Walking the walk, Talking the talk

During my 3-mile walk this morning in Trenton I walked pass a guy holding a Barak Obama sign on the corner of Sullivan Way and Route 29. His counterpart was standing on the southbound side of Route 29 holding a sign. As I walked past (to see his reaction) I said a good choice and he proudly said yes.
I decided to stop and talk to the man (he asked not to be identified) and ask him why Obama. And over the course of a five-minute conversation the man explained how Obama himself convinced him that he was a good presidential candidate.
“He (Obama) actually talks to you. I’ve read his books and I’ve listen to his speeches and he actually talks to you…. I haven’t worked on a campaign since Bobby Kennedy’s campaign…. I’m a 57-year-old white guy, living in the suburbs and I’m standing here holding a sign.”
Whether Obama wins or loses this country can no longer make race an issue when a person of color runs for president. He noted that when Al Smith ran for the presidency as a Catholic candidate, people made a big deal out of it. But when John Kennedy ran his Catholic faith was not an issue. Race will not be an issue in the next election, the Obama supporter determined.
He noted that Obama has the eloquence, the style and is very smart and he would be good for the country. If Obama wins, he said, the world will view the United States in a different light and that is what we need right now.
I didn’t vote for Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton, but this guy has something the country needs.