Between the Lines: Yes, we can, with Obama
A call for change, and the role of youth voters in this year’s election
This man saw the ineptitude of policies fueled by racial bigotry and hate. He saw a close-minded foreign policy hampering the ability of his great nation to lead the world in bringing about changes for the betterment of all peoples.
In this time of tremendous turmoil and strife, this man decided to stand with great courage and compassion. He decided to rise above the divisions tearing his country apart and to extend an outstretched hand to every American who sought change for the better. This man was Robert F. Kennedy.
We are embroiled in many of the same problems confronted by Americans 40 years ago and, like our predecessors, we seek change. We desire a brand of change capable of uniting Americans from all walks of life in order to take on the challenges of today, while preparing for the problems of tomorrow.
I take the liberty of speaking for all in our age group when I say that regardless of what candidate we want in office, we are tired of the partisan bickering that has handicapped our political system for far too long.
The evidence of this desire for change and progress is in the numbers. Across the nation voter turnout has exceeded all expectations. Amongst those numbers are millions of new voters from age 18-to-30. In some states, such as Georgia and Tennessee, these voters have tripled and even quadrupled from years past.
A large percentage of these votes have been cast for Sen. Obama, due in no small part to his energetic campaign which has called for a resurgence of hope and a new era of politics. The senator from Illinois, without overtly claiming so, has taken over the Kennedy legacy by gaining endorsements from Sen. Ted Kennedy, his son Rep. Patrick Kennedy, and Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy.
However, his calls for unification and an end to polarized government, as well as his pledges to provide healthcare and fiscal support for working Americans who need it most—have done more to assume this legacy than any endorsement ever could.
Sen. Obama has constantly been confronted with accusations of inexperience or an inability to make tough decisions. He has faced attacks by a former president willing to sacrifice his legacy to score points in a heated primary season. Political pundits from across the nation have sought to undermine his message by attacking Obama’s liberal views or by describing his goal of unified government as otherworldly or unattainable.
Yet through it all, Obama has stood tall yet humble as a voice for all Americans, regardless of race, gender, creed or party. He has risen to the podium over and over again not as a politician seeking victory, but as a simple man from a common background desiring to fulfill his duty to his country. He is not in this race to bring down his opponents or to elevate his own status—he is in it to unite our nation around a quest for change.
Tomorrow Virginia will hold its own primary and the eyes of the nation will be upon us as we take to the polls. If you live in relatively close proximity to your polling place—go and vote. Professors and faculty, if your students must miss a class or even an assessment test to cast their ballot—think long and hard about your own youthful desires to stand up and be counted. At no other time in our young lives has our enfranchisement been so important.
Do not let your desire to participate stop at the polls. Organize, contribute, volunteer and speak out for the candidate of your choosing. The spirit of change pervading our country goes hand in hand with a desire to participate in our democratic process. It is indeed a magnificent moment in history to be alive. This is our election. It is our time to determine our nation’s future.
A video compiled by Obama supporters and available on his Web site is entitled “Yes, We Can.” With a spirit of optimism and hope, our generation is perched upon the precipice of our destiny. By having faith in our system and in our leaders we can do all things great and small—yes, we can.
Patrick Callahan is a senior political science major.
