A tough decision: Barack v.s. Hillary

Written by: Swatee Surve on Feb 20, 2008 5:30 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Washington

Many of you face a critical decision in the upcoming state-wide democratic primaries. Our country is at a critical juncture. With Barack Obama a rare confluence, one which I believe parallels great leaders, of experience, judgment, compassion, and insight has compelled me to be a first-time advocate and share my journey through a difficult choice.

Growing up, my family’s participation in the democratic process consisted of voting at the national and state elections. Now for the first time in her 34 years in this country, my Indian-American mother will make calls for one of the candidates. If you would have told me in early February that I would actively campaigning for one of the presidential candidates and become a delegate, I couldn’t fathom it. As a first generation Indian-American woman I voted for Bush in 2000, despite disagreeing with many of his positions. Profoundly disappointed in the current state of my country, I have searched for a candidate with effective skills to be commander-in-chief, respect the position of President, an understanding the everyday struggles of people, and genuine desire to make improvements. I have found that candidate within Senator Barack Obama.

What kind of magic does Sen. Obama have?  He doesn’t talk about any policy specifics and all he seems to do is fill up stadiums with fanatical people. Is this guy for real? If you look at his actions, the short answer is yes.

Since I lived in New York and Illinois when both candidates launch their respective first U.S Senate bid, I had the unique opportunity to critically evaluate and vote for both nominees. And I have continued to follow both candidates in their current presidential bid. I have no doubt that both are passionate about bettering this country. I have struggled with, “How will each candidate bring about this change? Who will be the most effective?”

Effectiveness includes experience. Obama has been criticized for not having enough. Preeta Bansal special counsel in the Clinton White House and Justice Department, in her endorsement of Obama, highlights that his experience mirrors that of another Illinois leader, Abraham Lincoln.  Bill Clinton’s 1992 response to questions of his own perceived inexperience was, "The same old experience is irrelevant….mine is rooted in the real lives of real people…..it will bring real results if we have the courage to change.”  I find Obama’s experience rooted in the right kind of experience. His desire to help and enlighten people is authentic.  Obama has been consistently involved with his community and has encouraged people to be change agents. After studying International Relations, he spent years as a community organizer, a difficult job in one of the most economically depressed areas of Illinois, and as a civil rights lawyer. Simultaneously he was an active member in the Illinois state legislature and taught constitutional law for 11 years at one of most world renowned law schools in the country. As an alumna of the University of Chicago I know of the critical independent judgment the school emphasizes. He has demonstrated his critical independent judgment most notably with stance against the war in Iraq. In contrast, Sen. Clinton’s experience in public office began by bidding for a Senate seat that was vacated by a retiring Sen. Patrick Monyihan. Re-locating to the state only a few months before announcing her candidacy, she was not involved in state activities prior to her announcement. 

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