Why I Am Supporting Barack Obama
Today, I am announcing my endorsement of Barack Obama for President.
This wasn't an easy decision for me. Democrats were blessed this year with many talented and capable candidates, and I believe both Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama would make fine presidents. But Sen. Obama's proven judgment, his hopeful vision for America, and his unmatched ability to motivate millions of Americans eager for change made the choice for me.
I have enormous respect for Sen. Clinton. She is smart, dedicated and a champion of those often underserved and forgotten. She has a remarkable record of achievement that inspires us all. And her election would fulfill a life long dream for so many of us who have been fighting for women's rights. She would make a great president.
But for me, Barack Obama is the best choice.
There are a number of reasons I could cite. He has promoted smart policies to address our nation's greatest challenges. He was right on Iraq when so many were wrong. He speaks with an eloquence that most public officials can only dream of and is inspiring millions of Americans to reconnect with politics or connect for the first time. And he can win in November.
These are all true and good reasons, but I also believe Barack Obama is the better choice because of something larger and perhaps more important. Simply put, he has made a call to the better angels of our nature. He is challenging us to lift ourselves out of the ugliness that increasingly consumes Washington, where the heat of your argument counts for more than the light it should bring. He is asking us to stand together as Americans and transcend the traditional lines that have so often divided us by party affiliation, economic status, gender, or race. He is calling on us to rethink our approach to problem solving in the face of the enormous challenges facing our country, like Iraq, economic recession, global warming, record energy prices, and 47 million Americans without health insurance, to name just a few. I believe in his effort to put our country on a new path and want to help him make that happen.
I came to Washington 10 years ago after winning the seat my husband Walter held. In office for a mere 10 months before he died, he had lost none of the idealism and faith in American democracy that propelled his life. Quite frankly, I don't believe he ever would have and I know that I have tried to keep that fire burning. But I'll admit it's hard, when so much of what's going on around you is less about meeting our country's challenges and more about demonizing your political opponents.
Walter once said that "we are strongest as people when we are directed by that which unites us, rather than giving into the fears, suspicions, innuendos and paranoias that divide." For years I have been waiting for a president that speaks to that vision. I believe Barack Obama may very well be that rare leader.
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Rep. Capp,
Thank you for the thoughtful, inspiring endorsement. In the midst of the 24-7 media's relentless rehearsing of the Wright story, you lifted my spirits today and reminded me of the real difference between Barack Obama and the other 2 candidates. Thanks again for your courage and insight.
That was so well said. I see that in Obama as well.
You meant
"Why we are going to lose in November."
I guess you are supporting Barack Obama because you want to lose the election. Wise up girl-fren.
Nah - we are supporting Barack Obama because he is the best candidate AND because he will win. His campaign is and Presidency will be inclusive and work on behalf of all of us. So,,,, when and if YOU wise up, sementchicken, please remember that there will always room for even the likes of you.
Dear debwarot:
I M WISE already. Butt, thx 4 for advice. Eye will support Obama, if he wins the primary. But, fear the GOP attack. That's why I'm here. Best, Thanks for Replying.
Bye bye dinosaur, the obama express is leaving the station!
And the express will derail in November!
I am voting for Obama
They can try but Billary will not steal this nomination!!! The thought of it makes me sick to my stomache!This country has gotten so used to slick politics that it aint funny!! They can try and paint Obama as unelectable to the superdelegates all they want but we know better than that too!!Who in their right mind will be sold on that notion knowing only partly what we know about the Clintons and you know the republicans have more than we could only dream of!So that won't go off easy either!So don't even try it 'cause just like someone said earlier the Dem.party will never be the same!!!What the hell is her religion?"The Family"?UMM!And Pat Buchanan can shut his damn mouth cause if people are so easily scared because Obama said people are bitter hell if they aint they should be!Go figure!!The MSM has had a fields day exploiting this for ratings and they all need to give it a rest and allow us to hear more on the issus!This country is in shambles and people are worried about Rev.Wright this is a disstraction being exploited and they are getting away with it!This is unbelieveable!Get this out of the media and we can more on to what should be important to all Americans.
Do you remember the GOP swift-boating John Kerry?
Do you remember the GOP stealing the 2000 elections from Al Gore?
Do you remember the GOP impeaching Bill Clinton?
Do you remember the GOP playing the race card, and telling people in South Carolina, that John McCain fathered a black child?
Do you remember the GOP telling New York women that John McCain cut funding on breast cancer research?
Do you remember the GOP playing the race card against Congressman, Harold Ford Jr. in his Senate race, showing a white female winking and talking about Ford going to the Playboy Mansion?
Do you know who Karl Rove is?
Do you think that Rove and the GOP will forget about Obama's Reverend for 22 years?
You should really study the past a little bit. The GOP fights dirty with their slick hard-ball campaign adds, and Obama set himself up for political doom. Thus, the only option is to VOTE HILLARY!
And what do you think will happen if Hillary is the nominee? They will roll over and call it quits? You're crazy. If this nomination is stolen from Obama, say buh bye to to the AA vote, the youth vote (look at the numbers, it's significant this year), and Independents as well all the "Obama Republicans".
People like you only perpetuate the stereotype of Dems being spineless wimps who cave to the big bad Repukes. Not this time. Win or Lose, we stand up to those creeps this November. Either get on board or get the fuck out of the way.
You need to do the studying. You think Obama's baggage even compares to Hillary's? It's so apparent Fox is desperate for Hillary to win, not only because they have a lot of baggage they can unload, but because she is so polarizing they will see a spike in their own ratings because of the lunatic fringe of the GOP rushing over to their network. Obama does not invoke that kind of a reaction from the GOP. Especially the evangelical base, you know, the one that was so critical to Kerry's defeat? You think they would be so wound up about a Christian Pastor's rants? Compare that to Bill's cigars in the white house?
Oh, and i would rather see a defeat in November than to see a new Karl Rove take over leadership. Hillary has shown Karl Rove a thing or two this primary season.
One of the reasons I support Senator Obama is that Senator Clinton is *much* more vulnerable to such Rovian tactics -- and there's so much anti-Clinton hatred among the GOPers that nominating her would insure a much stronger turnout for Senator Grandpa McGaffe. Fortunately, every day puts that dire possibility further and further out of reach.
Another zombie joins the Cult of BO.
Did you say that yesterday when Hilly gained a superD? Hmm....
Even if Hillary could swing this nomination which is highly unlikely, you will need these zombies to win the White House. Don't you know that? Why would you alienate the very people that can help you achieve the goals for our future? Not too bright...
Please use your comprehension skills, and realize that the intelligent, thoughtful responses on this article prove that we are not zombies.
Your statement only serves to make you look childish.
McCain is one the Straight-Flip-Flop Express. And, IF Obama WINS, EYE will vote and support him. But, I prefer, HILLARY, 2008!
Gore just gave his Endorsement to Obama.....
DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD!!!
To bad Gore did it privately.
I can go let one off anyway...
WAAAAHOOOOO!!
Another GOP Hillary-Hater and Republican Operative setting up the Democrats for O-Doomed-A in the fall election.
Patently ridiculous.
Wow, with Gore's endorsment he may win Tenessee. Wait, isn't that Gore's home state. And he lost it in 2000
o , well
Another architect of the Democratic defeat in November -if the senator is the nominee- has spoken.
Do you really think the Clinton impeachment and scandals are forgotten by the GOP? Do you really want to fight all of those old battles again?
Sure, it is overkill and will destroy the GOP.
Clintons, McCain, GOP and MSM = Devils we know.
Obama = Devil we don't know.
People don't like the unknown. I am sorry but Obama is now joining John Kerry, Al Gore and Michael Dukakis.
Only if people like you lose sight of why you are actually voting for Clinton - namely THE ISSUES. If you want to play politics like it were a high school football game, go right ahead... as for me, I am going to focus on the Democratic agenda. You sound like you want Obama to lose in November. We must not be blind to the fact that there are powers trying to manipulate the Democratic base. Are you part of that group, or are you actually a Democrat?
JackLivigni
Neither Democrat nor Republican decide the election. It is the people who don't follow politic will decide in November. Obama can never dig out of this Wright hole.
286 is now what is needed to reach 2025 for Senator Obama. Thank you Rep. Capps, thank you Rep. Chandler and thank you Rep. Braley of Iowa.
Thank you for this great dialog and your speaking to what our nation can become again with the right change in collective consciousness. That starts with Obama as President.
Rep Capps...Fo
Actually, rwe, you are misinformed. No one was killed by any Weatherman bombing (some Weathermen themselves were killed in an accident). The Weathermen always called in warnings to clear the area of people before the bombings. So really, they were more like very serious vandals than terrorists.
I'm sure you can provide a link showing William Ayers was convicted of terrorism, right?
We'll be waiting!!
Yeah and good ol' Bill gave two Weathermen(women) pardons.
There are entire web sites listing the Clinton scandals. You may want to go take a gawk, but be prepared to spend a few hours.
It is ironic and in a perverse way almost perfect to read some of the angry and destructive comments, cynical at best. This is exactly what Obama is trying to heal but it is also a reminder of why he has to be both a warrior and a healer.
Lois Capps is one of the classiest people in our political system, a person of incredible integrity. Her statement is totally honest and, for many of us who knew her husband, deeply moving.
But why should it be immune to the anger of people who apparently don't even have a clue with regard to who she is, who Obama is, or their own blind anger?
The word is integrity. Lost by the Clinton team months ago.
Thank you Lois for reminding us what this is all about. As the media keeps the focus on Wright, we need to all stay on message and keep up the energy to win this battle. Because battle it surely is.
Mark Phillips
If Obama has so much INTEGRITY, then why did he lie about Rev. Wright? Because it was convenient thing to do -- say or do anything to win. A typical politician.
Also, don't forget that his own wife, Michelle Obama, said that she is pround of America for the first time in her life...... Thus, implying that until just recently, she was ashamed of America. This is exactly what Rev. Wright said, G*d D*mn America. So, it seems true: Barack and Obama went to Rev. Wright's church for 22 years, and agreed with everything he said, or else they would have went to another church (like Hillary said).
Barack, Michelle, and Reverend Wright have dug their own political grave. VOTE HILLARY!
Sementchicken, Obama didn't lie about Wright. Use logic for a second. How much do you think the Hannitys of this world have scoured through the Wright sermons? Don't you think they have tried to dig up as much dirt as they could over this last year of research?
Truth is, the worst stuff is out there. You are just trying to conveniently define Obama for your political game, as if he were fighting for a different goal than what you are supporting Clinton for. Why would you do that? Just to win the battle? Isn't that battle about the issues and their promotion?
Was Wright controversial? Sure. Obama said that. This man served through the Church's ministries to help thousands. It has evolved into a truly sad tale. He made mistakes and the media destroyed his image, and then rather than extend an olive branch in humility to make ammends when Obama gave him a month's time to think it over - not having disowned him - he turns around and entrenches himself into a worse position. It is the sad fall of a man that did much good.
Hillary Clinton should know better that to divide the country along racial lines. In the end you see what you want... but I can tell you that if you want the Democratic agenda to move forward, you better be ready to set aside your jock games and focus on the issues.
Dear Rep. Capps,
I agree with your assessment of Barack Obama as the best presidential candidate in the race. However, it is difficult for me to believe that Hillary Clinton runs a close second. If elected president, I do not believe that Hillary Clinton would work in any sort of substantive way to change the money-dependent political system that we have in this country. I do not believe that she is at all committed to even reducing (let alone eliminating) the role of moneyed interests and donating lobbyists to set the agenda in Washington. Connect the dots; she is the greatest recipient of Lobbyist funding, and the greatest exponent of earmarks of any Senator – Democrat or Republican. Certainly her husband never did a thing to try and reduce the corrupting role of money in our political system. As long as the superrich corporations, and the lobbyists they hire, continue to have the control they enjoy, the American people will never have real and progressive solutions to our exploitative foreign policies, our failing economy, global warming, our petro-centric energy policy, the healthcare crises, our system of funding elections, home foreclosures, student debt, and the Bush/Chaney lead degradation of our environment. When it comes to our current political paradigm: money is indeed the root of all evil. Sadly, Hillary Clinton, just like her husband, represents the status quo.
Yes but how would you know that Obama will be any better?
Uh, because he is antithesis to Hillary? You know why, don't play dumb.
Thank you Ms Capps!
Kentucky Congressman Ben Chandler also had the courage to come out in support of Barack Obama, despite the long odds against him winning the state's primary. This was an embarrassment to the Hillary campaign that an elected SD would put the reputation with his own constituents at stake to support the candidate he believed would make the better candidate, president or both.
Chandler's phone has been ringing off the hook since yesterday receiving numeros vitriolic complaints, many with offensive racial slurs, about his endorsement of Senator Obama. As of 2:30 PM yesterday, he had received 300 phone calls opposing his decision and only 5 calls in support.
Go here to make a contribution to Ben Chandler to show your support.
http://act
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