Senator Obama is getting my vote

Today I got a phone call from Senator Barack Obama. I was so nervous two days ago when I knew it was gonna happen and wanted to make sure he knew I had done my homework on him. I have a lot of respect for him and already had a really good feeling about him. As the time got closer, I got on his website, learned more about what he is about and brushed up on what I knew, so I got more comfortable with the idea of speaking to him one on one.

The conversation was quick - like two minutes but I got to talk to him like a real person. What I got from talking to him is that he is a real sports fan and he knew about the Blazers. He said that when I come back Brandon, LaMarcus and I will be a force next year. He also asked me about my knee, and he said he wasn't feeling my mohawk - lol. I laughed and explained to him that it's just a haircut to me and he told me he liked how I handle myself as a young man - "Thanks Mom." I did not talk politics with him. He talks about that stuff all the time and I'm going to keep learning more about the issues.

He is a very nice man and I am a big fan. I got the chance to go to his website (www.barackobama.com) and read up on some of his beliefs and there are things he is doing that I really support like his plan with education, civil rights, and health care. That's why Senator Obama is getting my vote.

I know people might question my support of education because I left school after my first year but I had an opportunity to become something not a lot of people can be - on a paid vacation. No, I'm just playing - a number one draft pick. Yes I do plan on going back to school and getting my degree. I'm actually going back this summer for sure. Everything I look at I look at the stand point from my little cousins or my family members outside my immediate family. Everything that I'm sure my mother looked into before she voted, when me and my brother were growing up, and before I got drafted. Senator Obama is a real person. Sometimes people forget that people in the public eye are real people also. I know I did with him at first. We are all citizens of this great country and I know I'm putting in my one vote. I know it's just one small vote, but it's big to me.

If the person I vote for wins it's gonna be because of my one little vote, at least that's what I'm gonna think. I think everyone should think that way. This will be my first presidential election to participate in as a voter and I hope that you younger voters will get involved. I think that our votes can really influence the outcome so go out, register and vote for who you think is the best candidate to be the best leader for this country and make sure you and your family will feel good about the new president

that is elected in November.
Original Story: http://www.barackobama.com.

278 Comments On: "Senator Obama is getting my vote"

 
Barack has my vote as well Greg! He's a genuine man and he'll be a GREAT president. :)

Glad to see that he has some Blazer love and that he found the time to give you a call.

My degree is in Political Science, maybe Obama's call will spark you to take a couple of Political Science classes!

Good looking out,
Jesse

ps. I like the Hawk. :)

I think the best part of G.Ode's post is that he spits his views, opinions, and his ultimate decision, but he isn't telling people if they want to be down, they gotta vote like him. The Realest people just ask that people make informed decisions, and Five Deuce is just telling people to know the facts when choosing a leader. Props! And like you said, props to your mama for bringing her big Little Man up proper.

Well put. Greg's blog post isn't an Obama stump speech, it's just his feelings on the man. I like that.

Ya I think he would be a great leader for America

where you been Aby?

Greg I read the Michael Wilborn piece in the Washington Post about you (Friday, Feb 29, 2008). Great story. In the article I read you were a bit nervous about the high profile encounters with Senator Obama and First Lady Bush. Three recommendations about public speaking: (1) Smile and Speak with Enthusiasm; (2) Make the Conversations about Them (Your Audience) Not about You; (3) Keep It Simple. You may have observed all three of these public speaking disciplines exhibited by your high profile company, Obama, and Bush. Folks in the know know that great communication is typically outward directed, not inwardly focused. Take care, and much success in your career. Public speaking pro: charles@thespeakerskin.com

is it true you had reoccuring cancer and have alzheimer's and osteoprosis and parkinson's and all that? are you going to play basketball this coming year? i read you are very ill and my mom's friend heard it on the local news, too.

Hey Oden, keep working on those classes! Invest in yourself and in turn you will be better able to invest in the community. That is what life is all about.

I agree with you, Obama definitely seems like a great person and would have my vote....Unfortunantly I turn 18 two weeks after the election, I'm so bummed I wont get to vote this year. But anyway...look at you! Getting phone calls from the possible future pres. Although I'd have to disagree with him about the mohawk...because I love it. Haha.

When did you get a Mohawk??

Hey Britney. I had a dream about you. Totally random. Are you really 16 like in my dream? ;)

Hey Britney. I had a dream about you. Totally random. Are you really 16 like in my dream? ;)

Seveteen actually. hah but thats really funny.

Seventeen actually. hah but thats really funny.

wow. I must be psychic! Do you have a pair of white keds by any chance??

Haha no...that was only in your dream. ;)

G.O.,
I agree with your Obama vote. He is clearly the best candidate.
Keep up the hard work! Your my 8 year old daughter's favorite player! I just got her one of your ODEN t-shirts...can't wait to see you join the rest of the guys on the court next year.
Was it just me, or is Boston the biggest group of whiners around? KG is great and all, but what a tool he is!
Ran in Tualatin

You should have told Obama you weren't digging his haircut. jk. Mohawks rule the world!

Dorn, you rabbleroser.

Cankles couldnt beat Obama on her best day. I think Obama girl said it best "I gotta crush on Obama"

Cal Ripken Jr. for Vice President

Great post, Greg. I'm not going to vote for the Obama, but he sounds like a real cool guy. I certainly respect the guy even if I don't agree with him much.
Can't wait to see you play next year.

Obama 08 baby.
And cut your hair.

don't listen to him- you with a mohawk will add 40% more intimidation in the lane

Im still up in the air. But it looks like I will probably vote for him. Keep the hair.

nice rhyming.

Everybody in our highschool has been rocking the hawk since school started earlier this year (though it actually started last school year, it didn't get popular till this school year) and its awesome to see it gaining popularity in the NBA... ala YOU, damon jones, idk who else... but your the man with that cut dude, and OBAMA 08' fo sho'...this is also my first election and he's getting my vote.

Thanks Greg for taking time to write this post. This is a very important primary; not as many people know about Obama and it is great you are spreading the word.
I am also glad you are voting for Obama, I already did in NJ. I do not respect HRC and her antics over the weekend. Go Obama!
Looking forward to seeing you play next year also!

It is a positive way to think the way you do about your vote. Do I see a future in politics on your horizon?

I personally love the mohawk. Obama may know his politics, and he does know about style, but he doesn't know personality when he sees it.

I saw Obama at UMD, and he was very charismatic.

Great post GO. I'm impressed with your priorities, and always have been. Barack is a great person, as are most of those we take the time to understand. I'll make you a deal, I'll stop thinking that McCain has my vote already and re-study the two main candidates and the impact they would have on us... but you must also keep an open mind... after all, the election is in Nov. not Feb.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_obama

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_mccain

true, the election isn't until november. however, if we don't vote in the primary then we lessen the total votes for our candidate's likelihood to be in the november election. we should vote both times. be open but rock the vote baby.

Primaries are good but in Oregon the Independents are frozen out of the primaries and cannot vote until November.

That is why you register before the primary to change your party affiliation... And then promptly re-register after the primary to chage back to being unaffiliatied. :-)

The most important message is not so much who you are voting for, but the fact that you are true to your values and are committed to making an EDUCATED vote. Keep up the good civic work!

Obama/Oden 08. This post is another reason why Portland loves Greg. The person not just the player.

I just wish you were still registered to vote in Ohio...

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Glad he's a good guy, but to me he comes off like a second rate motivational speaker who happens to be in the perfect position to win despite his lack of experience.
But still good to hear he's a good person.

And so glad you are encouraging everyone to vote.
No matter who for- just vote, people!

i am going to vote this post down coz u dinnit agree with me

you don't agree everyone should vote, no matter who for?

You don't think it's good Obama is supposedly a nice guy?

just thinkk it is lame your comment got voted down a -5. even after u state "No matter who for- just vote, people!"

Glad he's a good guy, but to me he comes off like a second rate motivational speaker who happens to be in the perfect position to win despite his lack of experience.
But still good to hear he's a good person.

And so glad you are encouraging everyone to vote.
No matter who for- just vote, people!

Im sorry, im confused at what hillary has experience doing because im pretty sure she hasnt been president either.

I'm sorry, I'm confused- because i'm pretty sure NOWHERE in my post did I say i was voting for Hillary.

Fact is, she is a shrill, alienating presence in a jumbled loser take all race.
Doesn't change the fact that Obama has even less international experience than both Hillary and McCain (who doesn't have my vote either) and his motivational speaker speech precept is right out of the Dale Carnegie school.

Truth Hurt or something?

Where is the REAL candidate America can be PROUD of getting behind, not the charismatic guy with no substance, the not the old war horse who was a P.O.W. and not the Divisive ex-wife of an impeached president.

next time be careful jumping to such conclusions. besides making yourself look foolish, you could hurt your ankles.

Maybe you should write in the Tooth Fairy. The rest of us have to choose from the candidates that exist.

At Least I can believe in the Tooth Fairy.
Cannot say the same about Barack or Hillary.
Too bad Bloomberg decide against running.
I believe in him, too.

Has anyone else not received their personal phone call from Barack Obama yet or am I the only one?

i bet dennis kucinich woud have been desperate enough to do that

D-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-amn, Harvey!

You the only one left. Obama done called every other fool.

I agree with you Harvey_Bars. However, it will be interesting to hear Greg's position on Obama after he's done filing his Federal Taxes after Obama is in office.