No Margin of Error: Barack Obama and Ohio

You may wonder why you should vote for Obama/Biden in November. You may have heard rumors, conflicting stories about who Obama is and what he really stands for. I would like to tell you what I think he stands for and what I think he can accomplish as president (with Biden as VP).

In a nutshell, I think he can begin to move this country forward in a way that only a visionary, only a person in his shoes with his unique perspective can do. He can unify people IF they allow themselves to be unified (it takes work on both sides). A unified America will be much stronger than a divided one and we can no longer afford to remain divided as they world continues to move on taking our jobs and becoming more educated than we are. He can show the world that we are not the racist country some portray us to be and he can undo some of the damage the Bush administration has caused since 9/11 (a time the world actually sympathized with us). Now, we are more hated or disliked around the world than ever. Obama can help change that worldview and learn how to navigate national security issues by his VP, Joe Biden. Biden is one of the world's top experts in this area. He is someone both Republicans and Democrats like and can work with. He has a hard working/middle class background that was filled with tragedies that Biden overcame with appreciation of what others also go through in their own life struggles.

Who am I? I am a woman, a teacher, a middle class American from Chicago who has been watching and listening to Obama for awhile now. I had to privilege to see him up close and personal while he was running for the U.S. Senate. I can tell you that from what I have seen, Obama is a smart, decent, hard-working, family man who believes in America and in the American dream that is slipping away for so many. He believes in hard work and in the good of people. He treats those who work for his campaign along with most everyone else he encounters with dignity, respect & appreciation. He is a man of principals and of faith.

He is a visionary at a time we need a strong vision for this country. He embodies black America and white America as a biracial person. He is smart enough to surround himself with those who bring strengths he may be lacking. No one is strong in all areas, but Obama is secure enough and smart enough to know who to place in those key positions and to let them do their jobs with his oversight. He understands the power and the wisdome of delegation. I bet he also understands the saying, "keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Coming from Chicago politics he understands that whether or not he likes or agrees with certain others, you still have to deal with them in order to get things done and this will serve him well on the world stage in dealing with leaders of countries with whom we don't agree but must negotiate with.

There are countless reasons to vote Obama/Biden but the biggest reason of all is that this country simply cannot take 4 more years of a Republican president and agenda. The amount of money spent in the war in Iraq could have been used to make us a stronger country: roads, bridges, schools, top notch rail system like Japan and Europe has, alternative energies, and health care for everyone. Instead, what have the billions spent gotten us? Are we stronger than we were 8 yrs ago? No. Are we more secure or more respected in the world? No. Do we have lower unemployment, better education or more home ownership now? No! So, put your fears and your usual politics aside and do the ONLY thing that makes any sense. Vote for change: Obama/Biden!

Daina M of IL 12:58PM August 24, 2008