Editorial: For president: Barack Obama
The CA endorses: The times require a president who can restore the people's confidence and lead the country to energy independence.
With America's economy reeling, her citizens weary of an extended war in Iraq and energy independence growing as a vital national goal, the 2008 presidential election will be one of the most crucial in generations.
American adults are asking a terrible question as Nov. 4 approaches: Will my children have the opportunities that I was afforded in my youth?
The times call for a steady hand, a confident voice and a messenger who delivers hope rather than fear. That's why Sen. BARACK OBAMA is The Commercial Appeal's choice for the office of president of the United States.
Both Obama and his opponent, Sen. John McCain, have added expensive new proposals to their economic plans in recent days in an effort to demonstrate their ability to produce fresh ideas in the face of a national crisis.
More importantly, Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden, are the only ticket that can restore people's faith in the economy and rebuild the international relationships that America needs to achieve its foreign-policy goals. McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, have not shown convincingly that they have the credibility and the creativity to do so.
It is also instructive to note that the race has produced a stark contrast between a Democratic ticket, Obama and Biden, that has offered inspiration and a Republican team, McCain and Palin, that has tried to stoke people's prejudices and fears.
It is a campaign of stark differences in tax policy, as well, with McCain advocating continuation of tax cuts for the wealthy and Obama favoring the restoration of fairness. There are stark differences in foreign relations, as McCain advocates bluster and Obama favors bridge-building.
Obama is the only candidate who has gone beyond rhetoric and voted in the Senate for investments in the development of alternative energy sources that could help end America's dependence on foreign oil. He is the candidate most likely, as president, to remain steady to that cause.
He is the only candidate who advocates a substantive change in direction from the policies of the Bush administration.
McCain is a war hero whose service to the country and qualifications for the presidency cannot be denied. He deserves credit for his efforts to dial back the divisive hate speech that some of his supporters are hurling at his opponent.
But he is a man who has strayed from his straight-talking manner during the general-election campaign of 2008, becoming erratic, indecisive and not fully in control of his campaign organization.
At the age of 72 and desperate for a campaign lift, he selected the unqualified and unprepared Palin to be within a heartbeat of the presidency, a move that called his judgment into question.
His attempt to demonstrate rational leadership on the economy -- a declaration that its fundamentals are strong -- rang hollow. His attempt to rebound from the gaffe -- declaring that "the workers" are an economic fundamental -- was an embarrassment.
Obama, 47, has forged an impressive record of service to the public, working in such areas as international business, environmental protection, civil rights law, voter registration and community organization, eventually moving on to the Illinois Senate and, in 2004, the U.S. Senate.
Blessed with a keen intellect, Obama has a working-class background, a multiethnic heritage and an Ivy League education. He has bridged the gap between the Harvard Law Review and the poor neighborhoods of Chicago's South Side with the uncanny ability to see their connections.
He demonstrated foresight in a 2002 speech in opposition to the invasion of Iraq and a mature practicality during his 31/2 years in the Senate through consistent opposition to precipitous withdrawal.
Throughout his campaign, he has exuded an air of command and maintained his dignity and poise in the face of brutal head-on attacks and subtle innuendo.
While the country negotiates some of the most treacherous waters in the last 50 years, he is the candidate most capable of leading it to a safer shore.
To comment on this or any of our endorsement editorials, please call our special feedback line at 529-6477. Or you may send an e-mail to letters@commercialappeal.com.
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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