Hillary: Barack is the man for the moment

Hillary Clinton publishes two strong Op-Eds backing Obama.

Published November 3, 2008 2:15PM (EST)

Hillary Clinton has strong Op-Eds in the New York Daily News and the Florida Sun-Sentinel today in support of Barack Obama's candidacy.

The NYDN Op-Ed, carrying the title "The Man for the Moment," matters less, given Obama's impenetrable lead there. It is quite generalist, talking about the economy (and the Clinton era success on that score).

But the Sun-Sentinel Op-Ed should help in that still tossup state, especially because Clinton shifts quickly (by the the third paragraph) to a strategic if unvarnished appeal to the state's Jewish voters.

The opening five graphs:

As Americans head to the polls on Nov. 4, we have an important responsibility: to choose a president who will make the changes we need here at home and strengthen America's standing around the world.

I am enthusiastically supporting Sen. Barack Obama, because I know that he will be that president. He shares my commitment to changing our nation's course and addressing the economic crisis taking a toll on the financial markets, small businesses and middle class families. And Sen. Obama shares my view that the next president must say to the world that America's resolve is unyielding: The United States stands with Israel.

As Americans, we stand with Israel because Israel demonstrates that democracy can flourish in the most difficult conditions. Because its very existence is a stinging rebuke to hatred and the Holocaust. Because in defeating terror, Israel's cause is our cause. And because Israel's struggle is a struggle not just for the Jewish people, but for all people who want to live in peace and security.

Barack Obama understands the danger to the United States, to Israel and to the world of a nuclear armed Iran. We should not, cannot and must not permit Iran to build or acquire nuclear weapons. We must maintain and implement an international consensus against Iran's nuclear program, with tough, effective sanctions if Iran continues to defy the international community.

To meet these challenges will require a president who can restore America's leadership in the world and strengthen our alliances.


By Thomas Schaller

Thomas F. Schaller is professor of political science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the author of "Whistling Past Dixie: How Democrats Can Win Without the South." Follow him @schaller67.

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