Almost exactly one year ago, Barack Obama said seven words that were historic enough to be January’s Quote of the Month, but their larger-picture significance for his future and America’s did not emerge until time passed and events played out. On January 3, after winning the Iowa caucuses, Obama said,
They said this day would never come.
If he hadn’t won in very white Iowa, gaining viability and momentum, it’s entirely possible the race would have been over on February 5th, as Hillary Clinton said it would be. Her certainty in that belief, and in herself as the inevitable nominee, was a reason her campaign really had no plan in place for primaries after that.
Without Iowa, Obama might not have made his even-more-historic victory speech November 4, another day they said would never come.
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I was child in the 60’s and 70’s, so that was an awe-inspiring moment for me. I would not have guessed at the time that I would see a viable minority candidate make it into the oval office in my lifetime. Oh, and beating out a viable female candidate to do so!
I’m really hopeful this event helps change the image the U.S has overseas. I’ve lived in Europe and the Middle East, and we’re not well loved there, in some part because of our history of bigotry.
money-saving-tips’s last blog post..Ways to save money…10 fresh ideas for 2009.
An auspicious start to the New Year, indeed. I wish for us all the promise 2009 holds.
MusEditions’s last blog post..Mars: Does it matter?
money-saving – I totally understand your feelings. When it became apparent the Democratic nominee would be either Obama or Clinton — historic either way — I really was in awe. I did not think it would happen in my lifetime.
Muse – Amen, girlfriend. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Yes! Embrace the day…
Roads’s last blog post..198. This bank and shoal of time – beside the river in Stratford-upon-Avon
Tuesday can’t get here soon enough, Roads. It feels like six months since election day. Wingnuts are already complaining they’re sick of hearing about him. Poor things…