So here we are on the United flight to Denver! We're on our way! This morning we met a wonderful Obama volunteer, Trinidad, who is here from Palm Springs. He'll be staying at our house while we're away and maybe longer. There are a number of folks here from California, dedicating their lives as volunteers because Reno is "ground zero" for the election - it is very possible that winning Reno for O will be what wins the election for him, NV is THAT imporant.
So far this morning everyone we meet seems to be O supporters. The sky cab guys noticed my button and Patrick's "Contender" t-shirt (from the TIME magazine cover). One of them said, "We need a big "W" - not, he was quick to point out, for "George W," but for a 'WIN' for the rest of us!" Then, when we were boarding the plane the flight attendant told me she liked my O button. When I mentioned I was going to th DNCC, she said she was volunteering at the Presidential exhibit there. The other flight attendent said he was happy about O's choice of Biden for VEEP and joked that Barack must have been "BIDIN' his time." :-) (We were quick to make sure everyone we spoke with was registered to vote! I ask everyone I meet that these days!)
I know I'm pleased with the choice of Biden. (I was rooting for him). He's experienced, carries a strong presence, and a bit of a bull-dog; moreover, he has terrific foreign policy experience as well, which adds a lot to ticket. I remember his name as co-sponsor of lots of bills in Congress dealing with US policy toward Central America during my time in Nicaragua, legislation that I respected. In fact, I remember his being one of the strongest voices against continuing US aid to the Contras during the Congressional debate in 1986, which I listened to on my radio from my kitchen table in Managua with my Nicaraguan friends (I remember the strange feeling as I listened, knowing how much the vote of my government, minor perhaps in the eyes of most Americans, meant to the Nicaragua people and their country, the difference between being able to rebuild their country and invest in their health and education programs, and, most importantly, bring their men -some as young as 15 - back from the war zones). My respect for Biden grew during those years and continues today.
With this announcement of VP, the mood at the convention will be fired up even more (if that was even possible!). I'm also hopeful the pick, along with the convention, will be boost in momentum and push back on the recent developments in some of the polls (showing McCain gaining ground - INSANE!)...
As we travel over the gorgeous and isolated NV desert, I am reminded of how important it is for us to preserve this beauty and of how critical it is for us to make a change in how we develop and impact our earth. What has prompteed me to throw myself into this campaign and the thing that is carrying me to Denver is my commitment to Krystina and all the children and future generations, to ensure that we leave them a clean environment, as well as a world with leaders they can trust and respect, more hope, more collaboration than conflict, and real opportunities to learn, succeed and contribute their gifts to the world. We can't continue in same direction. As Barack says, we are at a critical moment in our history as a nation and as a planet. Wemust' and will' make a change NOW!!