Obama qualified candidate ..

By Brian Gotts - Section: Voices
Issue date: 10/13/08 - Response to letter questioning Barack Obama's qualifications ..

Despite what some people will tell you, direct executive experience is not the only qualifier for the Presidential Office. Just because someone has been doing something for a long period of time doesn't mean they do it particularly well or in the best interest of the people voting for them. Before George W. Bush was President of the United States, he was 'governor' of Texas. The most important thing we as a nation are voting on this Nov. 4 is not experience, but rather, judgment.

With the U.S. and global economy on the brink of collapse, why question Obama's resume when he has continually talked about his thoroughly laid-out plan to fix the economic mess? A plan that is from an entirely different mindset than the one that got us into this mess in the first place. All someone has to do to get a better understanding of Obama and where he's coming from is visit his Web site to read through his thorough energy, health care and economic plans. Become an active citizen - do the research.

The claims that Obama is a terrorist, sexist or that he likes to play the race card are absolutely ridiculous. They are nothing more than desperate attempts from devout Republicans to sway your vote. Rather than giving you the opportunity to use your own judgment, they play into old fear tactics to make you question your own opinions. Listen to Obama speak, read his plans and policies and then look at his voting record online if you choose. Finally, utilize Web sites like factcheck.org to your advantage; they are created by citizens for citizens.

Obama has demonstrated sound judgment his entire political career. When President Bush wanted to invade Iraq he strongly opposed it, knowing that the real battle wasn't there but in Afghanistan. When work on the original bailout package started, Obama didn't suspend his campaign or propose that the debates be postponed; he understood that presidents often have to multitask. He managed to keep his campaign going, work with the legislation and still participate in the debate without hesitation.

The comparison of Obama being president to that of a junior high student running a large corporation is an insult to the voters of this country. It is an insult to the supporters of Obama who have all decided that this year they want change. They are hungry for something different in Washington, and they believe that he has the ability to create that change through the presidential decision-making he has already demonstrated.