Change [the] Straight Talk We Need

Considering how important this year's presedential race is, I have been extremely quiet on my views and thoughts. So on the eve of the most dynamic race in the (recent) history of the United States, I figured I'd spend some time on the topic today.

Where to start


By no means am I an authority on this presedential race. I have tried to pay as much attention to all of the issues as I could, but in today's world of 24-hour news cycles and the convergence of fact and opinion in traditional and online media, it was extremely difficult to digest it all. So my decision came down to some very basic criteria (in no particular order).



Inspiration

Personality/ General Appeal

Thought Process/ Decision Making Abilities

Age

Basic Principles of Campaign

Arrogance

The Platforms


Some may look at these criteria as superficial, but the great thing about this country is that you can place your vote for anyone you want based on whatever reason you decide. And that includes ethnicity. But I do want to point out that voting for someone's skin color is the same as not voting for someone because of their skin color.

First things first, I am voting for Obama/ Biden. Here's why:





Inspiration

When I watch and listen to Senator Obama, I am inspired. When I watch and listen to McCain, I am left with nothing. And more often than not, shaking my head.

My first introduction to Obama was during his run for Senator in 2004. The formal introduction came during his keynote speech at the 2004 DNC. I just remember being in awe. And I knew a presedential run was going to be in his future, but not until '12 or '16. Instead, he said, I'm going for broke now.


Senator McCain hit my radar in 2000 when he ran for president. I remember his views being a lot more progressive than they seem to be now. When I watched the debates or his speech at the RNC this year, I didn't get any feeling from his words.

Personality/ General Appeal

As many publications and pundits have said, there is a certain cool about Obama. And that cool is displayed in many different ways. Playing baseketball (even if it was in tight sweatpants) Cool. Seemingly never breaking a sweat or raising his voice when he was "being taken to task" on viewpoints. Cool. Making jokes on the spot (remember his comment about Bill Clinton being the first "black" president, but needing to check his dancing ability). Cool.

On the other hand, McCain never seems cool. It could be the result of his injuries that causes his body to look as if it is always in an awkward position, but it definitely doesn't give off the sense of "cool". When it comes to making jokes, McCain always comes off as trying way to hard to get a laugh. I joke all the time and am a believer that laughing at your own joke is not a death sentence, but forcing yourself to laugh at your own joke is. When I see him laugh I always think of Mutley.

Thought Process/ Decision Making

The best and easiest way to examine this was to look no further than the VP picks. On the heels of a heated Democratic primary, Senator McCain made an interesting choice for his running mate- Tina Fey, excuse me Sarah Palin. The most disturbing part of the selection was the news that he had only met her two (or is it three?) times before announcing this. Some may say, "and?" But I just can't fathom asking or better yet, trusting someone to have my back that I barely know. In general, I can be a trusting person, but in this case, this is like asking the person you see in the grocery store every week to be your child's God-parent.

I understand that Palin represented an avenue to the right wing faction based on her conservative views and "small town" appeal, but was she really the only one available? Of all the Republicans in this country, she was the only one that could check the minority AND conservative boxes?


I do give credit, she definitely energized the campaign, but she also drowned McCain out. For a month after the RNC, all you heard was Governor Palin's name and a few, "oh by the way" McCain's. Somehow, I just can't see that being a good thing. Would we have been better off if Cheney, Quayle or Gore would have been more popular and vocal than BJr, BSr or Clinton?

Obama on the other hand made just as strategic decision in Joe Biden. And like Palin, I didn't know much about him, but I had at least heard his name before. So during the DNC, I made sure I paid a lot of attention to his speech. I watched his informal acceptance speech following the announcement, but I wanted to see what he said on the main stage. The truth is, I don't remember. But I do remember his son Beau. I also remember the story about him going home to his children every night. Oh yeah, Scranton PA in the house!



Age

Plain and simple, 72 is too old to be in the most important position in the world. Call me insensitive to senior citizens, but I am being honest. And in full disclosure, if the shoes were on the other foot, I wouldn't vote for Obama either.

This may also play into judgement, but I've never heard of a presidential candidate intentionally running for one term. Is it because he realizes that 76 is way to old to be president? But are those four years, really a difference? We aren't talking about the difference between 17 and 21 or even 21 and 25. It's like asking America if there is a major difference between 36 and 40.



Basic Principles of the Campaign


On a top level glance, Obama has run the perfect campaign. Much to-do has been made by the McCain campaign about Obama's decision to opt out of public financing, but who in their right mind would if you were bringing in eight digits? Perhaps, it really only matters to the campaign that, at times, has been so short on money that they almost had to close up shop. Getting back to the point, it appears that the Obama campaign has been the best at adjusting its strategy and ensuring that Obama was always in the best position possible.

On the extremely petty side of my opinion, was McCain stealing the "Change" theme. What happened to Straight Talk? On the more serious side, I became increasingly disgusted by McCain's insistence that his military service made him more qualified to lead this country. Regardless of which side you support, I do not think there is anyone who does not respect or appreciate his personal sacrifice. But I am clueless has to what that means to this position?


My father served on the front lines of Vietnam and faced some tenuous situations, but does that mean he should run for public office? The answer is no. So what separates my dad from McCain? The experience in the Washington? Of course, is does. He's been in Washington since 1982, so why does it need to be changed now? Not that I disagree, but why adopt the mantra now?

Then there are the small, yet ridiculous things like calling Obama a terrorist. Or "suspending" the campaign to address the financial crisis.

Arrogance


Many opponents of the Obama campaign have called him an elitist. But I would argue that McCain is the elitist. And by that I don't mean his houses and cares, nor Cindy McCain's money. I am referring to some of the comments McCain has made about knowing how to fix America's problems and some of them in less time than it would take to download the Constitution. Rather than talk about the plan and the time it would take to figure out many of the issues the country is facing, McCain seems defiant in his belief that he has all the magical answers.


The Platforms

I think both candidates have some rather grandeur plans in terms of healthcare, the economy and jobs, but I think that these types of things go with the program. I purposely did not include education, because I am not sure I like either candidate's ideas on fixing education.

Ulimately, I think the other points I have outlined also speak to my belief that Obama will make the best choices for the country moving forward.

Epilogue

As I wrote this, a million other things jumped into my mind, but I am going to leave this as is. I've made my choice and I implore you to make yours. We all love this country good, bad and indifferent, so I implore you to get out and vote tomorrow and make the choice that best suits your thoughts and beliefs. One vote does make a difference!


For some information cutting through the campaign BS, click here.