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We often focus on legislative experience as the be all and end all of presidential training schools -- I think Obama's ten years of legislative experience is sufficient for entering the presidency, I think twenty years in service to the nation, whether it's in Congress or in our communities, is plenty of experience. Going back to when Clark was running, I've felt there are neglected forms of qualification, such as leadership ability, executive experience, strategic thinking, organizational strengths, and a pragmatic, common ground, diplomatic approach to getting stuff accomplished. In addition, the president is head of state, but also leader of the nation; a president needs to inspire the country to meet great challenges. These attributes may be present in a legislator, as well, I know that, but lawmaking is only one kind of experience. Community service is another.
Obama has tremendous talents as a strategist, which he applied throughout his time as a community organizer and into politics. He has executive ability and some experience running a 700-member volunteer organization; it's not a state or a city, but he knows how it's done. He's been down in the streets with real people, not managing from a boardroom, but building community power from the bottom up. His background is in the Alinsky school of leftism, which means it's not just about ideals, but about power. He came out of law school with several chances at a Supreme Court clerkship and many, many more offers from high powered law firms. He could have made a fortune practicing law or being a Wall Street executive. He chose to use his gifts, his power, as a civil rights lawyer and lecturing in constitutional law. Just as I admired Clark, I admire Obama, for a willingness to live a life of service, and an understanding of how to wield power. I want somebody committed to opening up the government and the political system and shaking it the hell out. I want someone with ideals in the White House, but with wide open eyes, heart and mind.
With a foreign father and a native mother, one black and the other white, I also see that Obama represents 21st century America and the 21st century world. As a symbol, it is a powerful one that could maybe, only maybe, move us a ways along past our painful racial past. I'm white, but I see now is the time to do this, or rather I feel it. That's what inspiration is, a feeling, and while I don't make it out to be everything, it's something better there than not there is it not? I sense that Obama can take us forward as a people, not just among ourselves, but in the world.
BUT...
If I didn't think he had the grit, the tough mindedness and the guts to make the hard decisions, to be the pragmatist as well as the idealist, I wouldn't be supporting him for president.
I was never going to support John Edwards. I'm not voting in the primary for any candidate who voted Yes on the IWR. When the GE comes along, I will be there for the nominee. But I never believed in Edwards, not in 2004, not in 2008. I don't feel like arguing about it. If I have to go into it all, it will take more time than I have. So I will just say I do not believe in him. It was never a choice between one or the other candidate for me.
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