I do not need to rehash the fact that Sen. Obama has inspired more Americans than any other politician in my generation; possibly generations.  We all know that here.  But chances are that not many here have heard the story of nine year old Sam Jensen, a third grader from Valley City, North Dakota.  I do not know Sam, and had never heard of him before today.  But, after reading this, I feel that I need to take it upon myself to share it with my fellow Kossacks.

Just caught Olbermann on Countdown refer to two former Gore campaign officials who said that there's a sporting chance that he will be the "compromise candidate" to unite our party.  From the Telegraph...

Former Gore aides now believe he could emerge as a compromise candidate acceptable to both camps at the party's convention in Denver during the last week of August.  

Two former Gore campaign officials have told The Sunday Telegraph that a scenario first mapped out by members of Mr Gore's inner circle last May now has a sporting chance of coming true.

Good afternoon all...hope everyone's Easter was as enjoyable as mine.

Before I share with you some of the wonderful insight I received over this long weekend, I would like to give you a little background.

I was born and raised in a very small town just outside of a "major city" here in North Dakota.  The town I grew up in has a population of about 1200 people, and is your standard Small Town USA.  It has a school, a post office, a gas station, and of course... a bar (more on that in a bit).  This town is also about 20 miles from a large Air Force Base, so we get a lot of military folks move to our little town because of the very cheap housing and such.

Jump over that imaginary line if you so please.

Yes that North Dakota.

He'll be here on April 4th to speak at the Democratic-NPL state convention.  

April 4th.  Two and a half weeks before the "make or break" Pennsylvania primaries.  The latest version of Hillary Clinton's firewall.  The one that is going to put her back in front-runner status (don't worry about the math...).

Seriously.

Has anybody been paying attention lately?  Have you not seen the shit that this Democratic candidate or that has said or done?  And because of that, I cannot, in good conscious, vote for the other candidate.  Or mine for that matter.

And that about sums up every single diary here tonight.

Get some fucking perspective here people!

The past couple of days have been very eventful up here in blustery North Dakota (by ND standards).  It is not often that much attention is paid to North Dakota with regard to...well anything.  So to have two people with any sort of name recognition visit, and on back-to-back days, has been a very welcome experience.  

To have a major candidate for Leader of the Free World pay any attention to our state reiterates what has been said a gaziillion times in all of the Obama diaries here over the past year.  This truly is a 50 state strategy, and this is my little contribution to the grassroots effort we are all a part of.

Details over the fold.

Hello Kossacks.  Before I get to the flame wars, I would like to add this short disclaimer.  

I am not sure if this is standard procedure here, but I have seen it done more than a few times.  So here goes it. (Also, I have not seen this posted.  So if it is, I apologize, and will gladly delete.)

I have finally found the spine (perhaps the one that our Democratic "leaders" seem to have lost) to post my first diary.  I have been a lurker/commenter for about a year or so, starting many diaries, only to have given up with teh fear of not living up to the standards set by this amazing crowd that not only helps shape my opinions, but causes me to ignore schoolwork, my friends, family, etc.  Needless to say, I am a Kosaholic.

On to the content, as they say, over the jump...