Opinion PRESIDENTIAL SWEEPSTAKES This is the second installment of a series of commentaries in support of the active candidates. Clinton's Warmth Stirs Resolve Barbara Rom Special Commentary Detroit S enator Hillary Clinton is clearly known hi Washington as a work- er in the trenches — someone who actually gets things done rather than just speak about them. She has accom- plished this by forming relationships with others in the U.S. Senate, including Republicans. New Yorkers realize this fact, even voters in largely Republican areas of New York. She has been seasoned by eight years in the White House Hillary Clinton while her husband, Bill, was president and seven as a U.S. senator. Her efforts include moving programs ahead in transit, housing and hospitals, among others. Equally important, she conveys strength in professional and personal matters. I had the privilege of dining at her home with a handful of people early last year. Local leader Florine Mark and I were most impressed with her vast knowledge of so many issues, but also with her very unhurried, warm and genuine approach to each of us individually — not the usual quick hello and handshake prevalent at most political encounters. It is a difficult line to walk for a professional woman — to convey strength of resolve and purpose, but at the same time not lose the human touch. I believe it is the tender human concern for each person that manifests in the senator's strength and resolve to actu- ally implement changes, not just expound about them. Command Of National Security Sen. Clinton's service, for instance, on the Senate Armed Services Committee dem- onstrated clearly that she had command of the complicated and intricate details of national security. She earned the respect of the military in doing so. This is the kind of experience that will serve us well, particularly as she begins a delicate and careful disengagement from Iraq, not a precipitous withdrawal. Her global travels as First Lady pro- moted direct connections that she can call upon to further our international agenda. She was the embodiment to the rest of the world of the values we Americans cherish most. She has already demonstrated her ability to reach across the aisle — now she can reach across the world. Women's And HUman Rights Never to be forgotten is her message that women's rights are also human rights. In the Philippines, Mongolia and Soweto, thousands were eager to hear her message. Now we have the chance to not only hear her voice, but also give her the means to make a difference at home and abroad. This is the first time a woman candidate is in the forefront of the nomination race. She is qualified by talent, knowledge, skills and experience to tackle national and international issues. As an example on the domestic front, a New York Times columnist proclaimed that Senator Clinton's universal health plan would cover twice as many uninsured than the proposal of Senator Barrack Obama, D-Ill. — at only slightly higher overall cost. Columnist Paul Krugman wrote, "One plan achieves more or less universal cover- age; the other, although it costs more than 80 percent as much, covers only about half of those currently uninsured!' This shows that having done her home- work, Senator Clinton developed a work- able plan that achieves universal cover- age, and she has the best chance to get it adopted. On this issue, and many others, she will be the effective voice, commander and leader that we need and deserve. ❑ Barbara Rom, partner-in-charge of the Detroit office of Pepper Hamilton LLP, has more than 33 years of experience specializing in work- outs, bankruptcy, insolvency matters and com- mercial litigation. She achieved the coveted Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy designation in 1996. McCain Is Well Prepared To Lead Joe Lieberman Special Commentary Washington/JTA A 11 across the nation, the American people are participat- ing in a tightly contested elec- tion that will help determine who will be the next president. We are also choosing our commander- in-chief — the person whose No. 1 job will be to defend our nation at a time of war. And have no doubt: We are at war. Although much of this war unfolds in the shadows, it remains deadly real. Every day, in fact, our terrorist enemies are working feverishly to strike at us and our allies around the world, from the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan and — if given the chance — right here at home in America. An Able Commander - In - Chief From the moment the next president steps into the Oval Office, he or she will be con- fronted with life-and-death decisions that will make the difference between victory and defeat in this war. A42 February 14 • 2008 JN That is why I believe we need a presi- negativism and pettiness of our politics dent who is ready to be commander-in- to get things done for the country he loves chief from day one — a president who so much. won't need on-the-job training. McCain has quite literally dedicated his And that is why I have decided to cross life in service to America. He has fought party lines to endorse U.S. Sen. John in uniform on the front lines against McCain for president. America's enemies and has been tested I know that it is unusual under fire like no other candidate for someone who is not a in this race. Republican to support a GOP candidate for president. But the Character, Leadership dangers we face as a nation are It is more than his unrivaled too profound, and the challenges experience that makes McCain we face too real, for us to play so qualified to become president, partisan politics with the presi- however. It is character and lead- dency. ership. John Mc Cain After all, the Islamist extrem- Throughout his career, McCain ists we are fighting in this war has proven that we can trust him to do not distinguish between Democrats do what is right for our country, not only and Republicans. They want to kill all of when it is easy, but when it is hard — and us, irrespective of our political differences, to do what is necessary, not only when it because we are all Americans. is popular, but when it means standing I have worked with McCain on just against the tide. about every major national security issue When others were silent, John had the over the past 20 years — from stopping courage and the conviction to sound the the genocide in the Balkans to reducing alarm about the mistakes we were making our dependence on foreign oil, to creat- in Iraq and to call for more troops and a ing the 9-11 Commission and enacting new strategy there. its recommendations into law. I have seen And when others wavered, and were McCain, time and again, rise above the ready to flee the field of battle, John had the courage and the conviction to stand against public opinion and fight for the surge in Iraq — where at last today the forces of Islamist extremism are on the run and we are winning. This is the kind of leadership we as a nation desperately need in the years ahead — and it is the kind of leadership that you can expect when McCain is in the White House. There are many fine people running for the presidency this year. But when it comes to keeping America safe and solv- ing our most important problems, I firmly believe that McCain is the candidate who has the experience, the strength and the character to bring our country together and lead us forward. We need a president who is a proven leader on national security matters and someone who can reunite our country, restore faith in our government and rebuild confidence in America's future. John McCain is just that person and I would urge you to vote for him when you go to the polls. ❑ Joe Lieberman is a U.S. senator from Connecticut. He was the Democratic vice presi- dential candidate in 2000 when Al Gore ran.