An open letter to Senator Obama

Dear Senator Obama:

This is your chance. Leading up to the Democratic primary, you inspired us with your message of hope and change. I want to believe in it, and so do millions of other Americans. But, so far, your campaign has not delivered on your promise to end politics as usual. Now is the time to show us, through your campaign, the change that you intend to bring to Washington.

In Denver, you rejected the "politics of the past" and encouraged Americans to demand new leadership. Well, we're demanding it�of you and your campaign. We demand an end to a generic, uninspired campaign influenced by consultants and pollsters. We demand a candidate who rejects the idea that the road to victory is paved with empty promises of jobs created and taxes lowered. We demand an end to daily, fake-personal e-mails from a candidate, his wife, and his campaign manager asking us to donate money. We demand new television ads that are creative and fresh and inspiring, that make us question our belief about what a national political ad can and should be. We're ready to reject the politics of the past, but to do so, we need to see an example of the politics of the future.

The great revolutionary Mahatma Ghandi, said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." We ask you, Senator, to be the change you want to see in Washington. Let your campaign be an example to the country of what an Obama presidency would look like. I want to believe. We want to believe. This is your chance. Make us believe.

Sincerely,
Maxim Weinstein
Medford, Massachusetts

Believing in reality

"Just think about this: In four months, we will have an administration that actually believes in science!" --Mark Warner, former governor of Virginia, at the Democratic National Convention

As reported by Wired's Threat Level blog.

Love the Internet? Vote for Obama.

David Weinberger explains the fundamental difference between John McCain's technology policy and Barack Obama's. His conclusion:

The two candidates� visions of the Internet could not be clearer. We can have a national LAN* designed first and foremost to benefit business, and delivered to passive consumers for whom the Net is a type of cable TV. Or, we can have an Internet that is of the people, by the people, for the people.

Editor's note: a LAN is a "local area network," typically used within and controlled by a single company or other organization.

Obama

So, I'm supporting Barack Obama in the Democratic primary. Why? Here are a few reasons:

1. He's an inspiring leader. After eight years of Bushitis, someone who can make people feel good about America and confident in its president is worth a lot. Even Caroline Kennedy says that she thinks Obama has the potential to inspire Americans in the way that her father, JFK, did.
2. Obama is the only candidate, as far as I know, who has a clear, sensible, detailed technology policy. Even many candidates who have used technology effectively in their campaigns have not recognized the significance of changing technology on issues regarding privacy, freedom, and intellectual property. Obama does, so I feel comfortable that he'll give these issues the attention they deserve if he's elected.
3. Several people whose political judgment I respect, including Sen. Ted Kennedy and my boss, Harvard Law School professor John Palfrey, are supporting Obama. So are many of my colleagues at the Berkman Center for Internet & Society, which is a place populated by some of the smartest, most politically aware people I know.
4. Obama is a uniter, not a divider. He has a history of working with people across political parties, religions, races, and viewpoints to enact policies that make sense.

I think that Democrats and, really, the whole country, are fortunate to have such a strong field in the Democratic primary this year. Even if Sen. Clinton or a dark horse candidate wins, I'll feel very good if s/he is elected president. But, given a choice, I'll take Obama.

Back in the saddle

It's good to be blogging again!

As an active Democrat, people have been asking me lately who I'm supporting for next year's presidential nomination. The answer: I don't know. Why? Because it's not even the year of the election yet! I consider my passivity in this regard to be a form of quiet protest against the ever-lengthening campaign season.

The election is nearly a year away. The Democratic National Convention is nine months away. The Massachusetts primary, even if it is successfully moved, is over two months away. The way I see it, I don't need to choose a candidate and start campaigning for him/her until at least January 2, which is after the holidays and still gives me a month to support my candidate.

As for initial thoughts, I like fellow Tufts alum Bill Richardson, who is likely the most qualified candidate in the field. Sadly, though, he doesn't seem to have enough financial support or "buzz" to get the nomination. I also like Obama and Edwards on the surface, but I really need to learn more about their policy ideas and whom they've surrounded themselves with (that's a topic for a future post) before I could pick my favorite. But hey, I have at least another month to decide, right?