What is change? The ability to inspire…

By John Martino

This past Sunday, Caroline Kennedy, President John F. Kennedy’s daughter, wrote a truly heartfelt and beautiful op-ed in the New York Times. “A President Like My Father” put in words what I have known since 2004, but I am excited to have the opportunity to express it now.

John F. Kennedy inspired a generation of Americans, including the likes of Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and my father. He asked every American to give something back, and many did their best and followed through. For a long time, I had been waiting to be inspired, and I had been waiting for my opportunity to make a contribution to the country.

In 2004 I finally found my inspiration to get involved, and I finally found my purpose. In July I watched the Democratic National Convention, expecting a truly boring experience; but as I watched, my world stood still. A young Illinois State Senator, still a few weeks shy of 43, put me on my feet. He was loud and vibrant, chilling and jarring. His rhetoric stirred me, and made me feel the same way my father felt when he first heard Kennedy. The country as I knew it couldn’t be more polarized, yet this youthful guy was talking about bringing it together. Barack Obama’s keynote address made me want to get involved in politics and continues to inspire me and countless others today.

This past Saturday night, Obama, now 46, won a historic victory in the South Carolina primary. His victory truly exemplified how far our country has come and showed us why we need him so badly. A new “change” coalition has clearly formed: whites and blacks, men and women, old and the young, Democrats and Republicans, Partisans and Independents.

A few weeks ago, Obama was criticized for saying that Ronald Reagan’s 1980 election was an election of change. What about this statement is not true? Despite what Hillary’s radio ad claimed, Obama never said Reagan had good policies, nor did he say that Reagan was good for our country. Obama simply said that Reagan inspired a lot of people, which no one can argue with. Many Democrats left the party because of Ronald Reagan, and Barack is our best chance of getting them back, our best chance of healing old wounds.

This past Monday Barack Obama stood next to another member of the Kennedy family, Senator Ted Kennedy, brother of John F. Kennedy. Kennedy said Obama had taken on the Kennedy mantle, that he had taken on the ideals of hope and change. Kennedy explained how the politics of the 1990s had to end and the politics of tomorrow must begin today.

Back in 1960 my father served a cappuccino to John F. Kennedy during the height of his presidential campaign. My father at the time was in California, like so many other struggling actors, and working as a waiter. Kennedy asked my father how he made such a good cappuccino, and my father told him. Forty seven years later I volunteered at a Barack Obama private fundraiser, only being allowed to attend because I had made hundreds of phone calls for the event. Although I had seen him speak before I had yet to personally speak to the man I had idolized since 2004. That night Barack Obama offered me his hand, and asked me what got me interested in politics. I told him the truth-he did.