Organizing for America | Alexandra Woods's Blog: Why I'm voting for Barack: letter to 100 friends

Why I'm voting for Barack: letter to 100 friends

By Alexandra - Feb 5th, 2008 at 10:22 am EST

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Dear Friends, I am writing to encourage those of you who are eligible to vote in a Presidential Primary Election either tomorrow (Feb. 5th) or in the weeks that follow to strongly consider voting for Barack Obama. Rather than a standard endorsement, I will share a few personal ruminations on why I have decided to vote for Mr. Obama,. As a psychologist/analyst/environmentalist/writer, and also a person who tends towards idealism, and perhaps not enough pragmatism, I have worried that maybe I am just too swept up in the excitement around Barack Obama. Have I been losing sight of the crucial imperative for a national Democratic victory? This is a question we all have to address for ourselves. These are some of my thoughts. . I decided I needed a perspective from people who were not fellow psychoanalysts, organizers, or clear cut "progressives". I needed to talk, and will continue to talk, with to people whose professional fields were very different from mine. I decided to chat with some friends/colleagues who are Democrats or Independents, and who have senior positions the business world, specifically financial planning, investments, stocks and bonds,. I have also been talking with people in PR and publishing. Some endorsed Hillary Clinton. The two financial analysts I spoke to, both of whom I respect deeply, surprised me by telling me that each had been committed to the choice of Barack Obama for some time, something that they choose not to discuss with their clients. Both said that they felt strongly that Obama could win the Presidency against the Republican candidate, (most likely John McCain.). Both cited his integrity, his brilliance, his appeal to young people, and his proven capacity to find his way to the top. These observations meant a great deal to me. This leads me to my second rumination: on the topic of being tested. And also on the comparisons that are being made between JFK and Obama. (See Frank Rich in the New York Times and the 500+ responses...) These comparisons concern me. First, I would hope that we should do our best to look at Obama himself, and not to try to impose someone else's halo, or demerits, on him. There is a kind of idealization AND criticism that seems, to me, to miss the point. For example, JFK's shared brilliance, writing, capacity for articulating vision are resonant. But, they are very different men. Very little is being said about the differences in class, race, and privilege between the two. Many of the critiques are that President Kennedy was tested by war before he ran for President, and Obama was not. But what about the test, over a period of 40 years, that involved this man of mixed race, raised by a single parent, rising from relative poverty to national prominence and to a brilliant Presidential candidacy on the strength of his abilities alone? And, of course, that goes for Michele Obama too. President Kennedy, also brilliantly talented, grew up in a world of great privilege and wealth, and his candidacy was funded and orchestrated for him, by his father. JFK wrote Profiles in Courage. Obama's books, Dreams of My Father, and The Audacity of Hope are highly courageous syntheses of a tremendously complicated life, and represent an equally complex and sophisticated world view. Like all of us, I have been thinking hard about Senator Clinton. Were she to be elected the Democratic candidate, I would work for her. No question. But, while I respect Hillary Clinton, her experience, and the strength she has had to develop under years of fire, much of it undeserved, I am concerned about the role that she is allowing former President Clinton to play in her campaign. While his inappropriate remarks are nothing compared to the Swift Boat attacks that are sure to be fired off by the Republicans later in the campaign, the comments are still inappropriate, and are sanctioned by Senator Clinton. It is not enough to say that her spouse was overenthusiastic. She can't have it both ways. Yesterday, Bill Clinton was "watching the Super Bowl" with Bill Richardson, and hunting for his endorsement. What was he offering him or threatening to withhold? Who is running this campaign? Because of these questions, I am concerned about what could be a total of sixteen years of a Clinton administration. I do not agree with all of Obama's positions. I question his position on health care; I oppose his position on nuclear power (there is not enough uranium left to last ten years). But, Mrs. Clinton's more vague stance on nuclear power is not a better position. I do think her stance on health care is stronger. I am confident, however, that Obama is capable of working toward consensus, that he will lead/push/inspire us in the right direction, and that it will be our responsibility to push him. I think his world vision, and his ability to attract a great team, will enable him to engage in foreign policy from a footing that is strong and wise. Finally, I believe he has the integrity that has been so sorely missed in many years. To me this is essential.I hope you will seriously consider voting for Barack Obama in the primaries, and in the national election. If you are interested in learning more about Obama and his position on various issues, check out his website http://my.barackobama.com. Thanks for your interest. Best regards, Alexandra (Woods)212 362 8436

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