Barack Obama Should Be The Next President of the United States

I've been plain about my opinion on this, and I hope it's noted that my support for Obama doesn't come through default support of Democrats (I voted third party in the last two presidential elections, with no regrets), or blind love for Obama (I'm still peeved about his turnaround on telecommunications wiretapping).

But my god, when has a person been more right for our country in its particular moment?

The voices of thoughtful support aren't just coming from the likes of Gen. Colin Powell. The New Yorker made one of its first presidential endorsements ever. The Economist has, amazingly, come out in support of Obama just today.

The Economist does not have a vote, but if it did, it would cast it for Mr Obama. We do so wholeheartedly: the Democratic candidate has clearly shown that he offers the better chance of restoring America’s self-confidence...

...this cannot be another election where the choice is based merely on fear. In terms of painting a brighter future for America and the world, Mr Obama has produced the more compelling and detailed portrait. He has campaigned with more style, intelligence and discipline than his opponent. Whether he can fulfill his immense potential remains to be seen. But Mr Obama deserves the presidency.

Meanwhile, seventy-six Nobel Prize winners sign on in endorsement of Obama in an open letter to the American people, citing in particular a need to move forward from the Bush Administration's manipulation of science.

The country urgently needs a visionary leader who can ensure the future of our traditional strengths in science and technology and who can harness those strengths to address many of our greatest problems: energy, disease, climate change, security, and economic competitiveness.

We are convinced that Senator Barack Obama is such a leader, and we urge you to join us in supporting him.

Among the many, many viral videos out there contributing to the public conversation about the election, here is one that brings together "ordinary Americans" and a few celebrities (Jack Black, Ed Harris) who support Obama because of his pro-choice, pro-health policies.

On that note about health, The Daily Show bit with Samantha Bee on John McCain's use of "derisive air quotes" is a must-see:

Now, I support Obama because of his ideas, his past judgments, his policies, his plan, and his ability as a thoughtful, clear-minded, inspiring person to get that done.

At the same time, I see how powerfully Obama has already influenced people as a role model, in particular for young black men. (This moved me so much during the primaries, after Obama's revolutionary speech on race).

We're a society so poisoned by racism in both out-loud and quiet ways. I can't imagine anything that will more meaningfully heal us than having Obama be the first person of color in our highest office. Not just having the first black president is the key point here, but having Obama be the first black president. It's hard for me to fathom anybody being able to serve that "first" role better than he can, because of his compassion and capacity for nuance.

Elle, PhD has a rumination on "What the Election Means," particularly for her and her young son. It got me choked up.

My son identifies with Barack Obama for obvious reasons and this campaign means something to him that even I can't fully understand.

It's on these kids' faces:

"I am deeply appreciative of what Obama, as a symbol, has meant to my child," Elle writes.

I should note that whatever happens this election, there will be a revolution: either the first black president of the United States or the first female vice-president. And I'm profoundly grateful for that. Because of Obama and Sarah Palin, our top administration will, for the first time in our nation's history, be a little more reflective of the American people. By normalizing women and people of color in power, it will be easier for everyone who comes afterward with high-level ambitions.

We are closer to the day when no person running for president has to bear the burden of being a "first." They will be just themselves. And the fear and cruelty that kept women and people of color from so much as voting only a couple generations ago won't fester, as it has in our lingering reluctance to accept leadership that looks different than how it has always has.

We see it linger in the coded diminishment of Obama as an "other" who you "can't trust" because he is a terrorist/socialist/Muslim. We see it in the coded diminishment of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin's campaigns that writes their stories in the bitch/hottie dichotomy, pays undue attention on their wardrobe and looks, and questions (as it never does for male candidates) if they can handle being a parent and an elected leader.

Thank God things are changing. I am so grateful.

And given Obama's sustained commitment to policies that are far more equitable, inspired and peaceful than his opponents, I hope it will be him that in just a few days' time is elevated as the leader we need so much right now.

The Obama campaign has won the endorsements of an astonishing majority of major newspapers and magazines from diverse (and surprising) corners of the country; I believe it represents Obama's ability to connect and resonate with many different kinds of people. Endorsements include:

• The Detroit Free Press
• The Anchorage Daily News
• The State Press (Muncie, Indiana)
• The Lansing State Journal (Michigan)
• The Des Moines Register
• The Montgomery Advertiser (Alabama)
• The Billings Gazette (Montana)
• Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio)
• The Blade (Ohio)
• Charleston Gazette (West Virginia)
• Columbia Daily Tribune (Missouri)
• Gainesville Sun (Florida)
• The Eagle (College Station, Texas)
• Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Indiana)
• Kenosha News (Wisconsin)
• Muskegon Chronicle (Michigan)
• Idaho Statesman (Idaho)
• The Reno Gazette-Journal (Nevada)
• St. Cloud Times (Minnesota)
• Santa Fe New Mexican
• The Salt Lake Tribune
  

For a full list of all Obama endorsements, print and otherwise, look here.

I find myself exhilarated. I can't imagine a better pre-election day scenario for an Obama win. On the other hand, I remind myself of a line from, I believe, Jon Stewart in reference to the 2000 election: "Democrats can't even win when they win."

This is not the time to start feeling entitled, or complacent. Personally, I think if the election's at all close, an Obama win will be in jeopardy. Dirty tactics, manipulation and so on are far too common.

What we need is a landslide. What we need is to give Obama the full and multifaceted support he deserves, so that we as a nation won't lose one of our best opportunities for leadership in a long time, or diminish by some sort of post-election squabbling reminiscent of the very first election I voted in eight years ago.

Please be part of it.

Please consider donating:  the campaign can turn that around into get-out-the-vote on Election Day, making sure people are able to get to their polls.

Please consider volunteering. For my part, this Sunday I'm doing an afternoon shift with an Obama campaign office doing whatever they need doing: making calls, going door-to-door, doing filing, whatever can be done. At this point, it's a small piece. I wish I'd done more. But it's something.

Vote, vote, vote, vote. Get everyone you know to vote. Be an unofficial activist, and get a carpool going for your neighborhood or school or workplace, so everyone can get to the polls. Find out where to vote here. Be sure your vote, and the vote of your community, is counted; look to Color of Change for how-tos.

Be part of this.

Barack Obama for President.

Comments

[Matt Erickson]

Right on. The symbolism alone is seriously important - changing our idea (and young black Americans' ideas) of what a leader looks like.

But even besides that, he has shown much more wisdom than John McCain, who is 25 years older.

Sadly, McCain will be cast as the villain in the future story of "the first black president." It's his fault, he threw away 71 years worth of integrity for three months of pandering to white America's worst instincts.

[charlie brown]

Hi, I somehow stumbled upon your blog and just wanted to say nice post. It sounds like you have an independent streak and I hope you keep that going. I appreciate what the symbolism of an Obama presidency could do for all races in America. Obama is a talented orator and has shown great capacity for leadership. He seems like he would be a excellent statesman too. My only trouble is that I believe in different principles than Obama. I have not been the biggest fan of McCain, but I plan to vote for him based on my principles. This Saturday I may even volunteer at his office. I guess I'm not saying this to be against what you are saying, but that I respect the enthusiasm and look forward to moving forward when this is over.

[freeverse21]

All we can do is follow our consciences & principles. I hope everyone does that, even (especially?) if it leads them to disagree.

It sounds like a simple thing, but it's really easy to confuse our conscience with our fears and worst instincts.

Obama 08.