Leave it to The Greenville News editorial board to view the historic nomination of Barack Obama strictly through their partisan prism. Nearly 40 million people watched the Democratic presidential nominee’s acceptance speech last week, the size of the viewership alone speaks to the historical significance and the wide spread interest in Barack Obama. Yet The Greenville News editorial headline read, “Obama Makes History, inspires Democrats.” The editorial published in the Sunday, August 31^st edition of the paper went on to say that Obama’s speech “inspired the party faithful.” I would say that’s an understatement of the power of his speech on Thursday night. The editorial severely underestimated the level of ire on behalf of the American public toward the current administration. The NY Times/CBS News Poll taken in mid August found that 66% of voters disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president, 80% view the current state of the economy as very bad or fairly bad and 67% feel it is more important to provide health care coverage for all Americans than to hold down taxes.  On the subject of the Iraq war 59% feel upon reflection that the U.S. should have stayed out of Iraq.

64 percent of those polled by USA Today/Gallup, were concerned that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) “would pursue policies that are too similar to what George W. Bush has pursued.”  Forty-seven percent fall into the “very concerned”: category and 17 percent rate themselves “somewhat concerned.” Poll results reported by www.americanprogressaction.org.

The Greenville News underplays all of these issues by stating that Obama painted a harsh picture of the United States under eight years of George W. Bush. I would say Obama painted a realistic view of life today after eight long years of GOP domination. The views expressed by Republican delegates in the NY Times/CBS News poll were certainly reflective of The Greenville News and its core readership and points out how out of touch with main stream America hard core GOP activists really are. Yes, Virginia the Republicans are the ones out of touch with main stream America on nearly every issue of importance, from health care to energy independence and Iraq. How is it possible for main stream media to portray anti-war activists as far left and out of the main stream when they represent the view of the vast majority of America that the war was a mistake and we need to end it now?

The Greenville News takes issues with a lack of specifics regarding many of Obama’s plans for America. I would say after a hard look at the Obama website, a recent cover story in Newsweek, a long story about Obama’s economic policies in NY Magazine , countless TV and radio interviews over the last year, that the specifics are out there and available to all that are willing to do the research. Every detail of Barack Obama’s life is out in print, his policies and positions have been clearly articulated and disseminated for all to see and read.

This election is about more than party policies, it’s about the future of our country and who will lead us to a better tomorrow. In order to lead us you have to have the vision and the ability to rally folks to your cause. Obama’s leadership during the long arduous campaign and his success in involving millions of people of all ages and backgrounds to not only vote for him but volunteer for his campaign.

The 84,000 people who gathered last week in Invesco Field in Denver to watch Barack Obama’s acceptance speech represented America, all ages, races and genders. Many had come thousands of miles to watch history take place. Some like Alycee Nelson Ruley, a retired marine from Morton, Pa. were fortunate enough to have watched Dr. King’s historic speech on the Washington mall and be present to witness the fruition of King’s dream for black American’s. Obama’s historic candidacy drew in people who have felt shut out of politics. Young and old alike not only registered to vote but volunteered to register others. Audrey Johnson Thornton, an 82 year old black woman from Philadelphia has been registering voters for months, traveling to homeless shelters, nursing homes and even prisons. Here’s what she told The NY Times about the closing night of the Democratic convention. “You talk about living a dream, I’m 82 years old, and I never thought I would see this. Never, never, never.”

Hang on Audrey, there’s more to come!