I've come to the conclusion that the most important thing to look for

in a candidate is a strong character. Experience can be gained. Learning the ropes
can be made easier by choosing highly competent people to serve in cabinet positions.
History can be studied.

Imagine how different the world would be today if Geoge W. Bush had had a good character, or a conscience.
Character is not something his Daddy could buy him. Lack of it is what allowed Bush to fill every government position
with incompetent people whose salient attribute was their blind fealty to him. And We, The People, sufferered for this
at every turn. When Katrina hit, the man W. chose to head FEMA didn't have a hunch of what to do. Who knew?
Alberto Gonzales, Harriet Miers, Rumsfeld, Cheney, Libby... well, we all know the litany. Oh, and don't forget,
there's that pesky war...

Qualities like integrity cannot be tutored.
And it's a person's character that informs every decision made.

I've decided - I'm voting for Obama. He's my man.

His wife, too. I honestly can't think of another president in my lifetime that I could say that about.
I loved JFK and thought he was intelligent, handsome, funny. Politically savvy. But, a wonderful
human being? Naahhh...

Gaining experience while serving as POTUS -- especially with the mess the next one will have to deal with -- is too much to ask of anyone.

Whoever assumes that office in 2009 will be thrust into a chaotic nightmare, and in all sincerity, if that person is Obama, he may be in over his head and it could prove to be detrimental to his career in the future.

My opinion isn't based on Obama personally, but anyone who isn't as seasoned as the other candidates. They're used to swimming with the sharks. I feel it would be in Obama's best interests -- and the country's -- if he would gain that experience BEFORE ascending to the position.

But I'm in total agreement with you on Obama as a person and a visionary. For me, it's just that he hasn't got the chops yet.

And congrats for making your choice -- it feels good to finally resonate with someone enough to make a commitment to him/her.

him. I do wish I would see one person get up that list who wants us out of this war. I can not understand what I have missed. All these well educated people seem to be for this war and I have not been for it since before we did it. I keep reasoning it out as bad bad bad yet people with much more education than I gladly keep it up. I keep thinking, what have I missed?