As I write these words, Senator is addressing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington, D.C., giving his first speech as the presumptive nominee for President of the United States.  

I am aware of the immensity of this moment and believe it important to digest it slowly and reflect on those in our past that made this occurrence possible. With Barack Obama clinching the Democratic Party nomination, it is worth noting what an extraordinary moment this is. Democrats are nominating a freshman Senator barely three years out of the Illinois legislature whom most of America still hardly knows. The polls say he is the odds-on favorite to become our next President.  

Think about this in historical context. Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were relatively unknown, but both had at least been prominent Governors. John Kerry, Walter Mondale, Al Gore and even George McGovern were all long-time Washington figures. Republican nominees tend to be even more familiar, for better or worse. In Mr. Obama, Democrats are taking a leap of faith that is daring even by their risky standards. 

No doubt this is part of his enormous appeal. Amid public anger over politics as usual, the Illinois Senator is undaunted by Beltway experience. His personal story – of mixed race, and up from nowhere through Harvard – resonates in an America where the two most popular cultural icons are Tiger Woods and Oprah. His political gifts are formidable, especially his ability to connect with audiences from the platform.  

Above all, Mr. Obama has fashioned a message that fits the political moment and the public’s desire for "change." At his best, he offers Americans tired of war and political rancor the promise of fresh national unity and purpose. Young people in particular are taken by it. But more than a few Republicans are also drawn to this "postpartisan" vision.  

Mr. Obama has also shown great skill in running his campaign. No one gave him much chance of defeating the Clinton machine. No doubt he benefited from the desire of even many Democrats to impeach the polarizing Clinton era. But he also beat Hillary and Bill at their own game which was thought to be an impossibility. He raised more money, and out-worked them in the small-state caucuses that provided him with his narrow delegate margin. Even now, he is far better organized in swing states than is John McCain’s campaign. All of this speaks well of his preparation for November, and perhaps for his potential to govern.  

He has been “pigeonholed” as being the most liberal Senator in the Congress which we do not view as a bad thing. The tag “liberal” can have many meanings including the one we choose as it seems to fit the Senator best. That definition is “open-mindedness” and a “willingness to listen and embrace new and alien ideas.” It is those definitions the we believe fit Barack Obama best.  

And that is primarily why The Lang Report has stood and will stand by our endorsement of Senator Obama despite the charges of “inexperience” and ineptitude. 

Yes, there is much we do not know about Barack Obama, but exactly how much do we really need to know about the man before we yield our vote of confidence along with our vote at the ballot box this November. 

We do not need to know where he prays and who he prays to. We do not need to know the transgressions of his youth when they are just that; the learning curve of growing up.  

Obama’s record shows that he grows and matures in the jobs and offices he’s held and there is nothing to diminish the belief that he will do so as our next President.  

This young Senator has been a supernova exploding into our politics, more phenomenon than conventional candidate and therein the attraction and his strength. His achievement in winning the Democratic nomination has been impressive but now comes the “acid test” which will more accurately measure the man. 

The political pundits insist that Barack Obama is the least tested and experienced major party nominee in modern times and that Americans have a right to know much more about him. 

I beg to differ on both accounts. I believe Obama’s life experience and the wisdom gained as being more than enough to comfort me and my vote. Concerning our right to know, America has become much accustomed to and consumed by an unhealthy diet of daily gossip which most times is confused as fact and the true measure of the man….when it is not!  

So let us enjoy this historic moment and behave with integrity

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