Kennedy

For those who don't regularily check out the Tikkun website, check this link

http://www.tikkun.org/magazine/tik0803/frontpage/phenom

then go to youtube, and watch this short video from 40 years ago. The speech with video editing speaks powerfully to the same subject as Rabbi Lerner's article. While Rabbi Lerner is careful not to endorse Obama, his personal evaluation of the appeal of his political message is important to progressive voters no matter who we support.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e51JnJPPY0E

I'm not a programer, and am new to this process, so you might have to copy and past the links into a window in your browser to make them work. There is opportunity at both sites to share your comments or send friends a copy of the article or video. If you read and watch, I would also be interested in a copy of your comments.

I find myself supporting my second choice for President -- but recognize that the situation today is critical and the choice we make will greatly impact future generations. This is the time to carefully and passionately work for a new direction in American politics that sets a priority on people, health care, and foreign policy based on justice and compassion for the worlds poor rather than agressive pursuit of their natural resources and cheap labor. America once again needs a vision and dream to draw us forward.

When I was in college I checked out from the library a book by Hedley Donovan, a renowned political reporter, entitled Roosevelt to Reagan. It was written in the 1980s, and it described his experiences with 9 Presidents. Based on that experience, Donovan made a list of 32 qualities that he looked for in a person that was running for the Oval Office. I photocopied that part of the book and kept it all these years, looking at it in every Presidential election since 1988, a useful guide to judging the candidates during the primaries. As a liberal Democrat, I’ve always gone for the Democratic candidate during the general elections, but I’ve learned about political leadership qualities that I admire even from Republican Presidents whom I strongly disagreed with. Like Donovan, I would like to reflect upon the qualities that make my favorite Presidents.

Written just after Reagan was reelected to a second term, Donovan gave this evaluation of the 9 Presidents that he presided over:

Of Camelot and Issues of Inspiration and Experience

I have nothing but the greatest respect for Caroline Kennedy. Throughout her often painful life, President John F. Kennedy’s daughter has carried herself with a grace and dignity in a life that is often focuses on the better angels of public service.

As we are all aware, this past weekend she has chosen to endorse Senator Barack Obama for president. In recent op-ed endorsement entitled, “A President Like My Father,” she acknowledged that the Democratic frontrunners both have similar policy positions, but it was Senator Obama’s ability to inspire that made the difference. His style reminded her of her father’s urbane manner.

But as both the triumphs of FDR and the shortcomings of Jimmy Carter have proven, the ability to win elections with lofty words is not a guarantee of the ability to effectively govern;it requires the necessary companion of experience. With that said, I must respectfully disagree with her choice. Senator Obama’s oratory may be magnificent, but his experience simply does not approach that of Senator Clinton—nor of her father when he ascended to office. In fact, it is even difficult to discern that ability at this point in his career.

Yes, experience matters a great deal.