Obama, '08, Oh yeah!

Senator Barack Obama announced yesterday that he is running for President of the United States. He made his announcement in Springfield Illinois, echoing the “house divided” theme sounded 150 years ago by another tall, skinny lawyer from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln. Acknowledging it was "an improbable quest", he echoed another noble hero, Don Quixote. Improbable, but not impossible. Obama has already survived 2 years of growing expectations, which started at impossible heights when he first introduced himself to the country in an electrifying speech before the Democratic Convention in 2004. Beats there a heart so cynical that it doesn't thrill to this man, his potential, and what it could mean to healing our country and our world?

Most politicians are either rhetorically inspiring or rationally convincing. Obama manages to be both, appealing to the emotions and the mind. Perhaps this is due, in part, to the fact that he so clearly embodies his core message of unity, being black and white. Enough pop psychology! This is a clearly healthy and self aware unity.

If you want to learn more about his ideas and thinking, listen to his weekly podcast, a brief monologue on a single issue of national importance (direct from the Senate site or on Apple iTunes). Though I disagreed with his vote against confirming Roberts, I had to concede that he made good points in support of his decision. He has a very good grasp of politics and even seems to have a mature perspective on his charisma. Though only a junior Senator, his opinion is clearly respected by his colleagues and even by the Administration.

We need another Lincoln. His announcement comes on a day when the dictator of Russia, Putin, could rationally charge that the US was reigniting the nuclear arms race. Electing Obama President could be the first step on a long journey of healing the divisions – domestic and international - that have been exploited and made worse by the current administration.