Craig Peters is a former sports editor at The Reflector. He can be contacted at [email protected].Four years ago, Barack Obama expressed on television his disappointment over the division of red states and blue states instead of the United States of America.
That same day, I was in Philadelphia helping out with the Neshoba County Fair. The folks at the fair were largely “front porch and cold beverage” friendly. The biting contrast, however, surfaced during the political campaigning at the square.
I was a student at Mississippi State, but still registered in my native Tennessee, so I wasn’t too familiar with the politicians.
I didn’t need a dog in the fight to dislike the amount of heckling bordering on hate that was such a contrast to my preceding experiences in the Magnolia State. I enjoyed my time in Mississippi and have spoken well about it since leaving.
I agreed with Barack Obama that the bitterness in and out of Washington between the major parties was counterproductive and unfortunate. I agree with him now.
Sen. Obama knows how triumphant our country has been when its people unite, and he is truly grateful for the opportunities this nation offered him. He wants others to reach for similar opportunities at home and vows to keep his children and ours safe from threats abroad. Sen. Obama will make a commitment to represent his supporters as well as the people who haven’t voted for him.
I support Sen. Obama for a variety of reasons. His integrity (passing ethics reform legislation) and judgment (opposed to the Iraq War, but for finding terrorists in Afghanistan) are admirable qualities we need more from leaders at every level of government.
However, the clincher is his ability to listen to and work with folks who have differing opinions and formulate ideas into solutions.
Help the American song have a little more harmony by voting for Barack Obama.