I AM A WHITE GRANDMOTHER FOR OBAMA

I am a registered Democrat. I am also an elderly white woman who will vote for Obama in the North Carolina Primary. I had always supported the Clintons and should have been thrilled that a woman was finally running for president of the United States. But as I think about the state of our country today I am dismayed by what is happening in Washington. And the Clintons have been there too long. They have become too cozy with the lobbyists. I get the feeling that they seem to feel a need for continued power, and that it should be given to them. As far as the issues of the campaign are concerned the two candidates are not far apart. But Hillary continues her negative attacks on whatever Obama might say or do.

Barack Obama has superior intelligence. It enabled him, a poor young man, to be admitted to a prestigious university and to teach constitutional law. ( unlike our present president who was a poor student and a drunkard and probably only admitted due to the influence of his father). A candidate also has to have dedication to the ideas he espouses, and the charisma to put his ideas across. I feel that Barack Obama scores highly on these points. As far as the issue of experience – a president needs superior intelligence to pick good advisors, and to be able to sort through the solutions presented to him by his advisors. To me this is more important than being close to the Washington scene of corruption for many years.

Yes, it would be good to see a woman for president of the United States. And yes, it is quite a departure from tradition for us to have a black president. But it is the person who is important, and not the gender or race. I think that Barack Obama has the intelligence, youthful determination, and charisma to pull our country out of the terrible crisis it is in now.