Baltimore Sun Endorses Obama

Betting on change, reform
February 10, 2008

George W. Bush's presidency can't end soon enough. Many Americans are fatigued by the state of the nation: a relentless war in Iraq, a bottomless deficit, the bruising mortgage crisis and the United States' flagging image abroad. So it is not hard to be energized by the prospects for a successor.

When Marylanders vote in Tuesday's presidential primary, both Democratic choices are promising a new political era for this century, and each has the intellect and the skills to deliver. Hillary Clinton, with her years in Washington and most recently in the Senate representing New York, brings rich experience. She is tough and keenly focused, pragmatic and driven. But Barack Obama, her Senate colleague from Illinois, offers a more compelling vision for the country that he would lead. He wants to forge a new reality in Washington where consensus replaces confrontation. And he has shown a remarkable ability to enroll a diverse array of Americans in his cause, convincing a new generation that it too has a stake in Washington.

That's why The Sun strongly endorses Mr. Obama as the Democratic nominee for president.

When Mr. Obama promises change, surprising numbers find the pledge credible. Despite his few years in the Senate, Mr. Obama exudes confidence and assesses the nation's problems with a fresh eye. When questioned by us on a number of tough issues, he showed a sophisticated understanding of them. His opposition to the war has been steady, and while committed to an early withdrawal from Iraq, Mr. Obama recognizes the challenges to that course.

Asked how the troubled No Child Left Behind education program might be salvaged, Mr. Obama said achievement testing should not be abandoned but rather complemented with other measures of progress and more aid for schools.

As the first African-American president, he would deliver on America's promise that there is no barrier to success.

Mr. Obama is a powerfully inspirational speaker, engaging listeners with energy and warmth as he describes his goals. That's the essence of leadership. His conversations feel more heartfelt than calculating, which reminds us of President John F. Kennedy.

Untested in foreign affairs, Mr. Obama is not afraid to disagree with popular opinion, favoring dialog with Cuba, Iran and other hostile powers, for instance. But he still has lots to tell America about how he would govern and whom he would rely on to help him lead. His promises to work across party lines may favor hope over reality, and the same might be said of his plans to reach out around the world.

Mrs. Clinton told us she would be "ready on Day One" to lead decisively, and indeed, her experience is one of her most appealing attributes. But her years of sparring with conservative adversaries have left her bruised and unpopular with many Americans. Mr. Obama is more likely to turn the page to a new era and deliver real change that is urgently needed to deal with the nation's economic, social and political problems.