After I vented some snark yesterday (well deserved, of course!) our very own Trix made the following simple yet challenging suggestion:
"I've got an idea... tell us why Obama is so great."
Hmm. Really? Well, there are people out there who still need convincing. But when you're accused of being a "cultist" you have to explain yourself to people very carefully.
So although I am by no means a spokesman, I've thought it over, and I'm going to take a shot at it.
First, I don't want more of the same old partisan politics of the past. Battling over issues, fighting turf wars, and grinding down opponents can't be the only model for governing. Leading by example has to be as well. A candidate's style of leadership is incredibly important, and can't be underestimated.
Of course, no politician is perfect, and no one can work magic. But the tone set by the President's leadership is incredibly important. (See: Bush, George W.) What kind of model will that person be for everyone working in their administration? What personal example will they lead by? What do they bring that makes them unique and worth your vote?
So... why is Obama so great?
My personal feeling is that he is inspirational. We have lived through a dismal eight years of disaster and fundamental abuse of government by hardcore neocons. Americans need to have reason to hope that government can be functional again, that it can work for us. Inspirational leadership is what we need now. But I suppose that makes me sound like a cultist.
I also believe that he is sincere in his conviction that he can bring real change to Washington, that he is committed to a break with the divisive politics of the past, that he is dedicated to get beyond the "us against them" mentality of Washington. He even seems to get a modicum of respect from some Republicans. That's not saying much, I know, but it is a hopeful sign. But then, I suppose that makes me sound like a cultist, too.
I also believe that his grassroots organizing and 50 state strategy is the wave of the future, that it actively embodies his commitment to progressive principles and creating a new model of political engagement. He has actively helped drive up registration of new voters and attracted young people to the party. But that probably makes me sound like... you know.
Another thing: I believe that he understands diplomacy and will work to repair Bush's disastrous foreign policy blunders and help mend bridges with the world. I've read reports that Europeans are fascinated with Obama and excited that he is a candidate. Imagine that! A president that would be a positive ambassador for our country and might actually be able to help the world to like us again.
He's already been smeared viciously by the rightwing attack machine, if you're worried about "can he take it?" factor. Look how he handled the smears so far: he has kept his cool and stayed focused on his message. That is evidence of his leadership style. He is not an attack dog who will look for fights. He will stand his ground if attacked, but he will also not lose his focus.
Who else would make the kind of speech on race in America that he recently made? It was ground-breaking. Obama has the potential to really convince Americans to look at who we are and talk about serious issues. Crazy, I know. Maybe it's wishful thinking. But it's enough to make me believe it is worth a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make it happen.
And the only way to make it happen is to vote for Barack Obama.
But if none of that works for you.... why else is Obama so great?
Here are some other reasons:
Iraq:
Before the war in Iraq ever started, Senator Obama said that it was wrong in its conception. In 2002, then Illinois State Senator Obama said Saddam Hussein posed no imminent threat to the United States and that invasion would lead to an occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. Since then, Senator Obama has laid out a plan on the way forward in Iraq that has largely been affirmed by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group led by James Baker and Lee Hamilton.
Ethics:
Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has been a leader in fighting for open and honest government. As a U.S. Senator, he has spearheaded the effort to clean up Washington in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal. In a politically charged election year, Obama acknowledged that corruption was a problem that plagued both political parties. He subsequently enlisted the help of Republican allies to limit lobbyist influence, shine sunlight into the earmarks process and promote open government.
Energy & Environment:
Senator Obama has been a leader in the Senate in pushing for a comprehensive national energy policy and has introduced a number of bills to get us closer to the goal of energy independence. By putting aside partisan battles, he has found common ground on CAFE, renewable fuels, and clean coal.
Poverty:
There are 37 million poor Americans. Most poor Americans are in the workforce, yet still cannot afford to make ends meet. And too many poor Americans are single mothers who are raising children. Barack Obama has been a lifelong advocate for the poor -- as a young college graduate, he rejected the high salaries of corporate America and moved to the South Side of Chicago to work as a community organizer. As an organizer, Obama worked with churches, Chicago residents and local government to set up job training programs for the unemployed and after school programs for kid
Service:
"Your own story and the American story are not separate - they are shared. And they will both be enriched if we stand up together, and answer a new call to service to meet the challenges of our new century ... I won't just ask for your vote as a candidate; I will ask for your service and your active citizenship when I am president of the United States. This will not be a call issued in one speech or program; this will be a cause of my presidency." - Barack Obama, Speech in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, December 5, 2007
There's lots more here. Take a look. See what's there. You may be surprised.
Got questions? Ask. Not me, but any Obama supporter. If you're not convinced that he's so great, find out why his supporters think so.
Apparently there is still a percentage of Democratic voters who say they will not vote for Obama if he is the nominee. I find that shocking and hard to believe. Can people really be so self-destructive?
At this point, if you're still unconvinced, and you still can't vote for Obama as the Democratic nominee (even though you're a Democrat!) then there's this from MoveOn.org:
10 things you should know about John McCain (but probably don't):
- John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.
- According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."
- His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.
- McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."
- The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.
- He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.
- Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."
- McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.
- McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."
- He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.
http://pol.moveon.org/...
I sincerely hope that no Democrat is serious when they threaten to withhold their vote or vote Republican if their candidate is not the nominee. Because if they do that, John McCain will be President.
Isn't that reason enough to vote for Obama, even if you can't be convinced of any other?
I sincerely hope so.