Written by Athena Fleming

My name is Athena Fleming. As a senior journalism major, it is my goal over the next few weeks to help inform you about presidential candidate Barack Obama and his political platform, message of hope and vision for the future.

When I introduce myself around campus as a student with moderate political beliefs and tendencies to lean toward the conservative left, I am often surprised at the response. There aren’t torches thrown in my direction, no angry mobs, just whispers of agreement.

So many Biolans are frustrated with hiding because someone, somewhere, told us that we cannot be Christians and Democrats.

I respectfully disagree with this idea for many reasons.

Jesus said, “The most important [commandment] is this…And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31).

Caring for the rights of all Americans is what Democrats do best.

Like any party we have our extremists (those who are ultra liberal and have a free flowing, pluralistic attitude) but these select few don’t represent the whole. All I ask is that for the next few weeks you allow me to break stereotypes and permit me to represent Senator Barack Obama and the change he wishes to make.

Obama is the best choice for the next president of the United States because if you look at his efforts with the poverty exposed by Katrina, the harsh realities of today’s economy, the genocide in Darfur, or the war in Iraq, Obama continues to speak out and act upon the issues that will define America.