Last week I promised that I would explain why I support Barack Obama and will be voting for him this coming November. The intent is to hopefully convince those people who aren’t necessarily Democrat or Republican but vote for the best person out there, regardless of party. Let’s face it, that describes a whole lot of the electorate -- many of whom are not enamored with John McCain and are intrigued by Obama but are worried that Obama doesn’t have the experience to handle the job. Reasonable concerns I admit.
First my support for Obama does have partisan intentions. I typically vote Democratic (but not always) and I would like to see the Republican Party, as currently configured, assigned to the dust bin of history. Obama promises a 50-state strategy that, if pulled off, could literally make the Republicans a niche party of racist southerners, uneducated Appalachians, and assorted cranks, conspiracists, and Fox News blowhards. There is a left-of-center political re-alignment that is just ready to flower and Obama can help make that happen.
Admittedly that reasoning isn’t going to assure fence sitters, moderates, and just-kicking-the-tires former Republicans. So I offer this: I believe that Obama promises to be a transformative President in our Country’s history. One of the strongest images we send to the world is our moral standing. The crux of our Constitution and Declaration of Independence -- offering equality for everyone, freedom of speech and religion, the opportunity to do what you want -- is still the beacon for most of Earth’s population. That image has been sullied in the past, more so recently. By electing a half-black man with a funny sounding Muslim name, we are telling the world that we still live by those ideals and that if someone like that can be elected to the most powerful position in the world then the America truly is that shining city on the hill that Ronald Reagan spoke of so eloquently. Our standing on the world stage will increase precipitously.
Now I am sure some of you are thinking who cares about “transformative President? What I want to know is if Obama can stand up to some tin pot dictator in Iran or a Russian thug like Vladimir Putin. I argue yes. First Obama just went head-to-head and beat the most formidable candidate for president in a generation. I know it was the Democratic primary but the Clintons play presidential politics to win and Obama stood up to them and won. I have a feeling that facing someone like the Junta in Myanmar or some world leader wannabe in Venezuela will be peanuts compared to Hilary Rodham Clinton and her desire to be president.
Furthermore I like the response Obama is giving in light of some of the criticisms that Democrats typically face. When confronted with the charge that his policies and positions “don’t support the troops” instead trying to look tough and out “military” his critics, Obama correctly points out that supporting the troops means more than a yellow ribbon on the back of a SUV. It means having a war policy that is well thought out, with troops that are properly equipped and given a mission that they can accomplish. It means treating those troops who have been injured with respect and dignity. Obama has been his own man when facing criticisms of his policies. There is no reason to believe he won’t be his own man when representing the Country abroad or against internal special interests.
Other arguments against Obama has been his lack of experience. Unfortunately the results of those who have had experience in government does not make one rally around the experience card. All would admit that Governor Pawlenty has had years of experience prior to becoming Governor. Why then could he not understand that you need money to maintain bridges and roads or they will fall apart? Many of the people who planned the Iraq War had years and years of governmental and military experience. Washington D.C. is littered with failed policies developed by politicians who have had years of experience. It think what is more important is what kind of experience you’ve had and how you use it, and how willing you are to change your assumptions based on new information -- not that you’ve put in a certain amount of years. All indications point to Obama having this kind of experience. Finally, the economy is probably the single greatest issue facing our next President. John McCain has admitted that he hasn’t spent much time thinking about economic issues during his 20 plus years in Washington. I am not sure Americans can afford someone who has demonstrated disinterest in such an important issue.
There are many other aspects of Obama’s background and governing style that make him a much better candidate than John McCain. His understanding of technology and how it is used in modern life is in a different galaxy than that of McCain’s -- who admits he doesn’t use e-mail, the internet, etc. Obama also has an opportunity to be a positive roll model for black males, which would be a huge improvement over self-absorbed professional athletes and misogynist rap stars that are typically looked up to as heroes. Obama’s policies and inclinations toward health care, global warming, fair taxes, the economy, and rights for women and homosexuals are more in line with what mainstream Americans think than those of John McCain and the Republicans. Finally, although an inspirational speaking style does not necessarily make for good policies, it will be nice to have a leader who is articulate, can speak in cogent sentences, who can make an argument that uses logic and rationality rather than fear and spin to persuade and inspire.
There it is, that’s my argument for Barack Hussein Obama. What do you think? Who are you supporting and why?
