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February 01, 2008
Another Independent for Obama
I've even, as they say, bought the T-shirt. I am solidly endorsing U.S. Senator Barack Obama, not just in his quest for the Democratic nomination, but in hopes that he will be the next President of the United States.
As I am a politically independent, educated, (somewhat lower-) middle-class white male in the South, I'm not sure a statistician would have been able to peg my decision. Tough. I relish being an outrider.
So, what brought me to my conclusion? It is at once a simple and a complicated path. But in a nutshell, it is not so much about policy initiatives or issue positions as it is about a new way of actually doing the process of electing a national leader. This new method could, if successful, filter down to legislative and local races as well.
This election cycle gives us the chance to think beyond the terms of "crushing the opposition" or "crafting a razor-thin edge through technology-enhanced targeting." It is about bringing people together, rather than dividing them. (And yes, I know we heard about that in 2000, and we saw what happened. But, I say, consider the source.)
Barack Obama gets my support because
he is gifted. As a friend of mine always says, I want the President to be smarter than I am. You don't get to be president of the Harvard Law Review without a top-notch brain that's capable of some amazingly rapid critical thinking.
Barack Obama gets my support because he transcends the old divides between black and white Americans, and in some interesting ways. He is "bi-racial" himself (dislike that word; we're all friggin' human), but he has largely avoided the subject of race (until forced into it somewhat by the opposition). On the other hand, the fact that he is, after all, a black man, causes his viable candidacy to represent a transformational amount of hope for African-Americans, most especially those that are young. It is thrilling to imagine that in electing this person to the highest office, we could see centuries' worth of animosity and despair start to melt. (Note: I do recognize the similar potential embodied by Sen. Hillary Clinton, and former candidate Gov. Bill Richardson, but if I had to point to a single demographic who would be the most uplifted and is in the most need of it, I'd have to respectfully ask that women, and Hispanics, join me in recognizing African-Americans here. The other Americans I can think of are those of native ancestry; there's a lot of hope to rebuild there as well.)
Barack Obama gets my support because he humbly and openly admits to shortcomings. This is huge. People who pretend that they have no regrets at all (I'm looking at you, George W. Bush; and somewhat at Sen. Clinton) are immediately suspect. There are certainly times to be The Deci...sive leader; and there are times when, as Obama suggested in the most recent public debate, a well-selected set of advisers will point out that he is wrong on something. And he promises to listen.
Barack Obama gets my support because of the wisdom he has attained despite his relative youth. Sure, the cry "lack of experience" is raised. But as another good friend points out, what good are years of experience when the wrong actions have been taken? A contrasting virtue is judgement; again, that usually takes some time to build, but Barack Obama has clearly demonstrated an ability to exercise keen insight.
Barack Obama gets my support because of the way the rest of the world (at least, those whose opinions I have encountered) would view his election. It is not only the most recent administration's fault (though they do get the lion's share of blame) that the United States of America has lost a depressing amount of good faith among its global neighbors. An Obama presidency portends a real chance at returning much of our former standing. And no, it's not just about being liked; it's about being trusted.
But most importantly, even as much as I admire the guy and his impressive biography, I support Barack Obama not for who he is, but for who all of us can be if we allow ourselves to meet the challenges his campaign issues. He is merely the catalyst in a monumental wave of new civic involvement. That, in itself, is reason enough to give this candidate a second look. I just happen to like a lot of what I see after looking.
So, there it is. I could write more, but I'm amazed that you've stayed with me this far. I join other unaffiliated voters, like the folks behind IndependentVoice.org and like 1980 presidential candidate John Anderson, in signing on with this Democrat as representing our best chance. I admire and respect other candidates: Ron Paul speaks a message I want to be heard, and I just downright like John McCain, even when he is wrong. But I have to vote for one person, and that person will be Barack Obama.
See you at the polls on Tuesday.
Politics is Personal | By joe lance | 12:42 PM
Comments
I (early) voted for John McCain, mainly because he is one of my alltime truely American heroes, but your argument for Obama is compelling and with great merit. I actually felt moved to vote in this primary because for the first time in forever, we actually have people to vote for and not against. May the best man win, and thankfully both candidates stand to be positive choices for all.
Posted by: Grits at February 1, 2008 01:58 PM
Somewhat related:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-lakoff/what-counts-as-an-issue_b_84177.html
Good post by the way. I wrote a similar "endorsement" for Obama that never got published. You've inspired me to give it a second chance.
Posted by: davidm. at February 1, 2008 02:45 PM
That's terrific Joe! I am totally behind Obama as well and for many of the reasons you discuss. Now, let's get him elected!
Posted by: Candy at February 1, 2008 10:12 PM