The urgency of Obama?

It is hard to deny the widespread enthusiasm driving Sen. Barack Obama's historic campaign. By all accounts, he is a fine orator who stirs audiences with a fusion of memorable phrases and policy ideals. Obama has created an aura of "urgency" around himself, but some lingering issues bring into doubt Obama's claim as a new generation leader.

Following his landslide Senate victory in 2004, Obama told CNN he would not run on a national ticket in 2008. "I am not one of those people," the Illinois Democrat stated, referring to politicians who are "comfortable" running for president without having served ample time in the Senate. Humility should be a key aspect of a true leader. For the past seven years, Americans have witnessed hubris in the form of Bush's failed neo-conservative policies, and we seem ready to move beyond that shame. Obama must truly be committed to humility, because otherwise, his mediocre service in the Senate and glittering entrance into the race smacks of the arrogance of politicos with whom he claims differentiation.

Addressing an Iowa crowd in late 2007, Obama said that if he fails to secure the nomination, "We're not doing this again." He said this was due to the grueling schedule and swaths of time spent away from his family. It is honorable that Obama loves his wife and young children, but he should have known that this process would require substantial dedication. The presidency is not an trivial job or a weekend club activity, though Bush makes you think otherwise. The White House is, for now, the most powerful political institution in the world, and it will consume one's life. If Obama feels he is the best alternative to the status quo, he should feel compelled to run again. We need leaders with firm resolve, not politicians who dangle their candidacies before us and say, "Vote for me now, because you'll never have the wonderful opportunity again."

"I'm a Christian … and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman." In the previous sentence of the same interview, Obama said he strives not to allow his faith to "dominate or determine" this very issue; that's a swift turnaround. To be clear, he has endorsed several GLBT causes, including the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment. However, one would think that a "new generation" leader would support equality for all decent Americans; unfortunately, Obama has chosen to play politics with the civil rights of honest citizens because he is a "Christian." History reminds us that African Americans also were denied human rights because of religious bias. He does not seem "new generation" to me.

I agree with the Barack Obama of 2004; he is not yet ready to lead the United States of America. He is a great individual with positive beliefs, but healing a nation plagued by political divisions and a potentially fatal economic downturn requires much more than inspiring quotes and sparkling rallies.