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I was electrified in 2004 when I heard Barack Obama speak at the convention. "Keep an eye on this one," I told myself. "He has a great future ahead of him." I didn't expected it would come so quickly, but knew I would vote for him if he eventually announced that he would run for the presidency. Why?

1.) I saw the kind of intelligence and sincere passion that has been in short supply lately.

2.) I saw a scholar used to digging deep to get to the facts rather than making gut-level decisions based solely on instinct or self-promotion.

3.) Flip-flopping is a myth. In reality, it means that the so-called flip-flopper has learned something new and the new information demanded that he change his position.

4.) I learned about Obama's history, which led me to believe that he was sincere in his belief that we were headed in the wrong direction and would need to work together, as one nation, to get back on track.

5.) Unlike some, I saw great value in the time he spent as a community organizer. It's not something to be laughed at, but a sign of genuine caring, trying to improve the lives of people who need a hand up.

6.) Having completed my own education thanks to scholarships and employer tuition programs, I know why he excelled in school: when someone offers you an opportunity you might otherwise not have had, you work very hard to succeed so that the donor knows that his or her generosity was a good investment.

7.) I understand the effects of growing up without a father and how hard you might work to prove, not so much to the world, but to yourself, that it wasn't your fault and that you are worthy of the love you didn't receive from the missing parent.

8.) Obama has a high IQ. So do I. When a high IQ is combined with insecurities brought on by life circumstances, people may view you as aloof, an elitist, when all you really want is an affirmation of your value in the world. We construct facades to show the world, to hide our shyness and insecurities, and can be wrongly judged based on the persona we create for ourselves. I wouldn't be surprised if Obama hides a similar secret.

9.) I am a dreamer with a vision. I like people who aim high, then fight to achieve their dreams.

10.) I trust him to honestly try to deliver what says he wants for us and for our country: working together to solve our common problems, allowing us to once again be the best possible example of what a democracy can be, with a government of, by, and for the people.

Learn more about this author, Sondra Deuber.
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