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The 2008 Presidential Campaign is in full swing. In the beginning, I knew I was going to vote for a Democrat - I just didn't know who. Recently though, I have chosen a candidate: John Edwards. Let me tell you why.

This Campaign is filled with very strong leaders. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards could be a strong President. Edwards, though, would be best. He has displayed true leadership, especially when the issue of ending the Iraq war arose recently.

In May, the Democratically led Congress sent Bush an Iraq war spending bill. The bill included all the funding Bush requested for his war AND a specific date for our troops to return home. Because of this date though, Bush vetoed it.

As a true leader, Edwards sent an email to his supporters. He requested money to run a television ad in the Washington D.C. area, hoping to put pressure on members of Congress to send Bush the same bill. The ad worked. Congress sent the same bill, and Bush rejected it again. Edwards then sent another email, requesting supporters to sign a petition urging Congress to stand firm. They did, and sent Bush the same bill, with complete funding AND a withdrawal date. Once again, though, Bush rejected the bill due to the withdrawal date. With a deadline looming, troops needed to be funded. As a result, Congress began to negotiate with the White House. Congress was thinking of removing the withdrawal date to finally get the bill passed. Edwards responded by asking supporters for money, to place an ad in the Washington Post. He also asked for those that opposed the war to call their Representatives and urge them to stop funding the war. Unfortunately, the appeals and persistence of Edwards and his supporters accomplished nothing. Congress sent Bush a bill to completely fund his war, ensuring it will continue and allow more American soldiers to die.

A Democratically led Congress had the first chance to bully Bush, to tell him, "Americans voted for change. They want the war to end." They could have ended the war with this bill, and Edwards consistently reminded them of this. Instead, they caved in, and essentially gave Bush a blank check.

While all of this occurred, what did the top three presidential candidates do? You already know what Edwards did. Hillary Clinton? She was asking supporters to choose a theme song for her campaign. Barack Obama? He was asking supporters to organize a walk for his campaign - HIS CAMPAIGN - not a campaign against the war!

The month of May was important for me because the American people had the first opportunity to voice out against Bush, to end this war. I was amazed that Edwards was doing so much to remind us and Congress, while his competitors sat, almost motionless.
Edwards showed leadership. That's something America needs. I'm sick and tired of secretive politicians. Those that smile and wave, and make speeches filled with broken promises. It's time to act, and vote for a leader America could be proud of. Someone that leads by example, someone that motivates others to accomplish a goal. In this case, the goal was getting out of Iraq, and Edwards, although it wasn't accomplished, tried his best to get American troops out. What did other so-called leaders do?

Learn more about this author, Rufus Callaway.
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