A dear friend of mine has recently posed the question, “Why are evangelical Christians supporting Barack Obama with such enthusiasm?” This friend has waited too long for an answer, and I am afraid the one I have to offer will not satisfy him much.

I certainly do not have my finger on the pulse of the evangelical Church, I do see that Obama has electrified the electorate, and however people chose to align themselves, many groups are enthusiastically supporting Obama. Though I cannot explain why evangelicals are flocking to Obama, if indeed they are, I can attempt to give an inadequate explanation of why I am voting for Obama.

I am voting for Barack Obama because I believe he is providing the leadership America needs right now as we work through the significant problems that are the by products of the modern era, as we close a few chapters of our American history, and as we stand, poised on the cusp of a new epoch in the American story.

I admire Barack Obama because he draws people together. He does this, not by clinging to his party affiliation, but by calling to people of every persuasion and including them in the larger conversation. Rather than divide, as American politics (and faith) have done for so long, he wants to unite by including everyone, and he believes that government is the place where persons who are splintered into myriad groups can come together as one people. E pluribus Unum. From many, one.

Hope has been a major theme of Obama’s candidacy and of his public life, and it is a hope that insprires. As he has continued to sound the ringing bell of hope, he inspires hope in others, and in me. I think people want to have hope in a better future, but in the face of so much negative news, fatalistic threats, and personal economic uncertainty, hope can be chased away. I believe Obama has reassured many through his personal, optimistic belief in the simple yet powerful idea of hope.

In Barack Obama we see the current embodiment of our American ideals. We have always carried in our imaginations images of what is quintessentially American. As America has changed, however, those images have remained static: a mother at home on the farm in Kansas, apple pie cooling on the table, her soldier-son coming home from the war. But in Obama we see a new embodiment. He is racially diverse, ethnically plural, grounded in a faith discovered in adulthood, inclusive, progressive, raised by a single mother and grandparents, intelligent, hard working, devoted husband and father. A volunteer, a senator, a president. He is an American success story. He is diverse without being divisive. He is America.

I think his candidacy and presidency is a salve to the wounds of our American history. By electing an African-American man to the highest position in the nation, we can perhaps dispel some of the demons that continue to haunt our collective conscience. This alone is not reason to vote for Obama. This is not an affirmative action vote, but this an opportunity to vote for the better candidate and take another step toward racial healing. Our struggles with race are not over, but the historic and important role of Obama’s presidency is another turning point in the story of race in America. 

Barack Obama will improve the US’s standing in the world. The US is such a powerful influence around the world that what happens in the US matters to the world, and the world is watching. While Americans may be largely ignorant of the global community (one need only listen to a country and western song to confirm this), the global community is watching the US closely. Due in no small measure to events of the past eight years, the US as a whole is experiencing a dearth of goodwill around the world. It is encouraging then to learn that Barack Obama has a huge amount of support and popularity around the world. An Obama presidency would move towards repairing the image of the US abroad. In Barack Obama the world sees not only an American but a global citizen. Too few Americans, much less American presidents, have been such global citizens.

Whatever else can be said about Obama, it cannot be denied that he has run a hugely successful campaign that has eclipsed all records. Many have observed that we can get glimpse of how a candidate would run the nation by looking at how they run their campaign. It is a telling comparison. He obviously has strong organizational leadership qualities. His campaign has stayed on course, they have inspired those who have never voted before to vote now, and voter turnout for this election will be larger than any other election on record. He had accrued more volunteers, and more donations of $80 or less from private individuals than any other campaign. People are motivated to become involved, and involvement is what our nation requires. 

Lest anyone think I am naively imbuing Barack Obama with godlike qualities and creating an object of idolatry, let me dispel that idea now. I am not placing my hope in Barack Obama. He is just a man, and will undoubtedly disappoint. I am placing my hope in us as American people. Obama has simply reminded us that together, yes, we can.

In contrast, I will not be voting for John McCain, which is somewhat surprising to me, because I have always thought positively about McCain and expected to support him in a presidential election. I have liked his conservative positions mixed with his common sense, straight-talk ideas. His legislative record is strong, as he has partnered with legislators from across the isle and he has tackled issues the Republican base has opposed. His friendship with Joe Lieberman and his lukewarm embrace from the right wing of his party speak to his ability to be his own man.  However, McCain seems to have undergone a significant shift in his persona during this presidential contest.

He has abandoned himself in order to please the right wing of his party in order to get the nomination. Rather than unite the country, McCain seems only to want to divide. He has counted on a strategy that clearly delineated the “us versus them” in an attempt to curry as much support from those who did not previously count him among the “us” of the Republican base.

McCain’s seeming comfort with using military action is not what our world needs now. McCain joked about bombing Iran to the tune of a Beach Boys song. Perhaps it was a joke, but I think it was an honest glimpse into his way of thinking. Just like a surgeon believes the answer to every medical condition is surgery, it seems that John McCain believes the answer to every international challenge is military force. We don’t need another military man right now. I am fearful and weary of the next military campaign in the next outpost, where American might is diluted, where American character is questioned, where the American economy is poured into desert sands, and where goodwill towards America is dries up and dies.

McCain has acquired an appalling position on energy development. During the Rep. convention, the chant “Drill, Baby, Drill” revealed a recklessly cavalier attitude that boggles the mind. There is no hint of humbly making the difficult choice, picking the most hopeful way through a dark path. There is only the sentiment of “fuck it, you only live once. Let’s burn ‘er down.” Drilling may be necessary in the final days of the petroleum age as we continue to develop alternatives, but such an easy resort to an unsustainable and destructive resource is irresponsible.

Although I’ll give him points for boldness, McCain showed colossally poor judgment in his selection of a vice president. Yes, I think she is a good governor of Alaska. But Alaska is a unique place. As I have written before, it is a place where you can be whatever you want to be, mostly because there aren’t that many other people who also want to be what you want to be. You can be a radio personality, a pastor, a school principal, or mayor without much trouble. Sarah Palin does not have the experience, preparation, or the intellectual heft to fulfill the duties of the presidency. It is simply a rock too heavy for her to lift. And her acceptance of McCain’s offer shows either her blind ambition or her complete lack of self awareness.

While waging one of the most negative campaigns in presidential election history, I believe McCain has made statements about and accusations of Obama that he does not seriously believe. McCain has vaguely accused Obama of being a socialist and a terrorist. Not only do I not believe these accusations are true, I do not believe McCain thinks they are true. And if I am right, then McCain is selling his integrity and his credibility, and the sale price will still not be enough to win him the election.

McCain has also been a poor manager of his personal organization, the McCain campaign. He botched Palin’s roll out, solidifying her image as a punch-line while insulting her at the same time. His behavior was often erratic, such as during the first days of the economic crisis when he suspended his campaign, got in the way of real work being done, threatened not to participate in that week’s debate, and then debated after all. His campaign has often been adrift.

McCain clearly has more experience in government than Obama. But it is not experience alone that qualifies a person for the presidency. It is intellect, an appreciation for the complexity of the issues, the ability to inspire confidence, the ability to bring people of different groups and backgrounds together, to be able to bridge divides, to inspire what is greatest in ourselves.

At this time, I think we need a new generation of leadership. It is time to allow a new generation of voices the opportunity to address the pressing issues of our time. I think Barack Obama is the right man, at the right time, for the right job.