McCain's Gall and Obama's Larger Vision

I hate to admit it, I was wrong. Senator McCain did not go after Barack Obama for being a celebrity again. I was wrong because I underestimated John McCain's shear, unmitigated gall. After picking Sarah Palin because of her political appeal rather than her preparedness to take over as president should the need arise, it takes an appalling amount of gall on McCain's part to go back to playing the fear card and saying that Barack Obama is not ready to be president.

 Trying to say that her years as the mayor of a tiny Alaskan town (which she left in debt) and as governor of a state that has a smaller population than many American cities qualifies her to be president is frankly laughable. As is McCain's assertion that being a good soldier (military pilot) gives him superior credibility. Soldiers, sailors, pilots, etc. may be incredibly brave, and McCain's service was unquestionably heroic, but it has nothing to do with the qualities needed in a good president.

 You can see this most eloquently displayed by comparing the vision of America evident in the campaigns Obama and McCain have run. McCain's vision is divisive, us against them, real Americans against the left, against the other. Obama's vision is inclusive. He sees a larger America where the political left and right can come together to build a stronger more unified nation ready to face the challenges of the twenty-first century.

 My arguments for Senator Obama are most forcefully summed up by the words Colin Powell in his endorsement of Senator Obama for president (click here to view the video) and in President Bill Clinton's stunning, unequivocal support for Obama at a Florida campaign event (click here to view the video). This two men, coming from opposite sides of the political spectrum, see Barack Obama as prepared to be commander in chief from day one and to build a more unified country.

Vote for Obama and reject John McCain's vision of the United States as a small-minded and politically divided country.