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EDITORIAL: Vote Obama and McCain
Editorial | 2/5/08
Posted online at 1:43 AM EST on 2/5/08
Whether registered as Democrat, Republican or Independent, we are all first and foremost Americans. Despite acrimonious politics filled with wedge issues that divide us, we all want what is best for our country-even if we have disparate visions. It is with this idea in mind that we hope that voters at Brandeis, as well as the rest of the country, select the candidates most capable of transcending the party divide and inspiring rather than shooting for the lowest denominator. Throughout their lives and campaigns, Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and John McCain, R-Ariz., have striven to bridge the great divides enmeshing this country.
Voters in the Democratic Primary appear to be choosing between two candidates with very different views of what it means to be president. The issue at hand is not policy-both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama have nearly identical policy- but rather, about leadership style. While Mrs. Clinton likens herself to the chief executive officer of an enormous bureaucracy, Mr. Obama is the true catalyst for change and the candidate who most desires a movement away from decades of partisanship. Of all the candidates, only the senator from Illinois has the ability to be a truly different kind of candidate.
Everything about Mr. Obama seems to project union through diversity. From his mixed racial and ethnic background-with a mother from Kansas and a father from Kenya-to his upbringing abroad in Indonesia and his infamous middle name (Hussein), the very fact that Obama stands as a viable contender for his nomination and the presidency is inspiring. Yet despite what Mrs. Clinton's campaign may tell you, it is perhaps Mr. Obama's experience that is most encouraging. After college, he went to work as a community organizer in Chicago. This experience certainly helped develop his profound empathy and understanding. In the candidates' ongoing debate over experience, we believe these years of work at the grassroots level are deeply meaningful and no less significant than Mrs. Clinton's experience.
Voters in the Democratic Primary appear to be choosing between two candidates with very different views of what it means to be president. The issue at hand is not policy-both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama have nearly identical policy- but rather, about leadership style. While Mrs. Clinton likens herself to the chief executive officer of an enormous bureaucracy, Mr. Obama is the true catalyst for change and the candidate who most desires a movement away from decades of partisanship. Of all the candidates, only the senator from Illinois has the ability to be a truly different kind of candidate.
Everything about Mr. Obama seems to project union through diversity. From his mixed racial and ethnic background-with a mother from Kansas and a father from Kenya-to his upbringing abroad in Indonesia and his infamous middle name (Hussein), the very fact that Obama stands as a viable contender for his nomination and the presidency is inspiring. Yet despite what Mrs. Clinton's campaign may tell you, it is perhaps Mr. Obama's experience that is most encouraging. After college, he went to work as a community organizer in Chicago. This experience certainly helped develop his profound empathy and understanding. In the candidates' ongoing debate over experience, we believe these years of work at the grassroots level are deeply meaningful and no less significant than Mrs. Clinton's experience.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
a
posted 2/05/08 @ 4:52 PM EST
Are you serious? Endorsing presidential candidates? Get over yourselves....
b
posted 2/06/08 @ 1:11 PM EST
Seriously.
L
posted 2/06/08 @ 8:36 PM EST
Justice ed. board,
You refer to Hillary Clinton as "Mrs. Clinton" throughout this piece, which is poor style. Just as with McCain and Obama, she should first be referred to under her Senatorial title. (Continued…)
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