on being a twenty-something left me feeling justified and not the least bit lonely. Thank you for that wonderful post! I suggest everyone scooch on over there and give it a once-over!