Why Vote for Obama?

For any independents wavering on the eve of the election, I thought I would explain why I will vote for Barack Obama. I did not start there. I supported Hillary Clinton because I knew and admired her, and because I was concerned about Obama's lack of experience at the national level.

But two things happened that made me change my mind even before the end of the primaries. One was that I finished a book on leadership, The Powers to Lead. In it, I describe three key soft power skills -- emotional intelligence, vision, and communications -- as well as the hard power skills of organizational and Machiavellian political capacity. Equally important is the contextual intelligence to know how to vary the mix of these skills to produce smart power strategies. Completing this theoretical framework intersected with the progress of the Obama campaign in which he demonstrated that he had all of them.

John McCain, an admirable man, has some key skills, but Obama greatly outscores him. McCain's temper, the disorganization of his campaign, and his erratic choices regarding the vice presidency and the financial crisis, compare unfavorably with Obama's calm response to crises, his forward-looking vision, and his superb organizational skills. In addition, Obama's contextual intelligence about world politics has been shaped from the bottom up with experience in Indonesia and Kenya.

As the center-right London Economist recently pointed out in its endorsement of Obama, his election will do much to restore America's reputation around the world. Every election in a democracy is in part a gamble. (After all, in 1964 Lyndon Johnson was the peace candidate, and in 2000, George W. Bush promised compassionate conservatism and a "humble foreign policy." ) But as the Economist concluded, Obama has campaigned with more style, intelligence and discipline than his opponent....He deserves the presidency." I agree.

Comments

[MBadragan]

I am looking at these elections from outside. I write from Romania and I am Romanian. I can tell you about the image America has abroad and the way your candidates look like.

I new nothing about them until 2 days ago. Since then I keep on updating myself. And I can tell you one thing. I can not see Mr. McCain doing a good job in front of Putin while I see Mr. Obama. In Mr. McCain I see the same face I am used to see in the last 20 years, the same representative of the most powerful people of America, the same false smile.

On the other hand, Mr. Obama has a sort of inflexibility, a kind of smile that gives me the feeling that he allows me to have opinions but he will call me back to facts when the time for a conclusion will come. Mr. Obama seems more interested in being truthful than in being right.

Again, I might be wrong. I am afraid I am wrong, specially now that he looks more and more like a winner. He can still be a socialist and a demagogue, as some are characterizing him in the Romanian newspapers . I would hate to find out that he is so when he will become the 44th president. But I hope he is not.

He gave me the feeling America will have a sense of direction under his presidency. And that the rest of us will follow that

[MyOwnThoughts]

My last comment was deleted even though I did not use foul or abusive language, i just expressed my opinion. I guess I must've hurt somebody's feelings.

McCain is the right person for the job at this moment in history. He has crossed the aisle, McCain has co-sponsored bills with democrats, McCain has served his country for over 50 years. He knows domestic policy, He knows foreign policy. He has been under pressure, He has been tested. He's still standing. Obama may have more style than McCain, but not more intelligence or discipline. And since when do we take our cues from English publications?

I, too, was a Hillary supporter because she is a centrist just like McCain. Now I have no choice, Obama is too much of a socialist idiologist for me to vote for him.

Let the best man be chosen!

[janinius]

obama is not a socialist. he is no where NEAR socialism in his political policies. yours truly - a socialist

[jora74]

As a Democrat, I have come to realize that America needs John McCain. We need a candidate with political experience on the national level. John McCain has that qualification. We need a candidate that has military experience at a time when being an experienced commander in chief is enormously important. John McCain has that background. We need a candidate who speaks his mind and doesn't feel compelled to align with his party all the time. This is John McCain. So what about his competition? His competitor, Barack Obama, is a first term Senator with a prestigious education who speaks very eloquently. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the Office of the President. The highest office in the land! Therefore, an important qualification for President of the United States would have to be experience. However, putting experience aside, we need a leader that stands by the people of his nation. It is amazing how many people Senator Obama distanced himself from when their rhetoric or postion in life was no longer "campaign friendly". I keep thinking about Senator Obama's aunt who lives in public housing. When her immigration status came under fire, Obama quickly announced to the media that he wasn't aware of her situation, distancing himself from controversy once again. Mr. Obama, this is your aunt! America needs John McCain now more than ever.

[gaebolgaes]

the three service review boards and the department of veterans affairs..presume the manifestation of 14 medical conditions in service members who were prisoners of the north vietnamese army for any length of time. 3 of these medical conditions are mental conditions. they are: dysthemia...post traumatic stress..and severe depressive psychosis. john mccain was traumatized and tortured for 5 years. anyone who gives him the nuclear codes should share the same mental hospital ward wth him.no racist wants a black man to be president we blacks know how they feel. we have never had any but white presidents in this country. that fact in itself is evil and sick.obama is a law professor who taught constitutional law for 10 years. he knows better than to insert himself into an immigration issue in a racist country that owes its existence to the fact that it murdered the native americans to get this land.when he is president he can allow his aunt entry with a stroke of a pen.the bottom line is whether we want a tottering.­..dodderin­g old man with parkinsons and his high school cheer leader vice president to run things or a young ..verile intellectual with a booming stentorian voice to shout down putin, amajinidad ..bin laden and the rest of the despots the USA helped put in power.

[Noworries2008]

Thank you for saying what you did. I have been saying these things and unfortunately my posts have been deleted. Not for language content but my views.

May the best man win and may there be peace in our country, no matter who wins.

Gracious winners and losers please.

[wanttruth]

Good column! Go Obama-Biden 08!!!

[HawaiianTiger]

Since Barrack was born and raised in Hawaii, I think that the rest of the US is going to learn a lot more about the Aloha State and that is a good thing. Here it is impossible to maintain any prejudices because that person in front of you despite their appearances maybe mixed with any number of races. We here in Hawaii have been living the future of the rest of the world for a very long time and while we have our problems with race and whatnot they pale in comparision to what you find elsewhere. Barrack has Aloha in his heart and you all can feel that. It has a very strong pull on you because on the mainland you are starved for it. In the future you all will learn more about this and many other things that Hawaiian culture has to offer. Barrack is our man and we share him willingly. It is our tradition to share those things of the greatest value with everyone.

Vote for Barrack Obama because our country needs him right now.

Language lesson. Here Barrack might be called Hapa Haole (half) with respect to his race. Usually it refers to half Hawaiian. Certainly Popolo which is hawaiian for black. Hanai means a very informal adoption of children. Barrack has been Hanai over on the mainland for a long time. Someday we would like him back.
Aloha,
HT

[newshawk14]

I must admit to a prejudice on my part, I value a discriminating intelligence, above many other
virtues, and that is why I will vote for Obama. Neither McCain or Palin pass this test with me.

[GKJames]

Makes perfect sense. What remains a mystery is how to inculcate this sort of thinking into the other 50% of the country, the knuckleheads who flaunt their ignorance, and who really do believe that the creation vs. evolution debate remains undecided.

[gmsand]

"TO: All my family and friends of the Republican and/or conservative persuasion who are now vigorously supporting the McCain/Palin ticket.

It makes me feel so good that you have finally admitted how right I was all along concerning all the things that I tried to convince you of about the Bush/Cheney administration these past 8 years. Your loyal support for McCain/Palin is all the proof and vindication that I need to know that you have amended your positions on the dark period in our history that will be known in history as the 'Bush Years'.

I knew all along in my heart of hearts that one day you would finally come around to my way of thinking. John and Sarah and the entire RNC have distanced themselves as far as humanly possible from Dubya's gang of constitutional rapists and war mongers and most of the Republican members of the House and Senate have done likewise. I tell you, it just makes my heart swell to see all of you finally coming to your senses.

That being said, you might consider something else I have to tell you being as I was right about Bush/Cheney...Very simply...Your vote for McCain/Palin is a vote for 4 more years of the same!

Really...I'd hate to see you have to once again admit how wrong you were and that I was right all along. I know just how painful and humiliating that must be for you!"

[cagney57]

I can not believe this...I live in Ohio and if we fail to elect Obama....we suck!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!

What do I have to do, move to a state that has brains?????

Undecided in Ohio, get off your A.S.S. and either vote or just stay the H.E.L.L home and shut up when your government screws you for the next 4 years if McCain gets elected.
Me...I am out of here.

Obama/Biden '08...voted early in Ohio

[realitycheck7]

there is republican voter fraud in Ohio also

so the dems have to win by a large enough margin to overcome that

[janinius]

I left PA for the exact same reason

[Emmory]

But do we deserve Obama?
I guess we do but what a drag that is.
I don't want to live like western Europe.
I don't like western Europe.

[GKJames]

What, exactly, do you know about Western Europe?

[Emmory]

I know plenty about Western Europe.
When I work there I make about half of what I get for the same work in the U.S.A.
You tell me why since you're all such experts when it comes to how things work over there.

In my opinion Europe is one of the most racists places I've ever been.

There is nothing I can learn from those people. They seem narrow minded and heavily regulated.

I can't believe you people think such horrible things about the U.S.A.
Gulag state? More Orwellian than you ever thought possible?
All of that is just crazy

[dukeman]

Haaave you ever lived in Western Europe?

[nsfbr]

I'm just going to take a wild guess that you haven't spent much time in western Europe.

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

Probably never even been out of his neighborhood. Just spouting words he heard someone else say.

[Lala11 7]

For the past eight yeas...you've been living in a psuedo gulag state...and we've come closer to the Orwellian viewpoint than I ever thought possible...

But I guess you like that...

Wiretaps, secret wars, massive payoffs to private military companies...

You like that...THAT'S what you prefer...

Too bad you won't get what you want...

[Osprey3]

In case you aren't aware, and contrary to Republican claims that Obama would impose extreme leftist policies and programs on the Nation, a President Obama actually plan to govern from the center (see:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/30/rachel-maddow-interviews_n_139402.html). By the way, what specifically to you find objectionable about western European countries and how would an Obama administration duplicate those unspecified policies?

[rojor]

http://rexycle.com/wordpress/?p=112
This is America's last chance to change its direction.

[LaLaHillbilly]

I am a happily married woman, with 2 girls. Over the past 4 years, I have dealt with the rising costs of everything, mismanaged healthcare and insurance companies, and other issues too many to write; you get the picture.

I have friends that are gay. I have 2 daughters. I hate the war. A highschool friend's sister was killed in 9/11, she was lovely and she would not have wanted this war in her name, so to speak.

So, in my day-to-day life it's a no-brainer who I'll vote for. What I've heard from each of the candidates in their speeches has confirmed my view. Sen. Obama gets down to about what and how he's going to do it. From Sen. McCain I've heard about his POW experience, and then about Obama's connection to flavor of the week.

I'd rather hear how Sen. McCain plans to change and improve my day to day. Since, I couldn't find out from his speeches, or the debates, so I went to their web site. Don't think so.

Restoring marriage? I am happy with my husband. I want that for everyone. It takes work, but everyone should have that chance. I want my daughters to grow up in an accepting America, not a tolerant America.

There is so much more that I would like to write. Don't even know where to start as far as Gov. Palin goes. But my youngest is up from a nap and gotta go.

[LoveOverGold]

Great post! Welcome to HuffPo!

[indymaggie]

I am an independent and I am not voting for Obama. He lost me a long time ago. He is so much for change and he can't even change his home state of Illinois. Chicago, his home town, is murder capital of the world. He should have cleaned his state first then the world.

[Gib]

Rather like Wasilla being the meth capitol of Alaska, eh?

[cagney57]

Not only the Meth capital but also the highest rated state for rape...look it up.

Guess that is why Palin wanted others to pay for their own rape kits...to many to put on the tax payers huh????

Obama/Biden '08...voted early in Ohio

[LexiInMichigan]

So, you think he was in charge of cleaning up the entire Chicago area? Was he the mayor, the governor? I don't think so. If you went on that "logic", you'd say that about Sara Palin...Wasilla being the meth capital of Alaska.

Good luck with your warped view of the world. I'm sure it will serve you well.

[Lala11 7]

Well...its good that we don't need your vote...

I live in Chicago...born and raised...and there is NO WAY I'm going to put what's going on in my town on Obama's shoulder's...he's a JR. SENATOR...who won in 2004...

I am putting it on the shoulders where it belong...

On the people who allow their sons and daughters to be drug dealers...allow their children to fail in schoool...allow their neighboorhoods to be hijacked by crime...and do nothing...not call the police...not report what they see...nothing...

[seachild]

okay...bye

[Aroura]

I am very glad to see another person using reason to make this choice, rather than fear or because someone else told them to.

The real question is, why vote for McCain? Why are 42% of American voting for Mccain???? Seriously....why???

I've surfed the net, browsed bloggs, and talked to real live friends and neighbors. The answer almost always comes down to religion in some form or another. Don't get me wrong, I think organized religion can be a great force for good in the world, but lately it seems that it is all being used for personal gain. It's like a mini-crusades. How America is attempting to force Christianity (not democracy as they claim) on everyone else.
Some christians in this coutry are terrified of Obama because they really really think he'll destroy their value system. Abortion seems to be a HUGE issue here, along with the fact that he is repetedly being cited as "Extremely leftist", which some apparently take to mean he will undo marriage, kill babies and turn America into a godless haven for the heathen masses, or maybe the muslims. Or something....

Anyway, it's scary what they think. Some really wierd stuff, and they eat it all up like candy. Learn to think for yourselves people!

Obama/Biden '08

[William1950]

The real question is, why vote for McCain? Why are 42% of American voting for Mccain???? Seriously....why???

could it be that he is black? if Obama were white he would be twenty points ahead... no doubt.

[antiprop1]

Everybody has different criteria by which to make their presidential pick. Through the years I have created my own 'antiprop' factor. The key is not to be blinded by your ideology. I would call myself a moderate democrat who favors a rational approach to issues. I will usually but not always back the candidate who represents this common sense approach. I balance that with which guy (or gal) has more brains. I then go for the self made guy and not the entitled rich kid. So lets judge the two candidates by this criteria. McCain, third from last in his class in the Naval Academy who probably wouldn't even have got in if not for his 4-star admiral dad. Obama, brilliant academic who worked up on his own merits to become the first black head of the Harvard Law Review. That is a great achievement. So I will also have to endorse Obama for president. But he is to liberal in economic philosophy for my liking. Although I respect and admire the McCain of 2000, he lost my endorsment when he went with religious right out of politcal expediancy. Get Out and Vote!