As this 2008 presidential campaign winds down and we get set to vote for our next president, a campaign-weary America has a decision to make. Do we vote for a candidate because of our fears or do we vote for a candidate because of our hopes?

There was a time for great optimism in this country, even as late as Truman's election in 1948. We were a country united, having just whupped three great industrialized nations in World War II and had a military that was second-to-none in the world. Then came Korea, McCarthyism, Vietnam with its baggage, the OPEC oil crisis, Watergate, Iran hostage crisis, Gulf War I, 9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq (Gulf War II), Pakistan, and now a casino economy in tatters. It would be safe to say that for most people pessimism is stronger than optimism.

Our political candidates since Truman (and Eisenhower) have reflected that growing pessimism. The candidates that brought optimism to so many people were assassinated in the 1960's, which raises the specter that it could happen again. That's what makes the hatemongering and division of Republican candidates John McCain and Sarah Palin dangerous. There are still many people alive today who remember JFK and RFK in 1963 and 1968, respectively, and Ronald Reagan in 1981.

As many Americans face the reality that they may lose their home and job at some point in the near future because a minority of corporate officers gambled with shareholders' investments--something encouraged by the termination of Glass-Steagall in 1999, part of which was pushed through by McCain, the potential is there for a lesser-qualified candidate to get elected because he has stoked the fears of a pessimistic American voting public.

The candidate that is losing ground the most because of the state of the economy is John McCain, partially because of guilt-by-association with the incumbent Republican George W. Bush, and partially because he is viewed and rightfully so as someone who is too old and out-of-touch to be an effective president. He could have done much to ease concerns by picking a vice presidential candidate with at least some complimentary experience, but he chose a political lightweight in Sarah Palin. She has proven that she can be coached to talk the talk, but she lacks the ability to walk the walk.

This is perhaps why the Republicans, whether politicians or conservative media talking heads or even party members, have labored so hard to attack Barack Obama personally by trying to tie him to distant associates and cast aspersions against his character. What Senator Obama represents, despite not having the most experience of McCain, is hope. That explains why he is so popular--hope is a powerful thing. Americans are in the last year of an eight year presidency of negativism and pessimism and are, quite frankly, tired of it. In the states where Obama is being most challenged, McCain has been running hard, negative campaign ads (not that he has released many with a positive message) attacking the character of Obama.

Barack Obama may not be perfect or the Savior of this country, but he has shown that he is willing to listen. Listening for a change is refreshing in a presidential candidate, who usually TELL us what we want to hear and promptly forget any of it once in office.

I have been a registered Republican/registered Independent who voted Republican for national office for 22 years now. This is the first election I will be casting a vote for a Democrat for president because I believe that it's time to vote for my hopes. There is enough in this world that may cause us to be fearful. Voting Democrat this election shouldn't be one of them.

Vote Obama. Vote for Hope.