Who do you think is really responsible for high voter turnout? Hey, this is America after all.
Citizen Kate, the political outsider, looks inside the political sausage for you.
January 20, 2008 -- Citizen Kate scores a seat at Barack Obama's Inauguration, but realizes that having a ticket doesn't mean you'll get in. I made it. The big day. Barack Obama's inauguration. Joe Biden will be here too. Along with Jamie Foxx and Beyonce. I can't wait to meet them. A friend of mine from facebook, Ben, whom I never met before, hooked me up with two tickets to the inauguration. One in the silver standing area. And one in the yellow SEATING area! Ben is my new political boyfriend. And I didn't have to put out. That's right. I got a seat. I can't believe it! I know I'm going to get close to Barack. And can't wait to see what Michelle is going to wear. I chose two coats. And a high pair of boots. I also wore my special inauguration hat with my Tarina Tarantino headband. Note to self: Getting an inauguration ticket doesn't mean that you'll get in. Seriously. A lot of people with tickets were turned away.
Citizen Kate enjoys Obama's presidential victory and realizes that with every victory comes a loss. I totally remember moment that Barack officially won the position as the next President of the United States of America. Emotions were high. Everyone was crying around me. Oprah was crying. And Barack spoke. There was an air of disbelief and relief in Grant Park that night. One man's victory is another man's sorrow. Note to self: Nobody really "wins" in politics cause once the votes are tallied, it's time for the real work.
Citizen Kate waits and waits and waits for the final tally on the Presidential race. A lot of people asked me about how amazing it was to be in Grant Park the night of the election and Obama's victory. It was incredible. Except for the waiting. Seriously. They made us wait for hours. They didn't even have refreshments. I did the best I could waiting for Barack's win. I passed time with Sway from MTV and AJ Calloway who's a really good looking reporter. I also ran into Richard Roeper, the movie critic. He really knew a lot of politics and voting in Chicago. And he made some predictions about Obama's administration picks. Note to self: Sometimes you need to be patient for good things to finally happen in politics.
Citizen Kate arrives at Grant Park on election night in hopes of finally reaching Barack Obama. I'm getting ready for the inauguration and found the tapes from Obama's Grant Park victory. I wanted to share my experience before I head to DC. Election night was the night of all nights. What a historic event to be part of. Of course, I was there in Springfield and Denver. I had media credentials and a party dress. I was ready to reach Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The only thing I needed to do was figure out how to get around the press barricade. Note to self: The media doesn't always have the best access to the candidates.
02:23
Citizen Kate BITES the Political Sausage
Most people don't know what goes into their sausage - encased meat or political. I bit in to find out more.
Citizen Kate finally casts her vote and reveals who she voted for. The pressure and choices were almost too much. But I made it through it. I was cast my first vote for President of the United States. It was a tough choice. Barack Obama, John McCain, Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin, John Polacheck, and more. Note to self: Making political decisions can be tough.
Citizen Kate goes to cast her first vote and finds the ballot has too many choices. This is it. I never thought this day would never come. Let's face it. Two years is a long time to wait! And then you have to make a decision. Then you realize there's more to decide on than you anticipated. Forget about the Presidential choices -- Barack Obama, John McCain, Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin, and John Polacheck? Who were all those other people on the ballot? How did I miss that after two years on the campaign trail? Note to self: There is more to vote for than the President of the United States.
Citizen Kate catches up with David Axelrod, Barack Obama's chief strategist, and finds out the key to Obama's success...butter. After the big Barack Obama speech in Detroit, Michigan, I ran into David Axelrod. I was super excited cause I had just seen him that morning on Meet the Press. I know. I can't believe I watch that show either. I must be learning something on the trail. Mr. Axelrod remembered the butterhead of Barack that I commissioned Duffy Lyon to make in Iowa. He also shared with me the key to Barack's success in the Michigan Battleground, as well as how Barack will help our economy. Note to self: We need a butter America. And Barack will make this a butter place for us all.
Citizen Kate attends a rally in Detroit and learns why it's such a battleground...or is it? I made it to Motown and the big Barack Obama/Joe Biden event right in from of the Detroit Public Library. If the location is any indication, this campaign has been super smart. Even when it comes to battleground states, they fight with wise words that make the crowd feel really good. Detroit is considered Hockeytown, so I was surprised Sarah Palin didn't show up. Till I heard Barack speak and realized that Hockeytown is actually Obamatown. If all the undecided voters could hear Obama speak in person, they may make up their minds quickly. But it would really help to shake his hand and say "hi". Note to self: Politicians seem to battle over the people, but it's the ones who show up that win. McCain conceded Michigan pretty quickly.
Citizen Kate reviews her presidential candidate choices in a Hooter's parking lot before the big Barack Obama rally in Detroit. I went to Michigan because I heard it was a huge battleground. I wanted to be on the front lines. I figured that it would help me make my final decision on who to vote for. This is going to be big event with Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden. I know. She's a doctor. Smart ladies marry politicians. I have to say in weighing out all of my options: Barack Obama, John McCain, Bob Barr, Ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney, I still haven't made up my mind. My Uncle Rob offered to help me at the event. I think he wants to see Barack in person. Obama really knows what to say in this time of crisis. Just hearing him makes you feel better. Note to self: You should take the time to make the best choice for you and your country.
01:37
Citizen Kate Update: Con Con Yes Yes
You can change the constitution in Illinois - if you can do that - you can do anything.
Citizen Kate gets swept away by the Green Party's...flowers and worship of women. I went to the Green Party National Convention in Chicago. Not only did I meet all their presidential candidates including the official nominee Cynthia McKinney. I also was asked to run for office. The Green Party really accepted me. I wish all political parties were this open to new people and women. The truth is that the Green Party really loves the ladies. After all, they love Mother Nature and the whole world...not just one country. That's why you'll find Greens in a lot of countries around the world. I wonder how many Republicans and Democrats are in Africa? Note to self: Never underestimate the power of Green. I'm surprised the Green Party isn't more powerful in America.
Citizen Kate sits down with Green Party Presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney and finds being queen of the Green doesn't mean being queen of the bling. I had so much fun at the Green Party National Convention. I got the chance to sit down with each of the Green Party Presidential nominees -- Dr. Kent Mesplay, Jesse Johnson, Kat and Cynthia McKinney. McKinney won the nomination. Not only is she a Black woman running for president, but she picked Rosa Clemente, a Puerto Rican woman from NYC. The Green Party offers America the first female female presidential ticket. And it's the only International Party with representatives in countries all over the world. In fact, Germany had a Green President. I really enjoyed talking with McKinney in English and French. She has a great sense of humor and fashion. Note to self: Women can be great leaders wearing pants or skirts.
Citizen Kate discovers a world party and realizes that "being green" is about more than the bling. I attended The Green Party National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. I was super excited to show off my new green outfit. It's so much easier to dress when there's a theme. I quickly realized that the Green Party really doesn't care about appearances. They are focused on the truth and social justice and the environment. My dress did dazzle, but what was most impressive were the people that I met there. They were so welcoming to me. I felt loved and love for the world. They even picked a woman for president, Cynthia McKinney, who then picked another woman for Vice President, Rosa Clemente. If only, I'd gone green sooner, maybe I could have been on the ticket. Note to self: Not everyone in politics has money, but the Green Party sure does have a lot of love.
Citizen Kate attends a debate watch party at Hofstra University and decides who to vote for. This is it. The final presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. It all comes down to this one final moment. This fight will help millions of Americans decide who to vote for. I'm no exception. Except that who I decide to vote for may surprise you. I never thought that when I started this journey over a year ago, that I'd come to this place. Can I at least get a holla from Obama and McCain? Seriously. How long does a citizen have to stalk the candidates before we finally get heard? Note to self: It's hard to choose a candidate if they just debate the same things, and don't really share solutions for the issues.
Citizen Kate marches with the Iraqi Veterans Against the Iraq War and ends up in a lot of crap as she continues her quest to get questions in the final debate. I've been trying to get questions from viewers, friends and regular citizens in the last Presidential Debate between Barack Obama and John McCain at Hofstra University. I navigated through the campus, CSPAN, BBC, a two-sided protest, and now I found the key to making it happen: Iraqi Veterans Against the Iraq War. A group of Iraqi Vets against the war marched the gates with their demand to get two questions into the debate. We joined efforts so that we could get all of our questions answered from the candidates. Of course, we were met with the resistance from cute cops in uniforms, horses and crap. Seriously. I think I still smell like poop. Or maybe that's the scent of this election? Note to self: Fighting for your cause can sometimes lead to a lot of political shit. Citizens should be allowed to ask questions of the candidates.
Citizen Kate tries to get the questions of the citizens into the final presidential debate at Hofstra University, but finds that as a citizen she has no access. It's the final Presidential Debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. After seeing the first two debates, I think it's pretty clear that neither candidate has answered some of the big questions on the minds of citizens. I made it my mission to take your questions and try to get them into the debate. I even asked for more questions along the way. A lot of people think that I have unlimited and easy access to candidates and politics. The truth is that I try. I show up. That's half the battle, but it's not all... It may be easier to get on Oprah than get into a presidential debate. I'm an undecided voter, so you would think that the candidates would woo me like Florida and Ohio. The candidates should woo us all. Note to self: Citizens really don't get invited to the political round table discussion. Even though they're "talking to us".
Citizen Kate can't get out of bed the day of the final Presidential debate at Hofstra University because of the pressure and mud on the campaign trail. Why should I keep going if YouTubers think I'm fat and ugly? Politics has gotten super ugly these past few weeks. The presidential campaigns have turned to mudslinging. McCain ads pick on Barack. Obama picks on McCain. Everyone picks on Palin. And no one even talks about Nader, Barr, McKinney or Baldwin. It's like one bad hockey game. We all need a time out in the penalty box, so we can focus on the real issues, and pick a great leader vs. the last man standing. Note to self: Being on the campaign trail, really ages you. I swear I have 5 new wrinkles.
Citizen Kate finds herself on the inside circle with friends and family of John McCain, "The Maverick", at the Republican National Convention. I had an amazing time at the RNC. I never realized how welcoming Republicans are until I met Ladies for McCain, Sambhu Banik, and Sid Rosen. Sid has known McCain forever. He really taught me about McCain's commitment to the people, his country and values. Sid really inspired me. I got amazing treatment with seats to McCain's nomination acceptance speech and an invite to the after party. That day, I learned what makes McCain the Maverick. As well as why he's so popular with the ladies and America. He's willing to go against the party, and stand strong for the people. McCain has a track record of standing his ground, being tough, and fighting for what's right. I wonder what his next Maverick move will be? Note to self: Republicans have big balls.
04:26
The Nader Fight for People, Peace and Freedom
Citizen Kate discovers a political party she relates to, Peace and Freedom, and that we have to fight for the people and third parties at a Ralph Nader event. I didn't get credentials for the first Presidential debate. So, I decided to hang out with Ralph Nader. I can't believe that he didn't get an invite either!?! Unfortunately, Nader didn't have time to spend one-on-one with me. But I was invited to his big University of Southern California event, and his Bill Maher after party in Hollywood. I got to meet his VP pick Matt Gonzalez, who was amazing. But that's another story. The big story? The Peace and Freedom party. I can't believe there are third parties we don't know about. Nader really brings to light some of the challenges with American politics. He makes me want to do something about it. We can't just sit around watching the Inconvenient Truth. Note to self: We should focus less on the parties and more on the candidates and taking action. Although a Peace & Hugs party would be awesome!
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