New Jersey's Bergen Record Also Endorses Obama

[NJObamaWoman]

Endorsements for presidential nominations
Sunday, February 3, 2008
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IT IS EXTRAORDINARY: For the first time in decades, voters are not rubber-stamping anointed presidential candidates on either side. The race for the Democratic and Republican nominations could run straight to the floor of their respective conventions. We believe its important to endorse in both races. We recognize it may appear contradictory to endorse both a Republican and Democrat. How can this page consistently advocate for a woman's right to choose and then endorse a Republican? Or question the courting of special-interest labor organizations and back a Democrat?

In a primary, two blocs of voters are choosing from two disparate groups. And in New Jersey, independent voters may declare a party affiliation on Tuesday and vote in either primary.

Our choices are not a final endorsement for president. This page does not have a Democratic or Republican agenda; there are issues important to us that transcend party affiliation. However, on Tuesday, New Jersey voters will choose a Republican and a Democratic nominee. And so must we.

For Democrats: Obama

The Democratic field has been winnowed down to two: Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama. This is not, nor should it be, a campaign about race or gender. But it is exciting to see both a black man and a woman vie for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Both candidates advocate for health care for all Americans. Their plans differ in methods, but not in intent. Clinton, who has served longer in the Senate, was an early supporter of a U.S. troop presence in Iraq. Obama has been consistently against the Iraq war. Yet it is unfair to Clinton to use hindsight on Iraq to determine the best presidential nominee.

We do not dismiss Clinton's years in the Senate or her years as first lady. But she has served as an elected official for only seven years. And she comes with baggage; most troubling, her husband, former President Bill Clinton. So far, she has been either incapable or unwilling to rein him in. And it was Bill Clinton who injected ugly matters of race into the campaign.

We also are chilled at the prospect of two families - Bush and Clinton - governing this great democracy for more than two decades. We cannot move forward if we continue to embrace leadership mired in the past and personal visions of dynasty.

Obama's rise in popularity is worth noting. The power of the Obama candidacy has been in style and tone. When both Democratic candidates espouse similar views on domestic policy, the ability to deliver becomes the deciding factor. Obama may have less time in the Senate than Clinton, but he is a skilled state and federal legislator. And his experience as an advocate in Chicago gives him firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing America's urban centers. Cities have been given short shrift by both Democrats and Republicans in this campaign.

Candidate Obama is labeled a change agent in this election. Yet exactly what does "change" mean? It is naïve to believe that a candidate for "change" equates to a president who can effect "transformative change." It is easier to promise than to deliver. However, Obama is the better choice to bring a new tone to Washington and the nation. Obama can reach beyond the partisan trenches.

Democrats will make history either way: A black man or a woman will be their presidential nominee. But the stakes are higher than making history. Democrats have to choose the candidate qualified to lead a nation and win an election. That candidate is Obama.


http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/editorials/Endorsements_for_presidential_nominations.html


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This is great because Bergen County is big Republican stronghold, plus HRC visited this area and desperately needs this area if she is going to get NJ. People in our state do read the Star Ledger and in Bergen we read the Record. Go Team Obama. I've been saying for the longest NJ isn't automatically in Clinton's pocket. You have to fight for us.

[Kahuna]

1. Woo hoo!!!

:woohoo:

[Cha]

2. NOPE! Obama isn't the "anointed" one

that's for sure..and I'm liking it!