Curtis Lawrence of the The Chicago Sun Times reported on March 14, 2000 that:
Candidates in the 1st District congressional race hit the television airwaves Monday night, once again showing little disagreement on issues. “I don’t think there are a lot of ideological differences,” state Sen. Barack Obama (D-Chicago) who appeared on WTTW-Channel 11’s “Chicago Tonight” with incumbent Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) and state Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago).
“I don’t think there are a lot of ideological differences,” can also be applied to the 2008 Presidential race. The differences between Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards are negligible. The candidates need to stop bashing each other and unite behind the common political enemy, the Republicans. I certainly have my opinion on how the bashing startted (I’ve written enough about it), but we need to “Move On.”
The differences between the candidates are of style, energy, inspiration and vision. There are crucial differences about change and how we get there. And that is why I support Barack Obama. I think Hillary Clinton would make a fine President. I think John Edwards would make a fine President. Neither Clinton or Edwards would in any way embarrass this great nation, as our nation has been embarrassed by the current administration. Our standing abroad is at a low level.
We can split hairs on the issues, but they all want health care for all, the all want a peaceful world, they all want prosperity for all.
I believe that Barack Obama will make a “Great President.” He will bring an elevated level of style, high energy and inspirational vision to this nation. Yes, Camelot. “One brief, shining moment.” All that and more. He will take an already great nation and take it to the next level. President Obama would immediately elevate our standing in the world.
He is “one of us.” He looks you in the eye when he speaks to you. It was not too many years ago that he lived in a modest apartment living a modest lifestyle. He worked as a community organizer for small wages, because he cared. I saw many times over the years how he related to people. I saw him appear before 600 people that had never seen or heard of him before in a candidates forum and how he inspired and energized those people. And from there how it multiplied. Once I was in a parade with him and was impressed at the high energy he showed and how that high energy rubbed off on everybody around him. Whenever he spotted someone in the crowd in a wheel chair, he made sure to stop and speak to that person and offer an encouraging word. He had great compassion and empathy for people.
Barack Obama will take this nation to the next level. For the short term, the three candidates need to take the rest of these primaries to a higher, more empathetic level too. And Barack Obama will lead the way. John Presta.