Here's my endorsement for 2008 Democratic Party Nominee, which runs in today's Daily News.
THE WRITER Ingrid Bengis once observed, "Words are a form of action, capable of influencing change." What this country needs is a president not only with experience and knowledge - which both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama possess - but a president with a vision of the future, and the persuasive ability to make that vision come true. Words are not just words when they come from Sen. Obama. They are actions.
The Clintons have made much of Barack Obama's admiration for Ronald Reagan's ability to enact his vision. But I agreed with Obama when he pointed out that to truly and radically change the course of the country, as Reagan did, it takes an inspiring appeal to our better nature.
Reagan didn't simply roll back what President Carter had done in regards to taxes and a more laissez-faire foreign policy. He inspired our country onto a radical new trajectory – from a fiercely smaller (and some would argue, less compassionate) government, to a fervent military build-up. While in many ways this ill-served the nation, Reagan inspired an overwhelming number of people to not just support his policies, but force Congress to follow his lead.
And while both Clinton and Obama have the skills to roll back many of the awful things George W. Bush has gotten us into - war, and a possible recession, for starters - the next president needs to do more than that, but with a decidedly progressive tilt that will serve us and the world well.
He or she will have to begin leading the world again.
On foreign policy, Sen. Clinton has a reasonable plan, from a technical standpoint, to remove troops from Iraq and target the real threat in Afghanistan. But Obama's plan begins where hers leaves off. He is the only candidate who has boldly asserted that we must go beyond the hot spots, change our worldview, and talk with enemy nations. This does not mean capitulating, but it does mean recognizing that to settle the issues in the Middle East, it will mean opening a dialogue with nations like Iran and Syria. Obama is suggesting no different a tactic than another transformational leader, John F. Kennedy, espoused when he said, "We should never negotiate out of fear, but we should never fear to negotiate."
It takes a transformational leader to inspire a nation to march with him or her, especially when the path is untraveled. In this, Obama excels, and can lead America down the better path in a way that Hillary Clinton simply will not.
He did the same in Illinois. When the governor, legislature and even the police said it was a bad idea to videotape law-enforcement interrogations and confessions to discourage brutality, Obama began a one-man mission to convince them all that not only was his view morally right, but essential. He reached out to his opposition, listened to them, heard their concerns but disagreed. Eventually, his bill passed 35-0, and the governor signed it.
The type of leadership that will bring people together for a new, broad coalition of the left, center, and even the right is necessary to resolve our foreign policy challenges, the environment, the economy, trade and so many more issues. We do need words. We need great, inspiring words that call us - not back to the '90s, but forward, into a new and challenging era. And the most inspirational words I can think of are these:
President Obama. *
Comments (6)
I am quite surprised at your choice Flavia.
My man was John Edwards and I was very confused as to why John Kerry endorsed Barack Obama.
So at this point I actually think Hillary has more "substance" than Barack.
I do with agree with you that George Bush made a mess of this great country and it is in desperate need of repair.
Posted by: TheBoss on February 4, 2008 23:54
Senator Obama is my choice too. I believe he will be the voice of my generation just like JFK and MLK was in the '60s. It has been a long time since someone like Barack has been heard. His speech after South Carolina moved me. I'm a registered republican but vote for the best candidate. I'm tired of hearing the status quo of Washington claim they can suddenly bring about change. Where has their leadership been all this time while the country suffered? Did they stand by to prove a point? If any one of them were a coach they would have been fired a long time ago.
Posted by: Jay on February 5, 2008 16:51
Obama's the one. As with JFK inspiration goes a very long way. All the way to the White House.
Posted by: G.D. on February 5, 2008 23:10
Inspiration as a concept only takes you so far. Obama is indeed eloquent, but he hasn't sponsored one substantive piece of legislation in his years in Congress, and has very little exposure to national affairs.
He is also adamantly pro-choice, which is something that completely disqualifies him, in my book, for office. He is a consistent champion of abortion rights. If we don't care about the safety of the most vulnerable, what does it matter that we talk about the poor and underprivileged in our cities? That is empty, albeit beautiful, rhetoric.
Experience, substance, character, judgment and an ability to withstand unimaginable hardship are, in my opinion, more 'inspiring' than oratory.
John McCain is the clear choice.
Posted by: Christine on February 6, 2008 10:37
I'm with you Christine. Let Obama accomplish something as a senator, then I would seriously consider him. This vote is for President of the United States, not student council or most popular boy in school. The fact that so many people are swayed by style over substance is depressing, but thsi is the jerry Springer, Howard Stern generation, so I'm not surprised. Comparing Obama to JFK, or especially MLK, is an insult to both men.
Posted by: jimmymack on February 6, 2008 11:18
I like Obama and often hear the criticism of his lack of experience and accomplishment compared to Hillary, which could be a valid point. I haven't paid much attention to what Hillary has done for NY the past few years, and I'm curious to know more about her policy record. Seems to me she came in with nothing but a popular husband, a failed attempt at reforming health care while he was Prez, and was pretty much handed a Senate seat by an old vet on his way out.
Can anyone summarize what she's done in the Senate other than voting for the war in Iraq? Just wondering
Posted by: JSM on February 9, 2008 16:08