We must not let ourselves be fooled. This election is not about choosing between Obama and McCain, but rather it is about choosing between two competing futures, one represented by Barack Obama and the other by Sandra Palin. It is not back to the future but rather forward to the past.
Yogi Berra, a famous baseball catcher of a time long since past once said, "When you come to a fork in the road - take it".
America is at such a fork, and yes we must take it. And it is no joke.
While the mere choice of direction does not guarantee a successful journey, the path that is chosen to a large part will determine our children’s future.
To one side is the path of Barack Obama, a path of hope and a vision for a new and more promising future. This is the path of Robert Frost, the path less traveled and a path toward a new America, an America whose time has finally arrived. Down this road are forward looking choices that focus on bringing people together, that focus on people helping each other and choices that treat all people with respect, equality and justice. This is the path of Dr. King, the path of hope and inspiration for our youth and the path that honors, respects and supports the vast hardworking middle class. This the path toward peace and security, a path toward a sustainable future and a path toward justice. In Barack Obama’s future, we are all in this together.
Down the other side is the path of Sarah Palin, a path of that leads to the past. While John McCain is the man out front, the journey in which he attempts to leads us is Sarah Palin’s. While McCain is a war hero and he loves his country, he is also a man grounded in the past who will be controlled by the conservative right he so desperately courts. He is a man that is huggable as a gentle grandfather or a favorite uncle, but the clear and obvious reality is that John McCain’s time has passed. This election is about Sarah Palin and a future grounded in the conservative past that she represents. In Sarah Palin‘s future it is every man and woman for themselves.
Gary L. Hooser
Hawaii State Senator
Majority Leader