UCLA students are fired up, hopeful and apprehensive going into the Nov. 4 election one week from today. We know our lives will be directly affected by the policies of our next president, and coming out of eight years of the last administration, we need change now more than ever.
Students understand the urgency for change and have dedicated countless hours and financial resources to help the Illinois Senator spread his message. Over two hundred UCLA students have volunteered in the swing-state of Nevada over the past few weeks to campaign for Obama, not to mention the hundreds of hours spent phonebanking. While Bruin Democrats hosted the trips, a diverse group of students from various campus organizations who have been inspired by Obama’s candidacy have chosen to join in during this important election.
Because of the failed policies of the last administration, our next president will be faced with overwhelming challenges at every turn. The American economy is struggling, an environmental crisis is looming and our government has voided much of its credibility nationally and internationally. Leading the country in such volatile times will require intellectual vibrancy, a steadfast temperament and impeccable judgment. We need a leader with the uncanny ability to inspire us to do great things and come together as Americans. Sen. Barack Obama is that leader.
Obama understands the issues Bruins care about and has demonstrated a calm and reassuring grasp of how to confront them. In regards to the economy, he knows that throwing more money at the top five percent of America will do nothing to close the chasm-like wealth gap which is crippling the American Dream. Instead he advocates growing our economy from the bottom up through tax cuts for 95% of Americans and investments in infrastructure, green technologies and education. This strategy will create millions of new jobs while helping to mitigate our environmental woes and ensuring a more stable future.
One of the first tests of judgement for both presidential candidates has been the selection of a vice-presidential running-mate. Obama’s selection of Sen. Joe Biden is both reasurring and indicative of Obama’s leadership style. Biden is Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has been an outspoken advocate against domestic violence. Clearly, Obama has demonstrated better judgment in his selection than his Republican opponent.
Recently, Gen. Colin Powell, a highly respected Republican and former secretary of state, endorsed Obama for president and declared that Obama has “both style and substance” and that “he has met the standard of becoming a successful president.” Obama has inspired countless Republicans, ranking and otherwise, to forego narrow partisanship and give him their support. They see what we see: a transcendent political figure who will not fight for just his party but for all of America.
Obama’s opponent meanwhile has made the decision to forego his integrity in this presidential race and opts for the same old partisan, underhanded, uninspired and uninspiring tactics (not strategies) that have defined the current administration.
Barack Obama embodies the change we need from the fear, reactivity, repression and ineptitude of the last eight years. Obama will bring integrity and respect back to the Oval Office. With him, America has a real chance at regaining the global leadership and respect it once enjoyed. Senator Barack Obama will bring this change and for this reason an unprecedented number of Bruins will join America on Nov. 4 with the echoing declaration of “Yes we can”!
Bruin Democrats Board