Only Clinton can tackle big issues

Published 1:28 pm Friday, January 25, 2008

I agree with Barack Obama that our nation needs change; I just don’t think he is the person that has the experience to deliver. As an African-American, I would never vote for a person because of their race or if Oprah Winfrey makes a biased endorsement. I’m sorry, but there’s too much at stake. One need only look at the volatile situation in Iraq, the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, al-Qaida strongholds in Pakistan (which is a nuclear power), Iranian and North Korean nuclear ambitions, the Israeli and Palestinian conflict, and not to mention our energy dependence on nations that have ties to terrorist organizations, to conclude leadership and experience will be essential.

I really don’t know what Obama stands for other than he wants change. There’s only one candidate that has the wisdom and experience to be an effective agent for change and that is Sen. Hillary Clinton. Having served in Iraq, I was particularly impressed with Sen. Clinton’s knowledge of the war and what it will take to gain resolution. When Hillary visited Iraq, it was no photo op; she went right to work asking tough questions and meeting military leaders. In her eight years in the White House and as a two-term U.S. senator, Hillary has visited numerous countries in volatile regions and I have confidence in her leadership and ability to return the United States to a respectable status in the eyes of the world. America needs Hillary Rodham Clinton!

Kerry J. Watkins