Saturday, February 09, 2008

Why I am supporting Barack Obama

Several months ago, I started feeling that Obama might be the one. I liked a lot of the Democratic candidates, but ultimately, I feel that those of us who are Democrats should nominate Barack.

I think Hillary Clinton would be a good president. I have been wishing for decades that this nation would break through the mother of all glass ceilings and elect a woman President. So, if Hillary wins the nomination, I will campaign for her and enthusiastically vote for her.

However, while Hillary might be good, I think Barack Obama has the potential for greatness. I think he has qualities and a background that are unique and make him especially qualified to undue a lot of the damage done to this country in the last several years, and move us forward in a new direction.

Barack is intelligent, and a skilled and inspiring communicator. Ever since Simon and Garfunkel sang "Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?/A nation turns it's lonely eyes to you" in the late 1960's, we have longed for a leader that would inspire the younger generation to believe that together we can make a great nation and world together.

(And no, Ronald Reagan did NOT inspire the young generations in the 1980's - he reached out to older Democrats that thought the Democratic party had lost it's way.)

Barack is the only candidate who can step into the mess we have made of the world and convincingly say to other nations, "We Americans made a mistake by invading Iraq. We got carried away with fear after 9/11, and were looking for enemies under every rock. Our vision was clouded, but we are now seeing with new eyes and will be a more responsible leader of nations in the future." Hillary cannot make that argument effectively. She did support the war for too long. Bill Clinton's foreign policy got it wrong in a number of places as well. The world might be impressed that we elected a woman, (and one who wants to end the war in Iraq), but they will still look at America as many around the world do: as a bumbling, arrogant, and selfish super-power.

Barack Obama is uniquely positioned to speak to many of the things that divide us; especially race and income disparity. America is yearning to get over the legacy of racism and discrimination. We are tired of living in a nation that is so wealthy but is willing to let so many go without proper health care. The rates of homelessness and poverty are a disgrace to all of us. I think that Barack is one of the few politicians that can convincingly reach out to blacks, whites, Latinos, Asians, rich, poor, and middle class and bring them together to work on our common goals of solving these problems.

Barack has had enough experience in the political arena to handle the presidency. If you don't believe me, look at the backgrounds of other presidents in our history. Decades of experience in politics does not guarantee a successul president. Just start with Lincoln's resume.

In 2008, America is looking for a new path, a new direction, and yes, someone to inspire the youth of this nation the way John F. Kennedy did in the early 1960's. I believe Barack Obama has the necessary qualities to become that great leader, and I encourage you to support him.

10 comments:

mey luy said...

I agree with you Mr. C.

I believe that Hilary could indeed prove to be an excellent president, but Obama has more to offer to the table. I believe that because Hilary supported the war, and because she is the wife of the the ex-president, Bill Clinton, perhaps others wont find her as humble or as serious as Obama. If Obama apologizes to foreign countries, it will sound more honest coming out of his mouth. Besides, its obvious that Obama is charismatic, and hopefully will make a good impression on other countries.He's also younger than other presidents and may have fresh ideas for our country. I like his healthcare plan!

mey luy
P4

melissa son said...

i honestly choose neither Obama or Hilary as president because they both serve the same reason. what really matters to me is if the democrats win over the republicans because i disagree with many things for instance they are not inclined to help the minority.

Melissa Son

Tucker Rockwell said...

Usually supporting Republican ideas, it is odd to say that over the past months I have began to feel Barack Obama is the best choice for the President of the United States. I personally went to Barack's rally at the Key Arena and it showed me a lot about his character, strong voice, and ideas for our country. I agree with you, Mr. C, in the fact that Obama is the only candidate that can "step into the mess we have made of the world and convincingly say to other nations that America has made a mistake by invading Irag." With Hillary's connection to Bill Clinton, and support of the war for so long, she can not be taken serious by the world while trying to make the statement Barack would need to make about our huge mistake. I also believe that with Barack being African American, it will be a huge jump for the U.S. and he will be able to reach out to all races and classes of people much easier than any other candidate. There are still many things I am confused about and that I am not well informed about but seeing that I am not eligible to vote for 5 more years I have time to learn much. Tucker Rockwell
5th Period WTP

Jessica Mtz said...

I really gotta say that i agree with you Mr.C. I think Obama is the right man for the job, even though at the begining i really wanted Hilary to win because i thought that having a women be president would just be the coolest, but those are all the wrong reason when it comes to be about electing a new president. This counrty needs a president that can really make a difference in our everyday life by making the human population feel safe once again and not make us worry if anything bad is going to happen. But there is so much more that has to be re-gained, all we have to do is vote for the right reasons and hope that they are "a man of their word", or a "woman of her word"...lol(^_^)

Anonymous said...

Hey Coraggio!

When the presidential elections first started becoming a topic of discussion i really had know idea who would win me over. I've always been more on the democratic side so i chose to pay closer attention to those candidates. At first i thought that either Hillary or Barack would be good presidents because we really need a change in government (a black president or a women president). But after paying closer attention to the presidential race, i started noticing that i was leaning towards Obama a bit more. His speeches are always so powerful and well thought out. The speech that really pulled me in was the one about hope. All the candidates make promises that they might not be able to keep, but Obama is saying that hope is our best chance to a brighter future. Another thing that made me want to back him up was his thoughts about the war. I feel like he is the only candidate that will be able to end this stupid war successfully and in a timely matter. All in all i think its about time a democratic president regained political control. GO OBAMA!

kyle_e said...

In i honestly beleive that Barack obama would be the best fit for our country. I have been paying close attention to the presedential race, more then i have ever, and i have beenfollowing Baracks speaches which are simply amazing. The issues he brings to the table too be fixed range from stopping the war too highering minimum wage and helping people with healthcare. I bealeive that he will not only fix the troubles but reach the goals he is setting with ease, and these are pretty high goals. Also he makes the America we have today seem not essential for life so im interested in seeing what he can do too make it essential.
Kyle Ehlers
P.5

Tyler Manke said...

I agree strongly with you.

At first, i was undecided on who i really wanted as our next president. But seeing as of how i am able to vote this year i decided to pay more close attention to the race. I was drawn to Barack right away. He has that "fire" to him that makes you want to listen to him and makes you believe he has potential to be a great president. His view on that war and wanting to get the troops out of Iraq slowly but surely is another tally for him on my chart. Obama's speeches are always powerful and pursuading. I believe if he was elected president, most people would come to like him because he has that friendly personality and he is always looking to make our country better and unite it during this war. Once again, i support your thoughts 100% in believing Barack is the best choice and i hope he wins.

-Tyler Manke
Period 4

Anonymous said...

Eh late night procrastination. Does a half an hour past midnight count as late?

I didn't really look much into the two candidates much to figure out who I'd choose. An article came up on a website I visit and from then knew Obama would be the better choice. Clinton sides with the gaming industry's worst and most persistent enemy, Jack Thompson. Clinton even had the nerve to say "50 percent of boys ages 7 - 14 were able to buy M-rated video games." Which I know is a flat out lie from personal experience.

I looked into Obama's page and realized he has really good plans for technology and it's involvement in the future of the U.S. I still want to see his postition on gaming but he has more important matters at hand.

Kingsley C
p4 WTP

Maggie Caetano said...

well at first it was a hard choice for me to decide who i would want to win, but after watching the videos in class and learning more about each candidate, i came to the conclusion that i agree with you about wanting barack obama to win the election. i feel that he could do great things and he's the only person who i feel is "real". i think he would be an excellent president and would do great things for america. The one thing that i see in barack that i don't see in the other candidates is passion. people may doubt what he could potentially do one day, but i think he could do great things for our country.

corragiosfavoritestudent said...

welll.... i think that you are right to say he has more effective arguments compared to hillary, however.. as off topic as this may sounnd... i really wish it wasnt so much about the "woman" running and the "black man" i mean, even though it will have a lot to do with this, i dont beleive that a candidate should be judged based on gender, race, age, religion, or anything of this nature. i would definitely say that if i were to vote democratic (which i will honestly say i have not decided, because i am trying not to base my opinions off my parents,you(no offense), my friends, or anyone else..) i would vote for barack just because he seems to not only have more clear of opinions, and btter arguments, but also have a better conection to the people, especially the younger population, which is becoming more and more involved in the world. i do beleive hillary stands a good chance, but i think only time will tell:) i hope i did this right..