Thanks for sharing this. It's great to see people of all ages becoming involved in the election and volunteering their time for what they believe in. I love how this represents the past giving wisdom to the future and how this man has been an inspiration to his campaign office.

A very moving video and it's so great that Charles was picked by random selection to meet Obama. I also made note of how he had been married for 69 years until his wife passed away recently, and that length of marriage was impressive, as well!

Okay, that made me completely weepy.

So moving, but then I cried when I saw the infomercial. I go so far back and I want this one so bad.
I'm like you, afraid to get too optimistic. Afraid of waking up to the other two, grinning as victors, with Leiberman in the background. I can't ever remember an election eve so harrowing. As Larry David wrote, "It's like waiting for a biopsy. Only worse."

Jesus. That was potent stuff.

Thanks, Joan! This was actually on my friend's cry-off list, and I didn't list it so she'd get to use it if she picked up the challenge later. But Charles totally made me sniffly, particularly when you can see him thinking about his wife. (sniff)

This was moving and inspiring in so many ways. I was already feeling misty in a happy way, watching this man talk about the personal nature of his choice to be Democratic dating back to FDR. I was marveling at how he was talking 'colorlessly' because I just assumed that an elderly black man would be focused at least in part on the amazing-ness of a black Presidential candidate, and the progress that represents. But this man talked as a citizen, when he talked about 'division' it seemed, to me at least, that he was talking about the division we have witnessed in the past 8 years, the red state/blue state divide that seems like an uncrossable chasm in the ideaologies that define America.

But when he said "everyone my age is dying off", then repeated, "everyone" and the look in his eye that made me realize he was thinking of his wife of 65 years, gone now these past 4, the grief still fresh as an overturned spadeful of earth...and then valiantly struggled to control his emotion while talking about the importance of the youth around him, and admiring them... I was too moved, actually, for tears. This man is a living example of a good citizen, and a good reminder of what it means to be an American.

I'm not afraid to be too optimistic. If the worst happens and my hopes aren't realized, then I'll have to do something with all that passion, and doing something will be very much needed. We cannot continue on the trajectory of the past 8 years.

Yes, very moving. I have only recently realized that I will likely spend election night weeping...from joy. It's so emotional and I know that mainstream news coverage will not be up to the task. But the pictures, the pictures alone, will be amazing. And I'm sure we'll see people like Charles multiplied so many times over - thanks.

I wonder if they'd reached in and drawn another entry form, and another, and another, if they all would have had Charles' name on them. If I were volunteering there, I would have put his name instead of mine. I bet anything that young lady being interviewed replaced her name on her entry with his.

The definition of hope: "100% united, and I just think Barack Obama is the person that can do it."

Thank you for this.

There is so much potential. There is so much for Obama to do, to dare. I hope. I have a huge dose of realist in me, but I hope.

Dean

Well, it looks like this man is a neighbor of mine! I'd love to meet him. Beautiful story.

I know Mary, go to the office and take his picture.

I thought: Well, if it couldn't be Mary, I'm glad it's Charles!

You know, the fact that something like this is being put into the ether, not to mention the fact that it resonates for people in such a powerful way, is testament to the collective degradation we have suffered at the hands of - for lack of a readily acceptable, more inclusive descriptor - George W. Bush and the interests he fronts, during the past 30+ years.

It's a sign that the times, they are a changin' and all of us who recognize that truth owe it to everyone else, who may still be asleep or too beaten down to understand the opportunity at hand, to do everything in our power to make sure the forces of darkness stay back on their heels forever more.

Lonnie, you're right.

I have another winner, but I'm saving it for tomorrow.

Mary, what I meant to write was don't take Charles's picture, just send him our love and gratitude.

Great! I'm crying again! A heartfelt view. It's so amazing to see how all ages are all hoping for the same thing.

pretty nice.

makes me wish i'd spent more time at the office. i've spent almost no time there this fall. just couldn't afford to.

our caucus was timed perfectly. i had a big deadline about two weeks before, and then was ordered by my agent not to think about the book for a couple weeks. so i worked more or less full time for obama for those few weeks. and it was some of the happiest times all year.

i thought i was going to be finished earlier this fall (of course. hahaha) and would be able to spend a lot of the last month back at it. no such luck. i kinda feel i missed out. i even had to skip last sunday at the huge rally in denver. (plus, i realized that morning that i could never get close enough. just the line was several blocks long. i can't walk that far yet.)

maybe i'll be a very johnny come lately and show up for a shift tomorrow.

i've put it off the past couple days because what i love doing is walking the precinct, and can't. i despise phone-banking, and hate receiving them more, so i don't want to inflict that, and am not at all convinced that the over-calling works. i've gotten maybe 25 calls in the past week. there is definitely a point of diminishing returns, and then a counter-productive stage, and i think we're well past it.

but maybe i can drive people to the polls tuesday. i'd love that. i have a feeling they have enough drivers, but maybe not.

isn't that funny. i just realized what was making me feel odd about that video:

i was paying more attention to the people around him than the guy. at first, i was focused on him, but pretty soon my attention was drawn more to the people around him and the energy in the room. i started feeling really homesick for being there. (not that particular room, but one like it in denver this spring, on sante fe, just off 9th ave.) there's actually one three blocks from my apt, now, but i have not been to it. damn.

i guess i was hearing him talk about those kids so wistfully and it was all the more powerful because you could see them and feel it in the room.

They never have enough drivers; or else you can go door to door. That is my favorite part, too. Just get out there, Dave!

This is so wonderful, thanks for sharing. I was really moved.

I love that Charles pointed out all the young people working for Barack's campaign. My 21 year old niece is an election judge in Chicago and she is so excited to work and vote this year. She sent me this text...

"Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Barack could run; Barack runs so our children can fly. "

This election is about a lot of things, but none so important as what the future will be for ALL of our children.

Joan,
Thank you for sharing this....so inspiring!
I have been canvassing for Obama for the past month (in CO. Spgs and people are telling me they will be voting f0r Obama....people that have never voted Democrat...if it can happen here, It can happen anywhere.)
Well, I'm heading out again... for one more day....I'm so happy to be doing my part to hopefully get Obama elected.
It's a beautiful day to be canvassing though....it's already very warm here....good weather has been forcasted for tomorrow as well and that will help greatly with people getting out to vote.

I'm so proud of the people in CO!

Margie

Thank you, Joan. I've been having bad dreams, what with all these horrible ads I've been seeing the past few days (and even in the wake of a Phillies World F-ing Championship). I saw this, and regained my optimism.

"And outside it's America...And outside it's America...and outside it's... - Bono

Truly beautiful Joan.
Peace, Love and Change,
Greg

I lost it ......I really did....

Sorry it took me a while to get to this... Really great piece.
Thanks for posting it, Joan.

JOAN, I LOVE YOU WOMAN!!!

I love you too PF! Really!

We have a man just like this in our rural county. He has worked very hard putting up large Obama signs for the few African Americans in Giles county (2% of the population), Virginia. The last couple of days, he collected a lot of our leftover campaign literature to give to the children for souvenirs. I am so happy for him today.

Still waiting for the SECOND one Joan. :-)
Peace,
G

OK, I'm teary again.

Hey Joan,

This is not in response to this thread...It is in response to your column "Will Barack Obama have a honeymoon?" Sorry, but for some reason I can not log on to comment on regular salon...

Anyway I think it is a great Idea for you to have your staff " get some pollsters and policymakers - to locate the actual political center for us."

As a starting place you may want to revisit the work done by the good folks over at Media Matters on this topic....

Myth: America is Conservative http://mediamatters.org/progmaj/report

This is the kind of human being you wish could live forever! What a great man!