I'm a diehard Democrat, and have been since I was 18.  I have never missed an election for which I was eligible, since I consider it my duty as a citizen to vote.  I have watched in horror for the past 8 years as elections were stolen, laws were disregarded, and the Geneva Conventions and the Constitution itself was ignored in the mad rush for "revenge" upon a group of people who had, on the whole, no part in the crimes against the United States, and our country go to war against a country that had NO weapons of mass destruction.  I have seen the only man of reason in the whole Bush Administration forced to fall on his sword (Colin Powell), because he was the one that the money grubbing profiteers made responsible for the "mistake" in evidence.  I am only glad that my husband left government service before this administration took office.

I am voting for Barack Obama for many reasons, but it boils down to one:  he makes SENSE.  I don't care if he's black, chartreuse, or tartan plaid -- he's the man who tells it like it is.  He doesn't make nonsensical promises, he does not descend into hate and negative ads, he just says it like he sees it, and I respect that.  I may not always agree with him, but I know where he stands and I know what his agenda is, unlike the rather confused Republican party.

I respect John McCain -- 12 years ago, he made sense too, and I looked up to him and to this day honor his service in Viet Nam and his courage and sheer naked endurance in the Hanoi Hilton.  He has served his country well and should be honored for his career.  However, though I am not a psychiatrist, I believe he has not had sufficient treatment for the post traumatic stress and repeated trauma he must have endured there.  He seems to display poor judgement and impulse control (if Sarah Palin was a wise choice for a Vice Presidential candidate, I'll eat my hat, and I have six of them); and often sounds disoriented and confused.  After Ronald Reagan, who may have developed Alzheimer's in the White House, we cannot afford another president with dementia, no matter how sterling his record or how heroic his past.

Barack Obama is not A choice for me, he is the ONLY choice.  I am voting not only for me, but for my 14 year old twins, and their children.  I want them to have a country they can be proud of,  a country that follows its own laws and Constitution, a country with a literate and aware President that they can be proud of as well.  Thank you, Senator, for running.  All the best to you, and we're waiting with baited breath.