Democrats have a host of qualified candidates who could win in November and be exceptional presidents.  However the person best suited to our times is Barack Obama.  Why? 

The next president must reverse the catastrophic decline in America's moral leadership in the world, a decline that has made us among the least admired nations in the world.  Barack Obama can do that.  The next president must cut through the partisanship and divisiveness that have poisoned our public life for 30 years to achieve the unity craved by most Americans.  Barack Obama can do that.

As a legislative assistant to Senator Frank Church in the l960's, I had a front row seat for the cascade of critical legislation that followed the death of John Kennedy.  Something on the scale of Lyndon Johnson's accomplishments is needed today.  If anyone could do that it would be Barack Obama.

The Bush Administration has placed America in a deep financial hole.  Any responsible Democrat must reverse the catastrophic rise in the national debt piled on our children while mobilizing a national consensus for universal health care.  Those who dug this hole and oppose health care for all will use the filibuster rule in the Senate to resist.  In my judgment, Obama has the best chance to rally the nation to override this resistance and renew our country.

Some say Obama should have waited his turn.  I say we cannot afford to wait.  On many of our challenges, the hour is late and conditions dire.  Obama offers the best hope for a breakthrough.  Bush, Clinton, Bush and-once again-Clinton does not.

Rickie and I are packing our bags to work for Obama in Nevada come January.  We hope Idaho Democrats will do all you can as well.