An endorsement I care about
Obama has had a very, very good weekend and the start of an excellent week. Not only did he win big in South Carolina, but he received a few big endorsements including Caroline Kennedy (JFK’s daughter) and Ted Kennedy, who has been deliberately neutral until now.
Tonight, however I found out that a voice I really try hard to hear has endorsed my candidate of choice: Randall Munroe, author of my favorite webcomic xkcd. His blog announcement is particularly eloquent:
I want, for once, someone I can vote for not because I dislike the other candidate, but because I’m proud of mine. Obama is the real thing.
Obama has shown a real commitment to open government. When putting together tech policy (to take an example close to home for xkcd) others might have gone to industry lobbyists. Obama went to Lawrence Lessig, founder of Creative Commons (under which xkcd is published) and longtime white knight in the struggle with a broken system over internet and copyright policy.
…
The Democratic party has a long, painful history of nominating unlikable, uncharismatic ‘default’ establishment candidates who are eventually swatted aside by the voters. Nominating Clinton would be continuing that tradition at the very time when we have a chance to do so much better. Let’s not let that chance slip by.
I want someone who can lead the country. When people grow cynical and detached from government, or blinded by partisanship, evil runs amok. Obama represents an honest shot at making our government something we can be proud of. I’m tired of throwing things at CNN. I’m tired of feeling depressed when I read speeches by the founding fathers. I want Jon Stewart to smile again. For a brief moment, next Tuesday, we’ll have a shot at finally getting things right. Please help.
Right on, Randall.
As a bonus, here’s a sample of xkcd that we have taped up on the wall at the office:
