Swiss Missives: Change We Can Believe In

One of the interesting things about living abroad for the past two years has been seeing our electoral process through the eyes of citizens of other nations. There is great interest in this election and there is great interest in Barack Obama. The McCain campaign continues to pummel Obama on his perceived “celebrity,” but in my mind, having 200,000 people show up to hear him speak in Berlin is an attribute and a testament to his character, not a detriment. The world is ready to be rid of the Bush presidency and be inspired by something new. I have been following Barack since his famous 2004 DNC speech and as the 2008 election cycle began, I wondered if he’d be able to make it through at such an early stage of his political career. He quickly silenced my doubts with his strong integrity and his inspirational message of Hope. Certain people like to be cynical about this message, but honestly, if you don’t have hope what do you have? It is the foundation of the Christian faith and it is how we should look toward the future – with the hope and belief that things will get better and that we don’t have to be stuck with the way they are now (not just in America, but abroad as well). The more and more I read and viewed, the more I realized that this is indeed the right candidate for America. Barack Obama is a role model, and despite the mud being slung his way this week, I am proud to support him. My hometown of Pickerington recently opened an Obama For America office, and while I’m in the process of portfolio-updating and job-searching, I’m volunteering there a few days a week. (If anyone in the area is interested in getting involved in the campaign, I encourage you to drop by.)

Following last week’s Democratic National Convention, Barack Obama and Joe Biden traveled to Ohio making a stop north of Columbus at Dublin Coffman High School on Saturday. In a Labor Day weekend filled with family, friends, baseball, and other excitement, it would have been hard to top the opportunity to see these candidates in person. Adam and Julie, newly returned from their year abroad in England, joined me in the early afternoon and we made the trip. We arrived around 3:00 and spend a few hours in line and then inside the football stadium before the event got started around 6:30. We were fortunate to be on the field and very close to the podium. The excitement of the event was palpable and the diversity of the crowd was inspiring. There were ages ranging from babies to senior citizens and a wide spectrum of ethnicities represented. Not only that, but the crowd was remarkably courteous, respectful of one another and exhibiting nothing close to the “anger” that the folks at the RNC seem to think defines the Democratic party.

The rally began with the pledge of allegiance followed by a prayer before several of the area’s Democratic candidates had a turn to speak to the crowd. Finally, Ohio’s Senator John Glenn took the stage and gave a fine speech endorsing and introducing Biden and Obama. The candidates spoke about their vision for the country and reprised several of the key points from the DNC. Ultimately, Barack reminded us that he’s running for the people and it’s up to us to spread the message of change and hope.

Ghandi said you must be the change you wish to see in the world. A defeatist attitude helps no one. I strongly believe that we have the power to change the planet and to indeed be part of God’s kingdom breaking through to this world in which we live. While it would certainly be naive to think that this election can fix everything, it is a huge piece of the puzzle. Together we can make a difference and a better tomorrow. Yes, we can.

Some photos taken by the three of us: