CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Presumably, about 99 percent of concerned American adults -- those who will vote in the U.S. election in two weeks -- already know their choice for president. Their values and beliefs are firm. No amount of political bombardment will make them switch sides.
Therefore, the national debates are largely theater, a competition to display candidates' agendas. Millions watch -- with minds already made up. The Washington news media cover the debates almost like sports events -- who "scored" and who "won."
We thought President Obama was strong and masterful in Monday night's foreign-policy encounter. He came through as a secure commander in chief with a resolute hand on America's tiller. Oddly, challenger Mitt Romney dropped his former warlike disagreements with Obama and generally rubber-stamped all the president's actions. Similarly, in the preceding clash between vice presidential nominees, we thought Democrat Joe Biden set commendable goals.
But debate performance isn't the reason we support the Obama-Biden White House ticket. Our reasons are far deeper. It's because we endorse the humane, practical values that are the best aspect of their party. Democrats try to make life better for average American families and the middle class -- so more Americans can work their way into prosperity. This is a clear contrast with the GOP, which chiefly serves the wealthy, fundamentalists and military hawks.
President Obama has established a solid record that qualifies him to remain in power for four more years. Some achievements:
He inherited an economic collapse -- with 800,000 U.S. job losses per month when he took office -- but he has struggled valiantly to restore stability and repair the damage.
He won a historic stride toward universal health insurance, providing medical protection for 30 million more Americans.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Presumably, about 99 percent of concerned American adults -- those who will vote in the U.S. election in two weeks -- already know their choice for president. Their values and beliefs are firm. No amount of political bombardment will make them switch sides.
Therefore, the national debates are largely theater, a competition to display candidates' agendas. Millions watch -- with minds already made up. The Washington news media cover the debates almost like sports events -- who "scored" and who "won."
We thought President Obama was strong and masterful in Monday night's foreign-policy encounter. He came through as a secure commander in chief with a resolute hand on America's tiller. Oddly, challenger Mitt Romney dropped his former warlike disagreements with Obama and generally rubber-stamped all the president's actions. Similarly, in the preceding clash between vice presidential nominees, we thought Democrat Joe Biden set commendable goals.
But debate performance isn't the reason we support the Obama-Biden White House ticket. Our reasons are far deeper. It's because we endorse the humane, practical values that are the best aspect of their party. Democrats try to make life better for average American families and the middle class -- so more Americans can work their way into prosperity. This is a clear contrast with the GOP, which chiefly serves the wealthy, fundamentalists and military hawks.
President Obama has established a solid record that qualifies him to remain in power for four more years. Some achievements:
He inherited an economic collapse -- with 800,000 U.S. job losses per month when he took office -- but he has struggled valiantly to restore stability and repair the damage.He won a historic stride toward universal health insurance, providing medical protection for 30 million more Americans.He ended the disastrous Iraq war that the Bush-Cheney White House started on untrue allegations -- and he's winding down the second Bush-Cheney war in Afghanistan.He made a historic advance in human rights by ending the military's ban on gays.He has crippled the worldwide al-Qaida terror network and killed its leader.He removed fundamentalist obstacles to birth control and lifesaving stem-cell research that were imposed by the Bush-Cheney administration.He treated Hispanics fairly by halting deportation of young Latinos who were brought into the United States as small children.He provided U.S. air cover so democracy rebels could wipe out the cruel Gadhafi dictatorship in Libya.Etc., etc. We think President Obama deserves another term -- and it isn't just because he was forceful in Monday night's debate.
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