Why I Like Barack Obama

Barack Obama's potential election to the office of the presidency represents an important symbol in the history of the United States. He would be the first black president in American history. But Obama's strengths lie deeper than mere symbols.

I first heard of him while he was running for senate. I watched his keynote address at the 2004 DNC. It provided a glimpse towards a political landscape that went past partisanship. He reminded me that we really do have more in common with each other as Americans than we realize. In 2006, Obama made an appearance on Meet The Press where he knocked each of the late Tim Russert's questions out of the park and always with an air of grace.

When he declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2007, I was intrigued, but not yet ready to commit to his cause. In fact, I supported Bill Richardson because I more closely identified with the New Mexican governor on most of the issues.

My mind was changed towards Barack Obama because of the way he handled the Clintons' attacks prior to the South Carolina primary. He did not act like a normal politician. He truly rose above the small rhetoric that often defines campaigns. He avoided divisive decrees in favor of elucidating his hope for change.

While his words can sometimes remain in the clouds, he has taken profound stands on many of the important issues of the day, which is unfortunately rare in politics. I agree with him for the most part on most of the issues. Obama has resorted to some of the traditional pandering that accompanies campaigns and that is disappointing, but he has never claimed to be perfect. He has not called for the level of sacrifice that Americans need to make in order to fix this nation's problems, but he hasn't won the election yet either.

Fundamentally, my view of Barack Obama following his speech in 2004 has not shifted. He has continued to reinforce his reputation as a transformative figure in American politics. He has tapped into the American sense of optimism that has been lacking for so long. If elected, he will not be able to change everything. But he has presented this country with two very special gifts already: the belief that we can be a nation for good in this world and the idea that of many, we are one. For those reasons, I proudly support Barack Obama.