Barack Obama has been in the Senate for less than four years. But what the Hawaii native and Columbia graduate may lack in experience he makes up for in passion.

When in 2004 Senator Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, the calls for him to run for the presidency began nearly instantaneously. In this election, Obama has run a campaign based on hope and on change, and his policy ideas have been there to fortify his message all along the way. The policy differences between Senators Obama and Clinton are far less apparent than the differences in conduct and demeanor. Senator Obama has rallied support in unprecedented fashion. He has elevated young voter participation in nearly every state where he has campaigned thus far.

We find that his platform of hope and change holds more weight that a Clinton platform of experience and readiness because already we have witnessed fundamental changes in the way South Carolinians and Iowans participate in politics. On the issues, we find Obama’s plan for healthcare comprehensive, and he has placed bills forward that clearly lay the groundwork for a US withdrawal from Iraq. And the support that Obama has received from Republicans both in Washington and on the campaign trail is remarkable.

Senator Clinton has done a fabulous job as Senator of the State of New York. But there have been too many politicians in the White House over the years. Senator Obama brings with him a fresh pair of eyes untainted by corruption and by politics as usual.