Nathan Gonzalez: 'Why I'm supporting Barack Obama'

Nathan Gonzalez, founder of NationandState.org and author of Engaging Iran: The Rise of a Middle East Powerhouse and America’s Strategic Choice tells why he is supporting Barack Obama over at The Huffington Post.

Marcus Tullius Cicero, the great Roman politician and fearless opponent of dictatorship, warned us against leaders who, in "their admiration for shrewd and clever men, take craftiness for wisdom." In his ultimate how-to manual for governing, called On Duties, Cicero told us what we should already know: That morality and judgment are not an impediment to success, but a key to it. That is why I am supporting Barack Obama for president.

In the last seven years, we have seen our constitution torn to shreds before our eyes. The writ of habeas corpus, once the cornerstone of our legal system, has been suspended on behalf of a war effort with no focus or end in sight. We have reached the limits of Orwellian speech, with a president speaking of a "war on terror," "victory in Iraq," and "your are either with us or you are with the terrorists."

[...]

Cicero told us that morals need not be separated from expediency and success. In Barack Obama, we have a candidate who will not only bring about a needed change of course, but in the process will show respect toward the vast and diverse political fabric of America. He will take on the task of governing with the kind of dignity we should expect of our elected leaders. Obama can win next November, and as Cicero would say, he can do so with honor. That is why I'm voting for Barack Obama.