Why I Endorse Barack Obama

by Keith Cooper

From Broader View Weekly, October 24, 2008

As the election season winds to a close, it’s apparent that chances are that Senator Barack Obama will win the presidency on November 4. Polls are showing that some Republican strongholds are in play for the first time in years, and that support for the Democratic nominee is gaining momentum. Further proof of the senator’s popularity is the growth in voter registration for this year’s election as well as the number of eligible voters choosing to vote for the very first time.

While it is difficult to accurately determine the cause of the overwhelming support of Obama, theories abound. Perhaps it is that voters finally have the audacity to hope for a brighter tomorrow despite the bleak outlook of today. Perhaps the impetus is a hunger for the kind of historical change that a president of color would offer.

I like to think that American citizens are fed up with being intimidated by a message of fear, and prefer instead to be inspired by the promise of a better future. Even McCain supporters have to admit that Obama’s speeches and rallies have transfixed audiences and ignited the Democratic base. In fact, many independent and Republican voters have been swayed by the power of his oration.

The prospect of a presidential candidate whose command of the English language is “presidential” is refreshing. But it’s not just Obama’s eloquence that has such power. The senator’s message is one of change and one of hope, and it rings truer than an empty label or a hollow slogan. There is optimism that an Obama presidency will transform the political landscape in at least some small way. And there is a growing desire to see that change made real.

In Obama’s platform there are things that make me feel optimistic about the future. I believe that a president of his character will act responsibly, especially in matters of foreign policy. There is something to be said of the strength of one’s resolve, but that strength must be backed up with the reason and intellect to ensure that our actions are legitimate and appropriate.

Obama’s assertions that denounce the go-it-alone foreign policy of the past, in favor of diplomacy, give me confidence that he will not go it alone as a leader and will enlist the open discussion and guidance of his advisors. I think this approach to governing is preferable to focusing on narrow agendas and surrounding oneself with “yes” men who echo one’s own ideals.

I would hope that fear mongering would be non-existent in an Obama presidency. Fear has too long been a marketing tool and a manipulation to drive support for bad policy. Reason is the guide of any effective leader. I believe that reason is evident in the coolness of Barack Obama’s demeanor. Although he has been criticized as being too cold, I feel it is a testament to his mettle that he has avoided displays of emotional desperation or rage despite the rigors of the campaign trail and the brutal attacks of political battle.

Obviously, Obama is human and as such has his flaws. I certainly have been discouraged by some of the positions he has taken as political pressure has mounted. However, I feel Barack Obama is more likely to act in my best interest and in the best interest of those who share my economic and social concerns. He isn’t closely connected to the oil industry, corporate giants, or military contractors. In fact, his campaign promises cater more to the common man than the corporate elite.

In addition to Obama’s foreign policy of tempering strength with reason and diplomacy, I applaud several of his other policies. I like his healthcare plan, which seeks to benefit the uninsured or underinsured as much as it does the healthcare industry. I like his commitment to improving public schools as opposed to weakening them with an added burden of unfunded mandates or bankrupting them with vouchers. I like the components of his economic plan that benefit the average citizen by improving working conditions, raising the minimum wage and bringing jobs back to the U.S. I could list more, but a focus on campaign promises might lead to disappointment as situations change and politics gets in the way of progress.

Again, I find myself turning to a memorable quote by the fictional President Andrew Shepherd in The American President. After stating that his challenger had suggested that being president was to a certain extent about character, Shepherd says, “… I can tell you without hesitation: Being president of this country is entirely about character.” The executive branch and the president do have considerable power in our government, but their powers are not absolute and there are few campaign promises that materialize as policy. Therefore, character is of the utmost importance. I would argue that it is not his race that distinguishes Barack Obama, but his character. That is why he has my vote.