Very shortly, the Democrats will choose their nominee for the general election. While he has lagged behind for much of the year, Barack Obama is now in real contention to win in Iowa and ride that momentum to victory. In nominating Obama, Democrats have a once in a lifetime change to alter America’s politics.
The main criticism against Obama has been that he is too inexperienced. But a long resume, and decades of experience is simply no guarantee of a good performance once in office.
Just ask James Buchanan, John Quincy Adams, or Herbert Hoover (remember learning about them in history class?). Their resumes were as deep as any, but they accomplished nothing in office. Hoover is famous for presiding over the first years of the Great Depression, while Adams accomplished more as a congressman fighting slavery late in his life than he ever did as a President. The worst of the lot is Buchanan, who let the Union crumble around him in the 1850s.
What the electorate should look for in a President is vision and judgment. I strongly believe that Obama has those qualities. His address at the 2004 Democratic convention showed he believes strongly in personal responsibility, honesty in government, and better access to healthcare. He is a fresh face who wants to move beyond the intense partisanship of the Clinton and Bush years, and has reached across the aisle, even to conservatives like Sam Brownback and Todd Coburn. For Americans who are tired of being divided by Karl Rove and Machiavellian political strategists, Obama represents the best chance for a new politics of civility and purpose.
The most important issue for many Americans right now is the war in Iraq. During the run-up to the war in Iraq — when Bush’s approval ratings were through the roof — Obama gave an extremely prescient speech, declaring that the “invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of al Qaeda.”
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - qlinderman
OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT "2008"
We are ready for CHANGE! :-)
2 - Eric Priestley
Hilliary Clinton's argument of Obama being inexperienced is a fallacy of False Analogy. Obama should argue--and I don't know why he hasn't, that Clinton's "experience"--10 fifteen years, we're not certain of the number is even more reason to support Obama. Because after such a long period of time if Clinton(anybody)comes up with the wrong solution(specifically her vote for the war in Iraq), then the addage "study long=study wrong" applies. All that time invested in coming up with an error--one which we may point out cost the needless death of thousands of American lives. And she still doesn't get it. So it certainly does not follow logically. Obama, on the other hand was against the war from the start and voted so.
3 - Eric Priestley
Hilliary Clinton's argument of Obama being inexperienced is a fallacy of False Analogy. Obama should argue--and I don't know why he hasn't, that Clinton's "experience"--10 fifteen years, we're not certain of the number is even more reason to support Obama. Because after such a long period of time if Clinton(anybody)comes up with the wrong solution(specifically her vote for the war in Iraq), then the addage "study long=study wrong" applies. All that time invested in coming up with an error--one which we may point out cost the needless death of thousands of American lives. And she still doesn't get it. So it certainly does not follow logically. Obama, on the other hand was against the war from the start and voted so.
Lead up at the front
4 - Colin
fallacy of False Analogy
What a great line! Can I nick it and put it in a song?
5 - Al Barger
Not to put too fine a point on it, but this article is just a lot of nonsense. There's nothing here about what a President Obama would actually do, except that he would talk to our enemies. Wow! Cause we certainly don't have envoys and diplomats and conferences and stuff now.
This whole thing hinges on the wishful thinking that bad guys will be as overwhelmed as silly American liberals are by Obama's apparently amazing charisma and stop doing bad things. Cha, right.
Beyond that, this article doesn't give any hint of any particular thing that Obama would do. There's nothing about an Obama tax plan that would help the country, or an idea for re-structuring Social Security. Nothing to this but meaningless drivel about vision and change.
That's all fine when he's working up an inspirational speech for some homeless beggers in a Chicago soup kitchen, but it's really not going to do squat for actually running a government.
6 - Dr Dreadful
Al, I was thinking the same thing. This reads like a campaign ad, big on rhetoric but short on substance.
I like Obama a lot, but I wanted to see some concrete facts to support why a vote for him is good for the country. How exactly, for example, does he plan to bridge the partisan divide? How will he reform Social Security? And so forth.
(BTW, I can't vote in the election but I do live here, so America's choice of president will affect me directly and I intend to have as much indirect say in the process as I can. Thank you for your indulgence.)
7 - The Obnoxious American
I think Obama is the most compelling candidate of this election season, on both sides of the aisle. That said, it would be a huge mistake to elect him. Compelling doesn't always equal good, and he simply doesn't have the experience, and more importantly the worldlyness to be the CEO of the country.
Maybe in a few years when dreams of universal healthcare and nanny governmentism is out of his head.
Regardless, I would be very surprised if he won the primary. Don't forget, while those of us on the coasts don't think racism exists anymore, leave the sanctity of the melting pot cities and people just don't like African Americans. I think a large portion of Americans simply wont vote for the man because of his color. It's a shame, especially considering that he's the best African American presidential candidate thus far. But as the old joke goes, a vote for obama would actually be a vote for his vice president.
8 - kmarti
There was one comment I partially agreed with. The writer said American liberals are overwhelmed by Obama's obvious charisma. Much like they were when good old William Clinton took office. The difference is that our senses have been programed with negative steriotypes of Black men, people are astounded that Senator Obama can express himself intellegently. He has an edgucated Black wife. My goodness it's almost like looking at an alien being.
I can't blame a voter for wanting to see the plans for the next four years. But would we really understand it. Our job is to judge whether this candidate is a lier? Will he be controlled by special interest? Will he ultimately become part of the hypocrisy that is destroying America? I don't think so. I feel like this man will be the president that will go against the norm and give us results. We are here to judge his character, and his ability to stand up when he needs to.
9 - s.smith
In response to some of the comments here. As an African American, I must say a lot of Caucasion Americans are not liked either. Franky, I am sick and tired of only having the good old boy establishment politicians,polished,professional crooks to vote for.The lesser of two evils from a black persons point of view. Racism still very much exist in America just ask someone on the receiving end. We need someone that has not been corrupted by greed, follows the constitution and puts the people first. If that sounds like you then you have my vote-otherwise- it's Obama-. No candidate has presidential experience-but many have hidden agendas. They said the same about JFK. What are we afraid of?-getting rid of the bankers and corp. puppets. I am sick of the Bush/Clinton Fascist dynasty. A vote for Clinton means more Bushism.
10 - JustOneMan
In response to some of the comments here. As a White American, I must say a lot of Minority Americans are not liked either. Frankly, I am sick and tired of having the Blacks and Latinos represented by a bunch of crooks, phony men of god and racists. The lesser of two evils from a white persons point of view. Racism still very much exist in America just ask any white male applying to college, med school, law school or a civil service job. We need someone that has not been corrupted by greed, follows the constitution and puts the people first. If that sounds like you then you have my vote-otherwise- it's Mit Romney-. No candidate has presidential experience-but many have hidden agendas. They said the same about Ronald Regan. What are we afraid of?-getting rid of the liberal assholes and racists. I am sick of the Clinton/Obama/Gwhore/Edwards Fascist dynasty.
A vote for Romney means no more liberal racist bullshit!
JOM
11 - Bostonia
Edwards-Obama
Obama-Edwards
I have lost all respect for my home senator. If Hillary is the nominee. I will sit out this election
12 - Lillian
In 1992 Hilliary was not President,Bill was,nor was she Vice President,so how can she say We?? Her health bill faild,her marrage was going to faild,so someone tell me PLEASE JUST WHAT DID HILLIARYdo IN OFFICE???
13 - Jonathan Scanlan
"Hilliary Clinton's argument of Obama being inexperienced is a fallacy of False Analogy."
Not to put too finer point on it, but didn't she spend quite a few years directly under Clinton? :)
Of course, an appeal to experience didn't really fly in our last election down here. Why are people worried about it in yours?
14 - BacaAngel
In regards to the debate as to whom of the democratic candidates has the most experience, the question or argument should be framed as to whom of the Democrats or Republicans has the RIGHT KIND OF EXPERIENCE.
As we all know, there is a right kind of experience and a wrong kind of experience. Do we really want to elect some one with George Bush's or Hillary Clinton's wrong kind of Experience that so ineptly and rashly got us into the Iraq War....
-- Or, do we want to elect some one like Barack Obama, who so wisely and judiciously shown from the beginning, by rejecting the Iraq war, that he does have the Right kind of Experience -- the Right Stuff -- to lead us forward the next four years with foresight and forethought. There should never be in this country a rush to judgment -- a rush to war!
And it is only someone, who has shown from the beginning, this Right kind of Experience & Wisdom, that can rightly lead us out of this mess, which we call the Iraq War. And this is important, because billions of dollars are going over to Iraq --, funds that are being squandered, the same funds that could be spent here in the United States to solve and fix the many problems facing us here at home today.
And then too, we have to Decide and make a Decision, do we really want to continue the Bush-Clinton monarchy? Since 1989, we have had 4 years of Bush, Sr., -- 8 years of Bill Clinton -- and 8 years of Bush, Jr., totaling a span of 20 years. And if Hillary is elected, what that literally means is that the Bush-Clinton reign would total 24 years --possibly 28 years. And to further bolster this union/domination, Bill Clinton recently bragged, that if Hillary was elected, he and Bush, Sr. would tour the world together.
I do believe that here, in the United States, it is time for a new Era, a time to turn the corner.
15 - Mooja
As someone who has voted Democrat in the past, here is an example of the main reason I would not vote Obama.
"I...believe that every American has the right to affordable health care." B. Obama
This simple statement exposes a basic lack of understanding of what a "right" really means under the U.S. Constitution. This to me is a more basic and fundamentally dangerous problem to the U.S. than the current health care system.
If every U.S. citizen has a right to affordable health care then there is some population of individuals who must be forcibly obligated to provide it. Is it you? Must you be forced to provide affordable health care even if it means financial ruin for you and your family?
We cannot be conjuring up "rights" out of nowhere. Until the Obama and the Democratic Party abandon this type of reasoning I will continue to not vote for them.
16 - Dr Dreadful
No, Mooja, I think it is you who has a basic misunderstanding of what Obama means by a 'right'. There seems to be a widespread misconception among many Americans that there are no Rights beyond those enshrined in the Constitution. Obama is not talking about a constitutional right but what he believes is a natural one.
17 - Jonathan Scanlan
If every U.S. citizen has a right to affordable health care then there is some population of individuals who must be forcibly obligated to provide it. Is it you? Must you be forced to provide affordable health care even if it means financial ruin for you and your family?
Ah.... so taxes are better spent on military exercises that the majority will never see a return on? Interesting.
If all people are entilted to health care, then disease outbreaks can be better contained on account of people getting treated earlier and not going without.
I'm sorry, but I think your logic also lacks sound economic sense. And how much is the hip pocket of joe citizen actually hit by the provision of such a system? Not much. In fact, universal health care would spur price competition amoung private providers, thus making up more than the necessary savings for the program.
Your argument might hold water if only a handful of people actually paid taxes, but as far as I can tell, every government gets its tax from across the citizenry.
18 - Baronius
I've got to side with Mooja on this. (Except for the constitutionality question that Doc raised.) You just can't call health care a right.
Health care costs money. One person's health care reduces another person's. My right to free speech doesn't encroach on yours. My religious practice doesn't prevent yours. Those are rights. Health care is a consumable good.
The Democratic candidates seem to all have the same agenda. The argument is over which one would be most able to implement it.
19 - Sam & Frodo were gay lovers
Barack Obama is an empty suit run of the millliberal.
What has the guy ever done but vote in Congress to give illegals social security benefits and publicly state that he would give illegals in state tuition and driver's licenses?
He makes a bunch of speeches where all he does is serve up bullshit platitudes about "change" and "my vision for America," and his idiot supporters get all mosit in the panties.
The guy is just another run of the mmill liberal who would do nothing but raise taxes and give rimjobs to illegal aliens.
I'll tell Osama Obama the same thing I told the other two socialist stooges, the most hated woman in America and the Pantene girl, no thanks.
Thankfully it looks as if the moonbat party is intent on nominating the most hated woman in America for the egneral and she will be extremely easy to beat.
20 - ToranagaSama
Wow, reading Gadson's commentary was like eating a *lite* salad when you ordered sirlon, rare and dripping blood.
Obama has "vision". OK, WHAT is his vision?
Workers of the World Unite?!
Sorry, Marx had vision too, but not one I'd like to see governing my country.
21 - JustOneMan
I support Barack Obama because...um...er...hmmm??/
Oh yea he stands for um...er....wait it will come to me....
Now I know hes Black. Isnt he??? Well maybe he is.. I am really not sure!
Obama another Dumbocrat with a mission to flush the US down the toilet for the sake of feel good bulshit...
JOM
22 - Dr Dreadful
JOM, perhaps I can help you out.
If you really want to know what Obama's about, you can always go to his website. Actually find out for yourself rather than just jump to your usual bigoted conclusions. But perhaps that's too much of a stretch for your already overtaxed brain cell.
Good to see you're in the Christmas spirit, BTW.
P.S. For those who do want to cut through all the media hype and propagandizing bullshit, check out this rather excellent potted guide from the BBC on the principal candidates from both parties and where they stand on the major issues. Put together by someone who actually has done some research.
(And no, Ron Paul isn't included, but don't come crying to me. I didn't put the bloody thing together.)
23 - Arch Conservative
[Archie, you seem to have forgotten that you're not allowed to post under multiple names. There's nothing better to describe your particular line of political opinion, so stick with the one we all know you for. Thanks. Your Comments Editor]
Hey dreadful does Obama's website boast about how he voted to give illegals social security benefits. Does it tout the facts that he wants to give illegals in state college tuitions and drivers' licenses?
You know how you can tell Obama would not make a good president? the fact that he has so much support among college students. College students are young, stupid and niave for the most part. They don't live in the real world or have any real responsibilities so anyone that would appeal to them has gotta be selling something fishy.
Just ask any idiot Obama supporter what he has to offer and you'll get the same cookie cutter bullshit responge....
"Change"
What else does Obama have to offer
"Hope"
Yeah but what does that mean.
"It means means he's going to give us all for hope and change in the future. he has a great vision for America."
It would be laughable if this hack wasn't being taken so seriously by so many.
Oh well it still looks like the most hated woman in America is going to win the moonbat party's nomination and there's no way in hell she wins in the general election.
You can take that one to the bank folks.
24 - Dr Dreadful
I'll bank it along with all your other dead-on political forecasts.
Merry Christmas, Arch!
:-)
25 - Greg 'Peace Song' Jones
SAY IT LOUD... BARACK AND I'M PROUD !!!