When Barack Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, the nation took notice.

He was a politician with an inspiring history, good ideas, and charisma. And, as time went on, he grew to become one of the most popular politicians in America, with ever-growing support especially from the
nation’s youth.

Since the 2004 convention, we’ve seen far more of Obama: he edged out frontrunner Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries, delivered countless inspiring speeches, and, according to nearly every major poll, bested Republican candidate John McCain in three Presidential Debates.

In four years, we’ve seen him grow into one of the most well-spoken and able-minded politicians around, and he has proven to be the best candidate in eight years to unify the Democratic Party in a general election.

Above all, he’s proven to be the person most capable of leading our country out of these turbulent times, and that is why the Torch wholeheartedly endorses him for President of the United States of America.
Since hitting the political scene, Obama has garnered an unbelievable amount of attention – both positive and negative.

Some argued that he would change the way political campaigns were run, was the only politician capable of leading our country, and would lead America into a golden age; others called him a terrorist, a radical Muslim, a radical Christian, an anarchist, and made other outlandish claims.

But through it all, he has shown a consistent mastery of the issues and a calm demeanor. His tax plans – namely, to roll back the inexplicable Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest top 5 percent of Americans – makes perfect sense and is far more in line with helping the middle class than any of McCain’s policies.

In a time when our country’s economic future is remarkably uncertain, it seems absurd to continue to cut taxes for the richest Americans.

McCain has served our nation admirably and has been a solid politician during his time in the Senate. But he has been unable to refute Obama’s attacks against his tax policies and, given his longstanding record of deregulation, is exactly the wrong type of person we need in the White House
right now.

Additionally, McCain has consistently refused to speak of timelines regarding the war in Iraq, arguing only that the surge has worked and that setting a date for withdrawal would be unwise.

However, as Obama has consistently pointed out, the surge has definitely quelled some of the violence in the region, but it has not expedited the process of establishing an entirely stable government.

McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin for Vice President was the final indication that he is not the right candidate. Palin’s lack of experience undermines his most frequent argument against Obama, and was a shamelessly transparent attempt at gaining female voters and stealing the historic aspect from the Obama campaign.

Obama, on the other hand, picked a wise running mate with Senator Joe Biden. He’s not the most popular candidate Obama could have picked, but he is the most capable.
His years in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee makes him one of the most accomplished members of the Senate, and the experience he brings to the table will be invaluable should they be elected.

In these uncertain times, with so much at stake, it is necessary for America to elect the candidate that is looking out for every single citizen.

The Torch believes Barack Obama is that candidate, and is the most qualified person to lead our country out of the economic and foreign problems it is currently facing.

Few could have predicted in 2004 that Barack Obama, the keynote speaker for John Kerry’s nominating convention, would be where he is today. But his words back then ring just as loudly today: “Out of this long political darkness,” Obama said, “a brighter day will come.”

An Obama win on Nov. 4 will get us one step closer to reaching that day.