As a parent, I am well aware of how quickly time passes. As a student, I find it hard to believe that it has been twenty years since the last time this nation elected a President whose last name was neither Bush nor Clinton. Just take a moment to reflect on that. In 1988, George H.W. Bush was elected to the White House after defeating former Gov. Michael Dukakis. At this point I can hear some of you saying, "Michael who?" Many of you were not even born, or were at least still wearing diapers. I was a junior in high school. The Internet was still in the development stage. Cell phones were the size of bricks. We listened to music on cassette tapes. That's right, even CD's were not yet mainstream. Why am I telling you all of this? To illustrate how things can, and should, change. This year we face an election of historic proportion. Not since the election of 1968 has the country been so divided and in such need of new direction. Currently, there are five presidential candidates among the Republicans. Governor Romney is a professional politician. He has a long and documented history of changing his support for issues, such as gay marriage and abortion, in order to get elected. Governor Huckabee is a Baptist Minister. He has already professed his desire to make our nation more of a theocracy than a democracy. Mayor Giuliani and Senator McCain both have strong qualities that I admire. Neither Senator McCain nor Mayor Giuliani follow the rank and file of their party and are more willing to negotiate on key partisan issues. Senator McCain, my personal favorite among the Republicans, is a former POW. However, both candidates seem to think our government needs to continue spreading fear and paranoia among citizens to secure the presidential nomination. The Democrats have their best chance of recapturing the White House in years. I have had people ask me how soon Senator Clinton will be coroneted as the Democratic front runner. I admire the Senator for her work for working families and her devotion to creating affordable health care. However, she has also demonstrated that she is willing to compromise her own principles for financial support. Senator Edwards is another strong candidate who has expressed his devotion to working people and improving the conditions of working Americans. But Senator Edwards and Senator Clinton both suffer from the same problem. They exemplify business as usual in Washington, and are unable to bridge the deep ideological divide that has grown larger in recent years. I submit that Senator Barack Obama is the one presidential candidate that this nation desperately needs. His messages of hope, action, and change are the foundations that the United States must build upon to correct the debacle of the last eight years. Not since Senator Bobby Kennedy has another candidate energized the youth of our nation. Senator Obama recognizes how American youth have felt disenfranchised from the political process, and he is ready to lead, inspire, and bring hope to Washington for a new generation. Young Americans are beginning to realize they do have a critical voice in the political process, and in shaping the world they will inherit. Senator Obama does not prescribe to the notion of being part of the "old guard" in order to win the nomination of his party. His proven judgment on issues like the Iraq war, Iran, and Pakistan are infinitely more valuable than the "Washington" experience touted by his opponents. Think of the litany of problems we are facing today as students, parents, and working Americans. High gas prices, poor health insurance, the housing crisis, lowered educational standards, a weakened economy, an endless war, and diminished international relationships are all products of the current administration. Only Senator Obama possesses the tools necessary to unite our nation and heal its wounds. On Tuesday, February 5th, the Democratic Caucus will be held at Qwest Arena. It is open to all eligible voters in Ada County. For other county caucus locations, contact the Idaho Democratic Party or visit www.idahoforobama.org. The doors open at 5pm and close promptly at 7pm; no one will be admitted after this time. I highly recommend you take the time to participate in this excellent example of democracy in action. Come stand for your candidate and make sure your voice is heard. Since 1988, I have served in the Gulf War and suffered through much of the first Bush recession unemployed. My son, a teenager now, has never known a nation without a Bush or Clinton as President. Don't we owe it to our children, and ourselves, to create a new beginning?
David Anthony is a History Major, Secondary Ed President, and a member of the College Democrats.
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