Who Would Maria Vote For?

It seems that the wife of the Governator of California (you know, Ah-nuld) has announced her support for Barack Obama for President. Being that Maria Shriver is both the crème de la crème of the Democratic Party gliteratti as well as one of the multitude of Kennedy progeny who serve as living reminders of our 35th President's dream of Camelot, it is not surprising to me that she would support a Democrat for President.

The surprising part is that she would be so wonderfully public about it, considering that her high profile hubby has given his Golden State blessing to the senator from the neighboring Grand Canyon state, John McCain! How awesome that she is strong enough & secure enough in her own beliefs that she is able to disagree with her man on a subject so important! Of course, I don't know California's first couple personally, but I'd wager that Ah-nuld is not the least surprised that his wife would be so independent. It's probably one of the things he loves most about her.

Here's my favorite line from her endorsement:

"If Barack Obama was a state, he'd be California! That's right! I mean, think about it: diverse, open, smart, independent, bucks tradition, innovative, inspiring, dreamer, leader..."

When you put it that way, I guess Maria didn't really have a choice, did she?!?

And, in case you're wondering if we can make real change in this country & Undo The Damage that the good ol' U.S. of A. has had to endure for too long, I have no choice but to believe, "Yes, We Can."

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics...they will only grow louder and more dissonant ........... We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea --

Yes. We. Can.