Why HE Voted for Obama
November 3, 2008 · Print This Article
Im still iffy about the trustworthiness of politics in general, but if we have a chance Obama is that chance. So for the time being i agree with Mark Bruno, author of this post, check with me later and see if im still in agreement. From Left of Center:
Why I voted for Barack Obama
On the eve of Election Day — which just happens to be one of the most important in U.S. history — I thought I’d present my reasons for why I voted for Barack Obama.
In a 2005 post on the liberal weblog Daily Kos, Barack Obama argued that Democrats must not only try to defeat the Republicans, they must work to build trust in government: “The bottom line is that our job is harder than the conservatives’ job…whenever we exaggerate or demonize, or oversimplify or overstate our case, we lose. Whenever we dumb down the political debate, we lose. A polarized electorate that is turned off of politics, and easily dismisses both parties because of the nasty, dishonest tone of the debate, works perfectly well for those who seek to chip away at the very idea of government because, in the end, a cynical electorate is a selfish electorate.”
Obama’s campaign for President is built on the premise that the Democrats must “disagree without being disagreeable” and unite America to solve issues of historic importance. He focuses on his ability to overcome partisan bickering, to work across the aisle, and to produce real results. The idea that someone would be able to unite America and get the government to productively work on important issues sounds idealistic. Understanding that cynicism, Obama stresses that Americans must embrace the “audacity of hope.” Hope is an irrational belief, a faith in optimism, but hope is also a unifying emotion, one that resonates with people across the globe. By emphasizing that we should all believe in the possibility of a new type of politics, Obama has converted many people, including Republicans, to believe in the possibility of the anti-Bush, a non-ideological leader that respects those who disagree with him and works to find not the Democratic solution, not the Republican solution, but the best solution. Campaigning to replace Bush with a unifying leader, he has struck a chord across the country — as shown by polls, book sales, enormous crowds, and website groups. In this crucial juncture in history, he has the potential to improve how Americans perceive politics, leading to more trust in government and solving some very difficult problems.
If he is elected, Obama will do a better job of not only passing the necessary legislation by incorporating other peoples points of view, but also letting the American people know that he is acting in their interest. An American president who is elected by saying, “we’re all in this together and we all have a stake in each other” will do a better job of assuaging the American people’s fears. Even some of Bush’s strongest Republican supporters concede that Bush isn’t the best salesman. When Obama gives a speech, he can really connect with the audience. Obama understands the issues, where we agree and disagree, and he has the intelligent policies, along with the charisma and political talent, to persuade the American people.
For those in the GOP who still make it a point to argue that Obama is not ready for the Presidency, well, Obama has already answered the question himself:
STEVE KROFT: What qualifies you to be President of the United States?
BARACK OBAMA: Something that I think I bring to bear to this process is the capacity to bring diverse people together around a common goal. And I think more than anything, that’s what America needs right now: the ability for us to unite around a common-sense, practical, non-ideological effort to solve some very big problems that we face. 60 Minutes Interview
Please also check out what makes Obama capable of uniting our country: Obama’s Experience. Or look at the Goodbye Speeches from Obama’s last day on the Illinois State Senate floor. He is praised by both a Democratic and Republican Colleague. And in case you haven’t read it yet, here are some Quotes from the Audacity of Hope.
The bottom line is this, Obama is the only candidate in this race who has the ability to actually get things done, and repair the damage done to this country by eight long years of Republican rule and policy. In Lanny Davis’ 2006 book, “Scandal: How ‘Gotcha’ Politics Is Destroying America,” the Washington Time’s columnist wrote: “Which, if any, leaders will have the courage to lead his or her party to win the presidency in 2008 — and then reach across the aisle to form a grand coalition government drawn from both parties, liberals and conservatives, to take a ‘time out’ from partisanship and solve America’s most pressing problems at home and abroad?”
Clearly, Barack Obama has now proved that he is that candidate. And he can be that kind of president.
-Author Mark Bruno
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Thanks for the plug; it’s very much appreciated. Moreso than any other election, I’ve really been passionate about this one because there’s so much at stake and Obama, I sincerely believe, has a record of experience that is more diverse and in touch with America than McCain’s.