Interesting Conversations from Unexpected Sources

[Cross-posted at South Shore Progressive]

I think I'm experiencing information overload.

Considering the intensity of the primary races this year – be they local, state, or national – I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.  I've been racking my brain for the last week trying to come up with a topic covering a perspective someone else hasn't covered yet.  That's when I noticed the 'overload'.  My mind kept skipping from one subject to another and on to yet another with frustrating speed. Granted, I've had other things on my mind (see below) and was hoping that writing a diary might serve as a good distraction.

So, how to choose? And off I'd go again....

Sigh.

So here I sit.  What comes to mind now are the snippets of conversations from the past week.  Mostly with my regular customers at work, who are a cross section of (NW Indiana) Region working class folks.

There's Michael.  He's a fiftyish club manager at one of the Casinos.  Our first conversation on politics was about Obama vs. Clinton. We got a huge kick out of the fact that the soon-to-be fifty white woman (me) was supporting the African American man and the African American man (him) was supporting the white woman candidate.  Well, after last Wednesday night's sad excuse for a 'debate', Michael was chomping at the bit to see me.  He fairly sailed through my front door on Friday and proudly announced he had already picked up his Obama 'gear'. Bumper stickers, signs, whatever he could get.  When he left, he did it with a spring in his step and a twinkle in his eye!

Mark surprised me. This is a thirtysomething white guy who's studying to become a minister at a local conservative Christian college who voted for Bush twice.  He was originally tossed between Huckabee and Obama.  (Go figure....) McCain wasn't even on his radar two months ago and Clinton had him wrinkling up his nose.  Well, when he stopped in this week he seems to be narrowing down his decision.  It's McCain if Clinton somehow manages to acquire the Nomination, but will vote Obama if he gains the Nomination.

Lastly, there's Delores.  She's in her sixties, white and vocally pro-Clinton.  No surprises there.  Chides me for not 'sticking up for the Sisterhood'.  Well, that was up until the Tuzla sniper-fire debacle.  The blatant conflict really bothered her.  I haven't seen her since the last 'debate' and probably won't until after the Pennsylvania primary is settled on the 22nd.  I'll be really interested to see if she's shifted her views.

If these small vignettes are any indication, I think we'll be seeing a strong turnout for Obama from some surprising sources and possibly a win for Obama in Indiana.  

[FYI, in the interest of full disclosure:  I am an ardent Obama supporter.]

      ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

In Loving Memory:  Chinsu (11/13/93 - 4/8/08)