No hype, Obama IS change America can believe in
Four years ago, a little-known state senator from Illinois stepped onto a national stage at the Democratic convention and with rare insight and inspiration challenged Americans to boldly embrace hope in the face of difficulty and uncertainty. "People don't expect government to solve all their problems," Barack Obama said then, "but they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all." Four years later, this nation faces almost unimaginable difficulty and uncertainty as cynical forces slam one door of opportunity after another before us. Hope is hard to muster. Confidence in the nation's business, financial and government leaders, and especially in the president, is in free fall. The time demands more than a slight change in priorities. The cumulative effect of eight years of unregulated free market chicanery and "trickle down" tax cut voodoo, of "pre-emptive" invasions and deficit federal spending have left the economy in shambles, the nation mired in unprecedented debt and millions of families suffering. Americans are turning to their government for answers more substantial and sustaining than stimulus rebates and bank bailouts. George W. Bush and his fellow supply-sider John McCain have only one answer for the big questions: More of the same -- tax cuts for the wealthy, deregulation of business, privatization of government and blind faith that prosperity will flow from on high to the middle class and poor through better jobs and opportunity. It didn't in the past eight years, it won't, and America can't stand more of their plundering. But who can lead us to solutions that will restore American prosperity and primacy? Americans are looking for a leader with the rare qualities to bring out the best in us in the worst of times. Once again, here is Obama, radiating optimism, audacious with hope, inspiring by example, now a U.S. senator and the front-runner for the White House, summoning Americans to cast aside our cynicism, transcend all that divides us and resolve together our most pressing problems. This isn't Pollyanna rhetoric. His is a tall order: Rebuild the economy by shoring middle-class prosperity, reach energy independence in 10 years, reform the failing health care system, restore government transparency, regain international trust and end the Iraq war, for starters. Unlike McCain, Obama backs his call for change with plans of action that require and inspire real sacrifice and commitment by all Americans to achieve success. Can we do it? Not without a president who believes in the enabling power of government and good governance. Bush didn't. Obama does. We can't do it without a president with the values, vision, enthusiasm and patience to stay focused on the big picture while negotiating difficult details. Bush had neither. Obama's ability to stay on message in the Senate and through an arduous primary campaign and the general election contest, his inspiring composure and civility throughout the debates and his penetrating analyses of both domestic and foreign policy issues convince us he not only "understands," he possesses the temperament, intelligence, integrity, moral clarity and skill to lead this country through crisis to new and greater horizons. And here's a crucial point for voters to consider before casting their presidential ballot for the Nov. 4 election: America's had a shoot-from-the-hip maverick in the Oval Office for almost eight years. He took us hell bent to war in Iraq on faulty intelligence at best or on false pretense at worst. Sen. McCain, judging from his rhetoric and his votes supporting Bush, is a hair-trigger hawk as well, even if more seasoned as a warrior. More than once in the political debates, he couldn't contain his temper or repress a snide remark, costing him favor with viewers and points in the polls. By contrast, Obama was never riled, but maintained civility through harsh attacks then deftly pulled the rug out from under his opponent with on-point but nuanced responses. Which man do you think is likely to be more effective on America's behalf if seated across the negotiating table from wary or bristling foreign leaders? Not the maverick. In January, before Florida's Democratic primary election, we were impressed with Obama's competence, his sense of possibilities and his candor. His stand against the Iraq war was commendable. But we hadn't heard enough specifics about his proposed programs for taxes, the economy, health care, foreign policy and other major concerns to recommend him as his party's presidential nominee. Since then, he's been very clear and specific about his proposals -- which we analyzed in a series of editorials earlier this month that are available at www.news-journalonline.com/opinion -- the majority of which have the makings of solid legislation and policy. Finally, Obama's choice of longtime Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate, in part, for Biden's vast knowledge and credible counsel on foreign policy issues and his ability to lead White House initiatives on Capitol Hill, commends good judgment. Sen. McCain, by contrast, thought more of shoring up his Republican far right base with his pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who wouldn't know pre-emption doctrine if it were carved on a moose hide, than assuring the country an able and ready successor in the event of his death in office. For McCain and Palin, change is an empty word. They're still defending and proposing the dismal "free market" tripe of the Bush administration. Obama and Biden are offering Americans the ideas and political means to reopen opportunity's doors for all. · RECOMMENDATION: Barack Obama and Joe Biden for president and vice president of the United States.
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