I voted for Barack because he represents the exact kind of leader I've been wanting to emerge ever since I began voting in 1964, right after graduating college. I wanted leaders from the Baby Boom era, like Clinton/Gore or Hillary, and now Barack to come along at the right time in our history. His and Michelle's story and lifetime achievements represent the best of what America offered to those born between the 1940s and 1970s if they took advantage of the opportunities, emerging after WW2, especially the educational and civil rights advantages.
Luckily my children, now in their late 30s and late 20s, were able to navigate well, too, but it was much more difficult and expensive than in my and my husband's time. The Reagan/Bush era rushed in with harsh economic and educational policies just at the time my growing family didn't need roadblocks to educational opportunities and employment.
Clinton had begun to restore all that, and I know Gore would have continued finishing Clinton's Bridge to the 21st Century. But in the last 8 years, George W. Bush has all but burnt that bridge down. We are retired now, and clearly see that Barack's plans include rebuilding that bridge for my children and grandchildren. I totally agree with his clearly stated economic, domestic, and foreign policy plans. All of my children (3) voted for him, too. We all also donated what money we could, and I volunteered at the grass roots level for Barack '08.
Education is a family value in our family, and a national security issue for America. I grew up in the Spunik Era saw first hand what making education a top priority did for America in the 50s, 60s, 70s to early 80s, when it seemed to became public enemy #1 under Reagan, along with unions.