Why I Like Obama

1. He's affable. I heard him a year or so ago on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and he was funny. Respectful but funny. Clever and well-spoken would be such a breath of fresh air in the presidency. I think the rest of the world would agree.

2. He's smart. Credentials and history aside, I get the feeling that the stuff he's floating out there is not just what he's being told to say, but stuff that he really believes. He either really believes the stuff or he's a great actor.

3. He looks like a hybrid American. As a representative of this country, who better than someone with a mix of cultures in his ancestry?

4. His wife doesn't seem to be a pushover. I feel like he won't get away with cheesiness because it will affect her as well.

5. His family attends a UCC church. My wife and I have become members at a UCC church and I've never felt more comfortable. I feel that the way the UCC church operates would be an ideal way for the government to operate and now there's a candidate that could actually do it. (See items 6 and 7.)

6. Affordable health care. He's addressed the other pressing issues but this appears to be his big "leg up" issue. So far, it sounds good and fair but I know many have had plans for health care and have also abandoned those plans once the bureaucracy settled in in the past.

7. 100% representation. I feel like inclusiveness will be his hallmark and the masses will not be left behind. I definitely do not get the impression that he'd be a "corporate" president and while he may have money in his family, I like that he and his wife are "doers", not necessarily "deciders". They may be white-collar but they seem to be "working class".

Here's my disclaimer. I feel like the fact that I don't know much about his history (voting, work, etc.) makes this an idealistic leap of faith. I've been known to take an idealistic stance in the past and I guess it is my way. On the other hand, since he's somewhat new to the scene, he could shock the world and really pull off what he says he's going to do.

I hope Obama runs on his plans and merits as much as possible. I know he'll run a smart campaign and will likely sling mud if necessary. Even if he doesn't win, he'll have instilled hope in me for the first time in a very long time. I think I'm an idealist because, well, wouldn't it be great if someone actually did clean some of this crap up?