Son of diversity

While McCain people envied then mocked Obama’s popularity, I’ll bet many of us got a little misty-eyed when this American son of diversity addressed the German people. The sea of Berliners seemingly stretched beyond the horizon. Heady stuff! And why not?

Europeans, indeed much of the world, have been aching for an American president that they once again can applaud. I know, these five out of six Europeans who prefer Obama over McCain won’t be voting on Nov. 4. But they send a message that says if we want widespread world support in the ongoing struggle with terrorism, we need to do something differently. The Bush-McCain Lone Ranger foreign policy approach just doesn’t cut it. In fact, Obama’s early-on positions regarding Afghanistan, Iraq troop withdrawal and open diplomacy are gaining new credibility.

A Republican governor recently froze on national TV when he couldn’t identify a single significant difference between McCain and Bush policies. Venerable John McCain may be a national treasure. Still, like most national treasures, he is wed to the past – in this case, the G.W. Bush past. Barack Obama looks to the future. Our kids and grandkids need and deserve someone like him.

77-year-old Jerry Gregory  
(playing the “Age card”)
IU Alumnus