hope. change. yes, we can!

George and I have been watching the Democratic National Convention all week, and couldn't wait to hear Obama speak last night. George went to a "viewing party" with a friend, but I stayed home with the kids and watched from here. I had recorded all of last night's coverage, and as soon as George got home, we were both excited to hear Gore and Obama speak all over again, so we stayed up till 2 am, rewatching those speeches. I woke up this morning with "Yes, We Can!" ringing in my ears....

I have never been so excited or so inspired by a politician in my life. I truly believe that Barack Obama can bring about the changes our country so desperately needs, the changes we need to make for our own sakes, for our children, and for future generations. I am hoping with all my heart that he will be elected President of the United States in November....

Here are some of my favorite lines from the speeches of the past week:

"John McCain calls himself a maverick, but he votes with George Bush over 90% of the time. That's not a maverick... that's a sidekick!

And now [the Republicans] are asking for 4 more years. How about 4 more months?" -Senator Bob Casey, Jr.

"No way, no how, no McCain!" - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

"[The Republicans] actually want us to reward them for the last eight years by giving them four more. Now, let's send them a message that will echo from the Rockies all across America, a simple message: Thanks, but no thanks. In this case, the third time is not the charm." - Former President Bill Clinton

"Eight years ago, some said there was not much difference between the nominees of the two major parties and it didn't really matter who became president. Our nation was enjoying peace and prosperity, and some assumed we would continue both, no matter the outcome. But here we all are in 2008, and I doubt anyone would argue now that election didn't matter....

"John McCain, a man who has earned our respect on many levels, is now openly endorsing the policies of the Bush-Cheney White House and promising to actually continue them, the same policies all over again. Hey, I believe in recycling, but that's ridiculous." - Former Vice President Al Gore

"Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than ninety percent of the time? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a ten percent chance on change.

"...It's not because John McCain doesn't care. It's because John McCain doesn't get it....

"...Well it's time for [the Republicans] to own their failure. It's time for us to change America....

"...You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics with the same old players and expect a different result. You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time. America, this is one of those moments." -Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama

If you're not registered to vote yet, go register! (You only have until October 7th.) And, on election day, whoever your candidate is, please get out there and vote. If you can't decide who to vote for... choose Obama! ;)