I like Senator Obama. I always have, that is, ever since I heard his speech back in 2004 during the Democratic Convention. Did I have doubts about him? Absolutely. Not because I did not think he was just the kind of leader this country (heck, the world) needed. I was just not sure if he knew how nasty things would get. You see, back in 2004, I was supporting Senator John Kerry. And I mean, I was really giving him my everything. And then he got swiftboated. I was disappointed. Extremely disappointed. And then he lost the election. I had a very hard time coming to terms with it. I just did not understand why the folks of this country could not see right through all the negative attacks and fear mongering tactics that was being dumped on them. It took me a long time, but I finally got over it.

Four years has since passed and it's time to elect another President. The country has been through quite a bit these past four years, thanks to the ingenuity of President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Things are not the same for me either. Today, I am a married man and we are blessed with a beautiful daughter. I had told myself I was going to keep it easy this time around. After all, I had better things to do in my life. Ofcourse, it was easier said than done. Well, to no one's surprise, this time around we both got sucked in. Luckily for us, we both liked Senator Obama. As pointless as they were, we watched almost every single mindless Democratic Primary debate (20 in all) during this Primary season. We were in India visiting my parents when the news of Senator Obama's Iowa win hit us. And that was all we needed - "We were in, no holes barred!!"

Super Tuesday happened. Potomac Primaries happened. Wisconsin, Hawaii happened. Senator Obama did extremely well. And then it was time for folks in Ohio and Texas to speak. Senator Clinton, with her back to the wall, did what was expected. She, along with her campaign staff, decided to throw the proverbial "kitchen sink" at him. And all I could think of was - It's happening again. Please, Please tell me it ain't going to be the same again. Well, it did. He lost. I could care less by how much. He lost, plain and simple. Why? Cause Senator Clinton was able to convince the electorate in Ohio and Texas that when a call came in the White House at 3 am about some impending National Security crisis, Senator Obama would be looking for "How-to-be-Commander-in-Chief" manual. That all he was worth was giving good speeches. That he had just a speech of 2002 to offer as his life experience and qualification to be the President of the United States. And they bought it.

I listened to Senator Obama speak in San Antonio after the results of Ohio were out and Texas was not looking good either. This man had just lost a big Primary election night. I was hoping he would do what he rarely has done in this Election all along - Be human, not a Pastor. Show some flesh and blood emotion. Some passion. Some raw fighting spirit. Show that he was pissed too at the notion that the "kitchen sink" crap actually stuck. Instead, he did what he always does and does remarkably well - Give an inspiring stump speech. And while it was a good speech, I did not hear in his words a man who had just had a bad night but was determined to fight. I know he said something to that effect. But it sounded more like a stump speech than a passionate plea to his supporters to not give up. And to tell all those who were tuned in - "If you think I, in whose veins flows the blood of a Kenyan father don't know how to win a marathon, you're so mistaken. I am ready and yes, I am as fired up as I was on the chilly morning in Chicago almost a year ago when I announced my intention to run for the nomination." Instead, his speech seemed detached from what had just happened to him and his millions of supporters, millions of folks who really think he is the answer to this country's problems. And if that was not sad enough, I saw this this morning on some news site that his campaign was thinking of going negative on Senator Clinton.

I wish I could talk to Senator Obama. I know that's stupid. But I truly wish I could. And if I did, I would tell him this - "Fight. And let your words convey that to your millions of supporters. Americans like a fighter. You don't have to stoop to negativity to show raw passion." Remember what people have always said about teams who win World Championships, be it in Baseball or Football - The team that wins championships is never the one that deserves it the most. It's the won that wants it the most. Is really hungry for it.

Are you hungry, Senator Obama?

Obama: The system sucks, but I'm so awesome that it'll melt away before me.

Edwards: The system sucks, and we're gonna have to fight like hell to destroy it.

Clinton: The system sucks, and I know how to work within it more than anyone.

Yup, that's one way to look at it. And when you look at it this way, it sure seems like Edwards is being more realistic about the whole thing. Then again, this shorter version really applies to "one and only one" area - Health Care. This Election ought to be more than just dealing with Health Care crisis.

No one is perfect. And no one here is a saint. I don't think you have to be one to "inspire" people of this country. In any case, I like Biden. I like a Biden/Barack or a Barack/Biden ticket. That said, it's not like it is going to happen or anything. I just like throwing it out there, hoping that folks will see what I see in these two fellas - change, experience and more importantly, ability to inspire a nation to do bold things, not just blindly bomb things.

I am speechless and saddened by the sheer ineptitude of the Democrats who participate in these polls. Why is it so hard for them to see the obvious? Senator Clinton might be ready for Presidency, is a smart woman and might have the best of intentions for this country. That said, nothing from my vantage point, tells me that she will be able to do the two things that the next President MUST be able to do:
- Unite the people of this country and then inspire them to do bold things in the following areas - Energy Independence, Environment and Health Care - Remind the World that United States is B-A-C-K and it's willing to invest in what it has always done - Lead By Example

Senator Clinton, in my mind, will flunk the first requirement, especially in her ability to Unite and Inspire the people of this country.

I sure hope and pray that this poll is sending a message to others in this country - We need a change!! Not just a change of Political Party in the White House. Change of the kind of leadership that unites and inspires all Americans as a whole, not just the party hacks.

Too funny

President Bush squandered a historic opportunity to put America on a radically different energy course after 9/11. But considering how few Democrats or Republicans are ready to tell the people the truth on this issue, maybe we have the president we deserve. I refuse to believe that, but I’m starting to doubt myself.
- Thomas Friedman, "Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda"

One final Clinton v. Obama point. Clinton really benefited from the audience responses; I'd love to know who got tickets for this debate, whether one campaign was allowed to get more tix than another. Because the booing by the Clinton supporters when Edwards or Obama confronted Clinton were distracting to the candidates and did throw them off every now and then.
- Quick Post-Debate Impressions (From NBC's Chuck Todd)

I have not written much on the US Presidential Elections for 2008 so far. I am not sure if I will or not. Frankly, I am just a bruised citizen of this world who is so far disappointed at what he sees. It's not that United States has a dearth of candidates running for the nation's top job. It's not that they aren't smart or capable enough to do the job. The problem is, I was looking for someone who will "inspire" us all. Can Senator Clinton do that? No. Can Rudy Guiliani do that? No. And that is what's so frustrating. I guess after almost eight years of feeling intellectually battered at the hands of the leadership of this country, I was not looking forward to electing a career politician. I was looking for someone who was in it for the right reasons - to serve the people of this great nation, and in turn, serve the 6.3 billion of the rest out there.

I like Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I would like to think that one of them can win this Election. But then again, I am reminded of what I said all along during the US Presidential Elections in 2004 on this Blog - "In the end, United States will elect a President that they deserve". Sad, but true