What are the pros and cons for Obama?
Pros: Most charismatic and deep-thinking politician of the day; has the support of foreign leaders and citizens worldwide (see poll at right), and could help mend US international relations; strongest supporter of energy innovation and environmental/climate protection and of health care reform; in 2002 said “I’m opposed to dumb wars” and identified the Iraq war as such; in 2008 says that we should focus on al Qaeda, not Iraq. (There is some agreement for this position; as many US citizens think Bush’s war on terror has helped al Qaeda as think it has weakened them. Across the world, only 1 out of 23 countries (Kenya) thinks the war on terror had significant success against al Qaeda.) As a member of a new generation, has the potential to move the country beyond the divisive battles of the baby boom generation. Cons: Here are Obama’s two main challenges. First he has been portrayed as too inexperienced–only 47 years old, with just 8 years in the Illinois state senate and 4 years in the
