1. But he has no experience. For once, this might be a good thing. Representation in the mode of democracy practiced in this country is based on an infusion of two ideas. In one theory (elitist), professional expertise is crucial, thus the question of Obama's experience is a valid one to pose. However, since John F. Kennedy, no senator has been elected President, so staying longer in the Senate to gain that "valuable experience" does not statistically improve Obama's chance. In fact, it might even impede his chances. Legislation passed in Congress are bulky and huge and under time constraints Congress passes "Omnibus Bills". Such a bill packages diverse items and they are all voted upon as one. The sheer size of the thing allows members to slip in pet projects and special-interest provisions without adding their names. If Obama votes for any such bill which happens to contain an unscrupulous provision, opponents can use it against him without disclosing that it was an Omnibus. Also, Obama is a senator and not a representative. He cannot afford to be as provincial and parochial. He will make deals and reach compromises. He represents the state of Illinois not some small congressional district. Many will see some of those deals as betrayals and that will be used against him. Staying longer in the Senate really does more harm than good to Obama's Presidential run.

2. Why he should not wait. Obama is generating the same energy surrounding RFK. They made a deep connection with people and offered a path that was so simple yet different from business-as-usual. Politics is crying for change here and now. Not in 8 years or in 4 years. People who say "It's too soon. He should wait." puzzle me. It is not only about egomania and wanting to be President of the United States. If that were his only goal, then it'd be great to wait. But this man believes he has something to offer the nation and when he looks around him he does not see anyone who offers that vision. For him the country is at a place where it needs new leadership and a new direction and he believes he can deliver. Waiting then, makes no sense. Now is the time. "Opportunities", says Tiki Barber, "are seldom perfect." I'll go one better, they never really are.

3. Back to Experience. The experience thing is hyped out and overrated. Governors supposedly have more experience, but that goes only so far. Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont almost won the Democratic nomination. In fact, many felt he was on his way to becoming president. Does anyone realize that Staten Island has more people than Vermont and an equally sizeable budget? Politics has become more "intermestic" than clearly delineated as domestic or international. A senator is thus more well placed than a governor. With all of his experience as governor of Texas, look where President Bush has led the country. The economy sucks, he refuses to provide leadership on Climate change, the country is mired in an expensive and unpopular war with no viable exit strategy, and instead of uniting "the Decider" oversaw the degeneration of American politics into vindictiveness, acrimony, polarization and the deeping of tribal loyalties. Give us a break about "experience".

4. It is time. Despite all the strides to seeking societal healing on the question of race and ethnicity - the American Presidency has been the exclusive purview of the White male. While his African descent does not make him a better leader, the symbolic importance to the American psyche is incalculable. Barrack Obama is just the man for the job. Even though he is Black, he has not reduced his approach to politics to advancing a "Black agenda" but an "American" one. This does not mean that he does not recognize the inherent problem of race in this country, he just acknowledges that it is not the ONLY pressing problem - thus his broad and general appeal. Maybe then we would see commercials in which a black male child is not sporting a football helmet as he dreams of what he wants to be. His presidency holds out the hope that this "improbable" experiment that is America could actually work. It takes the country to another level and changes the face of America to the rest of the world. It garners America a new slate and a chance of reclamation of her respect and place in global leadership. He is not an establishment politician literally and figuratively, but he is an American. In a way, it is surreal because this is the America of dreams, an ideal dream of what it means to be American and the mystique that is the American experiment.

5. A word of Caution. This is just my word of caution to those who are only superficially riding the hype. Politics is not only about speeches and persona. Presidential politics is about making hard decisions, about sending people to war, about competing with differing ideas on what the goals of society (domestic and international) should be, it is about securing a spot in the global market place for your domestic businesses, it is about making sure that potential rivals (military or economic) do not outdo one. As President,Obama will not only be a President of the Democrats but also that of Republicans. He is not a left-wing ideologuy or conspiracy theorist and will not pass all your pet initiatives. Representative democracy is about majority rule and minority rights. He will not be perfect. When (I've moved beyond "if" - yeah, i'm that confident) he will make decisions that are right for America and not just for the Democratic party or Republican-haters. Don't forget that!