Saturday, January 05, 2008
That Obama Magic
America needs Obama.
We face profound challenges. But too many of our politicians -- particularly Democrats running against Obama -- are focused on identifying the causes of those challenges and coming up with specific solutions. But "solutions" aren't the answer to our problems, leadership is. And America needs Obama.
Other Democrats are worrying about winning the election, but we have a chance this time to choose a different kind of candidate, a different kind of president.
At a time when so many of us are desperate for change, Obama has shown an uncommon ability to rise above partisan division. That is why he has received more than 750,000 donations, not only from people involved in the process for the first time, but also from those in the banking, pharmaceutical, and investment industries. Because his leadership is about articulating a vision and motivating others to reach for it.
The American people want more than good policy; they want someone with the conviction to articulate our common aspirations. They want someone to restore the American dream of reaching for a vision.
The political commentators and self-appointed experts tell us that we shouldn't yearn for the conviction to articulate our common aspiration to reach for a vision. But I ask the people of America to take a chance not so much on a candidate, not so much on specific policies, not even on winning the election, but on your own aspirations. Because America needs Obama.
Once every election, Democrats get the opportunity to take a leap, and I know in my head and in my heart that Barack Obama is this year's opportunity.
We face profound challenges. But too many of our politicians -- particularly Democrats running against Obama -- are focused on identifying the causes of those challenges and coming up with specific solutions. But "solutions" aren't the answer to our problems, leadership is. And America needs Obama.
Other Democrats are worrying about winning the election, but we have a chance this time to choose a different kind of candidate, a different kind of president.
At a time when so many of us are desperate for change, Obama has shown an uncommon ability to rise above partisan division. That is why he has received more than 750,000 donations, not only from people involved in the process for the first time, but also from those in the banking, pharmaceutical, and investment industries. Because his leadership is about articulating a vision and motivating others to reach for it.
The American people want more than good policy; they want someone with the conviction to articulate our common aspirations. They want someone to restore the American dream of reaching for a vision.
The political commentators and self-appointed experts tell us that we shouldn't yearn for the conviction to articulate our common aspiration to reach for a vision. But I ask the people of America to take a chance not so much on a candidate, not so much on specific policies, not even on winning the election, but on your own aspirations. Because America needs Obama.
Once every election, Democrats get the opportunity to take a leap, and I know in my head and in my heart that Barack Obama is this year's opportunity.
