Following is the full text of an advertisement a colleague and I placed in newspapers in both Iowa on December 30th 2007 and New Hampshire on January 4th 2008 -- as independent campaign expenditure.
A number of people who saw these advertisements then have asked recently to see them again as they felt the comments were most helpful and, as it turns out, quite on point on how Obama has been perceived as the campaign developed.
Food For Thought For Thinking Voters
The rap on Barack Obama is that he is too young, too inexperienced -- not ready.
The trouble with these "charges" is that they are too vague to be useful and not relevant with regard to Obama; Jack Kennedy was younger; Bill Clinton was about the same age. Furthermore, Obama has a lot of experience, though different from predecessors in some importantly useful ways.
What matters most in selecting a new President has less to do with age or experience and more to do with:
1. Character -- which goes beyond simple honesty; it is the core of a person that instinctively always seeks the right way of accomplishing one's goals and objectives without sacrificing principles or honor. Obama has displayed integrity consistently throughout the past year and throughout his life.
2. Judgment -- is about an individual's capacity to assess right and wrong in life generally, policy choices and how and when to move fast or slow, hard or soft, with openness or restraint. Obama has exhibited extraordinary judgment with regard to the Iraq war, the beating of the drums of war with Iran, as well as his personal conduct and that of the entire Obama campaign in exercising restraint in a Presidential primary increasingly characterized by the politics of personal destruction.
3. Intelligence -- is not only about being book smart; evidenced by Obama's education and law professorship. It is also about emotional intelligence; reflected in his conduct as a State Senator, US Senator and Presidential candidate as well as his ability to reach people through his books, speeches and campaign for President of the United States.
4. Temperament -- is a crucial characteristic in leadership; it is an amalgam of calm determination, depth of sensitivity to other people, sense of humor and sufficient detachment to see the world clearly. Obama has consistently displayed a solid, deep unflappable temperament all this year and throughout his adult life.
In addition to the qualities listed above, he brings to the challenges of the Presidency a wider range of personal exposure to worldly experience -- in Asia, Africa and at home in the U.S. -- than almost any other person who ever sought the Presidency. That experience translates into a better understanding of global issues and an innate ability to recognize, communicate and execute the right courses of action.
During the course of this campaign, Obama has heard more advice than he may have wanted or needed. But, he listened well and integrated what he heard from many sources, putting it to work in his own way in his own time. That is what great leaders do -- they listen, then decide and finally act.
They should never be weathervanes. Obama and his campaign are the embodiment of the tangible and intangible stuff of great leadership and a great President.
Lastly, a key question for voters to consider is - what is the candidate in this for? Obama is in this race for the betterment of our great Country; not himself.
Please enjoy this food for thought for thinking voters; and Happy Holidays to All.
Sincerely yours,
Frank A. Weil
Former Assistant Secretary of U.S., Dept of Commerce, Banker & Lawyer
My motivation to publish this letter is to do what I can for my
4 children and 9 grandchildren to help select the best possible next President. I have seen many elections and candidates in my 76 years and Obama is the most appropriate and capable one I have ever seen.
William G. Spears
Chainnan & CEO, Spears Abacus Advisors,
My motivation to publish this letter relates to the importance I perceive
in electing a President who can most effectively deal with current difficult, complex times.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Paid for by Frank A. Weil domiciled at 3950 Nonh Pond Drive, Wilson, Wyoming 83014 and an olTice in New York at 147 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017 and William G. Spears at 147 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017.