Why Barack Obama Will Be A Great President

With 9 days to go, and the campaign in full spin mode, time for a brief reflection on why Barack Obama will be a great President.

From the first Presidential candidates forum (a Democratic National Committee meeting I blogged for Huffington Post on February 2, 2007 here), Barack Obama's message has been about bringing change and offering hope.

Insisting that the "reality tv show" mentality fed by the 24-hour news cycle is "not why we are here," Obama described America as being in a "sobering place" Obama said this is "not a contest; it is a serious moment for America. The American people understand that. Every candidate will have something serious and valuable to offer. Campaigns should not be about making each other look bad but about how we can offer something good for this precious country of ours. Our rivals won't be each other or the other party but cynicism."

Obama proposed a discussion of the issues and set forth goals: health care for all Americans by the end of the first term of the next President, energy independence and a national security policy. Touting his early opposition to the Iraq war which he called "a tragic mistake" he said "whether you were for or against the war in the beginning, we each have the obligation to set forth in clear unambiguous terms how we are going to get out of Iraq." Concluding with a call to "turn the page" he noted that "for every attack ad out there, there are real patriots fighting and dying in Iraq, [so] we must free ourselves from the constraints of politics and offer hope. We have offered plans; we need now to offer hope to the American people."

In the ensuing 20 months, Barack Obama has been true to his mission. He has displayed the attributes of effective leadership: a compelling call to service, a progressive vision for our country, bold ideas to lead us in a new direction, and the values to include all of us in that journey with civility and accountability. He laid out his plans to bring positive change to our lives, from economic justice to energy independence to an end to the Iraq war and care for our veterans. He has run an unprecedented continental campaign, inspiring tens of millions of voters and tens of thousands of volunteers to breathe new life into our democracy with an emphasis on building success from the ground up, valuing the strength of our work, not the size of our checkbook. After a contentious primary that made him stronger (thank you Hillary Clinton), he brought the party together and reached out to Independents and Republicans looking to turn the page from the Bush years. And he and Michelle have shown that that to bring change we must reject the politics of personal destruction and embrace a personal responsibility to make the future better for their and our children.

What Barack Obama said 20 months ago remains ever so true today: with economic uncertainty at home and two wars abroad, we need steady judgment and inspiring leadership. We need to believe we can repair the breach here at home - exemplified by the Bush administration's disastrous response to Katrina, to Constitutional law, and to the mortgage meltdown - and to restore our standing in the world. By electing Barack Obama, we will choose to renew the American dream with a President who offers common sense and compassion, a government working for peace, prosperity and the common good, a society where our diversity is our strength, and a future where each can reach our fullest human potential.

We have 9 days left to make this choice. Every phone call, every small donation, every door knock, every vote can make the difference. Come make a difference for Barack Obama and Joe Biden one last time via barackobama.com.

Comments

[jefftobin]

Labor Unions take notice. Taxing your employer at higher rates (ala Obama) will only serve to move jobs to lower wage-scale countries. Why do you think we can send our scrap steel on a freighter to China, have it melted down, turned into rolled or structural steel, have it shipped back, and have it still be cheaper than American steel? Because the labor costs are dramatically less. Protecting inefficient industries like the auto industry only puts off the inevitable, and labor costs are a major reason. Congratulations labor morons, you are putting yourself out of work by supporting Obama. Higher taxes=higher costs of production=less price competitiveness=lower sales=LAYOFFS!!

[Yola]

Because of Bush, the bar is so low that all Obama needs to do is step over it and he will be considered the greatest president ever!

[lyricdash]

In your dreams.

[hotwire]

I just heard O say, " the Supreme Court hasn't gone far enough as far as addressing the redistribution of wealth." I really don't think this is part of the Courts job.

[Christine Pelosi - Huffpost Blogger]

Actually, hotwire, Obama doesn't think that's part of the Court's job either. He said so on the tape you said you heard.

What Obama said on the excerpts from the interview (posted on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iivL4c_3pck) was that the civil rights movement focused less on community and political organizing and more on Courts, which do not redistribute money.

The tape from 2001 was spliced by whoever posted it so until we hear the full context we can only go with the limited information posted - that Obama said the Supreme Court was not set up by the Founding Fathers to decide redistributive civil rights issues - that community and political organizing must serve that function.

The only example Obama cited in the spliced tape from 2001 was that the Supreme Court was not comfortable giving money to school districts to spend on implementing its rulings on segregation.

Not a "bombshell" there.

Certainly not a bombshell compared to the Bush high end tax cuts (the ones McCain opposed before he supported) that redistribute wealth UPWARD at the expense of the American middle class.

[jefftobin]

I am supporting McCain.
Reason: Until 3 days ago I was undecided. I have been reading more about Obama's support of extending the reach of the Wagner Act, which gives labor unions exemption to antitrust lawsuits. His idea is to prevent secret ballots in voting whether or not to join a union. This will undoubtedly help the labor unions, one of his largest constituencies. Why is this bad? One, it will make it practically impossible for companies to choose the labor pool. For a great explanation as to why this is bad, read the Wall Street Journal today. This is potentially catastrophic to industry and will only serve to drive more jobs overseas. Second reason is his flip flop on the income tax issue. Very vocal that his tax increases would only affect those making over 250K. Yesterday, it was down to 200K per Obama, and by nigthfall it was 150K according to Biden. They are already going back on their pledges, and they haven't even won yet. Open your eyes...this is very disturbing. And I agree...he is coming in with very high accolades and expectations. If he doesn't deliver, will you be call him out? I would hope so. Finally, a panel of 12 economists reviewed his health care proposals and his pledge to lower premiums an average of $2500 for a familyf 4. None of them felt it was possible since he assumes billions in savings from preventative measures and from implementing electronic medical records.

[texanna]

Christine, take off the rose-colored glasses, honey. Mr. Obama has only the potential to be a great President, but has a long way to go to actually be so. In fact, his actions and Senate voting record to date should be sobering to you in setting your expectations. Certainly, McSame is not a choice, but save your rhapsodizing of Mr. Obama until it's warranted. Otherwise you're likely to be as disappointed in him as the rest of us were in your mother after the mid-term vote in 2006.

[Pdubya]

thank you. And these Obamatrons never ask "how will it be paid for?". Given that our dollar isn't worth anything and there is no international trust in it, it isn't backed by anything....it is a disaster waiting to happen. that said, I agree...McCain is no choice. And, actions speak louder than words.

FISA

Bailout

[ICanHasDemocracy]

just two, count that against McCain's dozens of flips. Not even a contest.
Incurious George, many thought would make a great President- he had all that Governer experience! Sarah Palin is a Diva who is dividing the Republican party. You will see stronger shift of those defectors to Independent leanings if she makes it to 1600 Penn Ave. ( I hope she can do that in stilletto heels!)
SP doesn't even realize the DNA research that could help her son Trig( odd name considering she sucked at math)

It's the Lyin, the Witch and the 150K wardrobe.

[populus]

Out of nowhere a Black man came on the scene
Such a rapid rise had not before been seen
The young people were ready to back his cause
Their elders said lets wait a minute, lets pause
That people of Iowa gave him their vote
The rest of Americans were quick to not
The march to victory was long and drawn out
After twenty long months he finally won out
Now to face a tough Republican foe
If to Washington he would go
That;s onr story of this great land
whose people get what they demand

[hotwire]

Don't quit your day job.

[lyricdash]

I second that ;)

[JasonGolfPro]

Oh, there's no economic uncertainty; markets worldwide are assuming that Obama will win.

Nothing "uncertain" about their reactions at all.

[Pulemerci]

Please list which accomplishments of Obama that inspired you most to make this claim. Please don't talk about change and hope. List things in his record to support your assertion that he will be a great president.

[lizinatl]

judgement, innovation, open to intelligent opinions that differ, diplomacy - earnestness - and an ability to lead down a 'path' ; executive ability to raise and run a multimillion dollar enterprise (his campaign) - lest we forget the legislative years; his editorship of the Harvard REview - maybe his Constitution Law Professorship - those are the accomplishments of Obama that strongly dignify him as the better man in the presidential race....touche`

[Essentialboom]

Also lets not forget his A team of advisors on every level. A foregin Policy expert as his VP. One of the most respected Generals, the richest man in the world and a financial guru and several others. Obama is not only intelligent but he enlists only the mostintelligent and qualified people to be in his corner. So, with Obamas leadership and tthe magnitude of his potential cabinet this US can only be headed in a positive direction. In terms of Mccains choice of people he surrounds his self with... SARAH PALIN... Enough said

[Pulemerci]

He was a senior lecturer, not a professor. Ask a real, tenured professor if there's a difference between the two titles. Forget his legislative years? The ones where he voted present time after time.

[ICanHasDemocracy]

Pule wants spreadsheets, and stuff- you know the same kind of fuzzy math market data that got us into this mess- Default Credit Swaps looked good ON PAPER.....

[TMann99821]

What Obama said 4 years ago.

Q. Why have you ruled out running for President in 2008?

A. "I am a believer in knowing what you're doing when you apply for a job and I think that if I were to seriuosly consider running on a national ticket, I would essentially have to start now before having served a day in the Senate. Now there's some people who might be comfortable doing that, but I'm not one of those people."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gexyfVpFMU

[Yola]

Exactly why he is great - fast learner! NEXT!

[ryanpage]

i usually dont vote, because never trusted politician, but not this one

[annschneider1]

He is an eloquent and brilliant man who, if he is elected, will make the United States a country that other countries will once again respect. So, get out there and vote...and take someone with you.

[Overd0g]

Brilliant? Stretching a bit, I'd say.

[Yola]

BRILLIANT! Especially when you measure it against the 2 republican candidates. Now that is a joke!

[AngieD]

Yeah, right. You're going to get that with ZBIG, Biden and Albright...

[KarateKid]

Your mom is a babe.

[Xiara]

I LOVE BARACK OB AMA

[Xiara]

Plus he's so doggone cute, now doggone it.

Wink wink umm ummm

[darker]

WHY will Obama be a great president?

BECAUSE OBAMA IS NOT SMALL-MINDED
like republicans have been for unending eons.
Republicans have stooped so low they are disgusting.

BRAVO OBAMA! !