One Week to Go – Top Ten Reasons to Vote Obama

One week from today we will know who the next President of the United States will be.  (knock on wood)

Holy shit.

Seven days from now, we could be waking up to one of those newspapers you keep for your kids.   It’s scaring the hell out of me.  I know I’m just being a stupid, snake bitten Democrat, but my head keeps bouncing off the subject like I’m afraid to get burned.  I read MacGyver’s post yesterday and I thought, Oh God, McCain would be terrible!  Definitely read it because we need to make sure we don’t elect that guy.

I think about how well it’s going, and then I realize how wrapped up I am with this thing.  It’s because I’ve looked damn hard at Mr. Obama, and for the first time in my life, I think we have one of those rare ones, one of those “Great Man” types like FDR or Lincoln or Kennedy or Jefferson.  A guy who could actually make a difference.

And it really freaks me out.

So I’ve been sticking my head in the sand, afraid to write about the campaign.  But that’s exactly what I shouldn’t be thinking…  that’s when I get stupid because I’m afraid of being a cheerleader.  You know what – screw it – the guy’s gotta win.  I should be cheering about it.  If you’ve made up your mind, you should  let everyone know about it!

I follow your lead MacGyver – after the jump – Top Ten reasons to vote for Obama.

I think most of this country is pretty convinced that the current Republican party has left the reservation.  All those things like party identification numbers and approval ratings imply that a majority trusts Donkeys over Elephants.  I think most of us would rather elect a Democrat, but some of us are still wondering if Obama’s right for the job.  So this Top Ten list is not about arguing the issues, it’s about why Obama is the guy to have in the White House for the next four years.

10.  I can’t rank this higher – cause you know – it’s not a good reason to vote for president or anything – but, hey, I’d sort of like to be around during an Obama presidency.   He’s exciting – his kids are cute – his wife is cool – it just seems like it would be a good time.

9. This guy is clutch.  He’s calm under pressure and he tends to rise to the occasion.  I think that comes in handy whether you’re in a war room, giving a speech, or playing pool.

8.  And you know what – I appreciate a good speech.  We remember the great ones because they meant something – they had an effect on people.  He can give those speeches, and that shouldn’t be a bad thing.

7.  He can think creatively on the fly.  You watched him in those debates and he was sharp – he had his entire head in the game.  He wasn’t reading  off cards – he was thinking about how he would answer the question.  He’s not a mouthpiece… it’s kinda refreshing.

6.  Most of the big events in the last few decades have been unanticipated. We should elect someone based on the ability to react to unforseen circumstances – and he’s been at his best when faced with potential game changing moments.

5.  Everyone he’s hired is excellent – his graphic design team is top of the line – he even hired one of the founders of facebook to handle his online network.  He gets good people in every department.  That’s what you need in a government.

4.  He was a community organizer – he was actually in a position where he had to help people with real world, everyday problems.   I’d like a government that actually gives a shit about helping it’s citizens.  We are really going to need that in the next few years.

3.  He policy is on point – according to everything I’ve read and heard, he’s really sharp on the details.  He even seems to get the little stuff about healthcare and taxes.  His positions are well thought out, and they take into account real world factors instead of slipping into idealogy.  It would be really nice to have a little sanity in the White House.

2.  He actually seems to believe that a President’s job is to look out for our country.  You can have two kinds of politicians:  the types who are primarily concerned with maintaining power, and the types who get that if you do a good job running things, they’ll keep electing you.  I’ve had my qualms with Mayor Bloomberg, but I think he really cares about keeping New York running – I think that’s what gets him up in the morning.  I’d like that out of a President, and I’m pretty sure Obama’s got it.

1.  For me, knowing his policies are good and that he seems to care about this country, it all comes down to this:

He knows how to run an incredibly effective organization.

He has built a network that works in independant and intelligent parts – something you need as both the head of an administration and as Commander and Chief.  I want a President, who, in a time of crisis, can mobilize this government to act effectively.  That means placing good people in the position to make the right decisions when faced with uncertainty.

Wouldn’t that be nice for a change.

And finally…

Lets face it.  This could really mean something.

I couldn’t rank this one because in some ways it should be first, and in some ways, it shouldn’t even need to be on the list, but I feel like it deserves a place:

If Obama is elected, this country will have proven that we are capable of choosing a leader based on the merits of his character and his skills as a statesman, and not the color of his skin.

That would be pretty amazing.  I want to live in that country.  I want to make that statement to the world.

So I’m telling myself to stop worrying.  To stop getting wrapped up in the what ifs and the anticipation of some surprise and to try to do my small part to cheer this thing on.

Everybody vote – whether your neighborhood is bright blue, bright red, or drowning in a deep purple sea of ads and canvassers…  just Vote.

Vote Obama.