height of the Cold War, it was JFK. Now, we face another dark hour where we are at peril, and we need a leader of integrity and courage who can restore respect and dignity to this great nation and truly create a government of the people, for the people, and by the people. And that leader is Sen. Barack Obama.”
John Hachey, the 47-year-old chairman of United Auto Workers Union, Local 1024, says the union endorsed Obama because of “his ideas, his age, and his vision. He represents the next generation. Blue-collar workers are looking for his brand of leadership. We’re tired of the same old rhetoric that we’ve heard in the White House. He talks straight, tells you what’s on his mind, and he’s not ashamed to let you know when he’s made a mistake.”
Some, however, are optimistic about a black candidate’s prospects. After all, much has changed in America in the past 20 years with the emergence of numerous black mayors, governors, secretaries of state, and CEOs. “I think a lot of Americans have become more comfortable with African Americans as leaders,” says Zoltan Hajnal, author of Changing White Attitudes Toward Black Leadership. “There’s less concern that any individual African American will turn around and serve only the black community. Blacks have held office in a lot of different positions, and they have generally not hurt the white community. ”
Says Sorensen: “I think Americans can get beyond the issue of race. “The anti-Catholic sentiment was strong 47 years ago, and JFK said on more than one occasion, ‘I am not the Catholic candidate. I am a candidate for president who happens to be a Catholic.’ And I told Obama to not let them call him a black candidate for president.”
6: AMERICA IS READY FOR A CHANGE
The Iraq War, an uncertain economy, diminished civil liberties. The list goes on in terms of Americans’ dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. Obama offers the change that many are seeking: youth and vitality, an unyielding hope for the future, a rejection of the Washington-insider mind-set. Those qualities have distanced him from both the Democratic and Republican frontrunners.
“I think I have been able to draw clear differences between myself and the rest of the candidates,” Obama says. “We are focused on delivering a strong message of change. As long as we indicate how I am in a unique position to change how politics are done in Washington, we should be in a good position with voters.”
And, in an era when mudslinging is ever present in politics, Obama has made clear his intention to refrain from negative campaigning. “I am prepared to stand up to that kind of politics, whether it’s deployed by candidates in our party, in the other party, or by any third party, “he said in a statement. “The cause of change in this country will not be deterred or sidetracked by the old ‘Swift boat’ politics. The cause of moving America forward demands that we defeat it.”
One of the