I've Decided....

I've decided.

My conclusion comes after reading the candidates' memoirs and campaign platforms, attending both party conventions, interviewing both men multiple times, and watching all primary and general-election debates.

John McCain is an honorable man who has served his country well. But he will not get my vote. For the first time since registering as a Republican 28 years ago, I'm voting for a Democrat for president. I may have been an appointee in the George H.W. Bush administration, and master of ceremonies for George W. Bush in 2004, but last Saturday I stood amid the crowd at an Obama event in North Philadelphia.

Five considerations have moved me:

Terrorism. The candidates disagree as to where to prosecute the war against Islamic fundamentalists. Barack Obama is correct in saying the front line in that battle is not Iraq, it's the Afghan-Pakistan border. Osama bin Laden crossed that border from Tora Bora in December 2001, and we stopped pursuit. The Bush administration outsourced the hunt for bin Laden and instead invaded Iraq.

No one in Iraq caused the death of 3,000 Americans on 9/11. Our invasion was based on a false predicate, so we have no business being there, regardless of whether the surge is working. Our focus must be the tribal-ruled FATA region in Pakistan. Only recently has our military engaged al-Qaeda there in operations that mirror those Obama was ridiculed for recommending in August 2007.

Last spring, Obama told me: "It's not that I was opposed to war [in Iraq]. It's that I felt we had a war that we had not finished." Even Sen. Joe Lieberman conceded to me last Friday that "the headquarters of our opposition, our enemies today" is the FATA.

Economy. We face economic problems that are incomprehensible to most Americans, certainly they are to me. This is a time to covet intellect, and that begins at the top. Jack Bogle, the legendary founder of the Vanguard Group, told me recently that McCain's assertion that the fundamentals of the economy were "strong" was the "stupidest statement of 2008." In light of the unprecedented volatility in the market, who can dispute Bogle's characterization and the lack of understanding that McCain's assessment portends?

VP. I opined here that Sarah Palin demonstrated the capacity to be president in her speech to the Republican convention. Sadly, there has been no further exhibition of her abilities, and she remains an unknown quantity. We are left questioning the judgment of a candidate who bypassed his reported preferred choices, Lieberman and former Gov. Tom Ridge, and instead yielded to the whims of the periphery of his party. With two wars and a crumbling economy, Palin is too big of a risk to be a heartbeat away from a presidency held by a 72-year-old man who has battled melanoma. Advantage Joe Biden.

Opportunity. In a speech delivered on Father's Day, Obama lamented that too many fathers are missing from the lives of too many children and mothers. Look no further than Philadelphia for proof that the nation has a fatherhood problem at the root of its firearms crisis. And no demographic is affected by this confluence of factors like the black community. Among the many elements needed to address this crisis are role models, individuals whom urban youth can aspire to emulate. Little more than a year ago, Charles Barkley told me: "I want young black kids to see Barack on television every day. . . . We need to see more blacks who are intelligent, articulate, and who carry themselves with great dignity." Obama can be that man.

Hope. Wednesday morning will come and an Obama presidency holds the greatest chance for unifying us here at home and restoring our prestige around the globe. The campaigns have foretold the kind of presidency we can expect from each candidate. Last Friday in Lakeville, Minn., McCain himself had to explain to a supporter who was "scared" of an Obama presidency that those fears were unfounded. Another told McCain that Obama was untrustworthy because he is an "Arab." Those exchanges were a predictable byproduct of ads against Obama featuring tag lines such as "Too Risky for America" and "Dangerous," and a failure to rein in individuals at McCain events who highlighted Obama's middle name, all against a background of Internet lore.

Last Saturday at Progress Plaza, I heard Obama say: "The American people aren't looking for somebody to divide this country; the American people are looking for someone to lead this country."

This originally appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer

Comments

[HST]

Mr. Smerconish, you are only voting for Obama cause he's black.(SAR­CASM)

[M1]

Wow, good for you!!! You have a wonderful heart and it shows all the time. I always thought you would be voting Obama. I just never thought it was in your best interest to say it! Wow, what an American, what patriot and, what a real dude!

[Viper]

Well, now like Colin Powell you will be called a traitor. a terrorist sympathizer and worse... count down starting..­. 10,9,8...

But at least you are in good company.

If McCain wins now, will it be because he won the debates, is smarter, shows better judgement, has policies that change the direction 90% say is the wrong direction or chose a better VP or as shown presidential temperment and decession making or a better intellect.­.. Resoundingly NO.

At this point it will be about race, fear pandering and lies and character smears... and the whole world will get to see it as just that and has as they opened the same emails all of us have been receiving.­.

I was forced to leave the Republican Party in 1992 after 25 years as I watched deficits soar, MFG being outsourced and the party taken over by Religious Fundalment­alism....

What I see now makes me proud of my actions and choice then, and so sad for my country that a major party has sunk so low, that much ofmit appeal is the worst of us and nolonger to the best opf us.


Regards

[julica]

Thank you, Mike Smerconish, for your thoughtful and intelligent analysis of the real issues at hand. I may not always agree with you--although in this case I certainly do!--but you have won my respect.

[YY2H8]

I don't live in Philly so I have only become familiar with Mr. Smerconish over these past months beginning in the primaries. Unsurprisingly, since I am a progressive and he is a conservative, I have not always agreed with him. However, I have always felt he brought reason and thoughtfulness to his comments.

How gratifying to see that impression so well confirmed. Thank you Mr. Smerconish! I hope folks aren't too hard on you back home!

[acs9311]

This is a really impressive stand. I've been a Democrat as long as Mike has been a Republican and I almost always vote with my party down the line but sometimes a Republican has seemed like the right candidate for a local office. I've always been proud of that break from knee-jerk voting.

Be proud, Mike, and see if you can bring a few more Republicans along with you on this one. We need all the help we can get. Thank you!

[shades3]

Hey Smerc!!!
Sometimes being the one to lead transcends party affiliation and is just an extraordinary AMERICAN who wants to serve.
Welcome!!

[apeman637]

Thanks MIKE you should feel proud. Today you make me feel more American. Along with Mr. Powell -You have shown great courage!. I strongly admire you both.!- I feel things are changing Hopefully for the better. I'm an American first not a party loyalist. I hope alot of the culprits that were awash in this economic global crisis do not retain their seats in this election. Party be damed. I hope this new season brings in new uncorupted leaders from both sides. God bless America. May truly the best men and women actually win for all our sakes. good luck to all. especially OBAMA

[ElBruce]

Be sure to share some of the tastier items from your inbox next week, thanks.

[Acid Monkey]

So, that Mr Smerconish wisely decides to publicly endorse and vote for a Democrat after 28 years as a Republican is ok. However, when General Powell - a Republican endorses Obama its all about race.

[JAMKINGFL]

Thank you Michael massive respect!!

[feyangel]

Good article-- intelligent and thoughtful. Thank you.

[CodySTL]

Thank you Michael!

I watched Hardball this evening and Pat Buchanan was going with the theory that Colin Powell endorsed Obama because of race. I'm sure there are many others that believe the same. But, do they make the same claim the Mr. Smerconish decided to vote for Obama? Could Michael have decided to vote for Obama because Obama is black? "They" cannot believe that Powell came to his decision based on the campaign and candidate behavior/activities over the last several months. Can't wait to hear what Fox has to say about this. Hmmmm.....

[cminri]

"I opined here that Sarah Palin demonstrated the capacity to be president in her speech to the Republican convention" - How in the world did you equate the ability of someone to READ a speech written by someone else with having the capacity to be president??? Oh wait...we have someone like that now....how silly of me...

[smitallica]

My thoughts exactly. Mr. Smerconish, I admire your honesty and certainly welcome your vote. But I simply don't understand how a governor (who should be able to deliver a speech, as part of the job) delivering a speech written by somebody else that she had several days to prepare demonstrated the capacity to be president. Frankly, I think the GOP so desperately wanted to believe, wanted a "rock star" of their own, that they thought the snark and wit in the speech were reflective of the speaker. Turns out, not so much. Maybe McC should have nominated Palin's speechwriter.
Be that as it may, welcome to the light. We're glad to have you.

[genia]

A Bridesburg resident here......­I thank you. I'm not going to assume you switched parties..o­r seen some great light.... Living here in Philly ...I know you..I know who you are.
But I have to thank you...alon­g with all my loved ones...for standing up and saying and doing the right thing at a time when we as a country really really need it. We need to unite...no­t divide. We should have more in common then not.

Thanks