And the nominees are...

If political campaigns are unique in American life, presidential campaigns are even more distinctive still. Imagine having to do your next job interview on international television, with the search committee following you twenty four hours a day - judging aloud your every move, your every word, your every blog entry. Questioning your family, your co-workers and the girl who you once made fun of in elementary school. Imagine doing all of this for nearly two years without any assurance that you will be given the position, without any chance of a silver medal for second place.

I say all of that so that it will be widely understood that I admire ANY person willing to sacrifice so much in the hopes of making the lives of their fellow Americans just a little bit better. I think that it is preposterous to question the patriotism or motives of those running, and I think that personal attacks are repugnant.

Elections should be about issues and political philosophy, platforms and perspectives. They should be about an understanding and appreciation of the past, an intricate knowledge of the plight, prosperity and promise of the present, and a vision of the future that energizes citizens to become involved in improving their own lives.

When elections are about these things decisions become easier to make. Strip away tag lines and talking points and consider carefully the candidates from whom you can choose.

That is what I have done. Over the last two years, despite my immediate affinity for Barack Obama, I have tried to carefully and critically look at the entire field - at their records, their remarks, their reasoning, their resume and their character.

For the next 62 days I will try to highlight the reasons why I believe that Barack Obama should be the next president of the United States. I will not be "fair and balanced" to be sure, but I will do my best to be right.