I took the day off from both writing and riding yesterday and attended the Obama Rally in Portland. It was a good day to be in the city. Perfect weather and an inspiring candidate brought an estimated 70,000 people out to the waterfront to hear Obama. I showed early and still thought I got bad seats until I realized that the much smaller stage right in front of me would be where the candidate would make his speech. I was weary about reporting much of this on the blog because I realize that different parts of the country and different political leanings would make this entry controversial, but I’ll do it anyway, not to shock but just to report accurately about what I’m doing in the days before the ride.
Obama should win Oregon pretty easily, and the win will most likely put him out of reach in terms of the delegate count, so I think Obama will be running against McCain. John McCain is not a bad candidate, I don’t think. I think people will be surprised at how good and different his foreign policy will be, and I think this election is primarily about foreign policy. At least that is what is most important to me. There are key issues that I do not agree with Obama on, but for the most part, I think he would go a long way in healing some of the tension that exists between the west and the rest of the world.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t deeply moved by his speech, and moved also by the great citizens of Portland who showed to hear him. My neighbor is Barbara Roberts, the former Governor of Oregon, and she has endorsed Obama and was mentioned at the rally. Barbara is a liberal, and I consider myself more of a moderate, but I know her heart and she has a great heart that loves people, understands hardship and believes in the political process. She has helped me believe, too. I’ll be doing more careful research as the regular election grows closer, but in these primaries Barack has been my guy from the beginning.
As for those issues I don’t agree, I think there is some hope there too. I like Jim Wallis’ approach to some of these issues, hoping to affect the Democratic Party to create a broader tent. Anyway, that’s the news from Portland today. This week I am in need of a massive amount of words before I head to Los Angeles this weekend to speak at a retreat. I’ll keep you posted on that too. Thanks, as always, for following along….
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Mike Austin said,
May 19, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
Don-
Thanks for sharing this. It may be controversial to some. I think a lot of people in my neck of the woods are scared of Obama and largely misinformed and will vote McCain on that basis. For some dumb reason, I was surprised when I heard that you were supporting Obama. I am pretty undecided. I have traditionally been a more liberal Republican… fiscally and foreign policy Republican and socially more of a Democrat. A “sensitive” Republican, perhaps? And, I thought McCain is perhaps the right fit. I agree that he would have a much different approach to the world than the current administration. I think that some like me may be pushed to take a closer look at Obama because of your sharing. Not a bad thing. I am glad you are not afraid to share your views.
Chris Hyde said,
May 19, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
I wanted to be there so badly but was unable to make it. I’m sure it was an inspiring time!
The Postmortem said,
May 20, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
Personally, I’m not sure which I can’t stand more: a conservative Christian humanist or a liberal liberation-theology-Christian humanist.
Wait…I think I got it.
Donald Miller said,
May 21, 2008 @ 11:48 am
postmortem,
not sure what you mean. but i am sorry there are people you can’t stand. i hope you can find a blog somewhere with people you can stand. best wishes to you as you search.
chris, you missed a great rally. but he will be back, i am sure. look for me next time. i’ll be wearing a hat.
mike, i am with you on the undecided thing, except i’ve landed a little stronger. but yeah, i was thinking this morning how the truth is there is no perfect candidate, no amazing saviour for our troubles. there are just some smart guys with issues like the rest of us. and we need to chose one. so i try not to get to passionate about it. i liked romney, actually. but mccain is a good candidate. i am looking forward to learning more about him in the coming months.
Ben Pereski said,
June 15, 2008 @ 2:44 am
Hey Don!
Thanks for sharing this post! I have read all your books and I think they are spiritually relevant to the issues and reality that I face daily. I am actually listening to one of your speeches right now (letstoryguide). I don’t mean to sound obsessed I just like to read and listen to people who are smarter than me!
I am a student at the University of Georgia and there has been much debate on this upcoming election (as there should be). I have to say this is a very difficult topic for me. It’s not that I’m sensitive about it I just don’t know how to approach this and I need a little clarity. My family is very conservative well, because of socio-economic reasons but I have read and heard Obama’s point of view-his was very convincing. He is very charismatic and I think he would be a great leader. His history is what bothers me though, I have heard rumors that he hasn’t been in the senate that long and he votes extremely “left”. I have also heard he has traveled to Mecca (just wondering why).
Anyways,I am asking these questions because whoever God chooses I am commanded to follow (I forgot what passage says this). Why should we do this? Why is that important? I feel like I need to know why.
Don, just wanted to express this view as it has been bothering me greatly under the circumstance I am in and I am expected to lead. I really love your stories and the way you tell them, I hope that you publish them on hopes to find people like me and relate (b/c you have…incredibly well) instead of financial profit (I really don’t say that to be mean, I’m just afraid of finding good leaders these days, the reason for this post!)
Thank you Don. Thanks a lot. I hope I can meet someone as cool as you one day.
-Ben
Ben Pereski said,
June 15, 2008 @ 2:53 am
About that last comment, I meant to say “whoever God has chosen” (God is outside of time) and I know you can look up how long Obama has been in the senate, I guess I was tired haha
Thanks again!
Guimel said,
July 12, 2008 @ 7:46 am
Hey Don!
I actually wasn’t surprised that you are supporting Obama, I myself am too. I guess I can relate to him. First of all, I’m black (I was born in Angola and most of my family lives there and support him), but also because he is so aware of America’s issues with social justice. I’m not American and don’t live in America (yet) but I hope to one day. But since America is such a huge power in our world today, that who gets elected matters or should matter to the rest of the world. I believe that he should be president because of his compassion and his wanting to set things right and listen to the people.
Just for the record, if you are comfortable sharing, what are those issues that you disagree with?
It’s okay if you don’t want to!
Much Love,
Guimel
Lisbon, Portugal