The Bloomers are here.
The Clintons are my generation, and we are the old people. Edwards is younger, but he is at the tail end of the boomers. Obama is not speaking to the boomers. He is speaking to the Bloomers. The Bloomers have arrived, and Obama is their leader.
Note to Boomers: Notice how our children have grown to become responsible adults, or most certainly should have by now. Our successful children now appear gainfully employed, with spouses and children of their own. They buy houses and worry about medical bills and juggling their time and money, as the live in a world where the internet is ubiquitous, and cell phones are a necessary fact. Microsoft Word no longer tries to capitalize Internet.
And here comes Barak Obama. He is not in my generation of Boomers. He is the top of the new generation, and he is one of their leaders. He is speaking directly to them, the Bloomers, not to me; although he certainly appreciates my support and he is very aware that we, the old guys, are watching his every move.
He knows he’s got us. We hear his words, and we can register his core message, although we can’t resist chiding him for a few things that confuse and disturb us. We welcome his youth and hope and optimism. But, he is speaking to the young, not to us. He’s got the Clinton-Edwards crowd, if only he could get Clinton and Edwards out of the way.
He needs the young to make this happen for him, and he is one of their leaders.
This election will not be decided on race or gender. It will be decided by generation.
Here’s my prediction. Obama will continue to speak to the Bloomers, while making yes and playing footsie with the old guys. The youth will hear him. They will vote in unprecedented numbers. He will win the nomination after Edwards and Clinton, falling back fast, remove themselves and support him. The Republicans have no youthful choice – they are all grandpas and grandmas.
This is the year the boomers become the old guys.
Here’s to youth!
Here’s to President Obama.