Two weeks ago, my wife and I packed our bags and took our kids to
South Carolina to walk precincts for Barack Obama.  We wanted our
young children to be part of this campaign, to walk hand-in-hand with
other volunteers of every race, religion and creed, to be part of what
I have long felt to be the Kennedy campaign of our time.

For many years I have deplored the increasing polarization of our
country, the bitter divisions between red states and blue, between
Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, young and old,
rich and poor, black, brown or white.  We have found it difficult to
talk with each other in civilized tones, we get our news from
different sources, and our legislatures and Congress are paralyzed by
dissension.

Our country faces a host of immense challenges at home and abroad,
from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, to problems with our economy, a
lack of affordable health care and declining schools.  At times, the
sheer number and intensity of these problems make us feel that we have
never faced greater difficulties, but this is not true.

What makes our current problems seem so insurmountable is that we are
gravely divided here at home.  In my view, it is that division of
purpose -- the inability to come together for the common good -- which
poses the real threat to America.  And I have never met a leader with
a greater capacity to bring America together than Barack Obama.

Over the last few years, I have had the chance to work with Senator
Obama on the issue of nuclear terrorism, fighting for language, now
law, that will strengthen our efforts to keep nuclear material and
weapons out of the wrong hands.  I have seen the power of his
intellect, his deep grasp of complex issues, and his ability to work
across the aisle with Senator Dick Lugar of Indiana.  He showed me
then, as he is showing the country now, what an extraordinary and
effective leader he can be.

I have long told my young constituents that I regret they were not old
enough to remember John or Robert Kennedy.  I was born in Boston in
1960, and have no recollection of John.  When Robert was assassinated
in 1968, I knew much more about his death than I knew about his life.
But I was inspired by them nonetheless.  Perhaps it was in the water,
or in the stories my parents and grand parents told me about them, but
I grew up believing that public service was a noble calling, that we
had a duty to the next generation of Americans, and that we should ask
what we can do for our country.

I realize that it is hazardous to compare anyone to John and Robert
Kennedy.  How can you hold up anyone to a legend without having them
fall short?  But I do feel that in his ability to bring people
together, to inspire them to look beyond their differences and to see
what is best in America, Senator Obama reminds me a great deal of them
both.  And I guess, after reading Caroline Kennedy's beautiful piece
"A President like my father" and seeing the hordes of young people
participate in the political process for the first time, I am not
alone.

I like to imagine the day that Barack Obama is sworn in as President
of the United States.  For many nations around the world who love what
America has long symbolized but have grown estranged, it would be a
catalytic moment.  Not only would his election allow us to begin anew
to strengthen our alliances in the war on terror, and to address the
problems of global warming, genocide, poverty and disease, but it
would remind the rest of the world what they so admire about America:
In this land of opportunity, anyone, no matter how improbable their
start, can rise to the level of their God-given ability and become,
yes, even President.

More important, it would cause young Americans who have had their
doubts, and older Americans who have grown tired or cynical about the
political process to understand that the American dream is alive and
well.

I believe deeply in this country.  All that we face, we can and will
overcome.  The solutions to many of our most vexing problems here at
home, whether it is the economy, health care, education or illegal
immigration, are right before us.  They do not require rocket science.
What they do require, is someone who can bring people together from
across the political spectrum, get them to roll up their sleeves, put
the divisions of the past behind them, and forge ahead.  I believe
Barack Obama is that candidate.

Why I Support Obama

Two weeks ago, my wife and I packed our bags and took our kids to
South Carolina to walk precincts for Barack Obama.  We wanted our
young children to be part of this campaign, to walk hand-in-hand with
other volunteers of every race, religion and creed, to be part of what
I have long felt to be the Kennedy campaign of our time.

For many years I have deplored the increasing polarization of our
country, the bitter divisions between red states and blue, between
Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, young and old,
rich and poor, black, brown or white.  We have found it difficult to
talk with each other in civilized tones, we get our news from
different sources, and our legislatures and Congress are paralyzed by
dissension.

Our country faces a host of immense challenges at home and abroad,
from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, to problems with our economy, a
lack of affordable health care and declining schools.  At times, the
sheer number and intensity of these problems make us feel that we have
never faced greater difficulties, but this is not true.

What makes our current problems seem so insurmountable is that we are
gravely divided here at home.  In my view, it is that division of
purpose -- the inability to come together for the common good -- which
poses the real threat to America.  And I have never met a leader with
a greater capacity to bring America together than Barack Obama.

Over the last few years, I have had the chance to work with Senator
Obama on the issue of nuclear terrorism, fighting for language, now
law, that will strengthen our efforts to keep nuclear material and
weapons out of the wrong hands.  I have seen the power of his
intellect, his deep grasp of complex issues, and his ability to work
across the aisle with Senator Dick Lugar of Indiana.  He showed me
then, as he is showing the country now, what an extraordinary and
effective leader he can be.

I have long told my young constituents that I regret they were not old
enough to remember John or Robert Kennedy.  I was born in Boston in
1960, and have no recollection of John.  When Robert was assassinated
in 1968, I knew much more about his death than I knew about his life.
But I was inspired by them nonetheless.  Perhaps it was in the water,
or in the stories my parents and grand parents told me about them, but
I grew up believing that public service was a noble calling, that we
had a duty to the next generation of Americans, and that we should ask
what we can do for our country.

I realize that it is hazardous to compare anyone to John and Robert
Kennedy.  How can you hold up anyone to a legend without having them
fall short?  But I do feel that in his ability to bring people
together, to inspire them to look beyond their differences and to see
what is best in America, Senator Obama reminds me a great deal of them
both.  And I guess, after reading Caroline Kennedy's beautiful piece
"A President like my father" and seeing the hordes of young people
participate in the political process for the first time, I am not
alone.

I like to imagine the day that Barack Obama is sworn in as President
of the United States.  For many nations around the world who love what
America has long symbolized but have grown estranged, it would be a
catalytic moment.  Not only would his election allow us to begin anew
to strengthen our alliances in the war on terror, and to address the
problems of global warming, genocide, poverty and disease, but it
would remind the rest of the world what they so admire about America:
In this land of opportunity, anyone, no matter how improbable their
start, can rise to the level of their God-given ability and become,
yes, even President.

More important, it would cause young Americans who have had their
doubts, and older Americans who have grown tired or cynical about the
political process to understand that the American dream is alive and
well.

I believe deeply in this country.  All that we face, we can and will
overcome.  The solutions to many of our most vexing problems here at
home, whether it is the economy, health care, education or illegal
immigration, are right before us.  They do not require rocket science.
What they do require, is someone who can bring people together from
across the political spectrum, get them to roll up their sleeves, put
the divisions of the past behind them, and forge ahead.  I believe
Barack Obama is that candidate.