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I have been relatively reserved in my political activity this year.  I was reflecting this morning on the importance of selecting our next President.

I felt the need to share a few abbreviate thoughts with my friends qnd began pecking away on my blackberry.

When faced with a choice of Wall Street vs. Chicago's southside streets, he chose the southside were he could use his talents to assist underserved communities.

In the last several weeks, I have watched as the news media has highlighted the negatives for both Senators Obama and Clinton.  The message of hope and a new day have given way to the politics of race and division.  I truly "hope" Senator Obama is able to get back on message.  Our country needs a new day with new leadership.  A leader that believes in the "we" and not the "me." I strongly believe Obama understands the Nehemiah concept of service.  When faced with a choice of Wall Street vs. Chicago's southside streets, he chose the southside were he could use his talents to assist underserved communities.  

Obama's background is so diverse it is hard to understand why anyone could accuse him of being out of touch with their reality.  Obama has a personal connection with a cross section of America.

The white-black connection is obvious in this interracial heritage but that does not tell the whole story.  He has midwest roots and attended a state university.  Fairly middle class if you ask me.  He was a community organizer in Chicago working with community leaders in the projects.  I suspect he has a better understanding of the pros and cons of entitlement programs than any of the remaining candidates.  Obama has seen the world, not as a tourist but as a resident.  His experience studying and living abroad as a child has given him a different lens through which he can relate when it is time to deal with World leaders.  None of the candidates can claim this experience.  He is a man with young children.  He can relate to the challenges of working parents.  While he has acheived financial security within the last few years, not too terribly long ago he was a struggling politician and lawyer.

As an African American male I admire Senator Obama's accomplishments.  He is a role model.  He has displayed, hardwork, character, persistence and eloquence.  He has dispelled so many of the stereotypes leveled upon men of color.  His intellect, wit and charm are superior to his competitors.

So why is their a question about who America should support?  We have been led to believe that statements of his pastor where racist and divisive and therfore we should not support him.  I personally disagree partially because I know his pastor and know that his comments were misconstrued and taken out of context, but even more so because Obama is not Jeremiah Wright.  He should be judged for his views and his statements.  Which leads me to the most recent uproar over "bitter" Americans.  Let's face it, some people in our society are bitter.  There are all sorts of reasons for the bitterness, job shifts from blue collar to white, the poor economy, rising education cost for poorer performing schools, crumbling infrastructure which has yielded longer commutes.  The disparity between the haves and the have nots continues to grow.  Why wouldn't people be bitter?  Yet his comments are reported as if the sentiment were not true.  The media continues to ask the wrong questions and highlight the wrong issues.  I am not suggesting the issues should be easy or Obama friendly, I do believe we need to focus on the "hope" for our future as it relates to jobs, education, health care, financial security, and our collective values.

I am not anti Clinton or McCain.  I am pro Obama.

Chose wisely, I have chosen Obama.

Tags: Barack Obama, Politics, presidential race, US