How is it possible?

I am still amazed that a relatively unknown Senator called Barack Obama (not a common American name that is) have risen to such heights. How did he do it? Who was behind his success?

I have observed Obama, and I am telling you, I like the way he talks. His charisma is unmatched and simply brilliant. I have to tell myself, "Wait a minute, check his voting record and you have a ultra liberal candidate" to break the magnetism that locks my mind in favor of him. Again the question needs to be asked - why is his ability to deliver speech riddled with very little substance, nonetheless conducted in the fashion his does, becomes so captivating?

Could it be that Americans are simply depressed, over worked, stressed, due to the complexities of modern life, that anyone with charisma gets worshipped when they talk about "hope"? Is it possible that we are willing to dump intellectual thinking and adopt emotional appeal for hope? We all need a healthy dose of hope -I understand that. But the hope we need must be based on substance, not fantasy. If you come in and tell me to have hope, I must do the sensible thing and ask you "what in?". What am I suppose have hope for? Do you have a plan that gives me reason to hope? "Show me the money"!

For example: more taxes for the rich is bad for all! Nevertheless, Barack has capitalized and maximized his effectiveness by repeatedly giving speeches on hope and this is sticking. People are believing in him! McCain doesn't stand a chance even though he has more experience and knows how to keep us protected from our enemies, he simply fails to inspire.

The bad news is, if you change for the worse, you loose even the slightest hope there is for this land.

Lower the taxes on everyone. Balance the budget, and stop borrowing money from China for spending. Open up ANWR for oil. Open new refineries. Figure out how to incentivize people and corporations to do more business in our economy, now this is change that I can believe in and it gives me more HOPE for the future.