In Our View: Obama for President

Americans face what is arguably the nation’s most historically significant presidential election ever. Either the first black president or the first female vice president will be elected Nov. 4.

But this election also is a milestone for a reason unrelated to race or gender. For the first time in 20 years, the next president will not be a Bush or a Clinton. Never have just two families occupied the White House for so long. Today’s typical college freshman has never lived under a president by any other name. It’s time for a change.

So it’s no surprise that John McCain and Barack Obama are campaigning as agents of change. All the more reason for voters to participate. In Clark County, ballots were mailed yesterday.

Any successful reformer must excel in leadership and judgment. In the past several months, Obama has distanced himself as the superior candidate in those two areas, and today he receives The Columbian’s endorsement for president. Two quick reminders:

n Our opinion is only that, refuted by many, carrying no distinguishable impact. Our opinion is offered more to stimulate conversation than to change minds.

n No candidate is perfect, as evidenced by our 2004 endorsement: “Bush, Reluctantly.” Obama carries baggage we consider unsightly, such as the unfair advantages he would grant labor unions. We also are wary of a few past relationships he’s had with controversial figures. McCain carries that same baggage, to a lesser degree.

But as we examined leadership qualities of both men, we saw Obama’s massive strides in uniting his own Democratic party, even reaching beyond his party to speak to all Americans. McCain, in stark contrast, continues to slog through a fractious Republican Party that often is his worst enemy.

It takes strong leadership skills to enlist record numbers of volunteers and to continually explore new heights in the polls, as Obama methodically demonstrates.

As for judgment, Obama chose a running mate who neither hurt him in the polls nor diverted the spotlight from the main man on the ticket. McCain’s choice has done both. McCain tries to masquerade this recklessness as the virtue of a maverick. Would he use that same recklessness in appointing Supreme Court justices and Cabinet members? Which candidate in recent weeks has shown a presidential demeanor? Which could best restore worldwide respect for the U.S.? Which man has tried to soothe — not stoke — rancor in the homestretch of this campaign? Clearly, that man is Obama.

On the issues, Obama and McCain share similar views on immigration, Social Security and Medicare. Their differences on how to repair the economy are not overly contradictory. On the Iraq War, Obama prefers a quicker withdrawal of troops than we would like, but his proven leadership and solid judgment indicate he can resolve the Iraq dilemma collaboratively, certainly not by waving a white flag as McCain repeatedly claims. Both men urge public investment in science and technology. On health care, Obama believes it is a right; McCain believes it is a responsibility. Obama would raise taxes on the rich but not the rest of us, while McCain wants to make permanent the Bush tax cuts of 2003.

Beyond these issues, let’s review two popular but empty charges against Obama. His supposed lack of experience, history reveals, is a red herring. His 12 years in elected office are more than Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt or Ronald Reagan each brought to the presidency. Too young at 47? Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton were younger. (Also on the subject of age, is McCain too old at 72? Certainly not.)

America’s comparison between the upstart reformer and the venerable war hero inexorably returns to the qualities of leadership and judgment. Obama wins that comparison, and his message of partnerships at home and abroad seals the deal for us.
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