Back To Basics: Why Obama Should Be Our Next President--- And What YOU Can Do To Make It Happen!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

(Arlington County Democratic Committee)

Report from the Chairman

Peter Rousselot

Leadership is much easier to sense than to define. It’s so important, yet so elusive. It’s intangible, yet endlessly subjected to measurement. It requires simultaneous flexibility and firmness.

You can’t truly succeed as President of the United States unless you can inspire confidence in millions of people at home and throughout the world. By your words and your actions you must show the way forward. You must develop an invisible bond between yourself and others—a bond that leads to respect, confidence, and a willingness to work together to get things done.

Barack Obama is a great orator and a great organizer. What a fantastic combination to have in our Democratic Presidential candidate! He has proven his skills as an orator at the Democratic national convention in 2004; in his speech on race earlier this Spring, in his recent speech in Berlin—and the list goes on. He has proven his skills as an organizer in his rise to prominence in Illinois and, certainly, in his management of his campaign for President.

We have seen over and over again that leadership qualities, not “experience” (measured by years of service), are the most important attributes in heading an organization. Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld had unbelievably impressive resumes—bristling with experience in government and private industry. Yet, they failed completely as Vice President and Defense Secretary because of their brittle personalities, their arrogance, their inflexibility, and their lack of empathy. In an even greater failed test of leadership, Cheney and Rumsfeld were chosen for their critical jobs by George W. Bush. This is the core Republican leadership team, and it has been a miserable failure.

There is nothing in John McCain’s record or personality that would suggest that he can do any better than the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld cabal which he is trying to follow. McCain is a self-admitted ignoramus on the domestic economy. In a 21^st century likely to be increasingly dominated by technology, McCain is only barely aware of the internet, and does not use a personal computer. McCain’s Presidential campaign teetered on the edge of bankruptcy in 2007, and was only rescued by the mediocrity of his opposition in the Republican primaries. He would staff any McCain administration and Supreme Court vacancies with the Republican Party’s right wing bench. John McCain’s record as a war hero in

Vietnam

does not overcome these critical vulnerabilities, and does not qualify him to be President of the

United States

But, it’s not enough for us to preach to each other about Obama’s great leadership qualities or the deficiencies of John McSame. As colossal as the Republican leadership failures have been, the Republicans are not going to give up national power without an incredible fight. They have millions and millions of dollars to spend, and many dirty tricks to play before they’re done. We must not become overconfident simply by listening to our own rhetoric. Instead, we need to get out there and start telling Barack Obama’s story to the voters of Arlington—most of whom are not political junkies like us and are just now starting to pay attention. We need to tell our voters why this election is critical to their futures, why every single one of their votes in heavily Democratic Arlington is vital to carrying Virginia for Barack Obama, and why carrying Virginia for Barack Obama is key to his election as President!

YOU can and should get out there and start telling this story directly to Arlington’s voters. Join a canvass or phone bank sponsored by the Obama campaign or the Coordinated Campaign. Sign up to be an ACDC Precinct Captain, Leader, or Building Ambassador. Volunteer to help deliver the Democratic Messenger newspaper in September. Help the Joint Campaign by stuffing envelopes to raise money for Dollars for Democrats. For more details, consult other stories in this issue of the Voice or visit our website at www.arlingtondemocrats.org

Now, it’s YOUR turn to be a leader!