Από: Ο καθ. Η γνώση προμηνύει

Ο καθ. Η γνώση προμηνύει
Σήμερα, 80 τοις εκατό Αμερικανών σκέφτονται η χώρα ότι μας είναι στη λανθασμένη διαδρομή.

Με μια φτιάχνοντας κρατήρα οικονομία, ένας ατελείωτος πόλεμος στο Ιράκ και έναν απορημένο Πρόεδρο, ο οποίος είναι κατανοητός. Σπάνια έχει υπάρξει μια στιγμή όταν η σαφήνεια της επιλογής και της ευκαιρίας για την αλλαγή είναι τόσο σαφής.

Την Τρίτη, οι ψηφοφόροι του Ινδιάνα έχουν μια μνημειακή ευκαιρία να βοηθήσουν το σύνολο η χώρα μας σε μια νέα σειρά μαθημάτων.

Έχω πετάξει μια πρόωρη ψηφοφορία για Sen. Barack Obama, και θα σας πω γιατί.

Δημοκρατικό στον αρχικό, η επιλογή είναι μεταξύ της εμπειρίας και της κρίσης. Για όλη την εμπειρία extols, Χίλαρυ Clinton φέρνει ακόμα το άλμπατρος της καιροσκοπικής ψηφοφορίας της που ευνοεί τον πόλεμο του Ιράκ. Εξηγεί ανεπαρκώς ότι δεν συνειδητοποίησε ότι ο Πρόεδρος Bush θα έπαιρνε τον κενό έλεγχό της και θα τον εξαργύρωνε. Το Obama αντέταξε σωστά τον πόλεμο από την αρχή.

Both candidates say they would get out of Iraq, but Obama would approach the necessary regional security arrangements in the Middle East by opening a dialogue with states like Syria and Iran, abandoning the stubborn silence of the Bush policies. Clinton approaches the problem with threats to obliterate Iran with “massive retaliation.” Her rhetoric is drawn from the Cold War past, revealing the “bring-them-on” mentality of Bush.

Overall, Obama represents the best chance we have to address the greatest threat facing America, the stateless terrorism of the Islamic world. As The Atlantic magazine’s Andrew Sullivan said, if you seek the simplest and most effective weapon against the demonization of America that fuels Islamist ideology, Obama’s face gets close. It proves them wrong about America in ways no words can. Obama’s mere presence in the Oval Office would help defuse anti-American passions around the world.

The electorate also is hungry for change in the way our government does business at home. Clinton has more experience in Washington, but that has not helped her to understand its problems. She solicits money from special interests and picked a major lobbyist to run her campaign. Judging by their different policies, Obama’s shorter time in Washington is more an asset than a handicap.

The most important reason that Indiana voters should support Obama on Tuesday is that he represents America’s greatest opportunity to pivot away from the past. While Clinton talks about change, Obama embodies it. He radiates a sense of possibility and has a proven ability to engage and inspire young people to public service like no candidate since John F. Kennedy. He has produced a nationwide surge of new voters, in itself an expression of the nation’s hunger for change. For the past 20 years, two families, the Bushes and Clintons, have run the country, longer than the newest voters — and many serving in Iraq — have been alive. Obama would change that.

Too late for many, Obama finally and firmly denounced the pronouncements of his preacher. Rev. Jeremiah Wright now takes his place in the pantheon of pastors who bring strange ideas from the pulpit to politics.

Bush supporter Rev. Jerry Falwell claimed the 9/11 attacks occurred because American secularism had forfeited God’s protection.

Rudy Giuliani backer Pat Robertson claimed that accepting homosexuality could result in earthquakes, tornados and a possible meteor. And John McCain’s supporter, televangelist John Hagee, said Hurricane Katrina was God’s punishment for a New Orleans gay rights parade. Politicians cannot be held responsible for the crazy rantings of preachers.

Voters also must remember that the Clintons represent a partnership of endless uncertainty. Bill Clinton squandered the last two years of his presidency by recklessly dallying with Monica Lewinsky, producing impeachment, and jeopardizing the election of Al Gore. Had that not happened, America would not be in Iraq today. In our choice on Tuesday, Hillary and Bill Clinton clearly represent the past, a page turned backward, and Barack Obama represents the future.

While endorsing Obama, a former Clinton administration official put it this way: “I don’t think I’m ready for the circus to come back to town.”

About The Author: Ken A. Bode is the Pulliam Professor of Journalism at DePauw University and a Hudson adjunct fellow. His academic career includes being the John S. and James L. Knight Professor of Journalism as well as the Dean of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University from 1998 to 2002; a John L. Hughes University Professor and Director of the Center for Contemporary Media at DePauw University from 1989 1997; and an assistant professor of political science at Michigan State University from 1965 to 1969 and at SUNY Binghamton from 1969 to 1970. Bode received his B.A. (cum laude) from the University of South Dakota in 1961 and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina.

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