Nation needs inspiring leadership -- Obama
By the Pantagraph Editorial Board
Regardless of who wins, the 2008 race for the White House is already a historic benchmark. We will wake up on Nov. 5 with either our first black president or our first female vice president.
Even without the "firsts," this a critical time for our nation. Economic turmoil at home and an ongoing war abroad will instantly and severely test the next president.
That's why it's essential that American voters select someone who can navigate through those treacherous waters, be prepared for yet-unknown crises and provide level-headed leadership not only for this country but also for the world.
Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden can meet these challenges better than Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin.
When Sen. McCain selected Gov. Palin as his running mate, he made it more difficult to endorse him because he chose political expediency over the best interests of the country. She's simply not qualified to sit a heartbeat away from the presidency.
This nation is in need of inspirational leadership. Obama can be that leader.
He has shown throughout the campaign an ability to respond with calm resolution, in a way that we expect of the president of the greatest nation on earth.
One thing that has been consistent about Obama, going back at least to his days as a Harvard law student, is his contemplative decision-making style. His willingness to listen to what others have to say, weighing the pros and cons before reaching a conclusion is a welcome change. It's time for a leader who can mend our image abroad.
Obama has promised a responsible disengagement from Iraq. He has pledged to meet the escalating threat in Afghanistan. He promises a return to dialogue with friends and enemies alike.
At home, we believe he will be consultative in his approach to solving our difficult economic problems. It just takes the right leadership to harness the energy of great minds, leaving all the political nonsense behind.
This is not an easy choice.
We would have preferred that Obama have more experience before becoming president and we don't agree with some of his positions -his views on taxation and on removing the secret ballot in union organizing, for example.
But he can make up for his limited experience by surrounding himself with experienced people who have good analytical skills and are committed to telling the president what he needs to know, not what he wants to hear - advisers he can trust; not ideologues.
Democrats are expected to retain control of the House of Representatives and possibly increase their majority in the Senate.
But political realities require that the next president work in the center of the spectrum, where most Americans reside. Extremism on the right and the left will need to yield to common sense solutions in the middle.
With his great ability to communicate, Obama can accomplish that. He has all the qualities to be a great president. It's up to him.
The Pantagraph endorses Barack Obama for president.
Regardless of who wins, the 2008 race for the White House is already a historic benchmark. We will wake up on Nov. 5 with either our first black president or our first female vice president.
Even without the "firsts," this a critical time for our nation. Economic turmoil at home and an ongoing war abroad will instantly and severely test the next president.
That's why it's essential that American voters select someone who can navigate through those treacherous waters, be prepared for yet-unknown crises and provide level-headed leadership not only for this country but also for the world.
Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden can meet these challenges better than Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin.
When Sen. McCain selected Gov. Palin as his running mate, he made it more difficult to endorse him because he chose political expediency over the best interests of the country. She's simply not qualified to sit a heartbeat away from the presidency.
This nation is in need of inspirational leadership. Obama can be that leader.
He has shown throughout the campaign an ability to respond with calm resolution, in a way that we expect of the president of the greatest nation on earth.
One thing that has been consistent about Obama, going back at least to his days as a Harvard law student, is his contemplative decision-making style. His willingness to listen to what others have to say, weighing the pros and cons before reaching a conclusion is a welcome change. It's time for a leader who can mend our image abroad.
Obama has promised a responsible disengagement from Iraq. He has pledged to meet the escalating threat in Afghanistan. He promises a return to dialogue with friends and enemies alike.
At home, we believe he will be consultative in his approach to solving our difficult economic problems. It just takes the right leadership to harness the energy of great minds, leaving all the political nonsense behind.
This is not an easy choice.
We would have preferred that Obama have more experience before becoming president and we don't agree with some of his positions -his views on taxation and on removing the secret ballot in union organizing, for example.
But he can make up for his limited experience by surrounding himself with experienced people who have good analytical skills and are committed to telling the president what he needs to know, not what he wants to hear - advisers he can trust; not ideologues.
Democrats are expected to retain control of the House of Representatives and possibly increase their majority in the Senate.
But political realities require that the next president work in the center of the spectrum, where most Americans reside. Extremism on the right and the left will need to yield to common sense solutions in the middle.
With his great ability to communicate, Obama can accomplish that. He has all the qualities to be a great president. It's up to him.
The Pantagraph endorses Barack Obama for president.
1 comments:
As the election draws closer to Nov 4, the American people will see the true results if Obama wins. There are just too many questions on his past, his vision of the future (EuroSocialist Government), spreading the wealth from those who are working for a living (Rich @ $42,000+) to those who would rather live under a welfare state, a medical system such as Canada. We just do not need to have Obama elected. We would have just more of the Democrat philosophy running our lives. Heaven forbid. With Obama’s, Biden’s and Democratic leadership’s rhetoric, or I should say, lack of we would be in a world of hurt.
Obama is promising legislation that would make it more difficult for workers to hold a private ballot vote in unionization drives, which critics say would lead to harassment and intimidation, has spurred a pitched battle between powerful labor unions supportive of Sen. Barack Obama and big business in the presidential campaign. Seen by the AFL-CIO as a way to boost union rolls by hundreds of thousands of new members, the hotly-contested bill has become this year's No. 1 election issue for organized labor. Mr. Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has promised union bosses that the Employee Free Choice Act will become law in 2009 if he wins the presidency in November.
Barack Obama was shaking hands the other day, which is a necessary thing for politicians. The question he got, though, was not typical. A man who described himself as a plumber by trade said Obama wants to tax him more Obama's response was typical: "It's not that I want to punish your success, I just want to make sure everybody behind you has a chance....just spread the wealth around." Sounds like a confirmation, if any is needed, that this man is glued to the redistribution of wealth. His running mate, Joe Biden, in his “Patriotic Comment” on paying taxes also confirmed it. Any doubts? I didn't think so. Anyway, I don't think many Americans in Obama's dreams even pay any taxes to begin with. 44% today, do not. Folks, more handouts are coming if he's elected. You can bet on it.
The print and news pundits have really become surrogates for the Obama campaign and should register as such. I have lost all faith in the majority of them. They need to become more fair and balanced in their reporting and coverage of the facts. I would love to see a more truthful analyst of Obama. There are too many unanswered question on him and his agenda. It is about time that the "True" facts on Obama’s past associations are exposed. Look... We need to continue the Ayers Obama connection however, his associations with ACORN, his campaign contributions, particularly foreign groups, Aslinksy, Rezko and Wright are just additional examples of issues which need to be addressed and exposed. The ACORN relationship, particularly, should be addressed. Socialized Medicine is something we do not need. Look at the number of Canadians who come to the states for medical attention. The same applies to Mexican citizens who cross the border for medical care. More importantly, look at the level of care in countries under socialized medicine compared to the USA. No comparison. As we get nearer to Nov 4, think hard on your choices. You've help make your country great, now vote to keep it the same Vote Wisely Nov 4th!
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