Well I'll be Obama'ed! I just might vote for this guy.

You all probably know how I feel about the Democratic Party. I have never said or done anything like this before, and I certainly have not suggested anyone in Vermont ought to vote for a Democrat (what's been the point before now?). And, before I make my endorsement, let me say I am still a Green, and I wholly support the Progressive Party here in Vermont (more to come on the Anthony Pollina race for Governor as a Progressive soon).

But I have to say, I like Obama, despite knowing he's, at best, a "moderate to liberal", to borrow the words of our esteemed US Senator Bernie Sanders. For the first time, though, I sort of believe that it's important that *this* Democratic candidate rise above the rest. Why? Because he is the best candidate running if you're a progressive.

The real reason, though, I want to vote for Barack Obama in the Democratic primary in Vermont is to ensure that Hillary Clinton DOES NOT win the nomination. It's she and her "new democrat" friends who I've been working against for over a decade with the Greens and in my activism and teaching. I love that *this* time they can't blame a party outsider (aka Ralph Nader or any other progressive, Green, or liberal who dares the status quo) for being the SPOILER. You can't cry "spoiler" if he's in your party! Then again, I'm sure Hillary can figure out a way to paint herself the victim, with some racist undertones to the attack, of course.


OK, so that's it. I'm going to vote for Obama in the VT primaries tomorrow (Tuesday, March 4). I reserve the right to vote for a Green or progressive candidate (aka Nader) in the general election, if a more progressive, non-corpoarte (Democrat) is on the ballot. But that remains to be seen. Who needs my vote? Right now, I think Obama needs it -- the United States needs it -- to beat Hillary. In fact, Vermont votes will count in this primary fir the first time ever! That will be a first major victory for America and the idea of democracy. That is, if the Democrat superdelegates get appropriated properly.