This weekend, I had lunch at Panera Bread on Park Lane on the edge of Lake Highlands. It was crowded, so I asked two twenty somethings working on laptops if I could sit at their table. Turns out they were working on the Obama for President campaign, preparing for a rally here in Dallas on Wednesday.

I’m probably not their standard demographic target – I’m a middle aged white woman from a very conservative neighborhood – but I found their youthful enthusiasm to be contagious. They were excited and hopeful and dedicated. They seemed intelligent and capable and sincere. They weren’t trying to sell me – we just chatted over a sandwich – but it felt really good to be exposed to their optimism about the future of our country.

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For the next two weeks, all eyes will be on Texas and on our choice at the polls on Tuesday, March 4. We’ll be exposed to television commercials, political rallies, and an influx of candidates and press. Fundraisers will draw famous faces from all over the country to our midst (at the table next to us at Panera was Senator Dick Lugar, a Republican from Indiana who co-sponsored some legislation with Senator Obama). Regardless of your political leanings, it’s a pretty exciting time to be in Dallas.


Author

  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.