Obama Rising

It almost seems as if the stars aligned last night to give Senator Obama a three contest victory. He won the Primary races in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Senator Obama not only won these elections, but he won by large margins. His stump speech in Wisconsin was inspirational and the other candidates paled in comparison. Senator Obama is proving to be the uniter of the Democratic party, attracting some Republican voters in those cross-over states with open Primaries; this has his opponents from the other party already preparing their negative attacks.

Last night's Democratic Primary results:
DC
Obama - 75%
Clinton - 24%

Maryland
Obama - 60%
Clinton - 37%

Virginia
Obama - 64%
Clinton - 35%

Senator Obama has won 8 consecutive contests and is in the lead with 1,059 pledged delegates to Senator Clinton's 956. According to CNN, Senator Obama won across most demographic groups. In Virginia and Maryland, Senator Obama won 60% of the female vote. This group had been supporting Senator Clinton in other Primary contests. It could be that there is a general shift toward Senator Obama or it could be just one of those phenomenon unique to this area. Either way, Senator Obama is proving to be a formidable candidate.

One thing is for sure, Senator Obama is successfully reaching a small group of Republicans. Some states allow for voters to cast votes in the other party's Primary election. This is proving beneficial to Senator Obama as he attracts unlikely supporters with his inclusive message to all Americans. There is much anecdotal evidence of Republicans crossing-over to support Senator Obama in open Primary contests.

Last night Senator Obama was in Wisconsin to begin campaigning there before next week's election. He gave one of his awe-inspiring speeches, again speaking of one America. He offered hope to those feeling disenfranchised. He took on the old Republican establishment, and challenged their justification of the Iraq war. Just after Senator Obama concluded his address, the cable networks cut to Senator McCain's speech.

While Senator Obama delivered hope to thousands of energized supporters, McCain took his stale message to mere hundreds. McCain was uninspired and looked old and tired. He had Senator John Warner standing behind him along with other elderly white men. The contrasts between the two images of Senator Obama and Senator McCain were very noticeable. McCain's flat speech and tiresome fear-mongering clearly represented what America is ready to leave behind -- the "old" establishment (pun intended). It appeared as if McCain was hardly moved by his own words. It sounded like the usual rhetoric, nothing new, only emptiness.

Although McCain hardly appeared capable of taking on a fall challenge, don't be fooled; Obama supporters should beware. If Senator Obama wins the Democratic Party nomination, attacks from the other side will begin. There was already a hint of that last night in Senator McCain's speech. His opponents are ready to call him weak and inexperienced in an effort to win the General election. They will use fear to their advantage just like President Bush did to win his second term. They are ready to suggest that with Senator Obama in The White House, America will not be safe.

The only way the Republican Party will win against Obama in November, is if they can be successful in getting enough voters to buy into their false attacks. President Bush just said, the other day, that Senator Obama spoke of embracing Ahmadinejad of Iran. Of course, Senator Obama never said that, but the Republican spin machine is already twisting his words. Don't buy it -- not one word of it. If you support Senator Obama now, stick with him if he gets to the General election. If you are not yet convinced, consider joining the movement. He will bring positive change to America. Yes we can!