We’re having an AMAZING time in Big Sky, MT with our friends Rex, Sharon, Steph, Jake, Dave and Brianna. Here are some of our pictures of the trip:
Big Sky, The Gallatin Valley and the Gang in the “Blue Room”.
The landscape.
Yellowstone National Park and Bison.
A week ago, Saturday, Washington state held its caucus. For me, it marked the second caucus in my experience, and the differences between this years’ experience and that of four years ago are marked. Four years ago I was an undecided voter and meekly and unenthusiatically listened to my neighbors share their rationale for supporting John Kerry, the more “electable” candidate, or Howard Dean, a man of passion and purpose.
I think I walked away from my caucus having cast a vote for Kerry, but I don’t remember much besides being more disillusioned than prior to my discussion with my 13 neighbors that attended from my precinct.
This year, as I pulled up to Whittier Elementary School in Ballard, WA, I was struck by the sheer number of attendees. The line to enter the building wrapped around the block and over 100 people attended from my precinct. The reason for so many new caucus attendees: Barack Obama.
Barak Obama excites young people (like me) and old alike to not only believe in the power of political process, but to participate in it. Barack Obama is exactly the sort of politician average folks of America have been hoping for–a straight-talking, America-loving, change-persuing, charismatic individual who doesn’t represent special interests or Washington insiders.
I hope you will join me in my vote to elect America’s first African American president, who can show the world that we are tired of American business as usual and American tyranical politics. It’s time for change and Barak Obama is our vehicle for change.
Yesterday was the Washington state democratic caucus, and the second caucus that I’ve participated in. These are exciting political times for democrats (if you haven’t already guessed, this is Marissa writing — not Nate). Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike have the opportunity to change the leadership of the past seven years and reverse the tide that’s made us a political laughing stock on the international landscape.
Yesterday, I cast a vote for Barak Obama, whom I believe has the leadership skills to accomplish this task and others. Most exciting, however, was how many others took a couple of hours out of their Saturday to do the same. Four years ago when I attended my caucus as an undecided voter, a total group of 50-100 were gathered, and maybe 20 were from my precinct. When it came time to discuss our preferences I think a total of 13 stayed; some were in favor of Dean, some were in favor of Kerry, and many, like me, were undecided.
This year, as we pulled up to Whittier Elementary, hundreds of others were also pulling up, walking and congregating in droves. The line to get in to Whittier was around the block. Yesterday, people of all ages, all backgrounds, all colors (but in Ballard, mostly white, middle-class 
were out to cast their vote. The majority in our precinct were like me, supporting Barak Obama. Unlike the last Presidential election, my precinct alone had over 100 people in attendance. Most people I’ve spoken with had similar experiences.
I think Barak Obama has ignited the power of the people, and we’re now coming out in droves to participate in the political process. Why is Mr. Obama so inspiring?