by Dorinda Collins

Created on: January 06, 2009

The courtship of a President

Dear Mr. Obama,

I met you two and a half years ago on the Oprah Winfrey Show. You introduced yourself as a man of character. I listened. I did not try to play too interested. You spoke with such confidence and authority. Again, I just listened. I kept trying to look away but the allure of your charm seeped through. Now you have my interest but I cannot lead on. I am still playing hard to get. You talked about empathy and putting yourself in the place of others. This is what your mother instilled in you. You have my interest but my vote I am not so sure. I looked away long enough to gather my thoughts. Barack Obama a man who is honest, decent, and intelligent and can put himself in my shoes. Now this is someone I would like to get to know! An African American family man, a father, the media would like me to believe you do not exist. You wined and dined me with eloquent speeches and great debates. You tweaked my interest with your book, "The Audacity of Hope." You dare to hope that you can be anything you want in this county we call America. The President, I still don't know. I feasted at the table of campaign promises and a commitment for change. You have laid out an eloquent spread, a blueprint for change. You promise to end the war in Iraq, focus on the economy, to provide universal healthcare and end America's dependency on foreign oil. I finished desert believing in a future filled with yes we can Americans and a country eager for change. I left the date feeling completely full and satisfied. I watched the way you handled yourself with poise and grace as the media and the McCain campaign tried to throw whatever they could your way. You have managed to keep God first, protect your family, and manage a campaign that will go down in history as one of the best campaigns ever. I am impressed. You have spearheaded a campaign that reached out to every generation, all races, and genders. You not only encouraged the young generation to vote but to get involved. You convinced people young and old to register and vote. You are a candidate they can believe in. A movement. I finally decided to give you my vote on a promise of change I can believe in. I am falling hard and fast. I believe you can. I believe we can. Yes, we can! Yes, we can!

I watched the lines on the news as masses of people showed up to vote. I waited in line and listened as people whispered about the excitement in the air. The anticipation of change that has already started.

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