Jamie Stark’s Political Blog

Check out this Onion News story for some laughs. The funniest part: there’s a hint of truth in here

What an incredibly historic event we have all just been a part of. I still have pangs of utter disbelief several times a day—-how do things this wonderful happen? President Barack Obama? It seems almost too much to handle. 

In a few short months, we will have a President who we can listen to with respect, who we can trust, who the world respects, who will fight for everyone, and who will always be honest with us. This is an event that our great-grandchildren will read about in history books; not because of Obama’s ethnicity, but because of the historic turning point this is in our nation’s history.

It certainly is an enormous stepping stone for this country to elect out first African-American Commander-in-chief. But I feel this aspect of the Obama Administration is overplayed in its order of importance. The policies this man will enact, from responsibly dealing with problems in the Middle East to taking care of middle-class and lower-income Americans who need help most, are even more important. The movement, the mandate for change and progress, and the call to national sacrifice and service, which has already been answered by Americans in droves, will leave a lasting impression on this country’s history. This movement begun by the next President of the United States will be remembered for years and will affect the world even farther into the future.

After observing at the polls all day Tuesday with some amazing attorneys, I watched the first few state returns from out east come in at the Students for Barack Obama office, then headed down to Monona Terrace for the big party. Governor Doyle and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin spoke, and two huge screens showed CNN and MSNBC competing to see who could satisfy the nation’s appetite for a winner fastest.

The last time I had been at Monona Terrace prior to November 4 was back in October of ‘07, when Craig, Andy, Sondra and I took a day off school to hear the junior Senator from Illinois speak. That’s where I heard him speak in person for the first of what came to be many times, shook his hand, and got my copy of “The Audacity of Hope” autographed. I left so incredibly inspired my life has truly not been the same since. I refer to that life-changing day often, as it was the beginning of Barack Obama inspiring me to work harder each day for the benefit of my neighbors. 

On Tuesday, as CNN announced Virginia for the blue column, and declared Barack our 44th President, the Terrace positively erupted. Never have I seen so much joyous hugging, jovial jumping, and tears of sheer euphoria. Men cried and shouted, women screamed and sobbed. I am just now beginning to recover my vocals. 

I didn’t cry when they announced Barack won. I came close when John McCain spoke so eloquently, and the reality began to set in. For whatever reason, when MSNBC zoomed in on Jesse Jackson crying, I broke down with him. It’s not often a man can break down sobbing in a room full of other people. It helped that half of us dudes had tear-stained cheeks.

Later that night, at a friend’s house, surrounded by fellow Obama volunteers, one of my friends got off his phone and shouted “Come on everyone, we’re going to Library Mall. NOW!!”

As we left the apartment, I could hear cars honking and people chanting. Our group merged into a swarm of students, continuously streaming towards Library Mall on campus. Once the throng reached the courtyard, I could hear cries of “Bascom Hill!” At this point, we all were totally awed.

The group crossed the street, stopping cars, climbed over a chain railing, and began the ascent to Bascom Hall. We filled the hill, with people spilling downwards onto Library Mall. The throng of people, estimated at well over 3,000, began chanting “Yes We Can!” and singing rounds of “Na na na na, good bye Bush!”

I looked down the hill and the symbolism hit me–a spontaneous movement of people had peacefully marched from the State Capitol up to the statue of Abraham Lincoln. 

As the throng went back down the hill to State Street, I stayed behind and ran into three important friends, staring down at the people. We embraced, commented on how we would be able to hear these miraculous voices until we died, and took in the meaning of that night. I broke down into tears of joy, again, then left to rest up for a new day.

I will never forget that day, that night, as long as I live. I am grateful for all the people I could share it with, and all the people who made it possible, and the person who sparked the movement.

To everyone who voted, volunteered, debated, and listened: thank you. We are all part of something much bigger than ourselves, something that will be around long after any of us are. Let’s keep this movement marching. It’s good to feel hopeful.

America's 44th First Family (minus the puppy); Grant Park, Chicago, IL; November 4th, 2008

Tonight, at the Students for Obama office where I intern, all the volunteers gathered silently around Miles’ cellphone to listen to Barack say some words about why the youth vote is important, and why our support is so instrumental to his campaign.

The whole time he spoke, I could picture him sitting on a plane on some battleground state runway, waiting to take off to another battleground state, fresh from his trip to Hawai’i to see his ailing maternal grandmother. It was one of those moments during this rush of an election when I realized how much this all means. I remembered that the man I was imagining talking into his blackberry to us could very possibly be the next President of the United States.

I am both excited and nervous for the coming election. We are almost ONE WEEK away from determining our nation’s leader for the next four years. There is only one point to this entry: VOTE. And make sure everyone you know does, too.

Today I got to hear John Kerry, Mayor Dave, Kathleen Falk, and Cong. Tammy Baldwin speak about the need for everyone to vote BEFORE election day in this election. 

Kerry spoke about the many reasons to vote early at your local municipal clerk’s office: to free up the lines on election day, to make sure you have already voted if something comes up or you are too busy Nov. 4, and to ensure there are no funny election day tactics like this country has seen before. I voted absentee and I must say, I stared at the ballot for 15 minutes after marking “Barack Obama and Joe Biden.” It was an amazing feeling to vote for the change I’ve been working so very hard for. I felt great having voted before election day because now I can go door to door on Nov. 4, volunteering to ensure everyone around here gets out and votes!

We voted, did you? Obama/Biden'08!

As Kathleen Falk said, she thought the sky would turn all black if she didn’t vote on election day as she always did. But she went in early to her municipal clerk’s office and voted and now, no worries. If you have any questions about voting or registration, be sure to check out www.voteforchange.com.

The junior Senator from Massachusetts, a fellow intern, and myself on the steps of the State Capitol.

The most memorable part of the day for me was not John Kerry, but John Carey, an octogenarian Marine who fought in Iwo Jima, to name one of only many battles he served in. He stood right next to me in the front row of the rally, himself on the crowd side of the rope line surrounding the podium, and myself on the other side, making sure nobody crossed the line. 

I thanked him for being there today and we began to talk. Carey showed me his drivers license, which he held in tightly in his hand, waiting to show Sen. Kerry. He pulled his left hand out of his uniform pocket and showed me bloodied white bandages. He had had surgery on his hand that morning, cancer scare. I asked him how he was doing, and he simply replied, “I’ll be alright,” in the most assured tone I can imagine. 

I didn't know John was "hanging loose" until later today when I looked through my pictures.

While John Kerry was standing on stage listening to the other speakers before him, John Carey leaned over the rope line to show the Senator his drivers license. Kerry stood there for a minute trying to find what Carey wanted him to see, then suddenly broke out in dry laughter. Carey asked for a picture, and the Senator quickly jumped offstage to pose. I proudly took the picture of the two vets.

When Kerry finally got up to speak, he introduced “my new friend, John Carey, a Marine who fought in Iwo Jima and is supporting Obama!” Carey promptly jumped on stage with two or three volunteers chasing him, as worried as I was that he would teeter over. Carey shook hands with the Senator, then made to exit stage right, making the “hang loose” sign with both his hands as every photographer in sight snapped Brazilians of shots. 

Cong. Tammy Baldwin and I right outside the Municipal Clerk's office after everyone marched down to vote early.

All in all, a fantastic day. It can only get better if you go vote early…

Obama/Biden’08

Mike Riley took it upon himself to put everyone’s favorite Sec Def on those flying Monkeys that scared the living daylights out of you as a kid. Enjoy.

Here is a funny picture made by and shared with me by Mike Riley. I told him it’s only missing scary Don Rumsfeld flying monkeys.

Ding-dong the middle class is dead!

If you have any questions about where to vote, how to vote, or whether or not you are registered, check out www.voteforchange.com and it will help you out! Let’s all exercise our most fundamental and important right and vote November 4th! 

Well I can’t have the other two and not add this one! Tina Fey in what I hope is not her last SNL parody of the Good Governor.

Make sure you tune in to the second Presidential debate, this Tuesday at 8 PM Central. 

As the DOW crashes and our world’s economic future is uncertain, have some laughs with another Tina Fey as Sarah Palin SNL skit. Enjoy.

As some of you may know, I am running for one of four freshman seats on the Student Council here at Madison, part of the Associated Students of Madison (ASM).  A good friend of mine and fellow Badger, Josh Atkins, took it upon himself to make a HILARIOUS “celebrity endorsement video.” Take the time to watch, and marvel at the uncanny similarities to Stephen Colbert. Don’t forget your Depends.