Day 19 - Dear diary, I’m continuing to attentively research John McCain and Barack Obama to create the Presidential Poetic Portrait.  Yet, at the same time I am weaving together the finishing touches for the last Presidential Poetic Portrait and visual poetry to honor President George W. Bush as he completes his second term.  The 2008 election year has enormously challenged my creative cleverness.  But, in the end, polished Presidential Poetic Portraits and visual poetry will uphold my unique tradition of honoring Presidents of the United States. 

Day 18 - Dear diary, I’m feeling waterlogged with the over abundance of information about McCain and Obama.  I think the information gathering is the most time consuming.  But, the more information I have on McCain and Obama then the more dynamic the Presidential Poetic Portrait will be.  When I’ve thoroughly processed the material the original poem spills onto the paper.  No matter how much I’d like to rush, I know the original poem will only emerge after key points are woven into place.  The visual poem will be carved out by using the words of the poem.  I’ll need music by the Temptations, Sam Cooke and Bob Marley.     

Day 17 - Dear diary, will CNN actually reveal more than we already know about John McCain and Barack Obama?  Or, is McCain, Obama Revealed just another one or two hour photo opt for McCain and Obama to serve up yet another series of speech making.  By now, if we, the people of America don’t know McCain and Obama, then who’s at fault?  I’m, just, saying, the real John McCain and Barack Obama may have stood up a long time ago and we didn’t or chose not to notice; I’m, just, saying.  Well, as Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations sang I’ll Keep on Truckin’ with the Presidential Poetic Portrait and visual poetry.    

Dear diary, since John McCain or Barack Obama will become President; Americans are wondering who they are.  There are those seeking to define who they think the real John McCain and Barack Obama are.  Sure, we know about the military and political service of McCain; and Obama’s teen drug use and Chicago’s community organization.  But, does Americans know the real John McCain and Barack Obama well enough to choose one as President?  Is it important for Americans to know the real John McCain and Barack Obama? Still, the Presidential Poetic Portrait and visual poetry is a real Mission: Possible.   

Dear diary, John McCain and Barack Obama are on a media roll.  It’s a four day presumptive presidential blitz; the Saddleback forum, Fox News Character, Conduct and CNN’s Unmasked.  McCain and Obama haven’t had a shortage of air time to sway voters their way.  But, are these media outlets helping or hurting their run for the office of United States President?  In reality, it’s helping me to experience a flood of significant words to portray John McCain and Barack Obama.  At any rate, McCain and Obama’s compelling information continues to fuel the Presidential Poetic Portrait and visual poetry.     

Dear diary, the Saddleback forum gave John McCain and Barack Obama the opportunity to expound upon their faith in God, moral dilemmas and continue stomp speeches.  The forum highlighted McCain and Obama’s views on abortion, stem cell research and of course why they’re seeking the presidency.  It was interesting to note that McCain and Obama identified freedom as a reason worth dying for.  Um, it appeared as though McCain and Obama removed their campaigning façade, for a few moments.  This forum gave me many ideas for the Presidential Poetic Portrait and visual poetry.    

Dear diary, the Saddleback Civil Forum is supposedly a platform for John McCain and Barack Obama to address religion, faith and politics.  Or, is this really about both candidates cunningly attempting to woo votes from a religious group?  For McCain, this forum could ease the difficulty connecting with evangelical Christians.  And, for Obama, the forum affords an opportunity to vie for the same evangelicals as well as accentuate his Christian beliefs.  Perhaps, after it is all said and done, we’ll understand the hype and significance of this forum.  Well, by faith, I am creating the most interesting Presidential Poetic Portrait and visual poetry.    

Dear diary, John McCain chose to abide by financing restraints for the general election.  Barack Obama decided to nix public funding in lieu of fundraising.  Consequently, McCain needs to deplete his coffers and Obama must rely on contributors to maintain cash flow.  I wonder how or if this will affect the November election.     

Dear diary, the unpredictable events of August 10, 2008 provided John McCain the chance to showcase his foreign policy experience.  A decisive, symbolic act at the Democratic Convention offers Barack Obama a way to win over Hillary Clinton supporters.  Yes indeed, decisions to act or not to act may play a significant role in the 2008 campaign for President.  And so, it’s on with the makings of the Presidential Poetic Portrait. 

Dear diary, it’s almost that time; John McCain and Barack Obama must reveal a vice president, soon.  It is apparent that McCain and Obama’s choices for vice president may very well determine who’ll be the next President.  Americans are aware of the many aspects to consider when choosing a vice president.  Such as, will McCain and Obama’s vice president compliment or hinder the presidential candidate? Can the vice president assume the Commander-In-Chief role, if necessary?  Americans desire a proficient, political posse who has America’s best interest at heart.  The Presidential Poetic Portrait is a Mission: Possible.   

 Dear diary, the presidential campaign focuses on McCain red states and Obama blue states.  Hey you guys, it’s a presidential campaign, not the Red and Blue Broadway Revue.  Make no mistake; we are United States Americans seriously considering who will be the next President.  The deliberate, sugar coated campaign stumping through the red and blue states may be perceived as just a way of becoming Commander-In-Chief. We’re Americans who must be embraced; regardless of who we are, where we work and what states we reside in.  The Presidential Poetic Portrait will embody many facets of this interestingly, long campaign.   

Dear diary, John McCain and Barack Obama are once again engaging in campaign games.  So far, the Presidential Olympics seems to have been an off beat kind of race that one would never again want to attend.  Unlike the Beijing Olympics, we’ll have to wait two months and twenty-three days to see who’ll glide home and who’ll bring up the rear; huffin’ and puffin’.  Be that as it may, the Presidential Poetic Portrait continues to be Mission: Possible.   

Dear diary, in light of the John Edwards debacle; I wonder, if there are skeletons neatly tucked away in the closets of John McCain and Barack Obama.  What do we really know about John McCain and Barack Obama?  Sure, we have been notified of all the glowing information they want us to know.  But, shouldn’t Americans be told about the negative aspects of McCain and Obama’s lives.  I believe Americans have the right to know the truth and nothing but the truth about the next President.  The Presidential Poetic Portrait continues unfolding with as much accuracy as possible.   

Dear diary, Bernie Mac’s brand of comedy was uniquely entertaining.  And, while many suffer during the tough economical times, his comedy routines were and always will be pure medicine for the soul.   Bernie Mac’s comedy was a definite remedy to lighten, any load.  Without a doubt, Bernie Mac left his mark on this Earth and his comic star will shine for an eternity. 

Dear diary, the death of Bernie Mac has profoundly influenced the subject matter of my future blogs.  My poetry has always been written to enlighten and encourage, not placing steady focus on specific people.  Yes, as planned, I will create the 2009 Presidential Poetic Portrait.  But, from this day forward, I will concentrate on, we the people of America.  Just as Patti La Belle sings in Oh, People; “There will be no sides to take, if we can’t change the course we’re own.” “Apart we are weak, together we’re strong.”  Godspeed, Bernie Mac, Godspeed!!!

Dear diary, I am so tired of people criticizing me for creating a Presidential Poetic Portrait for either John McCain or Barack Obama.  These people are attempting to influence me to only honor their party’s candidate.  Surely, everyone must know that, come November 2008, John McCain or Barack Obama will become America’s new President.  I have simply chosen to honor the new President, whether Democrat or Republican.  I agree with Bobby Brown, its My Prerogative to create the Presidential Poetic Portrait, and I will do it, proudly.    

Dear diary, I think it’s time for John McCain and Barack Obama to forego slam dunk ads and focus on the economy, health care.  For, I truly think detailing plans to address America’s pressing problems would make the best campaign ads of all time.   Just thoughts as I use words to paint the Presidential Poetic Portrait.   

Dear diary, writing about John McCain and Barack Obama is somewhat challenging.  Because, they constantly and undeniably seem to accentuate each others differences.  But, with that aside, which one has shown that they actually have what it takes to be America’s next President?  I am continuing to slowly but meticulously develop the Presidential Poetic Portrait.          

Dear diary, to create the Presidential Poetic Portrait, I persistently research many sources of information.  So, as I'm writing, I thought, has John McCain or Barack Obama really considered whether or not they are the best person to lead America?  Or, is John McCain and Barack Obama so caught up in achieving their dreams that they have not truly thought about what is best for we, the people.  Umm, that is certainly something to reflect upon as I’m creating the Presidential Poetic Portrait. 

Dear diary, I’ve been wondering, which candidate actually has the right stuff to be Commander-In-Chief.  Will John McCain make a better President at age 71 or will the 47 year old Barack Obama?  Oh well, I guess we’ll find out in November.  In the meantime, just like Tina Turner’s Proud Mary, I’m rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on with the makings of a Presidential Poetic Portrait.  I wrote several more sentences today and I’m having a whole lotta fun.