Guy W. Farmer: Why I'm voting for Barack Obama

As of today you can call me a Colin Powell Democrat because, like the former Secretary of State (whom I greatly admire), I have decided to vote for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president. After much soul-searching, I've concluded that Obama can provide the new leadership we want and need in order to put America on a different, and more hopeful, course to the future.

As I contemplate the world that my twin 4-year-old grandsons will inherit, I think that we need a complete change in direction from the misguided economic and foreign policies that we've endured over the past eight years. Unfortunately, Sen. Obama's opponent, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is too close to the failed policies of President George W. Bush, having voted with the unpopular president more than 90 percent of the time. Despite his constant talk about "change" and "reform," McCain represents more of the same on issues that really matter to Middle America.

At the same time I want to pay tribute to Sen. McCain, who has served his country with courage and honor for his entire adult life. A genuine American hero, he deserves our thanks for his dedicated service to our nation " a cause greater than ourselves, as he says. Nevertheless, it's time to pass the baton to a new generation of leaders as we fight two wars (one of them unnecessary) on the brink of a full-blown recession.

Remember that old political question: "Are you better off today than you were four (or eight) years ago?" Most of us would probably answer that question with a resounding "No." Although it's unfair to blame the whole mess on President Bush, he and his top advisers are largely responsible for the current economic crisis and a disastrous war in Iraq that is costing us $10 billion a month when ordinary Americans are struggling to make ends meet.

Colin Powell, a moderate Republican, was eloquent and thoughtful as he endorsed Obama last Sunday on "Meet the Press." "I think we need a transformational figure," he told Tom Brokaw. "(And) I think we need a president who is a generational change, and that's why I'm supporting Barack Obama, and not out of any lack of respect or admiration for Sen. McCain," a longtime friend and colleague.

Powell also expressed disappointment in the negative tone of McCain's campaign and his choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, and I agree. Gov. Palin may be ready for "Saturday Night Live," but she isn't ready for the White House. By questioning Obama's patriotism and linking him to unrepentant domestic terrorist William Ayers, McCain and the Republican Party looked and sounded desperate and, in my opinion, showed bad judgment. Even worse, right-wing radio blowhards Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity played the race card by asserting that Powell's endorsement of Obama was race-based. The Nevada Republican Party compounded the error by reviving the scurrilous charge that Obama is an anti-American Muslim. Please! Obama is a bicultural (like my kids), patriotic American Christian who is as white as he is black, which is irrelevant because our political process should be colorblind by now.

State and Local Offices

Congress: His voting record shows that Congressman Dean Heller, of Carson City, is a George W. Bush clone so I'm supporting his opponent, Jill Derby. Ms. Derby is a middle-of-the-road Democrat who will put Nevada first while utilizing her Middle East expertise to find an honorable way out of the Iraqi quagmire. Win or lose, I urge Heller to return home to run against our inept governor, Jim Gibbons, in 2010.

Assembly District 40: Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell is a friend of mine who has represented us well in the Legislature, and I see no reason to vote against her although I know and like both of her opponents, former Secretary of State Cheryl Lau and neighbor John Wagner. State Board of Education candidate Dave Cook offended me with too many "robo-calls," so I won't be voting for him.

City Offices: Carson City native Bob Crowell is my choice for Mayor. Crowell's opponent, "Rockin' Rev" Ken Haskins, is a fine fellow who has a bright political future in our town. He and Crowell should be congratulated for running a clean campaign on the issues. I'll also be voting for incumbent supervisors Shelly Aldean and Richard Staub, while urging them to slow down the rapid expansion of casino gambling. And I support Steve Reynolds for the local School Board.

Judicial Choices: I'm voting for Judges Mark Gibbons and Deborah Schumacher for the State Supreme Court and for former District Attorney Noel Waters for Carson City District Judge. I hope our next judge will join the crackdown on gang activity by handing out long prison sentences to gang-bangers and drug traffickers. In nearby Lyon County I endorse my good friend, Dayton Justice of the Peace Bill Rogers, for a promotion to District Judge.

Ballot Measures: I support CC Question No. 2 to increase funding for our police and fire departments but because of the current economic crisis I'm voting "No" on CC #1, the V&T advisory question. I also oppose State Question No. 1, which would eliminate reasonable residency requirements for Nevada voters. See you at the polls on Nov. 4.

Guy W. Farmer, a semi-retired journalist and former U.S. diplomat, has been a Carson City voter since 1962. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Nevada Appeal.