Endorsing Barack Obama

In the previous post, I wrote about why I am not a Republican. I admit, it was rather reactionary. It came about because I had heard too many comments on the radio and TV that bordered on hate speech against anyone who wasn't a conservative, Christian, Republican. So I put down my thoughts in writing.

Now I want to share why I am voting (voted, actually) for Barack Obama. I have watched, read, and listened to the two major candidates for quite a while. I have endeavored to filter out third party speculation and accusations by the opposition. Instead, I sought the same kind of information and impressions I would as a hiring manager or search committee in a job interview.

I believe both John McCain and Barack Obama are honorable, decent men, who really care about our country. I believe contrary accusations against either party are either naïve or malicious. I can see that John McCain has a greater number of years in politics. But longevity does not necessarily equal wisdom. I care less about one man's past than I do about a nation's future.

Barack Obama has the necessary experience and leadership ability to lead the nation. His ideas and plans for domestic and foreign policy seem reasoned and workable. I especially like his approach to working with other nations to gain their cooperation, rather than just ostracize or bomb them, and his desire to better staff and fund the State department. I believe he will make a fine commander-in-chief, not because of a military background but because of his ability to gather the best commanders and work with them. I am more confident that he will better respect the constitution, which grants the Senate the right to declare war, and the President the duty to execute it. I don't believe you have to be a Vietnam War veteran to be a good commander-in-chief. Even if Joe the Plumber were a war vet, that wouldn't make me vote for him.

I think Mr. Obama's pick for Vice President shows more wisdom than John McCain's. I don't want to be morbid, but Mr. McCain is pretty old, and if anything should happen to him, we would want someone with similar experience and leadership skills. Sarah Palin just isn't it. The very thought is frightening. But the selection of Sarah Palin also shows a weakness in John McCain. He really stretched for a popular, if surprising, choice that was more show than substance.

I also find that Barack Obama has more positive plans, rather than the negative reactions I hear from John McCain. And honest, I'm being as objective as possible.

So that's it. I'm not voting party line, because I'm not that devoted to either party. Objectively and professionally, I just think that Barack Obama is the better choice to lead the executive branch of our government.