It is time for unity, it is time for change...

IT IS TIME TO ELECT BARACK OBAMA THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

Yes, just a few short weeks ago, I wasn't sure I would say that. I was a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter and I will always believe that she would have been a remarkable leader for our nation as we find ourselves locked in fiscal irresponsibility and mired in a foolish and criminal war.

But as the Democratic Convention began and Senator Obama made his choice for VP (a man I have wanted for President for quite some time now), I started to weigh the importance of this election and the fundamental differences between the platforms. Somewhere, deep down, I always knew I would vote for whomever the Democrats nominated. How could I not? I have been a lifelong Democrat, bolstered by my mother's beliefs that we have a responsibility to help those less fortunate than ourselves and fight for civil rights and equality for all. The Republicans have always left too many people out of the circle and I have always relished in the knowledge that my mother was a lifelong Republican, who ALWAYS voted Democrat. Up where I came from, if you registered Democrat your house was stoned and egged. But in that voting booth, she voted her conscience.

And now I will vote mine: not because Hillary Clinton told me to do it. Not because Ted Kennedy and former President Clinton told me to do it. And not because Joe Biden will be the next Vice-President of the United States (although all of those things certainly didn't hurt).

I will vote for Barack Obama because I believe he can make a difference and I believe in my heart that he has set a place at the table for someone like me. And no, I'm not voting for him because I feel like "I could have a beer with him." I think that each of us should vote, based on our beliefs, our struggles our principals - the things we stand for, and yes, because of the essence of who we are. Part of who I am, is a proud gay man. I have heard politicians, even Presidential candidates mention gays and lesbians in the past few years (often pleasantly surprised) but never have I heard the amazing words spoken that Barack mentioned last night with such conviction and simple truth..."I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination." Also part of who I am, is my mother's son. She was always helping someone that was less fortunate that her - taking people to the doctor; doing taxes for free for seniors; giving gifts to the nursing home or coloring books to children; making sure that I had a better chance for my dreams than she did. And Barack Obama believes in those things too.

I hope if you are still on the fence (for those of you already certain you are voting for John McCain, God help you) that you will read Barack's entire acceptance speech and listen closely to the debates. I hope that he will convince you, as he has convinced me, that he is ready to lead our nation in a better direction - to a brighter tomorrow.

Barack Obama's Convention Speech

YES SHE CAN!

It has been a while since I have posted here as my life has been all over the place. I have had so many thoughts about so many things during these past couple months, but I am inspired today by the great Hillary Clinton to write here.

I have, and continue to be a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton even tho a few of my closest friends and colleagues have not supported her, even to the point of disparaging her. I defended her of course, but today, she transcended all of the pros and cons and proved that she is a most remarkable human being who believes that there are things larger than herself and her own goals.

I am someone who has always been very competitive and in many situations of "competition" I have faced defeat many times. I can say that when you suffer a loss in a race, in competition, in something that is so important to you, it is devastating. The fact that she was able to pick up from something so important to her and throw her support behind her revival so quickly, shows her amazing strength. I applaud her and because of her, I will now strongly support Barrack Obama to be the next President of the United States. Not something I was prepared to do a week ago.

I still have my doubts about Obama and am concerned that he is not seasoned enough to take on Washington. But I do believe that his values are close to my values and the issues that are important to the party are most important to me.

I urge anyone who cares about the principles that shape the Democratic Party to throw their support behind Barrack Obama.

Finally, the fact that a Presidential Candidate would mention the gay community in a positive light TWICE, in such an important speech, is overwhelming to me. I am so proud to have supported Hillary Clinton during her campaign, not just with my words and my money, but with my heart.

Blessings to you Hillary - you embody the American spirit and are a beacon of light for the future.

Why I support Hillary Clinton and not Barack Obama

Happy New Year! A bit late I know...it has been too long since I've posted on my blog. The show ended, I was sick, the holidays rolled along, I've been scrambling for work and then for the past three weeks I've been directing THE WIZARD OF OZ at elementary schools in Purchase and Scarsdale, NY! An amazing experience and lots of fun.

However, the main reason for this post is stimulated by the fact that I've been remiss lately with my political activism, which is often a bit overwhelming for those who hear from me all the time, but I realized that I needed to speak out and speak often about my support for Hillary Clinton to be the next President of the United States. And on the heels of SUPER TUESDAY, time is running out.

So here goes...

Before I start, please, if you do support Hillary, make a contribution today if you can...I am going to...

https://contribute.hillaryclinton.com/form.html?sc=1586&utm_source=1586&utm_medium=e

I support Hillary Clinton for President and not Barack Obama because:

Hillary is a woman! Yes, that is one of my reasons. You may feel that it should be irrelevant, but I feel strongly about this reason and thus, it is my first. This country needs a strong female at the helm to break up the boys club (I know that many think that is the reason she will have a tough time securing the win, but I believe she is up to the challenge). And many people have admitted that they are voting for Obama because he is black. I get that. I do. If Barney Frank were running I would be voting for him and partly because he is gay. Hillary is a strong, intelligent, passionate, liberal, articulate, committed and experienced woman.

Which brings me to my second reason...Hillary has EXPERIENCE in Washington. I love the fact that so many people in the country right now are jazzed by Obama because he is fresh and new and has all these exciting ideas...trouble is, he does not have the experience to follow-thru or execute his vision and the House and Senate and other "influences" in Washington (and their are A LOT of them) will chew him up and spit him out. No one has scrutized Obama at all - even the liberal media admits it. Experience should matter for the most powerful position in the land and we have seen, in the past eight years, what inexperience can bring.

Another reason I support Hillary Clinton for President is the fact that she DID vote for the authorization to go to war. I can hear all of you now, screaming and shouting and threatening to revoke my liberal card, but I don't care. I remember those days very well and I remember the intel that was being jammed down our throats. I also know, having grown up in Western New York (land of Republicans) and also having lived in New York City, that a majority of Hillary's constituants, and that includes liberals, weren't sure what should be done about Iraq and people were FOR inspectors going in and if something wasn't done, giving the President the authority to do something about it. I do not believe that Hillary was voting for war and certainly could not have anticipated this quagmire. For Obama to say he was against the war from the start, as if he had to vote on it in the Senate, is disengenuous. Quite frankly, he refused to vote "yes" or "no" SO many times in Illinois that he may have broken a record for his abstenstion votes. Is that someone you want making the tought decisions? Actually, he has shown he often isn't willing to make them. Hillary made a tough decision and now everyone wants her to apologize. I DON'T. It would show weakness and woman are always seen as weak. If Obama goes up against McCain, the Republicans will have a field day on this one issue alone - Obama can not protect our country and does not see war as a viable action. They won't be able to attack Hillary on this issue or call her weak. She wants the same thing we all do now, to bring our troops home while trying to make sure the region does not fall apart. But she also has shown she can be tough when necessary.

As she has said, and I agree, she will be READY FROM DAY ONE! She has been in the Senate and she has been in the White House - and not as some passive First Lady, but someone who cared about the country and made universal health care her own goal - for better or worse.

I believe Hillary cares about the issues that matter most to me. I understand that she is a politician, but that's part and parcel of our system and I believe that should be seen as a strength and not a weakness. She knows how to deal with the attacks from the Right that Obama has not seen. She has already survived so many investigations and rediculous allegations - "been there, done that." She has also shown that she can cross the isle and work with Republicans like John McCain on important issues.

Yes, she is polarizing, but if you think that Obama won't be if he gets the nomination, think again. Many of the same white male Democrats who refuse to even consider Hillary (because she is a woman) will suddenly find it just as difficult to vote for a black candidate over someone like John McCain. I guarentee it.

I really like Barack Obama but his inexperience and youth scares me. I just don't believe in my heart of hearts, and maybe more important, my brain, that he is ready for this job. Someday, most definitely. At this juncture in our country's history, no. I believe that if Barack Obama gets the nomination, that the Republican, especially if it is John McCain, will win.

Which brings me to the final reason I support Hillary - I believe she can beat any Republican and win the White House. I really do believe that.

Oh, one more thing, for now (I am sure I will be adding to this, I am just really tired tonight but feel I have to start this thought process or it will be too late) and that is I feel that the African-American community will re-embrace Hillary if she is the nominee. Everyone is making far too much of the percentage of African-American votes that Barack is now enjoying - of course - it makes sense. But let us not forget that Hillary and her husband have been fighting for equality and justice for the black community their entire lives. That block will move back to Hillary when she gets the nomination. The Hispanic community, overwhelmingly voted Republican in the last two elections. They support Hillary but I do not think they will support Barack. As for white men, what can I say? I'm not typical. Most of those boys want establishment - that means more white men would vote for Hillary than Barack. You do the math.