On today's This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Senator Barack Obama sat down with Stephanopoulos in an interview that illuminated his political philosophy and thought processes in a very interesting way.
What is most compelling to me about Senator Obama, and the chief reason that I support his candidacy over the many other quality candidates we have in our field this cycle, is his understanding of both an overall vision of what America fundamentally is, as well as the nuts and bolts of how to get things done.
Barack Obama is not an either/or thinker; he is wholistic in his approach, a quality that could serve us well in a President.
Stephanopoulos' questions addressed a number of issues, including Obama's "experience" to handle the job; his war funding votes; taxes; social security; affirmative action and larger questions regarding race in America. Obama's responses revealed a depth of intellect and wisdom that we rarely witness in politicians. I believe the discussion also gave us a glimpse of what someone who is primarily dedicated to public service, and at the same time wise to the way politics are played, really looks like.
In response to the interviewer's claim that getting 16 GOP Senators to vote in favor of a funding bill that puts limits on the President is something "that is not gonna happen", Obama discussed why continuing to "ratchet up the pressure" on Bush loyalists to end this war is a smart part of the overall strategy to bring the occupation to an end. Asked whether he would be willing to give Bush a "blank check" on funding, the answer was a firm "No".
The host also tried to box Obama in on taxes, social security and affirmative action. Stephanopoulos asked about why Obama's daughters should get preferential treatment when applying to college, to which Obama responded that they should actually be treated as advantaged in the application process. His approach would be to also look at the disadvantaged white student who qualifies but may not be able to afford higher education.
Take a look at the whole interview; I think you'll see a candidate who can see both the forest and the trees. And in my opinion, that ability is precisely what we need in our chief executive at this juncture.