State Sen. Verna Jones, D-Baltimore City, is chairwoman of the Legislative Black Caucus at the State House and Women for Obama in Maryland.
What was the Obama rally like for you in Baltimore?
There was so much energy in the arena, so much diversity. It was very inspiring to me. There were families there. People brought their children. There were older people. It was filled. And it wasn?t just the numbers, it was the spirit. People are ready for change.
When did you decide to support Obama?
I decided to support the senator in the summer, and I came on as chair of Women for Obama in September. I have not been inspired by a person as I have been inspired by him in my entire life. He energizes you. He ignites the positive things in you. He touches you.
What did Tuesday night feel like?
It was such a sweet victory. It showed that people are committed to following through on the momentum that?s been growing. It?s about a movement. It?s about change. It?s about not doing the same old thing the same old way and expecting different results. It?s about courage.
What about the criticism of him ? not enough experience?
Everyone?s always critical about someone who?s making some change ? someone who?s willing to step out there and take on the establishment and somebody who?s willing to fight the good fight on behalf of the people.
I was looking in the newspaper, and they were talking about past presidents who had fantastic resumes but they were lackluster presidents. The ones that were most energized and most beneficial to the people were the ones that were a breath of fresh air, that had not been, as the senator says, stewed to the point that they had lost all hope.
