Turnabout is fair play. Obama supporters - why should he be our next president?

[Generic Brad]

All week I have been reading divisive things from both sides. Tonight I would prefer to accentuate the positive.

Give me positive reasons as to why Obama should be our next president. What does he have to offer that makes him the right person for the job at this time?

[againes654]

1. OK

He wants to require employers to offer 7 days sick pay a year.

He wants to tie minimum wage to inflation.

$4,000 tax credit (available immediately) to go to college.

Have all troops out of Iraq in 16 months.

He wants to bring high speed internet to rural areas (ok that is for me )


Is that of any help?

[rug]

2. He's a Democrat.

[JimGinPA]

12. You Xeroxed Yourself

[cosmicsheep]

3. Why Obama

A few things that come to mind.

- He is inspiring
- He responds to criticism in a civilized manner
- He certainly seems to exhibit a level of cool-headedness that is sorely needed these days
- He has a positive message of bringing folks together instead of further ripping them apart (none of this "I am a fighter, that's why I am so great" talk)
- He has handled all that has been thrown at him over the months with a lot of dignity
- All of the above, IMHO, are traits that point to someone who has a natural ability to lead.

AND

- We so desperately need a leader in this country after the nightmare of the last 7 years.

[XemaSab]

5. Welcome to DU!

[cosmicsheep]

6. Welcome to DU

Why thank you!

[Recursion]

4. Transparency

He will effectively work to increase openness and transparency in government. He will also stop the revolving door of government employees becoming lobbyists. And he will veto farm bills that give huge handouts to Monsanto over the backs of small farmers.

[thevoiceofreason]

7. Because he rocks!!!

And because he has the best, most comprehensive energy plan of any candidate.

[Petrushka]

14. Becau$e hi$ energy plan provide$ billion$ of taxpayer dollar$ in $ub$idie$ to the coal indu$try?

==> MORE corporate welfare.

[Political Heretic]

15. Clinton supporters talking about corporate welfare make me laugh my ass off.

There is no one more corporate in the democratic party than the Clintons - particularly Bill, but Hillary seems to be right in stride.

[not_too_L8]

8. Intelligent and...

very well organized, he responds well when under pressure, as proven by his campaign....he has been described as someone who thinks things all the way through and is willing to listen to all points of view before acting.

[TheDoorbellRang]

9. He's winning

His record shows that he is a strong proponent of transparency and ethics reform in government.

His record shows a great ability to unite disparate groups to achieve goals that benefit everyone.

He can inspire the people to become involved in the political process in enough numbers to effect the changes that need to occur.

He has shown the requisite wiliness (IMO) to compete successfully in the D.C. political game.

AND

He's winning.

[Alcibiades]

10. Because he will help build the Democratic Party

What we need is a movement, not just a party of politics as usual that privileges insiders. Obama's canidacy does that in ways that I'm not sure Clinton's does. Obama has brought new people to the process and new ways of going about it--similar to Dean's campaign 4 years ago (and no, I wasn't a Dean supporter myself).

[stillcool]

11. I like his history..

I like the fact that he is familiar with Everyman. I like that he is intimately familiar with the Constitution. I like his ideas for how to build a stronger society. After watching his campaign I believe that he has a gift for providing the leadership necessary to Organize a Political Agenda, and hammer out solutions to do the things that really need to be done. Ending the War, Providing health care, and developing new energy sources. He is affable and a great communicator, and I think that is a huge asset in the Image we present to the world. I believe that he is gifted in negotiating, and knowing which battles to fight when. I think he will surround himself with great advisers, and has the capacity to listen. I like the fact that he can own up to his mistakes.

[tabasco]

13. Obama demonstrated good judgment and courage by supporting military action in Afghanistan

but NOT in Iraq. This was the correct decision and a decision supported by many generals, admirals and other high ranking officers, including Wesley Clark. Clark's position has always been that military action in Afghanistan was justified but not in Iraq. It still surprises me that Clark would support a candidate who voted wrong on this issue. Of course he has very close Arkansas ties with the Clintons. But many other generals and officers support the guy who was correct - Obama. Obama opposed the war at a time when it was not the most popular stance, and publicly spoke out against the war.

Obama focused on helping working people, poor people and veterans during his Illinois career and was a strong supporter of education. In the US Senate, he is a strong supporter of government accountability and ethics reform..

If you want to know his specific plans and opinions on certain issues, go to his website right here:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

[Political Heretic]

16. As if you actually care. Most of us have given reasons many times. But here we go again:

To me, the office of the Presidency of the United States is about leadership. Leadership is more about character and more about values than it is about experience. Our country has had brilliant leaders who had very little experience coming into the job, and our country has had horrible leaders with a lifetime of experience coming into the job.

Leadership is about character, values, vision and judgment. And this is where I believe the two candidates differ most. I believe that Hillary Clinton represents leadership that would be strong in maintaining the status quo, maintaining the basic structure and direction of the Democratic Party, and empowering the same old Washington establishment players. I believe her administration would be about a few bold initiatives - such as health care reform - but ultimately be about business as usual. I think either she or Obama would be more likely to keep us out of unnecessary wars than McCain, and more likely to have a slightly greater domestic policy focus. But I don't think there would be much about her Presidency that would do anything to transform the Democratic Party into a Party ready to lead America in the 21st century. I don't think there would be much about her Presidency that would shift the cultural climate of America back toward the left of center. And I don't think there would be much about her Presidency that would pave the way for the next level of slightly more liberal or "progressive" candidates for President.

On the other hand, I believe that an Obama presidency would do many of those things. I don't believe that Obama himself is some kind of messiah that will single handedly save the country or revolutionize everything in four or eight years. That's not why I support him. I support him because I believe that he has the character, values and vision to mobilize ordinary Americans. Taking a page out of George Lakoffs book I think he is the first Democrat in a long time to be able to persuade real people. I don't believe his idea of Unity means "capitulating" to Washington Republicans. Everything he is about constantly reinforces the belief that he is about moving the American center slightly to the left, helping create a political language in which ideas that make sense for all Americans aren't "liberal" ideas (in the negative sense in which the word has been framed) - they are just AMERICAN ideas.

America needs inspirational visionary leaders, and I think its a shame so many have scoffed at that. I don't believe his vision or inspiration is empty. He has been pretty clear about what that vision is. It's a vision where Democrats can finally, finally re-frame the issues and take that back from republicans. Public education is an AMERICAN interest. Basic health care for all is an AMERICAN interest. Ethics in Washington and an Open government is an AMERICAN interest. Promoting real security rather than reckless offensive wars around the world is an AMERICAN interest. I believe Obama is the kind of leader with the capability to start a cultural shift back from all the ground we've lost in the last thirty years.

And I believe Obama has the vision and character to transform the party into a party that can compete in the 21st century. Never in my life time has the party been in more need of a changing of the guard. The old establishment has become so entrenched with capitulators that it can hardly get anything done. Money and powerful interests rule the day. I believe that Obama and Dean share a similar vision for a transformed party, and with Obama's charisma and passion, I believe that we can elect a new generation of party representatives and establish a new generation of party leaders ready for the work of tomorrow, not the MAINTAINING OF RELICS OF THE PAST.

I believe that Obama's years as president would be about paving the way - among the people and within the party, toward the presidency of 2016 and I believe in that year, with the work of the Obama administration in place, we could be ready to nominate and elect a true, honest to god liberal.

I think both candidates are qualified. But I know EXACTLY why I support one over the other.

[Generic Brad]

18. Actually I do care

And I agree with your points.

I was really hoping to redirect focus to the positives each has to offer. Thank you for supplying some of Obama's.

[TheDoorbellRang]

21. You nailed it beautifully, PH

... he is ... helping create a political language in which ideas that make sense for all Americans aren't "liberal" ideas (in the negative sense in which the word has been framed) - they are just AMERICAN ideas.

[Skip Intro]

17. He makes me hope for change I can believe in. And unity. And ponies and kittens and myspace.com.

[Political Heretic]

22. I'll settle for he isn't a jackass.

for starters.

[Skip Intro]

24. twice huh?

[Political Heretic]

28. Well said.

[Johnny__Motown]

19. He won the nominating fair and square according to our rules.. better than Hillary can say

Legitimacy

[Petrushka]

25. He w-won? Legitimacy? B-but--we ain't havin' a primary t' vote in 'til m-m-mid-May! (**pout**)

[greguganus]

20. Because if Hillary wins, the four horsemen will come out of the sky

and ride into DC, and their names are War, Conquest, Pestilence, and Death. The Apocalypse will begin.

[IamyourTVandIownyou]

23. He had the vision and foresight to see the Iraq War was wrong...

..and it could have saved us $3 Trillion, had other people had the same vision and courage.

[anonymous171]

26. Obvious: Inspirational Leader.

Also, has the ability to sell democratic policies to moderate repugs and indies.

[hedgehog]

27. Because my mother is 80 years old and deserves the chance to

see at least 1 decent President in the White House after all the lousy ones she's seen!