On February 5, Obama
MORE
Editorials
Lost amid the sound and fury of this year’s primary season is the certainty, not the promise, of change. For the first time since 1952, there is no heir apparent to the administration in power.
The stakes have rarely been higher in a presidential election. The question is not if there will be change in American leadership, but what kind.
And the change that is being offered has a focus and intelligence that is kindred to the best American traditions. It is embodied by one candidate in the Democratic Party who is offering a reinvigorated America: Senator Barack Obama.
The New York Observer urges New York Democrats to support Mr. Obama in the state’s presidential primary on Feb. 5.
New Yorkers might ask why they should not pull a lever for our junior senator, Hillary Rodham Clinton. While Mrs. Clinton is an extraordinary United States senator for New York, we believe that Mr. Obama can be a great president for the United States of America.
Most of the other candidates have absorbed, assimilated or appropriated Mr. Obama’s issue of change. It is a powerful concept. But a great deal of the argument for Mr. Obama’s candidacy is about one great issue in American life: restoring and reinvigorating American democracy.
Democracy is the greatest strength of this still-young nation. Its living enactment is our gift to the world. It is the product of our best instincts and most powerful ideals. But it has been polluted, sullied and compromised by an obstructive administration that seems to have to have no particular regard for its attributes.
It is difficult to remember the last national candidate who has charged and jazzed the democratic system as Mr. Obama has. Partly as a result of his candidacy, college campuses have remembered why they are proud of the United States, kids are going door to door, runners are handing out leaflets on weekends, racial lines have been culturally melted and the electoral approach to presidential campaigning has been reborn.
And, as more than one commentator has said, America is being reintroduced to the world.
Because of who he is and what he stands for, a former constitutional law teacher with few ties to the Washington establishment yet a sophisticated respect for it, Mr. Obama stands the best chance of restoring the essential relationship between power and the American people. He is not flanked and blocked by an existing, entrenched power structure; his words are not muddied by layers of handlers; he still says what he means.
We believe that Mr. Obama’s idealism and fresh ideas would ensure that the end of the Bush era would also mean an end to government by secrecy, Cheneyism, arrogance, oligarchy; an end to mindless armed unilateralism abroad; an end to the blustering, rank partisan disputes of the last quarter-century.
Mr. Obama has found his strength in the generation that succeeded the baby boomers, speaking for the frustrations of those who wish that their leaders would get over themselves, get over the 1960’s, get on with resolving issues that threaten our global leadership. Mr. Obama is an inclusive figure at a time when our popular culture demands that we embrace a new America while still comprehending the lessons of hard-won history—from World War II through the fall of the Berlin Wall—that have brought us to a free world in 2008.
He is also determined to mend this nation. Mr. Obama, as Walt Whitman did, hears America singing, not snarling. Too many candidates have turned opponents into traitors, critics into jackals. Mr. Obama believes the nation yearns to see hope and inspiration and courage emerge victorious from the era’s gauntlet of hypocrisy and lies and false bravado. Imagine, for a moment, any other candidate this year saying what Mr. Obama said at the 2004 Democratic National Convention:
“The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into red states and blue states; red states for Republicans, blue states for Democrats. But I’ve got news for them too. We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don’t like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the red states. We coach Little League in the blue states and yes, we got some gay friends in the red states. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.”
That is a song we have not heard for too long a time. It is the kind of song that can make citizens of spectators, Americans of couch potatoes, patriots of slackers.
Mr. Obama would also be the most formidable Democrat in the general election. He has demonstrated a capacity to energize young people and attract new voters, and is the only candidate in the Democratic Party who attracts independents, who are the fastest-growing part of the electorate. His refusal to demonize the Republican Party as a right-wing attack machine will appeal to those independents as well as moderate Republicans.
Mr. Obama, it is true, is hardly an experienced Washington hand, which surely explains the freshness of his vision and the power of his life experience. His opponents have hit this issue hard. But as far as experience goes, to those Americans who celebrated finding ourselves with our first M.B.A. president in 2000—we can only advise them to look at the $9 trillion national debt in 2008.
And when George W. Bush was driving a bleary, shocked nation into war with bait-and-switch deceptions in 2003, where was our experienced leadership? Meanwhile, in the west, an Illinois state senator—who has since served three years in the Senate, the same Congressional period that a fellow Midwesterner, Abraham Lincoln, had served when he sought the presidency—rose to exhibit courage and public judgment on that deceptive adventure, stating, “I am not opposed to all wars. I’m opposed to dumb wars.”
Now we have paid the price many times over, and there are no clear paths in Baghdad. But there may be one in Washington. Mr. Obama is the emblem of a new America. He has risen too quickly for his opponents’ taste; that fact is nothing less than a recommendation.
His relationship to truth and plain speaking and public transparency is the first step toward reviving democracy in the United States of America.
Barack Obama of Illinois is the future. New York’s Democrats should embrace him.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.1
- 41.4
- Obama +4.7
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.7
- 33.0
- +22.7
- McCain
- 52.7
- 34.1
- +18.6
Study Finds Obama More Experienced Than Half Of His Rivals (including Hillary)!
The Big Lie about Senator Barack Obama's experience is put to rest by a new study revealing the actual experience of the leading Democratic and Republican candidates for President. Of the nine top candidates for their parties' nomination, only three have served as an elected official longer than Senator Obama, the only candidate whose experience has been questioned. Both of his Democratic rivals -- and half of the Republican hopefuls -- have served in elected office for fewer years than Senator Obama.
http://www.planningcommunications.com/election/
Thank you for the endorsement! The country still has hope because of people who care, think, and act as you.
A young, brave Obama is running for president against two Clintons combined. He has maintained to run a positive, up-lifting campaign even though the Clintons have been consistently running negative and smear campaign after Iowa.
So far, Obama has won the Iowa pledged delegates by 1, tied the NH delegates, and won the Nevada delegates by 1 against the powerful Clinton machine ran by a former president and a former First Lady.
If Obama loses to the Clintons, the democrats can not win in November. The country is sick of division, playing political favor, and scoring political points without good judgment, leadership, and inspiring and unifying ability to solve real issues.
Thank you for the endorsement! The country still has hope because of people who care, think, and act as you.
A young, brave Obama is running for president against two Clintons combined. He has maintained to run a positive, up-lifting campaign even though the Clintons have been consistently running negative and smear campaign after Iowa.
So far, Obama has won the Iowa pledged delegates by 1, tied the NH delegates, and won the Nevada delegates by 1 against the powerful Clinton machine ran by a former president and a former First Lady.
If Obama loses to the Clintons, the democrats can not win in November. The country is sick of division, playing political favor, and scoring political points without good judgment, leadership, and inspiring and unifying ability to solve real issues.
Congratulations on this endorsement.
Fellow New Yorkers, please take note.
Bravo! Beautiful stuff, I'm so glad you guys get it.
Regarding the views that Obama would "reintroduce America to the world",and"energize young people and attract new voters",what will the world think, and what will the young people who support him do when he is defeated by Hillary?
What will the above think if for some reason Obama would possibly be the nominee, when he would most certainly be defeated by the republicans?
Perhaps what the Ralph Nadar followers thought when he was defeated and relegated to a "has-been", or, in Obama's case, a "never-been"
The people who think that Obama could possibly win either election should get out of their offices more often.
Great endorsement! I know the easy way would have been to pick the "hometown" candidate, but thanks for thinking beyond that.
West Virginian, what makes you think Obama would be certainly defeated? He energizes the Democratic base and brings in Republicans (like myself) too! The polls show him doing very well in general election matchups, usually better than the other Democrats.
How WESTVirginian thinks Obama would lose to the republicans is beyond me. Sen. Obama beats all the republicans in head to head. And he attracts a great deal of independents and disillusioned republicans. Clinton cannot beat most of the republicans and is splitting her own party apart.
If democrats do not nominee this truly gifted and brilliant man they should be ashamed.
Hillary will bring only more polarization and drive half the democrats to either stay home or vote for someone else. If she does manage to be elected it will be 4 years of intense partisan warfare.
thank you to the Observer for endorsing Obama. He is a gift that democrats should be proud to nominate and support.
Looks to me like Obama might lose West Virginia, but 49-1 ain't bad.
Congratulations on a well-presented endorsement, from a transplanted Pennsylvanian not so sure about our immediate neighbor to the south.
Beautifully written, and dead on in its observations. No wonder they call it "The Observer." Best journalism in town. Thank you for a wonderful endorsement, and for understanding the Obama promise of Change!
Thanks for this well reasoned endorsement.
Hillary Clinton is so divisive that if elected,she will fight with the republicans all the time and get nothing done.
She and her husband practice divide and rule.Due to the fact that her husband is so cunning,he was able to blame all the gridlock on Republicans during his presidency.However as we can see from the language and tactics during this election,they are power hungry and very divisive.How can one get anything done,if the 2 parties are always fighting.Obama seeks to end this division and work with everyone for the greater good of the American people.
Obama08
The choice is easy: REPEAT the 1990s again. which means we'd have to repeat the Bush years AGAIN. It's dynastical status quo, partisan infighting and petty politics. sleaze and scandals and keep this dreadful war going and going and going. Clinton doesn't want to end it... Bush doesn't want to end it... and we are caught in the middle.
Barack Obama is a fresh choice. Similarly to the South Carolina State and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Reno Journal Gazette, the Boston Globe and other newspaper editorial boards and media outlets, the New York Observer has chosen the right candidate for our times, and that is Barack Obama.
Send a message to the Clintons. Vote Obama on February 5th!
I deeply appreciate your endorsement for Senator Obama.
I just wish you had presented a case that included more concrete policy reasons for his ability to deliver the change we need. His plans for ethics reform, civil initiatives, government accountability, energy independence, nuclear disarmament, the low-income job market, healthcare access, etc.
Just a humble suggestion - leave the singing to Barack, and do a better job of filling the roles he calls us to.
Hillary + Bill Clinton = GRIDLOCK
What will happen when Health Care (Part II) fails again. Partisan bickering, blaming, demonizing, etc., stuff that Hillary and Bill Clinton and the Republicans are experienced in. That is the true experience that they bring. Those who will carry the "scars" of such warfare will be the innocent people and children who will not have heathcare. I will vote for Hope and Change. Thank you for the endoresement.
Clinton a good Senator, the only real accomplishment that I've seen his her work on saving the Niagara Falls air base.
I consider her to be a carpet bagger, only this time from the south.
Perfectly written endorsement! You are absolutely correct that others have "appropriated" Obama's message -- none more shamelessly than Romney and Clinton.
The main thing for Democrats to consider is this: Obama would be President of the United States whereas Clinton would most certainly be President of the Divided States.
That's why this New Yorker is voting for Obama on Feb. 5.
It is so refreshing to read of another endorsement for Senator Obama. I am so excited this year I am participating and giving, he would make a very fine President. I want no more of the Clinton hatred, back-stabbing and playing up to certain ethnic groups when it is in their best interest. I am losing all respect for Bill at this time, he is tearing down all the respect I once had for him. I am an African American that is voting on the issues not on race. I am not fond of Hillary at all because of her attitude and game playing. This is just what we don't need and I am also female. Thanks for the endorsement. YES WE CAN.
It is so refreshing to read of another endorsement for Senator Obama. I am so excited this year I am participating and giving, he would make a very fine President. I want no more of the Clinton hatred, back-stabbing and playing up to certain ethnic groups when it is in their best interest. I am losing all respect for Bill at this time, he is tearing down all the respect I once had for him. I am an African American that is voting on the issues not on race. I am not fond of Hillary at all because of her attitude and game playing. This is just what we don't need and I am also female. Thanks for the endorsement. YES WE CAN.
As a Neocon opinion journal, I guess it is interesting that you are endorsing Obama.
Is this a positive statement, comging from you to help overcome the b.s. lies about his being a secret Muslim, anti-Jewish, anti-Israel?
Or is it back-handed and disengenuous... so that if Obama is running as the Democratic nominee in November against a Republican, you support the Republican as the only one who is good for Neocons/Israel/Jews?
McCain of course, in his long history as senator has been less kneejerk supportive of Israeli policy then Clinton or Obama? This has been forgotten in his recent belicosty.
Above "Neocon" comment is wrong... my bad... I confused you with the NY Sun. Mea Culpa!
Boo. Boo. Boo. Boo. Boo!
I am a registered Democrat, but if Clinton is our nominee, i will most certainly vote for the Republican candidate. How can anyone think that she and her "Pit Bull" will not continue the paralysis and acrimony of 'politics as usual'. Her paranoia of a "right wing conspiracy " says it all.Does anyone believe that she can work collaborativly with the GOP or, maybe more importantly, that they will want to work with her? As for her record, I hardly believe that First Lady in the Governors Mansion and White House are experiencial credentials. Moreover, the thought of having Bill, who disgraced the Presidency by lying to the American people, in the role of Co-President, Co-vice President ( pick you poison) back in a position of power, is a thought beyond comprehension( just read his comments this morning as he spoke in a diner in S.C. where the only pronouns in his vocabulary were "I and me"). I applaud your endorsement of an honest, brilliant, creative, transformational leader who has vowed to change the "no can do" ineffective process that has paralyzed our political process. He has my vote!
As a life long Democrat and Viet-era vet I voted for Bill Clinton twice but frankly they ushered in caligula and when Barack Obama speaks I say let us march on to victory against the mugwumps in November. Its change stupid.
A few years back, the GOP nominated BobDole because it was "BobDole's turn." He'd paid his dues. People owed him. He got schellacked in the general election, and the country suffered for it, and how! Dems, don't nominate Hillary just because you think it is "her turn" and you can't resist the ample charms of Pied Piper William. You will regret it.
I'm a lifelong Democrat, and supporter of Obama. If Hillary gets the nomination, I will vote Republican for President for the first time ever in my 43 years. Because if we screw this up by picking her, we DESERVE another Republican in the White House. Not only that, but it would tell me that we will actually have to lose more of our civil rights, have Roe v. Wade overturned, and have even more American citizens thrown into jail for wearing t-shirts offensive to the President. Yes, that's right, I believe we will need all of that and more, because I guess then and only then would we finally have the kind of revolution of citizen participation that we need, and to get off our behinds and demand real change from the typical Washington politics.
How can he be considered a viable candidate? As a state legislator he could not make a decision yes or no on 130+ bills - just voting present. If he cannot make a decision in Illinois how can we trust him to make decisions that would affect the United States and the World?
Hillary is not the best, but Obama is also a scary candidate for not making decisions. Change can be good at times, but so far what he is saying is rhetoric without specific policies etc...I wish in the debates real tough questions were asked of all candidates not just fluffy feel good questions. Everytime Hillary or Obama are asked tough questions they say it is an attack. If the candidates can't handle a tough question how can they handle the US or the world. I wish the candidates would debate policies instead of who funded whom, took drugs etc...Ideas can be good until really looked at, and implemented.
What I really find troubling is how Democrats say they stand up for race, but so far the entire debate from Hillary's camp is all about race.
Just some thoughts...just remember Obama could not make a yes/no decision in a state legislature 130+ times.
"And when George W. Bush was driving a bleary, shocked nation into war with bait-and-switch deceptions in 2003, where was our experienced leadership?"
I call bullshit. The anthem of the self-anointed media gurus may be 'Bush Lied', but it's vicious partisan self-delusion by media which is pretending to be the Opposition intead of keeping the public informed. Bush is not even close to articulate, but mendacious he's not.
The Bush administration may not be the epitome of perfection, but without hagiographers, no administration is. Clearly the Obama wave has been media-created from the start. That's a simple matter - he has no record of accomplishments. Elect Mr. Blank Slate of Glibity, he sounds so good he can't be wrong! He wants "change" from the present, with no definition of the future (gosh, a lot like Jimmy Carter in 1976). Oh, he likes peace and love and bipartisanship - as long as he writes the script.
We still await specific proposals of Obama goals and purposes (aside from leaving Iraq to the wolves). But his media hagriographers needn't concern themselves with such trivia - "change" is sufficient. Obama can buy some 'experienced leadership' whenever he needs it. Blow them trumpets, bang them drums, sell that snake oil.
Obama yo mama. He's got about as much chance to get elected as I have, which is none. Hillary all the way!
I agree with Sen. Obama on almost nothing but he is fresh air, particularly compared to Satan.
A healthcare plan that sucks. A truly horrible foreign policy proposal. No discernible economic plan. He cries whenever his opponent scores one off him, and he's going to take on the Republicans??!!
...And honestly, what makes you think the Republicans will roll over and play nice if he gets into the White House?? Yep, I can just see all those red-state GOP ol' boys beggin' for some Obama-charmed bipartisan consensus!!
And to you "registered Democrat" who wants to vote Republican if Obama doesn't make it - WOW, man!! When Huckabee nukes Iran, packs the Supreme Court and ships the women off to a breeding farm - hope you feel mighty good about yourself then!!