Where he stands on health care, farm subsidies and the space program doesn't really matter. I'm with Obama because of a choice he made more than five years ago.
Every generation of leaders has their moments of truth.
Washington and Jefferson and Adams had to choose to give up everything and fight for freedom. Lincoln’s generation had to choose whether and when to fight for a united country. FDR and his contemporaries had to choose how to save Europe and defend America. Nixon and LBJ had Vietnam and communism and civil rights.
In late 2002, our generation of current leaders had one of their moments of truth. Our leaders had to decide whether or not we should throw historical precedent to the wind and invade a country on a shaky premise. They had to determine what toll – in life and in treasure – a war of choice in a far-off land would take on this country. Then, they had to weigh that toll against the potential benefits of a world without Saddam Hussein.
In late 2002, most of our generation’s leaders, including Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, made the wrong choice. Their choice, seemingly born of political calculation and a life-long addiction to polls, has led us into a mess in Iraq. It has led to the death of nearly 4,000 Americans and countless others. It has led to the bleeding of billions of dollars from our pockets.
When faced with this monumental moment of truth, Barack Obama made the right choice. He took a public stand against the war. He repudiated the war mongers’ calls for invasion. He went out on a limb and he was right.
That is why I am with Barack Obama today.
I may agree with John Edwards on more issues, like health care and education and lobby reform. I may think Hillary Clinton has more experience (I don’t really think that, but some do). But that doesn’t matter.
Where a president stands on health care and education means very little. By the time Congress, the lobbyists and others get through with his or her plan, it will be haggled and compromised to smithereens.
What does matter is how a president responds when faced with his or her generation’s moments of truth. A president is not a legislator; a president is (or should be) a visionary. He or she makes judgment calls and decisions. He or she sets the agenda and sets the country’s course.
In late 2002, John Edwards and Hillary Clinton proved that they lack the fortitude and judgment to come through in the most important moments. That’s why I’m with Barack Obama today.
Plus, he’s pretty darn good on the issues too.