Obama for President

Senator McCain’s campaign staff did not want to run a presidential campaign based on the issues. Instead, they wanted to focus on character believing a Vietnam veteran war hero would defeat a suspicious candidate like Senator Barack Obama.

The McCain campaign insinuated Senator Obama associates with domestic terrorists, supports infanticide, and is a socialist.

Character is an important issue. Senator McCain’s staff is correct. However, Mr. McCain failed the character test. Mr. Obama has demonstrated superior character, and that is why I will vote for Senator Obama on Election Day.

Issues are not important. Campaign promises do not matter. Once elected, presidents are unable or refuse to act on promises made during a presidential campaign. For example, in 1993, with a Democratic congress, President Clinton failed to enact the national single payer health care plan.

Instead of focusing on issues, I try to find the candidate’s tell. A “tell” is a subtle behavior trait that gives me a clue about an individual’s mindset.

Senator Obama set out to run a different type of presidential campaign. He wanted to rise above petty bickering and personal attacks. Mr. Obama often said, “We can disagree on issues without being disagreeable.”

Critics complained that Senator Obama was running his presidential campaign like a classroom exercise. He was not angry enough. He was not tough enough. He was mockingly called Obambi by the media.

Senator Obama refused to be baited into a negative campaign during the contested Democratic presidential primaries. He was tough when he needed to be, but he refused to engage in the same type of negative, divisive campaign tactics Senator Clinton used.

In the general election campaign, Senator Obama has not hesitated to acknowledge Senator McCain’s service as a Vietnam War veteran and contributions as a senator. Often, he has admonished members of the audience for booing the mentioning of Senator McCain.

During the presidential campaign, Senator Obama displayed restraint. Another candidate, Mayor Giuliani, would have erupted in anger at being accused of associating with domestic terrorists.

Mr. Obama did not raise his voice, or argue with Senator McCain over the issue of consorting with domestic terrorists during the third presidential debate. He calmly explained his tenuous connection with Bill Ayers. He calmly expressed his disappointment with Mr. McCain.

In the first presidential debate, Senator Obama agreed with Senator McCain on several issues. The media stated it was a mistake, but Mr. Obama demonstrated the importance of civility in a presidential campaign. Senator Obama does not believe it is a mortal sin to agree with an opponent.

In the general election campaign, Senator Obama managed to avoid several traps. When the media reported Governor Palin’s seventeen-year-old daughter was pregnant, Senator Obama declared Mrs. Palin’s family issues should not be exploited for political purposes.

During the third presidential debate, Senator Obama was asked if Governor Palin was qualified to be president. Mr. Obama said it was an issue for the voters to decide, but Mr. Obama acknowledged Governor Palin’s selection excited the base of the Republican Party.

Strategically, Senator Obama has run a smart campaign. Senator Clinton wanted to secure the nomination by February. She was not prepared to campaign for the nomination after February. To defeat Senator Clinton, Mr. Obama understood he needed to run a fifty state campaign.

Senator Obama was able to transition smoothly from a primary campaign strategy into a fifty state general election strategy after he secured the nomination. Mr. Obama is campaigning in states that previous Democratic nominees ignored.

Senator Obama’s general election campaign is very disciplined. He is communicating the same message without deviation – we cannot afford four more years of Republican rule.

Senator Obama’s selection of a running mate reflects his good judgment and self-assurance. During the Democratic presidential debates, Senator Biden was asked if he thought Mr. Obama was ready to be president. With Mr. Obama by his side, Mr. Biden answered no; he was not ready to be president.

A lesser person, someone with a temper who holds a grudge, would have condemned Senator Biden to political purgatory. Mr. Obama proved he was not a petty man. He was not afraid of selecting someone who was critical of him.

Senator Obama is a gentleman. He is efficient, calm, organized, smart and disciplined.

In contrast, Senator McCain has run a terrible presidential campaign. Unstructured and undisciplined, Mr. McCain is trying to win the presidency by destroying Senator Obama’s character.

Mr. McCain had the unique opportunity of conducting a presidential campaign based on the issues. Mr. Obama would not have run the same type of campaign President Bush ran in 2000.

The Bush campaign derailed Senator McCain’s nomination with a smear campaign in South Carolina, insinuating Mr. McCain fathered a black child out of wedlock.

Mr. McCain could have engaged Mr. Obama in a spirited contest over ideas. Which political philosophy is best for governing, conservative or liberal, free market or protectionist, more regulation or less?

Mr. McCain could have conducted a clean presidential campaign. Instead, Mr. McCain decided to run a negative campaign using distortions, falsehoods, rumor and innuendo.

Instead, the McCain campaign has conducted a dishonest campaign, not just accusing Senator Obama of “palling around with terrorists.” During the campaign, Mr. McCain said Mr. Obama wants to establish a state run health care plan. Not true.

Senator McCain argues Mr. Obama should not be elected president because he will raise taxes and will increase spending.

Mr. McCain said Senator Obama voted to raise taxes on individuals with incomes below $42,000 per year. Not true.

Mr. Obama made a comment about Mr. McCain’s economic plan. He said it was like putting lipstick on a pig. Mr. McCain accused Senator Obama insulting Governor Palin by calling her a pig. Not true.

The McCain campaign accused Senator Obama of interfering with an active investigation in Alaska. Governor Palin was accused of firing a state employee for personal reasons.

In the third debate, Senator McCain accused Senator Obama of being directly involved with ACORN, an organization under investigation for submitting fraudulent voter registration forms. Not true.

Senator McCain has exhibited dishonesty about energy issues. Mr. McCain argues we should be drilling for oil in the United States. The result will be reduced gas prices. Also, we will import less oil from the Middle East.

Experts disagree with Senator McCain. Drilling for oil will not reduce current gas prices. It will take 10 years for oil drilled in the United States to reach consumers.

Senator McCain argues drilling for oil will have a psychological effect on gas prices. Oil companies will reduce gas prices in the present because in the future we will import less oil from the Middle East.

Senator McCain argues he has better judgment that Senator Obama. It is difficult to discern whether someone as dishonest as Mr. McCain possesses good, sound judgment.

In fact, Senator McCain’s judgment is questionable at best. Mr. McCain is regarded as experienced in foreign affairs. During the campaign, Senator McCain, on more than one occasion, said Iran is training Al Qaeda and sending terrorists back to Iraq. Once, on camera, Senator Lieberman corrected Senator McCain.

Iran is predominantly Shia. Al Qaeda is a Wahhabi sect that believes Shia are heretics and should be put to death. It is unlikely Iran is training its enemies to fight the United States.

Senator McCain boosts he is a maverick, someone who is independent, who will speak truth to power. The United States needed a maverick in late 2002.

The Bush Administration was determined to launch a war against Iraq. With dubious evidence, President Bush argued Saddam Hussein was a threat to world peace. The United States needed someone to stop President Bush from invading Iraq. Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator Robert Byrd argued against the Iraq War resolution.

The self-proclaimed maverick agreed with the Bush Administration’s assessment. In fact, during an interview with David Lettermen, Senator McCain claimed Saddam Hussein was responsible for the anthrax attacks in the United States.

During a speech in mid September, Senator McCain said the fundamentals of the economy were strong. The stock market plunged later in the day.

Senator McCain attempted to extricate himself from the gaffe by redefining the term fundamentals to mean the American workforce was the most productive in the world.

Senator McCain used poor judgment in declaring a strong economy. In addition, he was being dishonest when he redefined “fundamentals of the economy.”

Senator McCain’s poor judgment is most obvious in the selection of Governor Palin as his running mate. His first choice for vice president was Senator Joe Lieberman. Mr. Lieberman was a Democrat, but is currently an independent. Mr. McCain’s campaign staff argued selecting Senator Lieberman would cause dissention within the Republican Party.

Senator McCain’s second choice was former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. Mr. Ridge was rejected because of his pro-choice position on abortion. Mr. McCain’s campaign staff did not want to alienate the Conservative Christians and the Right Wing who are vehemently opposed to abortion.

I do not believe Governor Palin was Senator McCain’s choice for vice president. He only met her once, “in February at a governors’ convention in Washington… The second time was at his Sedona, Arizona ranch on August 28, just four days before the GOP convention.”[i]

Conservatives never trusted Senator McCain. Mr. McCain needed to appease the Right Wing of the Republican Party even after a successful primary campaign. The Palin selection was like an arranged marriage. He needed an anti abortion, conservative, Christian on the ticket.

Governor Palin saw an opportunity to serve as vice president. As the vice president, she would be the favorite to secure the Republican presidential nomination in the future.

In selecting Governor Palin, Mr. McCain nullified his strongest argument against Senator Obama. Mr. Obama’s political opponents argued he was inexperienced. However, Senator McCain selected a vice presidential nominee with less experience than Mr. Obama.

The McCain campaign attempted to enhance Governor Palin’s political resume by arguing Alaska’s proximity to Russia gave Mrs. Palin foreign policy experience. Also, Governor Palin is the Commander in Chief of the Alaska National Guard. Alaska is an oil producing state; therefore Governor Palin is an expert on energy issues. Energy policy is also a foreign policy and national security issue because the United States imports oil from the Middle East. Governor Palin has executive experience, having served two terms as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, and two years as Governor.

Senator McCain constantly displays poor judgment, and is intellectually dishonest. Governor Palin is not prepared to be president of the United States.

The difference between Senator Obama and Governor Palin is that the former has been running for president since February 2007. Voters and the media have fully vetted Mr. Obama. Governor Palin is unknown. It is highly unlikely her candidacy would have survived the same grueling process Mr. Obama had to endure.

In selecting Governor Palin, Senator McCain pandered to the Right Wing of the Republican Party. He did not exhibit independence. His ambition to become the next president of the United States has clouded his judgment.

Conventional wisdom dictates that a candidate should attract voters from the base of the political party during the primaries. The winning candidate needs to attract independents and moderates after the nomination is secured.

Instead of attracting independents and moderates, Senator McCain has used time and resources to appease the conservatives in the Republican Party. Mr. McCain appeasement is a sign of insecurity. Maybe he believes conservatives will not vote for him on Election Day. That is the reason he continues to use campaign themes only conservatives would appreciate and understand.

Senator McCain does not like Barack Obama. This antipathy was on display during the presidential debates. Mr. McCain never looked at Mr. Obama during the first presidential debate, not even when they shook hands at the end of the debate. In the second debate, Mr. McCain referred to Senator Obama as “that one.”

There is wisdom in gangster movies. Michael Corleone warns his protégé about his temper in The Godfather III. “Never hate your enemies,” Mr. Corleone said. “It affects your judgment.”

Uncontrolled anger is a sign of weakness. It would be difficult for Mr. McCain to negotiate with out allies as well as our enemies if he is unable to control his anger.

In an interview, Mr. McCain said he would not speak with the prime minister from Spain. Mr. McCain may be holding a grudge against the Spanish government because the prime minister removed his troops from Iraq. Spain is a NATO ally.

Senator McCain has poor reading habits. During the current economic crisis, Senator McCain suspended his campaign in September in order to provide leadership in Congress regarding a proposed bailout package for financial institutions.

In an interview, Senator McCain admitted he did not read the Paulson bailout plan. Mr. McCain did not find the time to read a plan that was two and a half pages long.

During an economic disaster, Mr. McCain did not read a document containing the possible solution to the crisis.

President Bush also does not read. During his vacation in August 2001, he was given a Presidential Daily Brief (PDB), “Bin Laden Determined to Attack inside the United States.” The PDB was a page and a half long.

President Bush did not interrupt his vacation. He did not having any meetings to discuss the implications of the PDB. I believe President Bush never read the PDB. Instead, someone was probably assigned to read it, and then report to the president. A month later 19 hijackers attacked from the United States.

We cannot accept a president who does not read important documents.

I once thought I could accept Mr. McCain as president of the United States. Dishonesty, insecurity, poor judgment, and anger. These are not qualities I am looking for in a president.

The next president of the United States will inherit two wars, a weakened economy and a divided country. Divided not just ideologically, but racially as well. There will be parts of our country that will not accept a black man as president, even if he is successful.

Senator McCain has contributed to the division in our country. He should not be rewarded with the presidency.

The United States could remain divided after the election. However, other nations will respect the United States if we elect Mr. Obama. Our collective sin of racism is common knowledge. Electing Mr. Obama president would send a message to other nations that we are willing move forward as a country. Senator Obama’s candidacy represents our collective growth and maturity.

The American empire is in danger of deteriorating. We cannot sustain military superiority during a period of economic decline. We can no longer bully the rest of the world. If the United States has reached a level of parity with Europe, Russia, China and India, then we will need a president who will be able to see our allies and adversaries as equals. We need a president who understands the need to coexist in order to survive.

Senator McCain does not have the judgment, or the temperament to lead our country in this new era. Mr. Obama does.

Senator Obama displayed foresight during the presidential campaign. He seemed to understand that the country wanted unity, not division, problem solving instead of finger pointing.

If you listen to his speeches, Senator Obama blames President Bush for all of our problems, but he does not blame the Republican Party. Mr. Obama understands he will need moderate Republicans in order to implement his agenda.

In contrast, Mr. McCain and Governor Palin thrive in dividing the country in two. Small towns represent what is good about America, implying big cities are against America.

The Republicans mocked Senator Obama experience as a community organizer during the Republican National Convention. As a community organizer, Mr. Obama tried to bring different, competing groups together to solve problems in the community. He tried to reach consensus among competing interest groups.

Senator Obama’s experience as a community organizer represents his approach to governing. As president, he will use his this approach to governing to solve the multiple problems facing the United States. He understands the Democratic Party does not have a monopoly on solutions. He will reach out to Republicans. He will try to build consensus. He will put the country first, ahead of ideology.

Mr. Obama has run an honorable presidential campaign. He has earned the respect of voters in the United States and people throughout the world. Mr. Obama will usher a new era of hope and opportunity for millions of people. On November 4, I will proudly cast my vote for Senator Barack Hussein Obama.


[i] Kathleen Parker, “Something About Sarah,” Washington Post, October 24, 2008.