I figured since I am going into Nanowrimo mode tomorrow, it would be prudent to finally do my research on Barack Obama...thus completing my thumbnail review of Democratic Presidential Candidates.  I was prodded to this decision by the very wry comment of Bill Burton, Obama's spokesperson, about the discovery that Obama and Dick Cheney are distant cousins: "Every family has a black sheep."  Indeed.

So, Obama.

He was born in 1961, which makes him 46.  (It also makes him younger than me...I'm trying not to hold that against him!)  Still, youth and experience do factor into electability.  It's less his age than his lack of experience that is a bit disconcerting.  Obama's work experience includes a stint as a community organizer in Chicago's South Side neighborhoods, working to alleviate the effects of poverty.  (Points for idealism here.)

According to his website, this work convinced Obama that truly effective change would occur only if policies and laws were changed, so he went to Harvard Law, becoming the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review.  Obama went on to practice law as a civil rights attorney and to teach law.  From there, he became an Illinois State Senator, graduating to the U.S. Senate in 2004.  In the Senate, he's on four committees including Veteran's Affairs and Foreign Relations.

Like John Edwards, Barack Obama has a comprehensive vision for the direction he would like to take the United States.  The main difference between their strategies lies in their individual focus.  Edwards is concerned with rebuilding America's strength in a more traditional, inward sense.  Obama's view is more global; focused on the interconnectedness of America's leadership and its impact on the rest of the world.  It's worth reading his speech about America's leadership which clearly illustrates his appeal as a different, exciting Presidential Candidate. 

My favorite quote from the speech is, "This President may occupy the White House, but for the last six years the position of leader of the free world has remained open."

In terms of issues, Obama:

--Spoke out against the Iraq war in 2002 while still a member of the Illinois State Senate.

--States his position as not being opposed to war but to "dumb wars"

--Advocates a well-equipped military able to attract and retain "the best and brightest" through demonstrated commitment to veterans

--Proposes health care for all Americans

--Advocates fighting rural poverty with investment in alternative energy sources and urban poverty with business incubators

--Has a no-nonsense approach to immigration including holding employers accountable, allowing illegal immigrants to apply for citizenship after paying a fine and going to the "end of the line"

There is a sense from the campaign's website that Obama does not have, or does not wish to disclose, a plan for how to pay for strengthening the military, alleviating poverty and providing health care.  A significant omission, in my view.

Other than that oversight and his limited experience, my two issues with Obama are 1) his recent tone-deaf inclusion of "ex-gay" Donnie McClurkin as a featured singer in one of his events (Obama has been an advocate for gay rights excepting, as do all major candidates, gay marriage); and 2) his one-line comment that he believes it's okay for a country to "unilaterally" go to war, if necessary.

On the plus side, he has the broadest vision of any Democratic candidate and, as a result, brings an exciting breath of fresh air to the race.  He is also charismatic and articulate in a way that few Presidential Candidates have been in recent years (especially, sadly, Dems).

Summing up, I still prefer Edwards over Obama as President, mainly due to his broader leadership experience.  But I would love an Edwards/Obama ticket.  Polls seem to indicate, however, that a Clinton/Obama or Clinton/Edwards ticket is more likely.  Ah, well.  I can only cast my one vote and then let the chips fall where they may.

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