#26 We Are Not As Divided As Our Politics Suggest

"This election is about the past vs. the future. It's about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today or whether we reach for a politics of common sense and innovation, a politics of shared sacrifice and shared prosperity." Barack Obama 1/29/08

Yesterday, as I was running on the treadmill, I listened to a podcast of Sunday's Meet The Press. If I had just awakened from a coma and turned on the tube I would have thought that the biggest threat to our country is earmark spending. Now I am not crazy about earmarks but it is not even close to what most people care about this election. I think John McCain has lost a lot of support for his campaign because he lacks a coherent and inspiring message. The only people who seem excited about McCain are the folks who are voting against Obama. I do not hear any passion for McCain's ideas or vision. We need a President with an inspiring vision and authentic ideas.

Throughout my adult life we have been a nation divided by wedge issues. We have been distracted by resentment about Vietnam, abortion, civil rights and taxes. Politicians have exploited these issues and the country has failed to address authentically important problems. Obama has inspired many smart conservatives who are fed up with the Republican Party and have found a Democrat they trust to listen, learn and lead.

Here is a portion of a long list of people who could turn Ronald Reagan's phrase around just a bit to say: "I did not leave the the Republican Party. It left me."


Colin Powell

Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld who was a public supporter of Mitt Romney. In a statement, Weld called Obama a “once-in-a-lifetime candidate who will transform our politics and restore America’s standing in the world.”

Former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson endorsed Obama. He said, “I think we have in Barack Obama the clear possibility of a truly great president,” he said. “I would contend that it’s the most important election of my lifetime.”


Ken Adelman, a prominent conservative on foreign policy matters announced his support for Obama. He called McCain “impetuous, inconsistent, and imprudent; ending up just plain weird” in his handling of the U.S. economic crisis. He also said, “Not only is Sarah Palin not close to being acceptable in high office—I would not have hired her for even a mid-level post in the arms-control agency.”

Charles Fried, a Harvard Law professor and former Solicitor General in the Reagan administration is supporting Obama. He stated he could not support McCain in large part because of his selection of Palin as his running mate.

Christopher Buckley, son of William F Buckley

David Friedman, son of Milton and Rose Friedman.


My favorite: Andrew Sullivan- read what he wrote in "Goodbye To All That- Why Obama Matters",

Many patriotic conservatives believe Barack Obama can bridge the gap of the 40 year old culture war and bring people with diverse points of view together. We must address and resolve critical issues like the war in Iraq, our credibility in the world, our relationships in the Middle East, the credit crunch, the deficit, health care, social security, challenges of energy and climate. Progress will not be smooth and as Obama says, "mistakes will be made" but I am voting for Obama because he is the first person to say, "we are not as divided as our politics suggest."