Barack Obama

I've decided to get off the fence, and out of the closet, so to speak, and voice my support for Barack Obama for President.

This has been a difficult decision for me in some ways because I don't know Senator Obama that well, while on the other hand I know both Senator and former President Clinton fairly well. I'm not a friend of either but have had the opportunity to spend quality discussion time with both the Clintons, after his administration and before her presidential candiacy.

It's a tough decision because I was rooting for Senator Clinton ever since I met her, before I had ever heard of Barack Obama. In the interactions I've had with her, I have found her a compassionate and passionate advocate for the ideals of our country, and for creating more opportunity for more Americans. I have no doubt she would make an excellent President. She would be inclusive and thoughtful in her approach. We are lucky to have her as a serious candidate. 

I also have spent a little time with John McCain, though not enough to really know him. But I have a great deal of respect for him, and especially the politically difficult stands he has taken in his career. He is a honest and intelligent man, and I think he would make a very decent President.

Between Senators Clinton and McCain, I think we're already pretty lucky to have such high quality choices, for once. I don't remember in my own lifetime another presidential race where the choice wasn't really about who was less bad or less mediocre than the other. 2008 is already special that way. 

But then there's Barack Obama. I've never spent time with him, though I did meet him briefly backstage at a rally for Darfur in Washington, prior to his candidacy. I don't know much about his policies. I've never had the chance to see him up close think through a complicated issue, like I have with the Clintons. But here's the thing:

When he talks about America, it makes me proud to be an American. I want to believe, and I do believe that we live in the America he is talking about. I'm an immigrant, and even though I was raised here, I've always loved this country and its ideals with the fervor of a convert. He puts words to what I feel. 

There really isn't much point to my endorsing a candidate, and it's self-indulgent to write a lengthy essay. No one's vote or opinion will be swayed by what I think. The safer course, especially given my respect, admiration, and relationship with the Clintons, would be to stay out of the fray. Really, there is no upside for my being public about what I think -- only downside. 

But then I ask myself: when will I have another chance in my life to risk the downside and take a stand, to raise my voice in support of someone as inspiring and aspirational as Barack Obama? That someone like him, of his vision, his character and tempermant, could be president of the United States, will only happen once in my life. Sure, if he loses now he could try again in four or eight years. But by then the audacity of his message will be dimmed by repitition and cynicism. And I will have missed my very first opportunity to stand for hope and the ideals that set this country apart, and make this country great. 

Today is my daughter's seventh birthday. I want her to grow up in the America that I believe in, the America that Barack Obama has been telling us about. It's hard to cut through all the noise of politics sometimes, but I realize today that something special is happening. We've got excellent candidates all around this year, but I truly think that only once in a generation will we see an exceptional leader like Barack Obama. 

And you know, I think Senators Clinton and McCain can also see it. It almost doesn't matter what the policy differences are. Barack Obama is showing a mirror to America, and despite the bad stuff we see in our reflection, we see that we are fundamentally good and strong and proud, and we can overcome our challenges by working together, across all sorts of lines, be they partisan, racial, cultural, religious, or whatever. 

That's something unique about Barack Obama's America -- our America -- and that's the America I want to live in.