This is a letter that I sent to my email list. I feel so strongly about it I felt I should post it on my blog as well.

Hey all,

I have never written to any of you for something overtly political before – but I am now. I am writing because I feel passionately about this election and believe that we are facing a choice about our nation’s future that does not come along that often. This election will be a defining moment that will resonate for many years to come. It us up to us to have the courage to vote with our hearts and believe that we can have the kind of political system that I for one have never witnessed.

I am urging to vote for Barack Obama. And if you feel as stongly as I do, please open your address book and tell your friends how you feel before Tuesday.

I got started in politics working for Eugene McCarthy back in 68 and worked my heart out for many candidates until I turned 17. At which point I became disillusioned with the American political system. I had a glimmer of hope renewed with Clinton – only to see his willing engagement in attack/reattack politics squander his administration and its potential.

I feel that we need someone who can rise above the internecine warfare in Washington that produces such profound apathy in our country. Apathy in otherwise idealistic people such as myself.

I believe that Barack Obama is the one person running for president who can change the debilitating politics of the last 20+ years and can rally the country around some of our most pressing national problems: the war in Iraq, institutionalized poverty, health care, energy and the environment.

While I appreciate Hilary’s incredible grasp of the issues, her proposed policies and her ability to debate, I do not feel that she is capable of creating any kind of consensus with which to enact her programs. I believe that Hillary and Bill believe in “politics” to the detriment of policy. Bill’s behavior in South Carolina, convinced me that they learned nothing from their disastrous years in the White House with its constant calculation and stonewalling.

Internationally, electing an African American, with an African father, a last name Obama, who lived in Indonesia for 4 years as a child will go a long way toward healing the perception in the world that America is a self centered, xenophobic, intolerant nation.

Finally because I feel that the “experience” issue is still troubling to some of you – I would just say Nixon – one of the most “experienced” politicians of our time.

Thanks for your time!

Jon