Is this a three-fer? A small smile for Obama-ites...

This is for those needing a morale boost during the summer doldrums between primary ending and the national conventions.

Yesterday I got to talking with a casual friend while sharing some work. She is a bright middle-age Hispanic lady who seems pretty engaged in the world. Thus I was only mildly surprised when she said excitedly, "I've decided to vote for Obama!" I responded that I thought that was a good choice this year. But she was hardly finished... "I've never voted before, in the 34 years that I've been eligible," she confessed. I don't know where I should go to vote, or how to register." After picking my jaw up off the floor, I asked her why she'd never voted before, fearing some revelation about citizenship or some such. But she responded, "I just always thought that politicians were all such crooks, and it didn't matter!"  She went on to say that she was really excited by Obama and was definitely going to vote for him this year, but she feared that this was a Republican state (it's not!).

So here is yet another Obama inspired "conversion"! A person who was totally disengaged from the system, who is also a member of two of those troubling groups that the MSM keeps saying that Sen. Obama will have trouble winning over, women and Hispanics. A new convert that is enthusiastic about voting for the first time in her life.

And just so those of you who are "activists" don't feel the need to lecture me... I did help her register, by simply sitting down at my computer and going to the Obama site, clicking on the "register" icon, filling out the form and printing it for her. I had her sign it, and put it in a stamped and addressed envelope. She left with her registration application in hand and ready for the mail box.

Does this make me an Obama volunteer? ;-)