For many democrats who have taken an interest in the primary from the start this has been a tiring process. Personally I supported Obama from a good ways back, since he gave his speech at the 2004 convention really.

For me and many many others the Iowa caucus was an unmitigated triumph. I have never felt so elated about our political system, at any level, than I did that night. I was truly inspired and excited about the possibilities.

I've never been to Iowa, but this Texas native tips his hat to them in admiration, respect, and thanks.

Now New Hampshire I am sure gave Clinton supporters a similar feeling and I certainly respect that. But in the interest of honesty I want to say that I felt like New Hampshire was a let down. The little crying stunt Hillary Clinton put on did not seem authentic to me.

I'm sorry to Clinton supporters, but it just didn't to me. The thing of it is that if it had, she would truly have had my sympathy. I think for many people showing emotion, momentary weakness and the like has changed - its an asset rather than a drawback. Thats different than just a couple of short decades ago.

But it did not seem authentic to me. The timing was too perfect. Occam's Razor, the simplest solution is the correct one. It felt like triangulation.

Was my view skewed? Almost certainly, I freely admit that I went into the early primary season with a close affinity for Obama. So was I looking for counterfeit emotion? Absolutely.

My wife wasn't though. She was a very solid Clinton supporter. She took offense at me saying it was put on, and so I stopped saying it, and stopped talking as verbally back to the television when the talking heads said something I liked or didn't.

Oh come on, you know you do it too.

But during the campaign I saw my wife's view change. And believe me I didn't badger her. She is too independent minded for that. Its just that Clinton has done things over the months to firmly reinforce that she truly will do anything to win. Be anyone to win, and triangulate in any way to win.

She is a gifted politician. As much as her husband is, but in a different way. There is little denying that she is ruthless. I mean that in a positive way as she bats for my team, and you need people you can count on fighting for you.

But just as my wife came over to Obama, I wish others would today in North Carolina and Indiana. Despite the bumps in the road of the last months Obama still just outright feels more genuine. What you see is what you get.

And the fellow comes off as a person who really can genuinely unite quite a lot of people. Not everyone, sure. But more than Clinton can, in my view.

I am so tired of having a president that is divisive. Clinton *will* be, there is no denying it. Fox News is being light on her now folks, but as president? My gosh, I hope people's eyes are open to how things would really be. We would have at least another four years of what we have now, increasingly polarized politics.

I'm ready to turn the page on that. To move in the other direction. I think Obama is the person who is more likely to bring peace to some situations, it is just a part of who he is.

I hope today our country continues to show that we deserve him, which in and of itself makes me feel pride and patriotism. The closer he gets, the warmer and prouder I feel about my time serving in the military, in volunteer work, in all of it - it makes it feel worth it.

Good luck today no matter who you support.

Houston Chronicle, May 6, 2008