It is no accident that the Obama campaign has been the most successful campaign (popular vote, pledged delegates, states won, individual donors, total funds raised) of the 2008 primary. The campaign has been managed superbly. Yes, there have been stumbles and mistakes. But there have been many more successes. Yes, Barack is a highly qualified candidate, gifted orator and speech writer, and a natural leader, and without him and his family heading up this effort, we would not have a campaign to support. But without the team that Obama organized to assist him with managing this effort, and the active supporters (the movement) that are the heart and soul of this campaign, the successes would not have been possible either. This campaign is, and always has been, about each of us doing our part. And our part involves being informed and knowledgeable, as well as being good and respectful listeners. If we want to change people’s minds we need to understand their concerns and issues and to help them to see possible paths toward resolution.

So, if you want change it’s up to us to make it happen. Get engaged. Join up. Spread the word.

Yes we can.

So, it is with trepidation that I am starting to use my blog to more actively support a political candidate, and to address topics from a more political point of view. The way I am rationalizing this decision is that the candidate that I am supporting seems to support the same social values and causes that I do.

The other reason that I am interested in the Edwards ’08 campaign is that he is the first presidential candidate that is seriously trying to exploit the Web and web 2.0 technologies in support of his campaign. I am keenly interested to see if he/his staff come up with innovative ways of using technology to unite and mobilize people to support their effort.

Post Update (02/12/2007): Edwards, it turns out, seems to have alot of good ideas, but seems to lack substance (or maybe he just has trouble articulating the details of his ideas….). His web site, and the tone of those who administrate it, is somewhat unprofessional – to the point of arrogance and incompetence at times. So, I will continue to keep an eye on Edwards, but at this point, I am fully supporting Obama as my candidate.