August 28, 2008 09:43 PM UTC

Veterans and others come together to talk about the issues

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• by: Jenn at Obama for America in Colorado

From the Colorado for Obama blog.

Last night, the Convention’s theme of service brought together a group of people for a watch party in Colorado Springs. While the event was called "Veterans for Obama Convention Watch Party," the gathering proved to be much more diverse. Among the guests were high school students, a few people who had protested the Vietnam War, and veterans of all military branches.

Before watching President Clinton’s speech, the group shared their stories about what made this election so important for them.

Ed is a survivor of the Holocaust and a Marine Corps veteran. He said:

What draws me to Barack is his diverse background, the diverse parentage, the fact that he, in my opinion, has a world vision. That is one thing that American politicians have been sorely lacking. We have a habit of viewing the world from an American perspective. And we don’t live in an American world — we live in a much broader world. In order for us to succeed and America to retain its prominence in the world, we have to understand the world. I think in this area, Barack Obama will be not just a great American president, but a great statesman of the world. And that is what this country sorely needs.

Dan and Chris were the youngest guests at the party. While too young to vote, the two have compensated for their vote by spending the last two weekends canvassing and getting others out to vote. Dan talked about what an Obama administration means for his future. He said:

I think it’s time for a change. A big problem obviously is global warming, and it’s more affecting us, because it’s our future. And that needs to be changed because we don’t want to end up losing Florida, I like that place. But it’s not just affecting us in America it’s affecting people all over the world, and I’m not sure that John McCain would be the best solution for something like that. If I could vote, I would vote for Obama, but instead I’m going out and knocking on doors.

One of the hosts, Elaine, shared her story. She said:

I haven’t been behind a candidate in a long, long time. I think it’s absolutely disgusting what the Bush Administration has done to this country, not only on the war but on the economy. There shouldn’t be such a split between the rich and the poor, with no middle class. And I will do absolutely everything I can do to make sure Obama gets elected, because I think he’s a man of vision and he’s a man of empowering people. He’s certainly empowered me.

Ed another veteran, talked about the difference between Barack and McCain on military policies. He said:

I spent 27 years in the US Navy including two deployments to the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam war. I have been a person who has almost always voted Republican, I have pretty conservative values, but I think the Republican Party has abandoned us, almost across the board. What is particularly shameful is way the military has been treated by the Bush administration, starting with General Shinseki and on down the line. I have no confidence that John McCain will change any of that, I view him as a continuation of the Bush policies and the Bush mistakes. On the other hand, I see Senator Obama as an inspired leader, someone who shares my ideas on where the government needs to improve not only in terms of the military but also in terms of energy and the environment and other things that I think are important. So for the first time in my life I am getting politically involved and supporting Senator Obama.