So as regular readers know, Candleblog is not a "political blog."  We do talk politics occasionally here, particularly as it relates to free speech and tech issues, and particularly around election day.  But I think now is a good time for me to come out and say that I really want Barack Obama to get the Democratic nomination and more importantly, to be the next President of the United States.  That's right, Candleblog is endorsing Barack Obama.  Alert the media.

Obama's and Clinton's policy positions are not so different, but as candidates they are worlds apart.  I can't think of a more polarizing political figure in modern history than Hillary Clinton.  Many on the right (and many others as well) will never vote for Hillary, no matter how much they dislike her opponent.  This isn't Hillary's fault, but it's true all the same.  By contrast, Obama has shown an ability to get lots of independents and even Republicans to cross over and cast votes for him.  Obama's rhetoric (to the chagrin of many on the left) has been inclusive and has avoided conservative-baiting.  Obama has the ability to win over large swathes of the American public and push a progressive agenda at the same time.  There's that Kennedy comparison again.

This country has an amazing opportunity here.  We're looking at a GOP presumptive nominee that the right wing base loathes.  Obama can win over lots of undecideds and independents -- hell, maybe some hardcore conservatives will vote for him just to protest McCain (I know, wishful thinking).  I think Obama can destroy McCain in the general.  I'm less convinced of Hillary's ability to win a broad base of support.  Moreover, Obama is young and the majority of his career as an elected official has been outside of Washington.  And he's brown.  The US needs a serious face lift if it's going to regain any of the political and cultural status it enjoyed before the Bush administration made us the bully of the planet.  An Obama presidency is a very good first step toward showing the world that we're not a country of goose stepping rednecks who see the rest of the Earth as one giant oil field that a bunch of cheap laborers live on.

More importantly, Obama inspires me in ways that few politicians have ever managed.  I get goose bumps listening to his speeches.  He's the real thing.  Josh should go get Sam out of that meeting (West Wing fans know what that means).  Obama's rhetoric of "change" is more than just rhetoric.  It's potentially a new dawn for the US.  Go O!