To the Editor:

Each day more and more the Obama

momentum seems unstoppable.

This impetus may be due in part to an uncanny historical nexus of a man with the times.

Sen.

Obama’s

apparent

qualities of

statesman and his effervescence outstrip

other presidential candidates of his party and the Republican.

His

sincerity

is

palpable,

and his command of important

issues debunks his detractors’ criticism that there is no time for &8220;on the job training&8221; and the &8220;folly of youth.&8221;

These statements

now

seem

vacuous

in

light of

Obama’s

rapid political maturation and evident growing appeal to a wide cross section of America.

In essence,

Obama

is good for America, and for the world that is yearning for an American leader with intellect and vision to handle the complexities of

globalization and collective security.

I witnessed Sen. Obama

enthrall audiences at both the AME Church in Selma a few weeks ago and the political rally on April 14 on the green at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta.

The rally’s diverse gathering embraced his enthusiastic and empathic appeal, free of demagoguery, that was tastily peppered with fresh ideas

including

developing

meaningful

work programs for felons,

and

extricating

the

nation’s capital from

the prevailing climate of

&8220;power trumping political change.&8221;

With domestic and international uneasiness over Iraq, endless political bickering in the nation’s capital, and growing disparity at home between the rich and others, Obama’s

appeal for change rings a resonant chord, especially among the vast majority who live outside the Washington Beltway.

His refreshing refrain that &8220;ordinary people can do extra-ordinary

things

if

given

a

chance&8221; harkens

back

to the country’s historical innovative spirit, while evoking a sense of hope for the less fortunate and elderly, as well as the young and enterprising.

There

is

&8220;something

stirring

in

the country,&8221;

he

said, calling for a change from the current administration’s

ethos of &8220;obstinacy&8221;

to one that will satisfy the public’s yearnings,

and

not be separated from its own government.

As the Rev. Joseph Lowery said in Selma and Atlanta, &8220;America is now facing the darkness of

fear, doubt, and division.&8221;

Obama is astute. As president he will be eminently capable of forging a &8220;diplomatic surge&8221; internationally.

And at home, he can to foster social harmony,

economic

growth

and a climate of

mutual responsibility among the citizenry.

It looks like Obama will have the chance to meet that challenge since nothing on the horizon seems likely to derail his campaign train that has gathered the steam and momentum needed to reach the White House.

I am

a recently

retired

senior

U.S.

foreign service political reporting

officer with global experience.

I

live in Atlanta and teach international affairs sometimes in Italy.

Earle Scarlett

Atlanta