Words of Texas Senator Kirk Watson from http://www.kirkwatson.com/media/whats-new/2008/02/20/msnbc-and-me/

Had I not lost my mind, here are the accomplishments I would have mentioned:

* Senator Obama’s fight for universal children’s health care in Illinois.
* His success bringing Republicans and Democrats together (a huge selling point for me in general) on bills such as the one in Illinois requiring police interrogations and confessions to be videotaped.
* His leadership on ethics reform in Washington (the bill that lobbyists and special interests are complaining about right now has his name on it).
* His bill to make the federal budget far more transparent and accessible to Americans via the Internet – we could use that openness in Texas.
* And his vital work with Republicans to lock down nuclear weapons around the world.

But, what’s interesting about Obama is not these senatorial accomplishments, it’s the life path that got him there. You imply any moron can be elected to congress… but can any other “moron” get this far in the process to be elected? I think not. Many tried this year.

Obama didn’t have a parent in politics like Hillary, Romney or GWB. No head-start in the system. Everything he has accomplished was his own effort… Education, professional accomplishments and political career. He’s been working on this path for 45 years.

I’m amazed you discounted all evidence that this is a man of substance. It tells me more about you than it does about Obama. Look at what you value and consider what Obama would have to have doen to meet your standards… resolve conflicts in the middle east? Prevent the loan scandle? Prevented GWB from occupying Iraq? I can’t imagine. One man can only lead. Alone we all fall short. If Obama unifies the country and gives the young a reason to believe in the power of democracy then that will be his lasting legacy. You may stand on the sidelines and shake your head but you may at some point get the feeling that something good is happening this year. A change that matters.