I have watched the rise of Barack Obama's political career since the first day he decided to become a politician. I have had a front row seat, in fact. I know him well and we have always believed him and believed in him. His career has been phenomenal and his focus and determination is like none I have ever witnessed.
Our story on Obama was the first. In March 2003, we presented Barack on the cover of N'Digo as he was running for the United States Senate.
Barack was my state senator, and he was the perfect fit for the Hyde Park community. I now think he is the perfect fit for America.
In February of 2005 (Savoy magazine's re-launch), we presented Barack and Michelle to the world as the new Camelot, three years before Caroline Kennedy told American University students that Barack "offers that same sense of hope and inspiration" her father did.
We knew then that this political power couple would go far but we didn't know it would be this soon. He is, however, ready for the White House and he is ready to govern America.
Here are the reasons that I wholeheartedly endorse Barack Obama for President of the United States of America:
1. Barack Obama will transform the world.
2. An Obama White House will allow America to live up to its creed of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This opportunity will be fully extended to all Americans.
3. A vote for Obama means an end to the war in Iraq.
4. An Obama Administration will deliver universal health care.
5. Obama is the right person for American politics at this time in history.
6. Obama has the best answers for the economy.
7. Minorities will come out of their box and have a chance to be fully participating American citizens.
8. Obama's story is the quintessential American story: He is a biracial kid with an absentee father, whose life path took him from Hawaii to Indonesia to New York, Chicago and Washington D.C. His life experiences are common ones for many Americans including being reared by a single mother on welfare and seemingly insurmountable student loan debt. These are experiences that make him understand firsthand the real, average American.
9. Obama's leadership will be crisp and right for a contemporary world.
10. Obama has the energy, intelligence and insight into a realistic America that will produce positive change, as evidenced by his campaign. Obama has built an extraordinary cross-cultural, multi-generational, corporate level and grassroots campaign that has been inclusive of every level, every neighborhood, every age and every race.
His campaign represents a new America.
11. On the day Barack Obama is inaugurated, America will think of itself differently and this country will be seen differently all across the globe. Worldwide, his swearing in will send a powerful message to people everywhere for all the right reasons.
12. Change has been the buzzword of the political day. McCain is merely using a popular word. Obama's change is fresh and represents substance.
His change is authentic and dynamic.