I am one of those Democrats who is thrilled about having to make a difficult choice this year. I am one of those Democrats who feels like he does not have to choose between the lesser of two evils, unlike our Republican brethren. I have respected Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, and the rest of the Democratic candidates from day one, and I've felt that we had one of the best candidate fields to choose from in the recent history of our party.
Now, however, it is down to two. We have two candidates of such ground-breaking proportions that our choice must be a careful one. We must acknowledge the unique historical moment that we live in and make our choice for the Democratic presidential candidate based on who we believe is the most qualified and best able to lead our country into a hopeful and united future.
I believe that Barack Obama is that candidate. He has proven that he can win in a tough race. He inspires people with a vision of a united America. He, more than any other candidate in the Republican or Democratic fields, really does believe that America is still that shining city on a hill. Rather than fight the wars of the past, why not support the candidate of the future?
Hillary Clinton has fought hard for the Democratic principles we stand for. She has been a good Senator for New York, regardless of the animosity that so many Republicans feel towards her. Hillary has worked with Republicans to get some things done.
But the elephant in the room that pundits avoid talking about, relates to the illogical hatred that so many Republicans have of the Clintons. Why would we nominate a candidate who will energize the opposition, and inflame the division in this country, when we have a uniting candidate who inspires hope in Democrats, Independents, and Republicans? Why wouldn't we, as a party, look to a candidate who can compete with John McCain in the Republican stronghold of the South and make the Republicans play defense in what has become their own back yard? Why not support a candidate who can win the support of Evangelicals and conservatives when they are so distraught over the presumptive Republican nominee for president?
Not only is Barack Obama the right choice for the Democratic Party, he is the right choice for our nation. He WILL unite our country, if only our party gives him a chance. He will beat John McCain (who I respect very much) and rid the Oval Office of Republican leadership for the first time since 2000.
It does not make sense for us to nominate anyone but Barack Obama. He has the strength, intelligence, and values that epitomize our party. It is our duty to make sure that he has the opportunity to lead our party and our country out of the malaise we have been stuck in for the past 8 years.
Give your support to Barack Obama. He is the best candidate for the job.
With such a wide array of candidates to choose from, why have I chosen to support Barack Obama?
I support Barack Obama because his vision for the future of the United States is the most similar to my hopes for our future. Although he is a politician in a major political party, I believe that Obama truly wants us to work together as a nation and move past the bitter partisan sniping that has gripped this nation since the early 1990s. I'm tired of divisive politics, and I believe Obama has the skill to unite us in a way that the Republicans under George W. Bush never did.
But I'm not just looking for the candidate most different from President Bush. Don't get me wrong, I want our next President to be able to speak eloquently AND have the moral fiber to lead this nation instead of divide it. But this election has to be about the future, not the past. Obama understands that. He doesn't come with the baggage of having served in the Senate for too long, or having a history of deep animosity with the Republican Party.
We have a unique opportunity in this election cycle to choose a candidate who can mend the wounds our nation has suffered under the terrible leadership we've endured. We can choose to move beyond the politics of division, and move toward a brighter future of hope and prosperity for all Americans, not just the wealthy and well-connected.
I support Barack Obama because he represents many of the things that are good about America: strength, opportunity, hope, cooperation, and the belief in a brighter future.
That's reason enough for me.
