I Dream of Barack

150. Breastfeeding Mother Of 5-Month-Old Twins

2008-05-13T14:13:00.009-04:00

I got on an elevator in a skyscraper. A man in a suit stepped onto the elevator with me. I pushed the button for the tenth floor. I turned and saw that the man in the suit was using a breast pump. I could not see the part that attached to him, just the tubing and the bottles that collect the milk. In the ten seconds that it took us to reach the tenth floor, he filled both 5 oz bottles. WOW! I thought admiringly. He is really productive! The man was Barack Obama.

149. 39-Year-Old Mother And Clinton Supporter

2008-05-13T14:12:00.005-04:00

I was in my dining room with Barack and he was writing his date of birth on a piece of paper. I noticed that the year was 1974 and I was shocked -- he had been lying about his age! I didn't confront him about it, but rather got up and left the house.

148. 18-Year-Old Female From Canada

2008-05-08T16:37:00.004-04:00

I was on a bus coming home from University and Barack came and sat beside me. I don't know how I knew it was him, because I don't follow the election at all. He was wearing a dirty suit and smelled bad. I was reading and he asked me what I was reading. I showed him the book: The Lord of the Rings. I've never seen that movie! he exclaimed. Then he gave me his business card from his wallet. It was really cheap, like something printed off a school computer, and Senator was misspelled. He got up to get nachos from the bus concession and I put my backpack on his chair so he wouldn't sit by me again.

147. Female Harvard Law Grad Living In Boston

2008-05-08T14:45:00.006-04:00

I’m at a Harvard Law School alumni event and manage to get up the nerve to sit next to Barack. I extend my hand and say Good afternoon, Senator. I introduce myself and say, Class of 2006. He says, Barack Obama, class of 1991. For a moment we share a conspiratorial smile, like we’ve played a private game in which he's just another fellow alum. Then he turns away. I can feel his tiredness, his desire to stop moving, to breathe, to rest.

After the event I’m walking towards Harvard Square and I see him walking towards the T station. He’s wearing an Oxford cloth shirt and slacks, and is pulling a roller suitcase. I smile and ask if he would like a ride to the airport. He says he’s fine with the subway. I tell him it’s no trouble, that my car is right around the corner.

Then he is in my bed wearing blue striped boxers. I have a perfect apartment in Harvard Square (not so in real life!). The room has a bohemian look, all earth tones and Indian prints. The afternoon sun is coming through the window above the bed.

I remember the intense conversation we shared, and think about how I offered him my bed for a nap. We're talking less intensely now. I’m reclining on the side of the bed, not touching him, but am very close and the attraction is palpable. We fall silent and our eyes meet. Then we kiss very softly.

I can feel his desire to relax, to be himself, to lose himself here. I realize this could never be kept a secret. I know how disastrous it would be for the man about to be our country’s first black president to have an affair with a white woman twenty years his junior. I cannot risk any chance of being the woman who will cost our country his presidency. I put my hand on his chest and say, This is getting really dangerous really fast.

146. 66-Year-Old White Woman Who Supports Obama

2008-05-05T11:09:00.005-04:00

Barack and I were at a large gathering, perhaps the Democratic convention, which was held in a huge, ornate, complex, dark-ish, official building like the Capitol. We were sitting together at the back of the hall in the last row, leaning our chairs against the wall as we listened to speeches. He put his arm around my shoulders like we were kids on a movie date. It was a nice feeling, but at the same time I was wondering if he had a record of womanizing, since I knew he was married and had seen his wife in the crowd.

Then I realized my dress had fallen down to my waist. I was a little uncomfortable about being exposed, but no one noticed since we were covered by a blanket. He then stretched out behind me, full-length, spoon-like, and wrapped his arms around me. It felt warm and protective and slightly sexual, but I said, I'm sorry, I really can't do this. Michelle would have me for lunch. I pulled my dress back on and excused myself, saying I had to take my cat (who had appeared on my lap) home.

145. Man Who Is 3/4 Black Living In New York

2008-05-03T12:28:00.003-04:00

A chubby young black boy thought I was Obama, and wanted me to sign a postcard. I had to tell him no. He looked mildly taken aback, withdrew the postcard and then, with a tiny solemn smile, held out a handwritten note, rolled up so all I could see was the first word. I woke up wondering what the heck he wanted me to read.

144. Mormon Mother Of Five And Obama Volunteer In Connecticut

2008-04-28T22:14:00.007-04:00

I have been invited to attend the birth of Barack and Michelle's child in a beautiful landscaped park. Once it's confirmed that Michelle's contractions are five minutes apart, she is slowly driven away in a convertible to a more secluded location with Barack walking alongside the car. He is wearing a brown leather jacket with the collar turned up like James Dean, and as I see him follow the car I think how much fun with the baby he'll miss out on due to the demands of the Presidential campaign.

143. 27-Year-Old Female Middle School Librarian

2008-04-28T22:12:00.004-04:00

I'm staying at the Obama residence with Barack and his wife. The guest spot on the floor is uncomfortable, so I get into bed with the happy couple. Michelle is sandwiched the middle. Barack has his arm around his wife, but he's stroking my ear the way a lover might.

142. Canadian Man Who Has Been In A Kayak Once

2008-04-28T11:34:00.006-04:00

I am rowing in a kayak on a cloudy day. I feel tired, humiliated and discouraged. The other rowers can't believe how bad I am. In a moment alone, my trainer, Barack Obama, approaches me in his grey-blue track suit, puts one of his sneakers on my kayak and his hand on my shoulder. He gives me a good pep talk about determination and not backing down. He also says, You shouldn't even be this tired, and gives me proper rowing techniques. Then I feel better. Even if I am going to lose that day, I at least have the sense that I had tried my best.

141. 18-Year-Old Female In Northern Virginia

2008-04-26T10:37:00.010-04:00

I'm going to visit my father at work in Washington D.C. I am waiting in a particularly long line at a Metro station when I get to the front, and who should be there but Barack Obama! The metro turns out to be not a metro at all -- it's a large, high-speed roller coaster! Me and Barack strap into a dangling car and get ready to go! We also apparently know each other, which I don't find odd.

We make some brief conversation and I tell him that I am a supporter of his and he thanks me. He is really nice. We continue to ride the roller coaster and when the ride ends, we say good-bye and wave. He might as well have been a friend of mine.

140. Ex-Pat Canadian Female Now In The U.S. And Voting For The First Time

2008-04-26T10:24:00.021-04:00

I was at a planning meeting with Barack and his handlers. They were talking about a televised town hall program they were going to participate in that night.

I decided to fly up to the ceiling to see what Barack's reaction would be. He kept talking with his handlers and pretty much ignored the fact that I was hovering over him. They were growing more animated as they discussed a woman who was going to be in the audience. She had contributed a lot of money to the campaign and Barack wanted to be able to answer her questions during the show, but he needed a way to identify her. Someone suggested they paint her face bright red. I thought that was too obvious and suggested they just paint a red X on her neck. They liked that idea.

Though I'm a Hillary supporter, I woke up feeling a bit more positive towards Barack.

139. Female Freelance Videojournalist

2008-04-26T09:42:00.004-04:00

Barack and I were walking around this dangerous neighborhood at night. There were no people around, just angry rabid dogs. I kept turning down the wrong street and the dogs would come out of nowhere and start chasing me. Barack would grab my hand and make me run the other way so we could escape them. The dream went on and on like this. I kept turning down the same alley and facing the same dogs and Barack kept pulling me to safety.

I had this dream the night Hillary won Pennyslvaia.

138. Female Obama Campaign Volunteer In California

2008-04-26T04:56:00.007-04:00

I was driving along and looked up and saw Obama’s plane flying through the sky. He was on his way to another rally after the Pennsylvania primaries.

Suddenly, the plane began lurching about and flying haphazardly. I sensed with dread what was going to happen next: the plane plunged from the sky and crashed in a big fiery explosion.

Everyone was very emotional and heartbroken. People were devastated and weeping in the streets. It was as if all of our hopes and dreams for this country had crashed and burned with the plane.

I saw news cameramen clambering over each other to film Obama’s broken body that had been recovered from the crash. I was disgusted with their voyeurism and ruthlessness.

137. 37-Year-Old 3/4 Black 1/4 Irish Male In NY State Who Doesn't Read The News Much

2008-04-24T10:29:00.008-04:00

Just before waking, I have this dream: I was in a town on the Hudson River which has a view south towards New York City. Walking through the town's hilly streets, I catch glimpses of Obama walking by, usually no more than a block away. He's wearing a riotously colorful jacket, a sort of deconstructed plaid.

The streets are empty, like early morning when the commuters all troop down to the train. His expression is intense and thoughtful, with a small smile, as if he's composing a speech in his head as he walks, or listening to something only he can hear. He leans forward as he walks.

On the overlook above the river, there is a outdoor setup of a news crew -- maybe ABC -- and they are interviewing Michelle Obama. She looks like that awful picture of her on the cover of the National Review. Someone else is standing off to the side, waiting his turn. He's wearing a mudcloth skullcap.

I don't see anyone else in the town, but I walk by an office and hear two women who look like they are from the Caribbean discussing the election. They seem to be in good humor.

136. Young Woman Named Sarah

2008-04-23T20:02:00.008-04:00

I was in an office where I had worked as a temp. The space was almost Japanese, with large, simple black leather furniture. It was now the headquarters of Barack's campaign in Boston.

I was explaining to my friends that when I worked here, I kept a bottle of Bailey's on the bottom shelf behind the desk. My friend Jay came to sit on me, but I moved out of the way. Then to my surprise, Barack entered the office.

He greeted Jay like a good friend, then proceeded to comically sit on Jay, squashing him. I was pretty glad I wasn't at the bottom of that pile. It was very impressive how close a friend Barack Obama was to Jay.

135. 18-Year-Old Female

2008-04-21T22:30:00.005-04:00

I'm watching The Today Show (and do not find anything odd about this for some reason). A breaking news graphic springs to life on the screen, and I see a shot of a very dirty toilet. The voice-over says that it's Barack's dirty toilet. What they're implying is: Do we really want a man who doesn't keep his toilet clean running the country?

Barack replies. He's like, Seriously?

134. 22-Year-Old University Of Chicago Alumni

2008-04-18T08:55:00.005-04:00

I'm at summer camp with my husband's family and one of the evening's activities is a Purim party. Campers are randomly selected to play parts in a reenactment of the Purim story, and Barack is chosen to play Haman. Everyone at the camp (mostly Barack supporters, apparently) is disappointed that Barack, clearly a hero in real life, is to play the villain in the skit, but he's a good sport, and we are all impressed with his acting skills.

133. Grandmother and Undecided Voter

2008-04-16T11:20:00.004-04:00

I'm on a small, propeller-type old-fashioned airplane. I am helping the other passengers stow their luggage and things in the overhead bins, although I am not a flight attendant, just a helpful fellow passenger. Barack appears behind me, patting me on the shoulder and saying positive, encouraging things to suggest I am doing a good job. I feel his tone is patronizing, since I am obviously not an airline employee.

132. Young Irish Man In NYC Who Supports Obama

2008-04-15T11:26:00.007-04:00

It has been on the news for a few days that Barack is having stomach problems. I decide he needs some peanut butter cookies and set about baking a batch. Then I find myself in a bakery. The walls are lined with Tupperware containers of cookies and Barack is there with this girl I know from somewhere. He is eating her cookies and says politely that mine are not the right consistency. Then the two of them leave together.

I wake up with a new fund raising idea for the Obama campaign in my head: an iPhone-Obama collaboration where every time you hit the snooze button on your iPhone alarm clock, you automatically donate a dollar to his campaign.

131. Struggling Actor in New York City

2008-04-15T11:22:00.008-04:00

I am in the back of a helicopter with Barack, flying over the the waters of Cape Town. After a pleasant conversation, he slides open the door and I leap into the air. As I fall, I began to see the dark grey outlines of sharks swimming in the waters below. I am being dropped far from shore and I know I'll have to swim a long way back. More and more shadows appear and I splash down into the waters with the full knowledge that there are sharks everywhere around me. I am terrified. I tell myself it's only a dream.

130. 22-Year-Old Female College Student

2008-04-15T11:18:00.007-04:00

Barack and I are dating and it's pretty serious. He wants to get married but I tell him I won't unless he passes two particular bills. They are awesome; the equivalent of universal health care and free college education for everyone.

We find ourselves at a big party. (I'm pretty sure it's the same place Roslin announced that Baltar had won the vice-presidency in Battlestar Galactica.) Barack takes the stage. He makes an announcement that he will introduce the two bills to Congress.

Watching him, I know that, in some way, he's doing it for me.

129. Mother Who Slightly Favors Barack Over Hillary

2008-04-12T12:52:00.004-04:00

Barack, Michelle, my husband, our daughter and I all went to the mall together. We walked through the racks at Macy's looking at clothes. Michelle spent the time entertaining my daughter by pretending to try on silly shirts she found. Barack was holding forth on how Macy's was a symbol of the American experience in the 21st century. I had trouble hearing him because my daughter kept laughing and distracting me.

We all walked together to the food court where we sat down and discussed the American experience some more over bad mall food. I tried to make some joke about how unsavory the American experience must be if it tasted like what we were eating, but I was nervous and the joke didn't go over too well. Barack leaned in and said, Well, my middle name isn't 'Middleman' is it.

What? I asked.

My middle name isn't 'Middleman' is it? he repeated, as if expecting me to laugh.

I wasn't sure if I'd heard him right, but I thought he might be making a joke about how his life was much more international than this suburban shopping mall. I started to laugh tentatively, glancing at Michelle to see if I was correct in thinking he had made a joke. She was already laughing.

Ok, so I'm not the best joke teller. I hope that doesn't ruin your image of me, he said.

It didn't. Actually, I thought it was both endearing and funny.

128. Female Writer In Los Angeles

2008-04-12T09:42:00.007-04:00

Barack and I were hanging out with a security guard in a building in DC. He leaned in and whispered to me that he had been in love with me since we'd been in grade school together. He started singing Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You, but really quiet because he didn't want anyone to hear, and because of Michelle.

127. 24-Year-Old Austin Male

2008-04-10T10:05:00.007-04:00

I'm at Barack's inauguration. There's a representative speaking at the podium introducing him, when suddenly there is shouting and I see a group of people wearing the white hoods of the Ku Klux Klan. There's a lot of commotion and they're yelling and causing a disturbance, which actually turns out to be a diversion, because I see someone rush the podium and shoot the person who was speaking, then start heading for Barack. There is a total absence of secret service and security, and my heart starts racing as I fear they're going to make it to Barack.

126. Gay White Male College Professor

2008-04-10T10:02:00.007-04:00

I am on my back on a bed in a Motel 6, fully clothed; Michelle Obama is straddling me and holding my arms over my head. This is not sexual. Michelle does not look like herself -- she actually resembles one of my colleagues, an African-American woman about her age. I cannot figure out why Michelle feels she has to hold me down -- it seems there has been some misunderstanding.

Barack is about to address an audience in the motel room, but I can't see him or the crowd. His speech goes very well. Afterward, Michelle lets me get up, then she and Barack and I have a conversation about race in America. We agree about almost everything and have a lot of esteem for one another.