Essential Estrogen

A desire for change is what Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama says he's heard loud and clear while on the campaign trail in Iowa -- and exactly what he's prepared to provide to the American people.

"I've had a terrific chance to travel -- not just in the main urban areas like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids -- but also the smaller, rural areas around the state," he said today following public remarks at Roosevelt Middle School in Cedar Rapids. "What's interesting is just how uniformly people are hungry for change."

Obama said he's been impressed with the level of the discourse with residents throughout the state as well as with citizens across the nation.

"What's also been really interesting is that even the most remote areas, people are very concerned about foreign policy," he said. "I think people recognize that we are at one of those crossroads where the decisions we make over the next five years are going to have such a profound effect on our long term security and our relationship with the world. I'm really pleased to see just how engaged people are."

He says that while campaigning around the state, he is often asked is why support should be placed with him instead of another of the other Democratic candidates for president.

"I think we are in one of those rare moments where we can start to bring about significant change," he said. "The question for Democratic voters this time out has to be not just who can win the election, but who can bring about a significant enough change to move the agenda forward. For instance, we're going to have to have 60 votes in the Senate to bring about universal health care. So, it's not enough for us to rely on the traditional 50 plus one campaign strategy. We can't concede 45 percent of the electorate."

In order to be effective, Obama says the next president must be able to work with the existing players as well as bring new people into the process.

"We have to attract independents and even some republicans into a working coalition," he said. "And we also have to get new people involved in the process so that we can change the political map."

As an example, Obama pointed to Mississippi, where the electorate is 40 percent African-American. Yet on election day, he said, only 25 percent of the votes cast are from African-Americans.

"If we have a Democratic Mississippii -- or at least a Mississippi that's in play -- then we don't have to just barely win in Ohio and Florida," he said. "Suddenly we will have the whole country in play."

Obama noted that although he isn't as well known as some of the other Democratic contenders, he ranks the highest among Independents and Republicans.

"This is despite the fact that in many ways my voting record is more progressive," he said. "This means, I think, that I at least have a chance in putting together the kind of majority that would actually get stuff done."

Speaking before a morning crowd of roughly 500 people, Obama said three tests will be given to individuals who want to serve in his administration.

"The first test is competence," he said and was quickly forced to pause while the audience voiced its approval. "The second is integrity. I don't want people in my administration who aren't there to serve the nation. And, three, I want people who are independent. ... Those are the kinds of people I want around me. Those are the types of people who will tell you when you are wrong."

He added that people who serve in his administration will not be allowed to work on regulations or contracts directly related to a former employer for two years. And, once an employee leaves the administration, he said that employee will not be allowed to lobby for the remainder of his term in office. He additionally vowed to end no-bid contracts and to place government transparency as one of his highest priorities.

During the question-and-answer period area resident Brad Kiburtz asked how Iowa residents could be sure that once moved into the White House, Obama would not fall into a pattern of corruption. The Senator took the opportunity not only to outline his past achievements in ethics reform in Illinois but to lash back at politicos and pundits who have pointed to his recent debate statements on diplomacy as proof of a lack of experience.

"What I've come to realize is what Washington oftentimes means as experience is simply reciting the conventional wisdom that's developed in Washington -- even when it doesn't work," he said.