Hope is not blind optimism. It’s not ignoring the enormity of the task ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path. It’s not sitting on the sidelines or shirking from a fight. Hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it, and to work for it, and to fight for it. Hope is the belief that destiny will not be written for us, but by us, by the men and women who are not content to settle for the world as it is, who have the courage to remake the world as it should be.
— Barack Obama, 2008 Iowa Caucus Victory Speech
As I am posting this quote, Rick Santorum is leading Mitt Romney by 100 votes and Ron Paul has effectively finished third. Over the past year, the debates and arguments made by GOP hopefuls have been unconvincing and in stark contrast to my own worldview. They’ve supported restrictive reproduction rights, deregulation, isolationist immigration policy, anti-gay laws, and corporate personhood. I cannot think of a group more out of touch with the problems we face.
To be reminded of why I support Barack Obama and most of his positions, I watched his 2008 Iowa caucus victory speech. The above quote illustrates a key difference between Barack Obama and his GOP rivals. While they argue against progress, understanding, and science, he argues for common purpose. In the video, he talks about affordable health care, environmental protections, and an active democracy in which all people have a share. It seems obvious that he has taken these principles and initiatives to the White House.
If you find yourself questioning Barack Obama, and characterize your past support in him as naive, take a moment to remind yourself of where it all started. In 2008, Iowa was a place of hope. In 2012, Iowa is a place of uncertainty.
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