Today I voted for Barack Hussein Obama, and here's why:

He's not a Clinton.

For the first and possibly last time in my life, my vote for a presidential primary matters. My vote could help determine the amount of screen time Bill Clinton's face gets on our TVs during the next four to eight years. I couldn't pass up that opportunity by throwing away my vote for McCain.

I would say that I am currently sitting on the very tip of the rear of the Obama bandwagon, dragging my feet. I'm suspicious of him because so many my age are so into him. I don't trust my generation, because I don't think we often think things through, myself included. We've been raised in such a fast-paced society, we often don't take the time to really digest information and think about it critically. We tend to "feel" things. So the fact that 20-somethings are so rallied behind Obama, just gives me reason to make sure I really know why I'm supporting him. At this point I don't. I'm really not sure if I'd vote for him in the general election, were he to get the nomination.

I do know that I like that he acts like an adult and that so far he hasn't resorted to dirty politics. I like that he's a fresh face; his inexperience doesn't bother me. I like that he inspires people. I like that the Democratic party is energized. I like that the politically disenfranchised in our country are placing their votes for a certain candidate and not against their opponent (even if I am not one of those people at this time).

If I were to assign to our country at this time a movie title that would best sum up where we stand as a nation, I'd choose "Something's Gotta Give." I think there is a general feeling of disenchantment that is prevalent right now. In way or another, we've all been jaded by coming to terms with the reality of our political system over the years. Maybe I don't see eye-to-eye with a lot of people about what has gotten us to this point, but the point is we're here. We're at a point where people are generally apathetic because they don't feel like what they're saying is getting heard. And now a candidate has come along that is renewing their hope. I know that's not substantive. I accept that. But I'm still getting goose bumps. Every time I watch him. The emotion he evokes in the people in his crowds is something that I've never seen in my lifetime.

Of course I have my concerns. His foreign policy worries me. I don't know about all this talking with Castro's brother and us getting out of NAFTA talk. The spending promises he's making are ridiculous. I accept that as I begin to study the issues more, I'm going to disagree with a lot of what he has to say and his voting record. That's probably why I've mostly stayed away from delving into it. I've liked getting excited. I've liked seeing other people excited, and I don't want his 2008 presidential journey to be over yet. I think it will actually be demoralizing for the country if he doesn't get the nomination. I want to see what a presidential campaign would look like if both candidates act like adults. I think that's a possibility if we choose Obama and McCain. That's exciting.

Have I mentioned I'm excited? Again, I know that's not substantive.

Unlike many in my generation, I still believe that we have a damn good system in place that maintains separation of powers. If Obama is our 44th, true conservatives can still gain control of Congress and reign in his spending and have a voice in national policy.

Yes. I voted as a Democrat today. It was surreal. I voted for Obama. I have reasons. Like I said, they're not substantive. But I feel compelled to point out again...


...He's not a Clinton.

Hook 'em Obama.