Obama unqualified on all fronts

David H. Edmunds Albemarle County
Published: September 14, 2008

The presidential election of 2008 is shaping up as a choice between two candidates with monumental differences in their political views and qualifications. In the most important areas of national security, economic and social, it is hard to imagine a more radical or less qualified major party candidate than Barack Obama.

Let’s examine the facts. On national security, Sen. Obama initially stated his willingness to meet without pre-conditions with such Third World despots as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Iran) and Kim Jung Il (North Korea). He has opposed both the Patriot Act and Foreign Intelligence Sur-veillance Act as well as the president’s highly successful “surge” strategy in Iraq.

Insofar as economic policy is concerned, Obama seems to have a simple solution for all our problems. How to fix Social Security and Medicare? Raise taxes. Socialize health care under the guise of “universal care?” Raise taxes. Redistribute wealth? Raise taxes. His solution to almost everything is bigger government with more and more control over our lives.

On social issues, Obama is the quintessential liberal. Earlier this year, he earned the dubious distinction from the National Journal as the “most liberal” of all 100 U.S. senators. He is pro-abortion, including the heinous procedure known as “partial birth” abortion, and he supports same-sex civil unions and the extension of welfare/social security benefits to illegal immigrants. He voted against declaring English as the official language of the United States.

Finally, in the area of personal conduct and judgment Sen. Obama raises even more serious questions. First was his decision to resume wearing the American flag lapel pin when pressured by public opinion; next was his decision to remain a member for 20 years in a church whose pastor consistently preached anti-Americanism and the evils of white supremacy; and lastly was his widely publicized associations with former Weathermen member William Ayers.

Before casting a vote this November, all Americans should consider two questions: What are this man’s accomplishments and how is he qualified to be president? The most truthful answer to the first question is “very few” and to the second question, “He’s not!”