2008 will bring the world its next US president and therefore its most powerful leader. The impact of the election will go well beyond the three hundred million who can influence the outcome of this national contest.
I support the candidacy of Barack Obama, and his first major challenge is only a day away in the Iowa Caucus to be held January 3rd.
I have been consistently impressed with Obama. I support his position on a very wide range of issues, and where I disagree with him, my own views are often sufficiently marginal that any US politician who shared them would find a largely hostile electorate near impossible to overcome. His commitment to the fight against poverty, his desire to move towards universal health coverage, his support for a strong and well-funded public education system and his consistent support for a more rational and measured foreign policy are all important. His consistent opposition to the war in Iraq helps him stand out among most candidates.
On many of the key issues in this particular campaign, Obama has much in common with other candidates for the Democratic party nomination. However, I believe he stands out when we consider his personal skills and character. The role of a leading politician in a democracy is not that of the monarch. They cannot merely dictate policies after inheriting power. An excellent candidate for president of the United States must be able to inspire the electorate, persuade them of the wisdom of his or her policies and, once in office, be able to work harmoniously with both opponents and allies alike. I believe Obama is the candidate best equipped for the task. He is an incredibly gifted speaker who can combine a straightforward message without abandoning nuance. His life has been dedicated to causes worth fighting for and has fought for them at both the grass roots level and in the halls of political power. His sharp intelligence and wide knowledge are virtues too long ridiculed in American politics. He has generated an intense excitement about politics among many in our cynical generation who have long since stopped caring and I sincerely hope his efforts will help carry him to the presidency later this year.
January 3rd, 2008 at 22:08
Hi Konrad, just read your posting. So your getting your doctorate in history? what concentration? I just took an american history to 1877 class at my college this semester. will you come back to the states when you are done? Hope you stay active in the campaign.
Best
Chris McCauley
January 6th, 2008 at 6:39
Yesterday morning I saw Obama won Iowa Caucus and guess you were pleased with the result. Given the fact that some (or many) of the US voters demand changes and reform of their next president, it looks similar as what we wanted for the current president five years ago, who had won the election with enthusiastic supports from young people.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:20
Interesting - I hope the results this time, however, are different than the disappointments felt by Koreans in the last election.
Great support for Obama in Iowa - hope for the best in NH tomorrow!
January 7th, 2008 at 23:40
I live in New Hampshire and am registered as an Independent, so I can vote in either the Republican or Democrat primary tomorrow. I’ll be voting for Ron Paul Tuesday knowing full well it’s a symbolic vote. Ron Paul doesn’t stand a chance of winning, but his positions are most in line with the US Constitution.
Barack Obama is young, energetic and offers America “change”. Many of us in America are hurt and disillusioned with the last 8 years of the Bush Administration. And many Americans are projecting their own deepest hopes on Obama’s message of change without fully knowing, or desiring to know, what the specifics of Obama’s promise of change actually entails. And that’s the magic.
“Change”, not exactly spelled out into details, can be very enticing, allowing one’s fondest wishes to fill in the gaps. Granted, Obama has stated positions on the war in Iraq, or universal healthcare, etc. But really, none of his policy positions are exactly original or new, or even significantly different from other Democrat politicians.
He’s young and charismatic, espousing great ideals. Yet as a one term senator from Illinois, he’s displayed no indications, so far, that he has the ability to effectively lead, as head of state, one of the most powerful countries on the planet through challenging times. But to an electorate desiring “change”, that’s not really a job disqualification.
If he wins he’ll be 100 times better than the current US president. If he wins I’ll worry for the future of America, but I’ll wish him, and America, the best.
As a New Hampshire resident, reading the local vibe of my neighbors right now, my predictions for the NH primary: Obama/McCain
Weather wise things are out of control in New Hampshire, -16 C a few days ago and 2 C today. So who knows, anything could happen!