"Perhaps more importantly, were attempts to reach out to those Democrats, who have expressed leeriness over Obama's relative inexperience in foreign policy, his un-tested mettle in dealing with powerful big business lobbies or, more simply, what they see as a starry eyed idealist, who like many humans upon entering the shark infested political waters of Washington, often succumb to the molding of powers that be, forces that in the end, shape policy, policies that in the end, are the nuts and bolts of our economy, defense, education system, health care and ultimately, how this has impacted our collective national psyche.
by CODY LYON
In what was probably the most important speech of his political career thus far, Barack Obama lit up the election season stratosphere in ways that both inspired and challenged voters to consider the stark choices being made this fall.
In what was one of the speeches' most powerful moments, Obama said "America, we are better than these last eight years," and "we are a better country than this."
Perhaps more importantly, were attempts to reach out to those Democrats, who have expressed leeriness over Obama's relative inexperience in foreign policy, his un-tested mettle in dealing with powerful big business lobbies or, more simply, what they see as a starry eyed idealist, who like many humans upon entering the shark infested political waters of Washington, often succumb to the molding of powers that be, forces that in the end, shape policy, policies that in the end, are the nuts and bolts of our economy, defense, education system, health care and ultimately, how this has impacted our collective national psyche.
But, with his tremendous speech, Obama, if only for a moment, lifted the nation's psyche, he attempted and many say succeeded in showing all Americans that the dream is still alive and well in this land of freedom, where the bells of democracy occasionally ring with messages of hope, not fear, gloom that has crippled the very essence of who and what we as a people stand for and strive to be.
Just two nights before the Obama moment, former candidate Senator Hillary Clinton stood before her adoring fans, before millions of viewers and voters who had long held to the belief that it was she, not Obama, who should have been chosen to lead the party to a November victory against the Republican party. Television reports showed delegates in tears, while others listened as Clinton directed a laser eye at her supporters as well as those who might still be worried about Obama.
Like Senator Obama, Clinton's speech was equally powerful and moving.
But, perhaps one of the most clear and present points Clinton made, was that a vote for either her, or for Senator Obama, was so much more than a vote for an individual candidate, a candidate's image or his or her personality, for that matter, race, gender or origin or even more importantly, a candidates rhetoric.
No matter what one's preferences were as far as which individual they would have preferred to lead the party into the November race, the more simple question of fundamental political values comes into play.
In these modern times, these days of Presidential administrations filled with countless advisors, policy shapers and other insiders who pontificate from above to the 'chosen one' occupying the oval office, it is imperative that voters take into account what is clearly a package deal, a deal that is filled with stark differences and competing ideologies that define the distinctions between the Republican and Democratic party.
Both candidates Obama and Clinton embody the values of the party they love, the Democratic. At their core they embody the political values of Ted Kennedy, for that matter his late brother, former President John Kennedy. They are the political offspring a a party who produced a President that saw the nation through the horrors of the second world war, the same President who created the "New Deal".
After all, the values that Senator Obama embodies are the values of another President, ironically from a Southern State, a President who was the leader of a party that when the poisons of racism dripped from the lips of many of his former allies, chose morality over politics and signed the Voting rights Act into law. This is the party that espouses the values of a President who more recently, in the 1990's brilliantly reached across party lines and oversaw one of the greatest economic expansions this nation has ever witnessed, a President who bravely brought seemingly controversial issues and concerns to the political table, opening the door to a more tolerant and just society.
They are the values of a Peanut Farmer from Plains Georgia who is now an international statesman, a peacemaker who travels the world mediating disputes, risking his own legacy in the face of controversy, stands and speaks to what is right and fair.
Barack Obama and his candidacy embody embody the values of compassion, they are values that encourage the hopes of the less fortunate, the sadly disappearing middle class. They are the values of those who have every right to demand a solid ladder of economic and educational opportunity for every American willing to climb.
And, although it has yet to be seen, millions pray, that the chosen Democratic candidate also embodies values that recognize and respect the responsibilities of the role commander in chief. They pray for a President who will not play upon the fears of a traumatized nation and will only call upon our military when and if it is essential to the preservation of our nation's security.
Never again should we as a people allow a military excursion into a land that has led our great military men and women, as well as their families, into what has become one of our longest running nightmares.
Perhaps, at its very core, the Democratic party embodies the values of a great nation.
There are those who may say that this young, relatively inexperienced candidate is not ready, or they may secretly hold reservations over his ethnicity, his upbringing perhaps even his name. They may see a candidate that they could never possibly relate to on a more personal level. Perhaps they see a candidate who they feel they simply don't know enough about. But despite such tragic misgivings among the electorate, there is and are greater, quiet frankly, less selfish reasons to carefully consider jumping off the fence of indecision in November.
In the end, voters must make their decision based on what is clearly a choice of packages. And, they must remember, beneath the wrapping paper of campaign ads, rhetoric, assorted controversies and infighting, there are solid differences between these two ideologies. Whichever ideology succeeds in selling itself best, is what will determine as Senator Obama said, whether or not America will indeed stand up and say "eight is enough."