(Updated 6/2008 ) To reflect Obama vs. McCain and all new data…
I’ll be the first to say Senator Obama isn’t perfect, just like every other candidate. As a moderate, I strongly disagree with anyone who is a single party or single issue voter. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate and disagreeing on certain issues with Senator Obama, I still believe he is the best candidate for the 2008 Presidency.
Coming from a very conservative background, many people have asked me why I would support Obama. I admit that I disagree with him on certain issues: Affirmative Action, Abortion, and a few others. However I do agree with him on most issues: Iraq, Foreign Policy in general, Economics (more so then McCain), Healthcare (partially), Education, and much more…
The reason I can disagree with Obama on abortion and feel justified is because I know McCain won’t do anything about it either. And if it comes down to Supreme Court judges, I’m sorry but I’m not going to base my entire vote for President on who he might nominate as a judge. Not to mention that its becoming more doubtful anyone will touch that issue with a stick let alone try to overturn it! Bush was virtually elected on moral issues like abortion, and even with all 3 branches on the Republican side they still haven’t really changed anything!
Obama is incredibly intelligent and is one of the greatest leaders of our time. He may not have as much experience, but I think he makes up for it in sheer brilliance and great judgment. You must also take into consideration that some great presidents were his age or younger (Teddy Roosevelt, Bill Clinton, and more. It just so happens that McCain’s role model is Teddy Roosevelt – Ironic). He is motivational and gives hope to a country that has been quite hopeless for many years. He also has shown more integrity on the campaign trail then I have seen or read of from any politician in recent history. Focusing on the real issues: He will bring an end to the War in Iraq, which was waged under false pretenses, and slowly begin withdrawing troops in an organized and responsible manner under the supervision of the generals. He brings a much better understanding of economic policy then McCain does (who has said he knows little about economics – and shown it), who will continue the policies of Bush and do little to lower our mounting National Debt (around 9-10 Trillion). Obama will bring a fresh understanding, motivation, and bipartisanship to fix issues like Immigration, Education, and Healthcare reform. He will work for Universal Healthcare (I’m still not sure I support the details, but I do support a change in any direction as this clearly isn’t working and standing still is pointless). His Foreign Policy shows a wisdom and maturity that will not only support our national security interests but will also raise the level of opinion citizens of the International world see in Americans. He supports talking with everybody, citing that we ought never fear to negotiate, and he leaves war for a last choice only if necessary – which is the right way to go, we won’t be as hated and we won’t be caught up in unnecessary fighting. His policy towards Iran moves towards the future rather then going backwards in the past. He also supports unilaterally supports Israel while vowing not to force them to do anything that they don’t want to do and is not in their own interests (something American presidents have been doing for a LONG time). Lastly, Obama’s policies will help secure an environmentally safer world and will help us cut our dependence on oil while truly investing in the energy of the future – McCain has yet to come up with a clear plan to fight the energy crisis beyond a gas tax holiday, which will barely help the average consumer and could actually hurt him!
The most important issues to me currently are: The Economy (specifically the Energy Crisis), Foreign Policy, Education, Healthcare, Abortion, and the Environment. Except for Abortion, Obama is superior to McCain in my opinion, and that is while I’ll be supporting him come November.
Strengths:
1) McBush 08? – Obama simply has an advantage by running after Bush. The GOP hasn’t been so weak for many years, and the Democrats are winning elections in areas that are unheard of! McCain will obviously be tagged to Bush through the whole election (which is fair and unfair in different ways), and currently, more people would support the policies of Obama then they would the policies of McCain (if they’re at all similar to Bush’s – which some are and some aren’t). Most importantly, Obama is the candidate that will bring us out of Iraq. Most American’s support this, and it will be a huge hurdle for McCain to overcome…
2) Leadership, Vision, and Judgment: Obama is a strong leader, ready and willing to go up against the establishment. He wants to stop the political bickering and abuse while using hope and inspiration to take America down a new course. Rather then going in political circles, Obama will hopefully go right through to the heart of the problems facing America. Obama also has an exemplary vision for America. He is optimistic of what we can accomplish while still being realistic about how we can go about it. He is passionate about cleaning up the garbage in Washington and making a country where people can hope again and have high expectations, rather then watch their representatives continually fail them. Lastly, Obama has an incredible amount of wisdom and intelligence, the best example of this is his ability to see through the War in Iraq from the beginning. He has the street smarts necessary to look at things logically and make good decisions, while he also graduated with many honors from Columbia and Harvard University. Such a combination makes a good/wise leader, especially when adding his social skills…
3) Money $$$ – Obama raises an unprecedented amount of money from contributors. He will be raising 2 to 3 times more money then McCain throughout the entire General Election. This gives him the ability to campaign more in the swing states and possibly flip undecided voters.
4) Electoral Math – Obama puts into play many states that could put him over-the-top without the help of even Ohio or Florida! Think I’m crazy? If Obama wins the traditional Democratic states and wins the swing states of NV, IA, CO, NM, NH, MI, MN, WI, and PA – he wins! That doesn’t even consider the possibility of winning OH, FL, MO, VA, NC, IN, GA, or SC (all swing states). Thanks to the HUGE registration of Democrats, they currently outnumber registered Republicans by 15-20%.
5) Bipartisanship/Likeablity: I am convinced with his charm and rhetoric, Obama will bring this nation together and strengthen out ties across the country. With the latest Presidency’s, Republicans and Democrats have continually pushed away from each other, getting to the point where they can’t even speak or love one another. Although Obama is clearly a Democrat, he brings people together; even if they don’t agree. Hopefully this will also be seen on an International scale.
Weaknesses:
1) Experience – Obama is generally cited for not having enough political, and especially, foreign policy experience. Although I admit that he doesn’t have an a plethora of experience, he does have more experience then most credit him for. However, compared to McCain being in the Senate for over 20 years and having military experience, clearly Obama’s greatest weakness will be the lack of experience in comparison.
2) Liberalism – If you haven’t heard, a study came out last year saying Obama was the most Liberal Senator based on his voting record. I can guarantee that Republicans will eat this up! It might also convince moderates/independents that he is too far to the left.
3) Race, Name & Nationality – Sadly Senator Obama will still take a hit because of his being black. Such a factor must be counted as a political weakness, as well as his name: Barack Hussein Obama. Some people will continue to say he is a secret Muslim and distribute lies, and thus he will continue to have a hard time getting past the non-sense. Just for your information… Barack Obama has a white mother from Kansas and a black father (Sr.) from Kenya (from where he got his name). He was born in Hawaii, but after his parents divorced he lived in Jakarta, Indonesia for 4 years with his new-stepfather who was from there. Later he moved back to Hawaii and eventually would attend Columbia and then Harvard University. Obama is a Christian, part of the United Church of Christ – he is NOT Muslim. its also thanks to his race that he won’t be winning, KY, WV, and AR (all states Clinton is winning but Obama isn’t – I wonder why?)
4) Personal Issues/Attacks – Obviously Obama will still have to make it through the hurdles of Reverend Wright, Bill Ayers, and other attacks that may carry on a little longer in the election season.
5) Voting Blocs – Obama has been having a very hard time capturing the votes of white women, blue collar workers, latinos, senior citizens, and Jews. He will have to make inroads into all of these blocs if he wants to have victory come November.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” — John Adams
