Barack Obama

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October 26, 2008

He seems more able to put nation on path toward recovery

SEN. BARACK Obama exudes a cool confidence during debates and other high-pressure situations that, even many of his detractors will admit, makes him appear composed, somewhat soothing and, yes, even presidential.

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Barack Obama has the composure, compassion and intelligence to guide the United States.

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It would be folly to choose the nation’s next leader based solely on his mannerisms.

But Obama’s composure – combined with his intelligence, ideas, communication skills and capacity to rally people to a cause – gave our endorsement board the evidence it needed to reach a decision: Democrat Barack Obama is the man for the job.

The United States’ reputation in the international community has taken hits in recent years, due mainly to the Iraq war and inability to resolve ongoing hostilities there. Obama, several of our endorsement board members believe, is more capable of soothing rifts and improving the country’s standing in the eyes of important trade partners and potential allies in the war on terror.

Understandably, many Americans are disenchanted with the current state of affairs on the home front: financial markets in freefall, escalating health care costs, home foreclosures and a deficient energy policy.

Obama’s suggested policies might, or might not, be the best ones to address these important issues. But he seems able – and willing – to build consensus, develop new solutions and put the nation on a path toward recovery.

On the campaign trail, he pitched populist notions such as middle-class tax breaks and a litany of other “goodies.” We don’t expect he will deliver on all those promises, nor would his opponent if elected.

But the 47-year-old Obama has shown, especially during the recent Wall Street calamity, that he will react quickly to a crisis, consult with trusted experts and draw up an appropriate response – without appearing flustered. His opponent, by contrast, looked at times during the market collapse much as he did during the second presidential debate – adrift.

Finally, Obama’s mere presence in this presidential race conveys a sense of idealism. A black man, raised by a single mom, occupying the Oval Office?

His election would help to salve some of the country’s longest-festering wounds and energize a population inspired by the notion that Obama first raised at the 2004 Democratic Convention. He said this is not a nation of red states and blue states, but rather the United States.

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11 Reader Comments

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josh said...

You put it perfectly, this is the right person for this time.

October 26, 2008 at 7:28 AM

Hal said...

Dopes !

October 26, 2008 at 1:37 PM

John said...

We need more than idealism to get us out of this economic mess. In 1929 the Congress and President decided it was a great idea to raise taxes and tariffs on inported products. This great idea then developed into the Great Depression, no matter how much infastructure that was built and money poured into the economy did not help. It took World War 2 to get us out of the problem. Are we willing to repeat history for an untested idealist?

October 28, 2008 at 6:44 AM

AB said...

Obama is the right choice if you want the country to go into a deep depression, convert to a welfare state, redistribute income, if you want to elect the most unqualified candidate since Jimmy Carter, etc. Yep, he's a great choice! Wake up people. You can't all be blind.

October 30, 2008 at 7:43 AM

jeleanoro said...

you've got to be kidding! "cool confidence"? "great communication skills"? and these attributes describe President of the USA? or snake oil salesman? We have gone too far left in this country(and I'm a Democrat), it's time for a course change...Bush/Cheney was a terrible nightmare...let's Wake Up!!! and vote for McCain/Palin to bring the country back on track! If you voted for Hillary, you knew Obama was wrong for this country, we need to move back to the center!

November 1, 2008 at 2:25 PM

Barbara said...

Are you kidding? Those are the reasons you're endorsing The Fraud? What about really substantive legislative achievements? Proven leadership? What about winning a nomination without supporter intimidation of non-supporters in many caucus situations. What about winning a nomination without one's own personal MSM? What about winning a nomination without inferring that your main opponent and her husband are racists? What about The Fraud's many flip-flops, especially about taking only public funding for the general? HMMMMM? What about all that. Yeah, he's Mr. Cool all right - Mr. Kool Aid.

November 1, 2008 at 4:48 PM

normapapuma said...

You couldn't be more wrong. Obama will ruin our economy and our political system. We believe McCain/Palin is the best ticket with the best plans and the only choice, since Obama is basically a lying FRAUD.

November 1, 2008 at 7:50 PM

NObamaD said...

Barack Obama will invite to the White House the radical Bill Ayers who dedicated his book entitled Prairie Fire to Sirhan Sirhan, the assasin of Bobby Kennedy. Is that the kind of person you want in the White House? Visit pumapac.org for more information.

November 1, 2008 at 8:15 PM

Barbara said...

Bill Ayers, August 2006: “I don’t care where the rebellion breaks out I just want to be there when it does. I went to Cindy Sheehan’s protest in Crawford Texas because I thought the rebellion might start there.” Barack Obama, November 2008: “We need a Civilian National Security Force which is just as strong and just as well funded as the US Military.” --- So, Obama wants to cut US military spending but create a new Civilian National Security Force which is just as strong as the US Military? What for? Are the gearing up for a Rebellion? A Rebellion?

November 2, 2008 at 2:12 PM

mark said...

Now I know why I left NE PA the day I graduated from high school. I'm now the guy that is not part of a "working class family" or rather selfish and unpatriotic even though I work 60-65 hours a week and last year paid over $125,000 in federal taxes. Who is John Galt ?????????????????????

November 4, 2008 at 3:30 PM

bill blockBill Block said...

Where did you find so many stupid adults. Every one praising the 90% voter following George Bush.

November 7, 2008 at 12:52 PM