Standing for Change

-Holly Heinrich

To some people, Barack Obama seems to have come out of nowhere. After just three years as a U.S. senator, this political newcomer has become a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination. However, Barack Obama didn't just come out of nowhere; he came out of a very unique set of experiences that have given him a viewpoint unlike that of any other presidential candidate (name any other candidate for U.S. President who grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia, and then, after earning high-powered academic credentials, moved into the dangerous heart of an inner city to help the poor). And, as one of the most gifted and charismatic political speakers to arise in America in many years, his eloquent vision of what America can be is sweeping many voters along on the tide of his upbeat campaign. Obama has vision, and he can inspire. But the question is, does Obama have the plans to make his vision of a better America reality? Will the good vibes translate into a better country?

As the first serious Presidential candidate from a post-baby boom generation, Barack Obama is able to claim a unique ability to move past many of the liberal-conservative divisions that have characterized American politics since the 1960s. Those divisions have not been important in his life. He wasn't part of those fights, and they are not central to his ideas of who should be his enemy or who should be his friend. Obama's ability to let people with views that are different from his know they can still be included and respected in discussions has been key to his successes. Inclusiveness seems to be integral to Obama's character. Even as far back as his law school years, people who voted for him as editor of the Harvard Law Review (Obama was the first African-American to hold the position) cited his genuinely inclusive attitude as the reason he was chosen. Inclusion and listening are also likely to characterize his foreign policy style. Obama was criticized for saying that he would be willing to meet and talk with heads of states who the United States views as enemies. People said that he was na've, but Obama countered that even enemies have to be able to talk with one another.

Despite the eloquence of his speeches, many Americans are still unsure as to what exactly Obama stands for. While most of the candidates in the caucuses and primaries hold Q&A sessions after their speeches to address voter concerns and learn more about the interests of the American people, Obama does not, possibly in part because it would ruin the momentum created by his speeches. Worth noting are his plans for complex issues such as the Iraq War. Obama's solution to the Iraq War calls for a phased withdrawal from Iraq, meaning that one or two combat brigades would be removed each month over a 16-month period, and some troops would be kept in Iraq to protect American diplomats and the embassy. His plan also aims at securing Iraq's borders from terrorist organizations and other countries, and isolating al-Qaeda. Obama would create an international working group to help the millions of displaced citizens of Iraq.

As for health care, Obama proposes making health insurance similar to the insurance provided to Congress available to all Americans. The insurance allows flexibility and choices. Obama plans to make health care for children mandatory, and he would expand health care options for young adults, including allowing young people up to age 25 to continue coverage through their parents' plans. (With the current system, many young adults have been left without health care when they graduate from college.)

Surprisingly, although he has spoken up on behalf of gay advocacy groups and successfully helped pass bills to increase funding for AIDS prevention and health care, Obama does not support gay marriage. A former constitutional lawyer, Obama says that marriage is not a Constitutional right. On the other major hot-button issue, abortion, Obama believes in protecting women's right to choose, and he supports stem cell research. As to the economy, Obama supports more tax breaks for poorer working families and fewer tax breaks for the rich. Obama does have vision and plans for improving America, but sometimes he still seems to fall short on specific ideas for how the goals will be achieved.

It's easy to be taken in by an Obama speech. He sees possibilities for America and good in Americans that most of us don't see ourselves'and we want to see it. It's easy get caught up in the rhythm of his words, and by the time the talk is over and 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' (the campaign's theme song) is playing, the momentum in the crowd is so powerful that it's hard not to want to get up and sing along, to sing for this smart new candidate and the possibilities that he sees for us all. In the heat of the moment, it's easy to forget everything else. Vision and inspiration are important, and they are needed in America today; that is where Barack Obama is strong. But know how is important too, the kind of real know how that can solve our problems. And, that seems to be where Obama falls short. As the campaign season moves on, that's what Americans need to ask of Barack Obama. We understand his vision, but how is he going to make it happen?

What are the laws, the words and the actions that will change America into the strong, fair, inclusive nation that, through Barack Obama's eyes, Americans are beginning to believe we can be? With his faith in the possibilities for America's future, I believe that Barack Obama has what it takes to make America the nation it should be.