EDITORIAL: From Many Views, One Prevails — Obama for President

If there is one thing uniting Americans in this presidential election, it is hunger for change. After eight years of the Bush administration, both John McCain and Barack Obama have put themselves before the voters as leaders who want to take the nation in a new direction.

A majority of our editorial board endorses Barack Obama as the candidate who offers a stronger vision of change, better prescriptions for the future and the high road to travel in uniting the nation.

Like the nation itself, however, ours is a board divided: Six members support Obama, four support McCain. With polls showing Obama with a comfortable lead in Washington, our board appears to mirror the state's prevailing sentiment.

But in the individual views of our board members, you'll hear refrains common to those expressed across the country in support of both candidates. As voters prepare to choose the course they want the nation to take, we offer the perspectives of each of our board members:

SCOTT WARE, Editor -- Early on, it seemed either John McCain or Barack Obama would make a worthy choice to lead us from the wilderness of the past eight years. But this campaign put the two into sharp contrast: Obama showed himself steady, thoughtful, cool-headed; McCain erratic, reckless, angry. Obama appealed to our higher angels, McCain to our worst impulses. Obama evinced careful, sound judgment; McCain discredited the value of his experience by choosing a running mate stunningly unready to lead. Obama's ideas on health care and taxes promoted fairness for working Americans and compassion for the needy; McCain held to priorities disproportionately favoring the wealthy.

Obama offers greater hope for a better America.

JEFF BRODY, Managing Editor-- From the moment he declared himself a candidate for president, Barack Obama has conducted a calm, thoughtful, disciplined, focused and positive campaign.

He's rejected gimmicks that pandered to voters. He's listened to capable people from across the political spectrum. And he's energized a new generation of voters.

I'm in general agreement with his analysis of the domestic and foreign policy errors of the Bush administration and with his proposals to deal with the issues we face. I can't think of a time in our recent history when it was more important to find a new direction for our nation.

DEB SMITH, Director of Marketing -- The most significant point of policy divergence between John McCain and Barack Obama is the Iraq War. McCain's goal of "an Iraq that can stand on its own as a democratic ally" is utterly unrealistic. He has predicted that by 2013, violence from centuries of sectarian tension will have largely abated, thanks to us. That arrogance is worthy of W.

I want a president unequivocally committed to extricating us from this mess sooner rather than later. Leaving Iraq will free up troops to address true terrorist concerns in Afghanistan, end a $12-billion-plus monthly bill, and save the lives of thousands of American soldiers.

I'm voting for Barack Obama.

CAMERON PETERS, Community Member, Suquamish -- There are times when the United States needs not just a new president, but a new vision.

We need an individual of intelligence, integrity, even temperament and above all, common sense.

Barack Obama is such a man. His policies not only seek to repair harm of the last eight years, but chart a new path that would bring increased prosperity to the United States. Senator Obama would strengthen our alliances, promote a wise application of military power, encourage greater diplomacy to avoid unnecessary war and lead us to energy independence.

The election of Barack Obama would be a first step in regaining our country's reputation for freedom, innovation and justice.

JUDY FRIEDBERG-NERF, Community Member, Bremerton -- This is my perspective: We are one nation — united by interconnections, strengthened by diversity. We need a new kind of leadership to bring us together, working cooperatively, beyond our own personal interests, to foster a healthy, balanced, stable, sustainable society and planet — whether within our local community, nation, or world community. My choice — Obama.

Obama has long-range vision and practical judgement to lead this country. He advocates positions that: foster responsibility, respect diversity; create new economic/energy programs and employment opportunities; broaden access to education; enable access to health care and social services for those with unanticipated need; balance governmental/private sector/faith-based participation; and establish peaceful connection to world community.

BEVERLY KINCAID, Community Member, Port Orchard -- Barack Obama offers the most truthful and positive hope for our future.

He presents the most comprehensive visions and solutions to our problem at home and abroad. He understands the plight of the poor in our country. He will limit outsourcing of American jobs to foreign countries.

He will halt the erosion of middle-class America and discontinue placation of the top 10 percent. He will sensibly end the occupation of Iraq and, over time, restore the status of the U.S. in the world. He will end America's dependence on foreign oil.

He and his intelligent, qualified running mate have the capacity to revitalize and energize our war-weary and debt-weary country.

MIKE LEVI, President and Publisher -- Character and experience matters.

McCain has proven himself as a leader with character through his Navy service and years in the Senate. Obama has very little experience, and revelation of his ties to Rev. Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers and now ACORN speaks volumes about his character.

Neither candidate has a great solution for the economy but with problems in the world, Iran, North Korea and Russia McCain clearly has an understanding that Obama doesn't. We don't need a president that is not ready to lead on day one.

I support John McCain.

JIM CAMPBELL, Opinion Editor -- I believe a newborn infant is entitled to life and protection, and that it had the same rights a few minutes — or months — earlier.

Obama is an extreme advocate for abortion; McCain consistently opposes it.

Yes, there are other issues: the economy, Iraq, health care, education and more. But first must come the right not to be killed before you're born, which is denied 1.2 million each year. Life is the core of all rights. Wthout it, all other issues become irrelevant.

Obama and Biden reject the right to life. I'll vote for McCain and Palin, who protect it.

RICK BECKER, Community Member, Silverdale -- I see it this way:

Obama — Promotes policies that redistribute wealth from taxpayers to non-taxpayers; advocates higher government spending; supports higher tax rates on capital gains, dividends, and income of the nation's top producers; and changes American ideals by saying, "When you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

McCain — Has a record of personal sacrifice and distinction while serving America; promotes policy that helps business; advocates changing a working class to a class of entrepreneurs; promotes real government spending cuts; returns lost jobs to America by decreasing corporate taxes, and advocates governing principles that keep Americans free and strong.

My vote goes to McCain.

GREG SMITH, Community Member, Belfair -- I'll vote for John McCain, the war hero who served his country and continues to do so.

His depth of experience, both in war and in Congress is required right now. I think a non-partisan attack on the economy is quickest way to recover from the mess we are in and McCain has shown he can develop consensus from both sides of the room. He has respect and compassion for the people he works with and for (you and me).

That same respect and compassion will earn him respect as a world leader and begin the process of bringing U.S. back as a respected player on the global level.