Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader endorses Barack Obama

[book_worm]

Voters are feeling bruised and conflicted as a long, grueling battle for the Democratic presidential nomination comes down to the wire.

So, before Kentuckians go to the polls Tuesday in one of the last primaries, let's just pause to savor this moment in history: For the first time in 232 years of nationhood, an African-American or a woman will lead a presidential ticket.

That alone makes this election a hopeful turning point.

The opportunity for national renewal will be even greater if, as appears almost certain, Sen. Barack Obama is the nominee.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has waged a tough campaign. Her experience and mastery of the challenges facing the next president are impressive. So is her ability to connect with voters. She has emerged as a political force in her own right, outside the orbit of her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Both Democrats are more than qualified to be president.

But while Clinton is an adept practitioner of politics as we know it, Obama is offering something new. He makes a convincing case that he can lead this country without sowing fear and dividing people, the cynical ploys of a political era that has run out of steam.

Obama has given voice to a widespread yearning not just for a changing of the guard but for a changing of the game. And that ability to express a people's aspirations is a mark of leadership.

Like President John F. Kennedy, another senator who electrified young people, Obama also has the substance to transform idealism into action.

The current storyline that he is an elitist who doesn't identify with the struggles of average people is absurd. His is a classic rags-to-riches story in the finest tradition of the American dream. He was still paying off his college loans until a few years ago.

http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/406525.html

[sonias]

1. woohoo!

Great news!

:woohoo:



Sonia

[mythyc]

2. nice! well said. K & R

:thumbsup:

[K Gardner]

3. K&R

[featherman]

4. I'm a little surprised that the Obama campaign is not going after KY a little harder

Sure there are a lot of Appalachian type voters in the eastern counties but there are major population centers like Louisville, Lexington, and Covington that could pull enough AA, young people, and suburbanites to offset those demographics. Much more so than WV for example. But here is his schedule in the run up to Tuesday:


May 16
Town Hall Meeting on Rural Issues with Barack Obama
in Watertown, SD
May 17
Town Hall with Barack Obama
in Roseburg, OR
May 18
Town Hall with Barack Obama
in Pendleton, OR
May 18
Rally with Barack Obama
in Portland, OR
May 19
Town Hall with Barack Obama
in Billings, MT
May 21
Rally with Barack Obama
in Tampa, FL

[book_worm]

5. I kind of wish he would too.

[ej510]

6. I am certain that his polling showed just like WV an unsual amount

of racism. There will be nothing that he could say or do to change their minds.

[PBS Poll-435]

7. Must be racism

Or realism

For all the time the Obama crowd spent in *Math* class, they really missed out in US Geography.

[flpoljunkie]

8. Thank you, Lexington Leader. A great city!

[Zachstar]

9. Cool!

[Cha]

10. Sweet Endorsement..I like the way they worded that..

But while Clinton is an adept practitioner of politics as we know it, Obama is offering something new. He makes a convincing case that he can lead this country without sowing fear and dividing people, the cynical ploys of a political era that has run out of steam.

Obama has given voice to a widespread yearning not just for a changing of the guard but for a changing of the game. And that ability to express a people's aspirations is a mark of leadership.

They're callin' him down to Kentucky!

"It's disappointing that we haven't seen more of Obama in Kentucky, and more important, that he hasn't seen Kentucky beyond Louisville and Lexington.

This primary campaign has revealed a gap in his support, one that will be evident in Kentucky on Tuesday, as lower-income, less-educated, older and rural white voters line up behind Clinton."

Frickin' YEAH!..

"Americans in huge numbers are fed up with an economy built on reckless borrowing, tax policies that favor the richest few, a bellicose and aimless foreign policy and an unnecessary war that has been incalculably costly.

Obama and Clinton both promise an exit from Iraq, though not precipitously. But only Obama called the war a mistake from the start."

Isn't this just what the Big Difference is..

"But Obama has shown a greater willingness to tell the truth about the choices confronting us. Case in point: the proposed gas-tax holiday. (Clinton, at least, would pay for it with a windfall profits tax on oil. Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain's support for suspending the federal gas tax is pure unfunded pander.)