Now is probably a good a time as any to talk about one of my new "for fun" side projects. (Well as much fun as helping to foment political change can be.) It's called MOMocrats, and it's a political blog from a mom's point of view. For now, our top priority is helping to elect John Edwards President. (We'll tackle other issues as they come up—our tag line can change, but the blog name stays the same.)
I don't want to get all political on CityMama though I understand the argument that mothering is political. It's just that I'd rather keep the bulk of my political ranting off this blog, and so, when a bunch of us mom bloggers realized that we shared the same interest in supporting John Edwards, MOMocrats was born.
The site is still under construction and the banner is temporary, but we're proud of what we've done so far and even prouder of the potential. By the way, if you are a MOMocrat and have decided that you are voting Edwards, let me know and you are welcome to contribute to the blog.
I realize that voting for another white dude when one is a woman of color might seem like an odd choice, but I would never vote for someone based on gender or race. It took me a long time to come to this decision and it wasn't made lightly. (I've never casted a vote for a front runner in a primary, and my decision to back Edwards fits that pattern.)
I know there are a lot of people still on the fence so I'll close with something Elizabeth Edwards said during our meeting with her today. She said:
Look at the way the candidate runs his/her campaign. Ask yourelf: Is this a leader? Is this that different?
We have an opportunity for real change. It's going to be really easy to get more of the same. (John's) not the flashier candidate, but what he is, and has been, is a leader on every one of (his) issues. (John Edwards) put all his policies out at the very beginning of the campaign rather than waiting for September/October. From the beginning of the campaign it's been about the policies and the vision, not the person.
I agree. And because I also support his initiatives on nuclear non-proliferation, poverty, and healthcare, and because I believe that he is someone who can re-engage the world and repair the foreign policy mess that we're in, I'm voting for John Edwards.
