Why I Support Barack Obama

I started looking at the presidential race early. I suppose that in that I’m not common, but I’m a bit of a political junkie. I always have been, ever since I argued about politics with my father when I was a child.

I kept an open mind about the candidates thoughout this long, long, long campaign. There was something interesting about most of them. Edwards’ populist appeal deserved some attention. Hillary Clinton deserved some attention as well, if nothing else because of who she is. But the more I listened, the more interested I became in Barack Obama. I became convinced that he’s the person we need in the White House at this point in our history.

I don’t say that because I agree with everything he says. I don’t. But I know that he’d listen to me if we had a conversation, and would take my position into account. He’s shown that trait in this campaign. He related many examples of that in his books. I like Obama because he’s not out there selling fear, like the current White House occupant; he’s selling hope and that’s powerful. He treats Americans like they’re adults and doesn’t talk down. He seems honest (no, I’m not damning with faint praise — I think that honesty in a politician isn’t too common).

Those are a couple of the positive reasons I support Obama. I can feel, when voting for Obama (as I did in February here in California) that I actually voted for something decent.

There are some “I don’t like the other guy” reasons too:

I can’t stand Hillary Clinton. I don’t like that she is clearly willing to do anything to win. I don’t like the idea of the White House being held for potentially 28 years by two families (Bush – Clinton – Bush – Clinton). I think Hillary would tell anyone anything to win. That’s dangerous, in my opinion. I think she’s fundamentally dishonest. I think that she’s pandering and selling her positions by fear. Make no mistake — I’m a Democrat and will vote for Hillary in November if she wins the nomination. But I’d be holding my nose as I did it.

I think John McCain would be four more years of George W. Bush. More politics of fear. More “strict constructionist” judges. A mistake.

So I support Obama. I support the politics of hope. I support moving forward in civil rights, repairing old alliances, repairing America’s standing in the world. I think Obama is the guy to do it.