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I Choose Obama.

May 7, 2008

By Dan

Since the beginning of this primary slog I have been conflicted. I like both Obama and Clinton and believe either would be markedly better than the alternative. But only one can be the Democratic nominee and we have to end this sooner than later. As a superdelegate from the rogue state of Florida (currently under penalty from the DNC) my vote doesn't count. But if it did, I would say it's time to move on and choose Senator Barack Obama. Here is why.

Sen. Obama has made his case with the pledged delegates and that will not change in the upcoming weeks. As much as I think our primary system is absurd, it is the system under which we operate and to ask superdelegates to overturn the pledged delegate results is both elitist and decidedly un-Democratic. Furthermore, too much is at stake in November to continue debating amongst ourselves. We must draw the stark contrasts between the Democratic plan for America's future and the Republican agenda.

But what about Florida? To my chagrin, the Democratic candidates agreed to not compete in states that interfered with the four pre-selected early states, regardless of how or why a state's primary conflicted. (Did I mention how absurd the primary system is?) Nevertheless, if you include the votes of Florida's Jan. 29 primary - or even Florida and Michigan both - Obama still prevails. That said, I firmly believe that Senator Obama should support including Florida's primary, and I hope he will.

But what about Reverend Wright? I'm sure everyone has a few associates - even close ones - that are, or become, embarrassing. I judge Senator Obama on his own merits and he has demonstrated himself, unlike his former minister, to be a thoughtful and uniting force.

Doesn't he have a Jewish problem? Yes, but only because the Internet doesn't have a truth key. Don't believe everything you read in a viral chain email. As an American Jew, a strong and secure Israel is a paramount concern of mine. Not a single fiber in my body worries that Sen. Obama will not cherish Israel with the same fervor I would expect of any American President. Anyone who says otherwise is simply trying to exploit passions for Israel for partisan gain - and that is truly endangering to Israel.

The list could go on, but here is the rub. I believe the ingredients most lacking in government these days are political courage and honesty, which I define as telling the public what they need to hear rather than merely what they want to hear. Too few public officials demonstrate these qualities. Most run away from political honesty because they believe the public will punish leaders that feed them anything other than a diet of vacuous platitudes and rank populism. The closer I watch Obama, the more I listen to him, the more I become utterly convinced that he is one of those rare people in politics that is not afraid to speak honestly and, if necessary, act courageously. And that is the tonic our nation sorely needs.

So, for me, it is Obama.

Dan - what a wonderful post. Thank you for your support.

I like an Obama/Gelber ticket.

I've always liked Clinton...but as usual find it hard to disagree with you.

Thank you for your support and good luck on your own race.

Dan, thank you for helping to end this and move on to the real fight.

Senator Obama has been in favor of disenfranchising the voters of Flordia and you endorse him so I guess that means you are also in favor of having our votes note count. So I don't count on my vote, you just lost it.

Fool!!

Wow, I used to be a Clinton supporter, but you have a great point. And they say endorsements don't work?

Well said! If I lived in Fl, you'd have my vote for Senate.

Thank you very much for your support of Senator Obama.

Thank you for standing up.

Welcome to the club!

A lot of us have thought you have been here for a while. Welcome officially on board.

Thank you, well said. We truly appreciate your endorsement and we praise you for seeing Senator Obama for who he is and what he stands for.

Hi Dan,

I am a grassroot supporter of Obama.One of the 1.5 million who regularly donate to his campaign.So we feel this personally.Thank you for your truth and kind words!

Thank you for setting the record straight,

Dear Dan, You are a wise man, with sound judgement. I knew Barack was the right person for the job before he officially anounced his candidacy. I too, with every fiber in my body, don't believe for one minute that Barack wouldn't stand behind Isreal. We need more politicians like you and Barack who stand for integrity. You will be in my prayers for your campaign for the senate. Sincerely, Elena, California

Thank you for setting the record straight Senator and thank you for your endorsement of Senator Obama. He will be a great President.
Ann L- 59 years old and looking for a young smart President to take us forward.

Sorry Dan, Obama is not a leader. Yes Dan, You are right , leaders tell the public what they need to hear, and yes they never run away from political honesty, but Obama never showed leadership his entire career in the Illinois Senate,instead he voted "Present" hundreds of times, to avoid being held to a position that might harm his political future. And if thats not enough,what about his representation that he brought healthcare to the children of Illinois. Have you researched Illinois law? Is there universal healthcare for all children in Illinois? There is NOT !Then there is the 20 years that he sat in a church in Chicago , because frankly, it was the right church to be in politically, until it wasn't. Finally, there is the state of Florida, if Barak Obama was so courageous, then why on Feb 6th,Super Tuesday, after all states in the front lineup had voted, did he not demand that there be a new Primary in Florida, to assure that all Florida's votes counted? Obama is nothing more than your typical politician, and to claim otherwise is to be dishonest. If that's the tonic our nation sorely needs- why not just give them castor oil ?

Well reasoned and thank you for voicing your decision. With everyones help we can truely have a new kind of government that solves problems instead of fighting for stalemates. I look forward to helping you and Obama win in the fall!

Obama is a leader. Oh I forgot. We are the same nation that chose George W. Bush for President not once but twice.

We all need to work hard to get Senator Obama into the White House — as President.

Thank you for making your decision known to the public. I am an Obama supporter so I truly appreciate your choosing him.

It's time for the other superdelegates to choose so the nominee can be selected and we can focus on getting a Democrat in the Oval Office.

Enough of the in-fighting; on with the general election!

I totally disagree! Hillary is who has the education, the experience, the drive, and the international support to lead this country out of our current turmoil. FL wants Hillary! I hope that you will strongly reconsider your choice in the event that we do get our say! Only Hillary can do this for us. A vote for Obama will either put a Republican in the White House this time, or at least put one in within 4 years!!

Hi. I am so disappointed in you as will be my family members, long time friends and acquaintances, many of whom you also know and who voted for you. We all as Democrats will vote for McCain if Obama wins the Democratic nomination. This country doesn't need rhetoric about hope and unity, we need solid experience, strength, ideas and leadership. Our country is in a bad way as a result of the last four years. This is no time for the unknown. We need someone who will help improve our economy and our standing in the rest of the world. We need Hillary Clinton. It is not too late support the candidate that can get the job done better. Please.

Thenk you Dan for your support of Sen. Obama and for your thoughtful explanation of why. Sen. Obama won me over with his message of hope and his willingness to step out on integrity - far too absent in politics today. As a relatively young person, I don't have the fears of the unknown and inexperience that I hear so many express as a reason to support Clinton over Obama. I've been a great admirer of the Clintons and Hillary had my vote in the beginning, but once I saw an opportunity for something and someone different, the possibility that it didn't have to business as usual and our democracy could possibly become about "we the people" and not power mongers and political expedience, I changed my mind. You just won my vote for your bid for Senator. M.C., Miami

I emphathize with the Hillary supporters, after all, I originally supported John Edwards. Obama is way better than John McCain, period. In time, I believe the Democrats will unite behind their nominee. It's time we stop fighting each other and take the fight to the Republicans.

I can't believe that there are Hillary supporters that will vote McCain if Obama gets the candidacy. Do you seriously believe that McCain's stance on issues is closer to Hillary's than Obama's? I think Obama's "rhetoric" on hope and unity is rather refreshing from Bush's (and McCain's) rhetoric on war and fear. Isn't hope a much better motivator and than fear? And exactly what experience does Hillary have? She wasn't the president, her husband was. Visiting a country doesn't give her foreign policy experience either. And her refusal to open talks with our supposed enemies is exactly what we don't need in these times of tension. So thank you Mr. Gelber for making a sound decision. I hope your constituents will be enlightened by your wisdom.

I support Obama too. Almost everything Clinton has done and is doing in this race is a disgrace. Real democrats/liberals are not going to cave into fear and racism; that's solely the Clintons' false sense of entitlement speaking, now that she's lost the keys to the throne.

Obama is compassionate, smart, and realistic. He will be a true leader as President of the United States. If Democrats can't see that, then the US deserves another McBush. But, luckily, Dems do see that, which is why Obama has the overwhelming amount of grassroots support: real people of all walks of life coming together, just the way it should be.

Gelber, thank you so much for your words, so we can begin to unite!

Obama 2008

Thank you for your support. We have two strong candidates and we can unite behind either one, but I'm glad you are helping that uniter to be Mr. Obama. Thank you.

Hi Dan,
Hurrah!! I'm delighted that you've endoresed Barack Obama. I have been with him since day 1. I had an opportunity to meet and campaign with him during my 04 Senate campaign. I found him to be a generous, bright and exciting candidate. He will serve us well - as you do!!
Betty Castor

Thank you, Dan, especially for helping to make clear that Obama will not let the Jewish community down and will support Israel fully and wholeheartedly. Jane and Norman Moscowitz

Thanks, Dan for adding the strength of your voice to the movement of change. Together, we will move mountains.
Marlon Hill

Thanks, Dan for adding the strength of your voice to the movement of change. Together, we will move mountains.

Just a brief note of THANKS from Maine, where our small town went for Obama 121 to 30 for Clinton, for all the same reasons you list in your timely and thoughtful endorsement of him. Now that I've watched your impressive introductory video, I will be keeping my eyes on your activity. Your message resonates well with this over 70 ardent feminist and Democratic activist. It's great to have a Florida endorsement for Obama. Thanks, Albie Davis

I am angry that you have made that decision. I think you should change your vote, that is, if they ever count you, immediately to reflect the voice of the voters of Florida. Obviously you don't care that Obama will lose to McCain in November. He will most assuredly lose in Florida.

Rep Gelber, I read your well-though out argument for Obama, but, with all due respect, Sen. Clinton would be more electable (Rush Limbaugh was wrong). She is currently leading in popular vote, as I document here:

http://www.GordonWayneWatts.com/HowHillaryMightWin.html

or

http://www.GordonWatts.com/HowHillaryMightWin.html

She is more experienced as well.

While I like both candidates, personally, that is my choice.

Also, being a Floridian (proof: 863-688-9880, my home phone), I am qualified to say we do NOT deserve to have our delegates seated: I feel the Rule of Law would be violated if our delegates are seated.

There *IS* an alternative: Ask the remaining undecided Superdelegates to vote your way -if you truly feel Obama is most qualified, but please review my page(s) for my case for Hillary.

Oh, you will soon discover I am a Republican -so it is no surprise I support the Rule of Law, but I am disenchanted with my leaders -who have put our nation DEEP in debt.

Please review my page, and get back with me as far as my arguments go. I can be reached at my phone number above -or at Gww1210@aol.com

Gordon Wayne Watts, LAKELAND, Fla.

PS: Other areas of my home pages have info about health and diet -and the dangers of "ordinary" supermarket milk -a chief reason we are falling behind other nations in life-span -and seeing new Type 2 Diabetes, Cancer, and Obesity problems emerge in America.

Huh, my entry did not post. Trying again...

Rep Gelber, I read your well-though out argument for Obama, but, with all due respect, Sen. Clinton would be more electable (Rush Limbaugh was wrong). She is currently leading in popular vote, as I document here:

http://www.GordonWayneWatts.com/HowHillaryMightWin.html

or

http://www.GordonWatts.com/HowHillaryMightWin.html

She is more experienced as well.

While I like both candidates, personally, that is my choice.

Also, being a Floridian (proof: 863-688-9880, my home phone), I am qualified to say we do NOT deserve to have our delegates seated: I feel the Rule of Law would be violated if our delegates are seated.

There *IS* an alternative: Ask the remaining undecided Superdelegates to vote your way -if you truly feel Obama is most qualified, but please review my page(s) for my case for Hillary.

Oh, you will soon discover I am a Republican -so it is no surprise I support the Rule of Law, but I am disenchanted with my leaders -who have put our nation DEEP in debt.

Please review my page, and get back with me as far as my arguments go. I can be reached at my phone number above -or at Gww1210@aol.com

Gordon Wayne Watts, LAKELAND, Fla.

PS: Other areas of my home pages have info about health and diet -and the dangers of "ordinary" supermarket milk -a chief reason we are falling behind other nations in life-span -and seeing new Type 2 Diabetes, Cancer, and Obesity problems emerge in America.

You showed your true color finally. The Republican will get my vote comes next time when you run.

I am extremely disappointed at your turning your back on women and the will of your district—you can have Obama, but not my support.
Dr. Janet M. Canterbury

Please commit to Obama and put a stop to Hillary's dangerous comments.

You should take care to improve Education !!
Vote for "Color Mathematics"
Erwin Gelber
*************

great work,

Dear Dan !
America must improve Education !!
You are the Right Man to succeed !!
Please help me to introduce "Color Mathematics"
to American Schools to improve Education !!
Thanks,
Your's faithfully
Erwin Gelber
"Color Mathematics"

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DAN I WOULD LOVE TO GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR CAMPAIGN. I HEADED THE SUCESSFUL CAMPAIGN FOR BARACK IN VERO BEACH UNTIL HE WAS ELECTED. I TRIED TO GET INVOLVED WITH MEEKS, AND I AM HOLDING LOADS OF PETITIONS AND HAVE REGUESTED THAT SOMEONE PICK THEM UP AS HIS OFFICE PROMISED. STILL AFTER MANY CALLS NO RESPONSE TO PROMISES..AS A DISABLE SENIOR IT YOU GET JUST A BIT DISPONDANT. MY QUESTION IS ARE HIS PEOPLE WORKING ON HIS BEHALF?