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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Thank you for your fairness and judgement in endorsing Senator Obama.
Thank you Rep. Capps, it was like you read my mind.
Thank you, Rep. Capps.
As a resident of a neighboring district, I have long been an admirer of yours. I knew and admired your husband's reputation as well. With people like you in the Legislature and Barack Obama in the White House, we can start to take our country back.
Yes, we can!
Dear Lois: I am a Ventura County constituent very happy to hear of your endorsement of Senator Obama! I agree with your reasons wholeheartedly! How about helping rid Ventura County of Republican congressman Gallegly? We could use a progressive democrat down here! It is my understanding that Ventura County has ,for the first time in over 20 years, more registered democrats than replublicans - even with the Reagan Library and air force one sitting in Simi Valley! There may be hope for us after all...
Proven judgment? I bet you got paid just like the rest of Obama's super delegates. Pay backs will be a bitch when Hillary takes this nomination either this year or in 2012 when she runs against McCain. Obama will never win a general.
I hope you got paid for this post. It lacks any factual information whatsoever. Also threats about what a losing candidate will do when he or she wins are pretty empty threats.
Thanks Representative Capps. You have made up your mind at this decisive moment. Like you, Obama represents the politics of hope. With your support and many others like me who still believe in that America can do better, that our union can be stronger despite our differences, Obama will overcome all the obstacles and unfair coverage he has received from all those who have something to gain from the status quo.
Beautifully said. You captured my feelings exactly. Wish I were one of your constituents.
I've seen Obama compared to MLK, JFK, even Jesus. Now Rep. Capps has compared to Lincoln. I'm perfectly happy to vote for him, but could we please stop talking about him like he's some sort of demi-god? He's a man. He's a politician. He owes favors to corporate contributors (e.g. the nuclear power industry). It is an absolute certainty that many of the expectations some have of him will not be met. I'm OK with all of that, but as an atheist I can neither believe in nor vote for a god.
"as an atheist I can neither believe in nor vote for a god."
As a lapsed catholic now an atheist I hope you appreciate that Obama speaks up for Atheists in churches. Check out the Ebenezer baptist MLK day speech where he takes it to religious folks for being to intolerant of Gays and non-believers.
He has said many times he is a flawed person. The ones elevating him to god hood are either Hillary supporters using it as a straw man with which to attack him or people that have been without a candidate they could believe in so long that the sight of one makes them weak in the knees. Either way I understand.
Thank you again, again, again , again
Such an eloquent and sincere endorsement speaks tons of what our movement is about: The Audacity of Hope! I absolutely agree with you and thank you on behalf of those who are hungry for a government that is on their side! You seem to really "get it" and I hope President Obama offers you a position of importance in his cabinet!
Barack responded timely ... thoughtfully ... with grace elegance and poise. Would that he had been president on 9/11 there would have been a timely ... well thought out response ... delivered to the world with elegance grace and poise. We would have stomped the hell out of Osama Ben Ladin ... left Afghanistan a pile of rubble ... and stayed out of Iraq.
In all ways Obama has demonstrated that he should be president.
sorry rep
But it seems to come down to a crap shoot "his hopeful vision for America"
and a good marketing team appealing to young liberals "his unmatched ability to motivate millions of Americans"
Obama for president TO ME would be just as bad as BUSH
TAKE ANY SUBJECT AND I CAN RELATE IT TO BUSH YEARS!!
Media , with bush they were so scared and silent, Obama scared and silent
WAR bush attacked iraq Obama has funded it and wants to go to pakistan
Followers blinded by something to make their decision irrational (can be religion or race)
Elitist attitudes come from both oabam and bush as well as their followers
What else???
Hillary is the only one that stands upright and proud for this country , that has FACTS and PLANS to change this country in a much need progressive way!!! (well thats what the angels are telling me anyway"
Well its nice to have a new political view on such a respected website!! Hope you post more
Your comments sound old and jaded. Rejuvenate!!
It's funny that you chose to compare Obama to Bush, when in fact, it is Rodham Clinton who voted for Bush's war and to use force on Iran. Not to mention her latest tirade of "obliterating Iran" to show her muscles. That sounds an awful like Bush and Cheney.
Go back to bed, you have cobwebs clouding your head, and continue to draw negative attention to Rodham Clinton with your mindless posts
"Sorry! but did you just awake from a very long "Nap. Hillary has the same crooked tongue as her brother George, and Cousin Cheny, and she dreams alot like Uncle" McCain.
Claps for Capps.
I just have to ask. So what? Why write about it? Just vote for the guy. Do it without rubbing salt into the wounds of half the democrats who want someone else to be president.
Also, maybe you can tell me. Exactly how is Obama going to change Washington? By appealing to Washington's better angels? In the meantime more people die in Iraq and the economy consumes the rest of us.
As for Walter, he certainly was right about us needing someone to unite us. Don't you see how Obama has divided the democratic party into two parts?
By having a movement that both voted for him and paid him to be there at his back. Now that is a mandate.
well written
brightened up my day a little bit!
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