I Hear What You're Saying, But Why Obama?

Why Obama over the other possible choice, John Edwards? Because public opinion polls have consistently and clearly shown for some time now that Senator Edwards, while an admired and respected candidate, simply does not have the grass roots support and appeal to independents that Barack Obama has. And it is that sort of appeal which we need to win the general election. Democrats must NOT take this election for granted. Yes, we have just experienced what is likely the worst presidency in history, but as the past has shown, one never knows what the outcome is going to be.

While Senator Edwards speaks nobly of doing right by the little guy, Barack Obama has done so with the charisma and vision required to bridge differences and unite people - something this country desperately needs. Hillary Clinton has done nothing but divide the nation with her negatively-aggressive approach. And she continues to do so to this day, going even further and succeeding in dividing her own party. Do we really want this kind of person in the White House? More importantly, can we afford this kind of person in the White House, when there's so much at stake?

Obama - His Positions:

You've heard a lot about why NOT to vote for his rivals. Now you should hear why Obama's positions matter and are the right ones for this time and place in our nation's history.

Please don't let any vote you cast be a blind one! Do your due diligence! Visit the issues page of Senator Obama's campaign site at http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ and see for yourself.

Some of the positions I have found heartening are:

• The Real Enemy: Obama has stated that, instead of being in Iraq, we ought to be pursuing Osama Bin Laden at the Pakistan/Afghanistan border, where he likely is. Furthermore, he stated that we need to do this responsibly, and not with brute-force, environment-poisoning nuclear weapons. Hillary Clinton said that ruling out the use of nuclear weapons was "naive". What I think is "naive" is that we can continue to act with such disregard for the environment and still hope to save our planet and ourselves.
• The Right Approach To Health Care: Obama does not favor mandatory coverage for everyone, only children. Why this is important is that, under Clinton's plan, requiring coverage for everyone means even those who want something else or are unable to afford a mandated plan have to participate. Obama's plan maintains economic reality along with freedom of choice. It also ensures that all children, for whom health care is an absolute must regardless of medical condition, will be covered. And although he has stated that drug and insurance companies get a seat at the table when hashing all of this out, "they don't get to buy every chair". History has demonstrated that if a meaningful health care plan is ever to be implemented, it must be done realistically, unlike Hillary Clinton's well-known failed attempt during her husband's administration. If an approach is unrealistic, why try at all? It only serves to make future attempts harder.
• Progressive Energy Policy: According to the Washington Post, "Clinton supported a bill to expand oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, while Obama voted against it. During the 2005 energy debate, Obama backed an increase in vehicle fuel-efficiency standards, which Clinton opposed." And while one can argue the merits of ethanol, it is (at least at first glance) an alternative to oil-industry dependence, and Obama has voted in favor of bills which would increase ethanol production and demand.
• Fresh Approach Toward Cuba: Obama, unlike Clinton and most Republicans, is in line with what is said to be a 'new conventional wisdom' taking shape regarding Cuba. This modern view favors easing travel restrictions, as well as restrictions on sending money, for family members of Cubans. Obama also voted several times against funding for TV Marti, a US propaganda effort whose signal is blocked by the Cuban government anyway. It is estimated that Congress has spent about $200 million on it to date. That's quite a lot for something that Cubans aren't even seeing! In the end, Obama wants to end Cubans' dependence on their government through increased engagement so that real change can come about (there's that phrase again).