Enough with the "Change" rhetoric...

I've been watching the Democratic primaries very closely since they began, and it's been pretty interesting thus far. I've been shocked on many different occasions to see the kinds of attacks that are flung from one side to the other, and have spoken with many of my peers about their thoughts on the candidates.

Obviously, most people simply blinked when I asked them their thoughts on John McCain's support of an amnesty bill in 2003 or whether or not they thought Barack Obama was experienced enough to run for the oval office.

On another note, I would say that the majority of people I asked about the election supported Obama on all fronts. This, on its own, doesn't bother me at all. I believe that every American has a right to his/her beliefs and that they have every right in the world to speak out and vote, according to those beliefs. However, if you support a candidate, I think it is your responsibility to know why you support that candidate.

Something troubles me that I haven't experienced in the past. Obama's popularity is soaring through the roof, and if you were to approach the average Obama supporter and ask them why they thought he was the best for the job, their answer will, more or less, be "we need a change".

The typical conversation I have with an Obama supporter goes something like this:

Me: "So, which of the candidates do you favor in the upcoming Presidential election?"

Obama supporter: "Oh, I absolutely love Barack Obama. I think he'll do great things for this country!"

Me: "Oh, really? What makes you think that way? Which of his proposals do you like the most?"

Obama supporter: "Well, he'll bring about change in this country, and everybody knows we need change."

Me: "Right, but what changes are you looking forward to the most? Fiscal changes? Foreign policy changes?"

Obama supporter: "Well, I just don't like the way the country is being run, and I think we just need a change."

Me: "Right, but what change are you referring to?"

Obama supporter: "....."

Me: "....."

Obama supporter: "Change!"

I feel like even Obama doesn't know what change he is referring to, since he rarely speaks of policy when he makes public appearances and his strongest supporters can't come up with a single reason to validate voting for him.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not a crazy right-wing conspirator. I have no love for John McCain either, but when I approach someone who mentions their support for his campaign, they can, at least, give me one reason why they favor him over Senator Obama.

My point here, folks, is that, if you're going to show support for a candidate and cast a vote that could very well decide an election, please know what you're voting for.

Enough with "We need a change" and "Change we can believe in" (whatever that means).

I feel like we are entering into an election period where credentials and experience don't matter as much as being "well-spoken" and attractive.

On a final note, change isn't necessarily a good thing. So, when you applaud Senator Obama for sponsoring "change", please have some idea what he is talking about, even if he doesn't.