The Final Obama Endorsement

It is my hope that Barack Obama becomes President of the United States. However it's important not to mistake my enthusiasm and belief in Obama for infallibility. Obama is a politician and those people are inherently flawed (like most of us are).

A friend of mine went to a forum at Princeton the other night where Cornell West was speaking. Here are some quotes via James' blog.

- "Barack will need accountability should he win. He's not the messiah. If I had power, I'd need accountability too!"

- "Obama doesn't have a lot of anger. If he did, he'd be sitting in here with us!"

- "Ever wonder why there was never a black al-Qaeda? Some brothers tried to get it going, but they just couldn't convince enough people."

- "If Obama wins I will breakdance that night, and critique him in the morning.... We'll be up there at the White House, waving to Sasha and Malia. 'Hi girls, how you doing? Yes, we're protesting your daddy.'"

If Obama wins the Presidency, the question remains to be seen if he has started a movement for change or just become another President. He has the capability, vision, rhetorical skills, and experience to change the direction of this country. And he will make mistakes, and there will be misguided policies, and there will be failure. In the face of those, we as citizens and as Christians must speak truth to power.

But I am further convinced as this election draws mercifully to a close that McCain and Palin lack any visionary framework for America. Their entire campaign has hinged solely on making Obama less than American or worse, an enemy of America which he clearly is not. You may disagree with Obama on policy but he would never cast you out as being unAmerican or unpatriotic.

As you consider your vote on Tuesday keep in mind that despite the hype, you are not electing a messiah to the Oval Office. Relieve yourself of that burden and expectation, and instead think clearly and critically about the strengths and weakness of both candidates and their ideas about leading America.

It is my hope that you will vote for Obama and that you will see him as representing a fundamental change for the future of this country and our children. I hope for those of you who are the most skeptical that you will step out and take the chance on Obama over finding comfort in the familiar of McCain / Palin.

In order to govern this country to greatness in the 21st century Obama needs the cautious and skeptical supporters as much as the die hard fervent ones. There is a place in the tent for the doubters and skeptics and in fact they are vital to the success all of us want this country to have moving forward.