January 14, 2008
by Volt and Electra Penn

He may be our last chance, the great Black Hope charging toward Camelot this election year. Instead of a princess by his side, Obama's got an Oprah. And that, in itself, is nothing to get sneezy, grumpy or dopy about.

I'll admit the first time I laid eyes on Obama's name in print, it was beside a photo of his serious, youthful-looking face. Like the 'bama' in Alabama or Bama jelly, my first Obama pronunciation was a baa off, but not anymore.

It was later, especially when he spoke, that I noticed Barack Obama's facial expressions. The man holds his high cheek bones in check, even as he explains an emotional position. Woopee! That's a clear indication of intellectual activity upstairs, where decisions about leading this country are supposed to happen. Gosh, if that's the case, the man might actually be paying attention to what the other guy says.

Obama's nothing like the bush-man who smirks when he's not supposed to, twitches his 'jimmy' leg when cornered, and generally covers his ass by blaming anybody, including God, if he fucks up. Come to think of it, I've never heard Obama say that God, Jesus or his late Aunt Lizzie from the Great Beyond has told him what to do.  

There's a mysterious King Tut touch to Obama. A Middle Eastern shadow veils his eyes. But hey, as long as his words are honest who cares if he looks like Omar Sharif. At this desperate point in our nation's history any honest Tom, Dick, or Barack will do, as long as he 'does the right thing'. 

So, after listening to him debate and watching how he stands tall under fire - I declare Barack Obama is no bush-man. He uses common American English found in Webster's dictionary, not some stu-pi-did-it-ty made up for lack of anything more intelligent to say. You see, eight years ago nobody bothered to check the bush-man's mouth - you know, for a forked tongue.

Obama seems passionate.  With his thin built and magnetic eyes, he sounds better every time I hear him speak. I'm still skittish, though, wondering if there isn't a Karl Rove hiding under a rock rubbing its tentacles with glee. Let's all face facts. A political climber doesn't get very far up the White House wall without a compromise or two along the way. We're at the tipping point in this country and none of us can take one more goddamn go-around on some merry-go-round run by the deluded criminals now in office.  

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In this, the most significant selection of a president since the election of F.D.R. or Lincoln, the person I choose to honor, protect and defend our Constitution doesn't need a chiseled chin, wavy hair, a laminated smile or even teary eyes. If it's Madison Avenue hype, religious iconoclasm or Hollywood b.s. that makes you all tingly in the voting booth, it's possible your Viagra needs to workout someplace else. Instead, this year especially, vote for what counts - your life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

I'll be the first to admit - there is no Mr. or Ms. Perfect for a job called 'leader of the free world', just someone who will tell the truth. We've 'stayed the course' and lost just about everything, including our right to habeas corpus. We lighted 'a thousands points of lights' that eventually blew up in our face. We've 'just said no' and been 'prudent' but got knocked up anyway. Now, we hear that we have to be 'with us or against us' or wind up on a no-fly list - or worse.

There are millions of good people in this country who are over-worked, mad as hell and can't charge a dime more of interest on a credit card. It's those underemployed, underpaid and undercut that need to standup and put a Barack Black man in this nation's whitest White House. It also wouldn't hurt the millions of Rip Van Boomers, who've popped up from a summer of forgetfulness to find they've been stolen blind by the system they once loved to loath---and vote Obama, too.

The last two elections 'we the people' got sideswiped by good old Ralph Nader. That son of an Egyptian, Nader, sent us all to the nadir when he ran for president in 2000 and 2004 on the global warming ticket. I'm sorry folks, but that ego-driven stunt slammed a hand-job on us called a Bush-man, which in effect put most of us out of a job. 

So, ready or not, here's my election year 'tipoff-the-wall prediction'. When Barack Obama is the 44th president of the United States of America, he'll be a hobbled dark horse without the help of an honest V.P. by his side. Let it be written that the person most suited for that important second-in-command job should bring a history of diplomacy and negotiating ability to the office. The man best qualified, who'll be a heartbeat away from the president, is Senator Bill Bradley.

Once, Bill Bradley called the mechanization of American government 'broken'. We all know that now, and so does the world. With due respect, Bill Bradley, our nation's government has been broken long enough. Your innate diplomatic characteristics coupled with Obama's intelligent political design may be our only hope to pull us all back from the eve of destruction.

For those who don't know, Bill Bradley is the son of Populist banker, Warren Bradley. In 1945, banker Bradley was 'It's A Wonderful Life' loan officer, who had the courage to loan money to returning veterans, including some who were NINJA's, so they could buy into the American Dream. Then, in 1961 'our boy Bill' guided the Crystal City Hornets to the playoffs of a state basketball championship. Today those acquainted with Bill Bradley know he's the same straight forward kind of guy he was almost 50 years ago. For those who never met or don't know Bill Bradley, I suggest reading this article: I Carried Bill Bradley's Water.

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Have Penn they'll listen. Volt Penn writes speeches for Progressive Populists and reasoned arguments for those on the left of center. He has also written speeches for anybody who has read his work. You can reach Volt Penn through his artist friend, b.b.kemp, at bbkemp@bbkemp.com

Volt/Electra Penn copyright 2007

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