Colin Who ?

Today’s big news isn’t about Colin Powell’s endorsement of Senator Obama. Well, at least not as far as I’m concerned. Let’s put it this way; I think the bigger news is that Fareed Zakaria says he is going to vote for Senator Obama.

As I told you back in July , I think the show -- and Mr. Zakaria -- are brilliant. Today’s show was no exception. His guest list today included Martin Wolf of The Financial Times, Glenn Hubbard, the former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers under President George W. Bush, and Joe Nocera, business columnist for The New York Times. In addition, he had an interview with Queen Rania of Jordan. He even has a small segment to congratulate Paul Krugman on his Noble Prize.

But the kicker -- and the reason I’m writing -- was his endorsement of Senator Obama. And as usual, it was clear and concise. You’ll have to scroll down to the end of the transcript to read it all .

”As I've watched John McCain discuss the current economic crisis, I couldn't help but think that he was really out of his element. His response to questions about the crisis and the rescue package tended to all be about cutting taxes, keeping government small, ending earmark spending.

This is a recitation of 30-year-old Republican orthodoxy and feels irrelevant to the problems we face today. “

”By contrast, Barack Obama has been calm, sensible and intelligent on both economics and foreign policy. His proposals to respond to the financial crisis have been careful, measured and attuned to the moment we're in. Some of them have been adopted by the Bush administration already.

He wants limited tax cuts for the middle class, but also major new investments in infrastructure and alternate energy.

On foreign policy, he argues for greater international cooperation and the aggressive use of diplomacy. He sees a world in which America doesn't have to fight with everyone, and should instead work with other countries to solve the common problems we all face.

I repeat, these are two good men, but with two very different views of the world.

John McCain represents the best of America's past, and Barack Obama the hope of the future -- the hope of a country that can make big changes and live out one of its greatest promises, of equal opportunities for all Americans, of every caste, creed and color.

And America has always been a country that looks forward. So, I will be voting for Barack Obama on election day this year.“

There’s only one thing for me to add. Vote. For Obama.



Don Brown
October 19, 2008