Barack Obama Invaded My Psyche Last Night

For the first time ever I had a dream about a presidential candidate last night. I dreamed I was on some kind of factory tour (obviously representing the campaign) with Barack Obama. At the end I remarked enthusiastically that I hoped he was excited to get molds of his teeth done. In my dream this referenced some kind of new-president protocol where the president-elect gets molds of his teeth taken. For all I know (and I wish I knew more) the Secret Service does do this. To which he companionably replied, "I HATE my teeth. I don't want to do that at all! Look at this. . ." At which point he opened wide and started pointing to things in his mouth. He is so fun to be with.

The next day I got a call from Barack. He exclaimed in a genuinely happy and pleasantly surprised voice, "You won!" I realized at this time [in my dream] that he and I and an unnamed, unfaced other candidate had made it past the primaries and were heading up the National ticket. I was the big surprise because, you know, usually they just choose two. Before you think that I have a secret Freudian desire to run for president, may I offer my interpretation of this dream excerpt? When Barack told me I had won I was somewhat flattered, but mostly seized with panic and a strong desire to set things right and withdraw from the race. I don't think I could be president. I don't want to be president. I don't even think I could be Vice President. I think this part of the dream is symbolic of some of the things I've been thinking about Sarah Palin, and her qualifications, and her appeal to hockey moms--"She's just like me!" And by "just like me" I mean "doesn't understand things" and "can't do things." Obviously, the fact that she's just like me is disconcerting to my dream self. Why can't I just be happy that she's a woman? (Maybe for the same reason I don't identify with the term "Joe Six Pack.")

I suppose I had this dream because I'm so on board with Barack Obama. It's not that I don't like McCain. I just like Obama more. I thought he did great in the Town Hall debate last night. Here's what Obama did that I liked:

He mentioned the price of gas in Tennessee. Contrived to sound folksy? So what? It's all contrived. At this point I vote for the person who contrives the best stuff.

He talked about how people will probably have to eat out less because of the recession. I know it's a big deal and really complicated but at this point in the game that is about the only thing I feel like I can do now to save money before it all hits the fan depression style.

He prioritized his first presidential efforts as 1. Energy 2. Health Care and 3. Entitlements when Tom Brokaw asked him to list them in order. John McCain said he'd work on them all, all the time, equally, plus more. That doesn't seem possible or even realistic to me but when senior citizens and veterans are your base you have to say things like that or they get mad and refuse to take the free shuttle to go and vote for you. I'm not making fun of veterans or senior citz or free shuttles. I'm just saying that's the way it is and John McCain knows it.

Obama admitted in his tax discussion that he and John McCain are rich and don't need financial help. Thanks for saying it, Barack. It maks me like you more because it tells me that you get it.

His health plan appeals more to me personally. I don't need/want/have time to shop around from state to state for benefits, although I will if I have to. But basically I don't care how many choices I have as long as one of them is decent and fair. You only need one nail to hang your hat on and if that makes me a socialist, heil Canada.

He said that Americans should try to conserve energy in their homes. That seems reasonable, considering how things are going. McCain backed away from mentioning any specific sacrifices Americans will have to make during the economic/energy crises we face. The thing is, I'm happy to make a sacrifice. I want to make a sacrifice. Everyone does because we feel so helpless. I'll use cloth diapers and make my own chicken stock if it it keeps me from eating shoe leather in the not-too-distant future.

He said that in ten years we could figure out how to take care of our own energy needs and compared the situation to the space race when President Kennedy said we would go to the moon in 10 years. As you may or may not know, I think the space race and astronauts are awesome. (Do the links bother you? I just don't want to repeat myself. Do the links bother you? I just don't want to repeat myself.) I think it is wonderful and inspiring that when President Kennedy issued this challenge we had no idea how to accomplish it but, in ten year's time, we figured it out. I really like thinking about domestic/alternative energy this way.

Barack Obama has poise and grace. He looks/acts/talks the part. I'm sick of having an embarrassing president. Wouldn't it be great to have someone good?


Not convinced? Does this help? That's GEORGE CLOONEY with Barack Obama. He's really handsome!Ah well. You vote for whomever you like. I always agonize over these "political" posts. It worries me that I'll say something dumb. Again, another reason for me not to run for Vice President.