About a year ago, I was undecided as to who I would support for President, and my friend Scott played for me this speech by Barack Obama on the role of religion and tolerance in public discourse. As a former Christian and former Atheist, and as someone who values reason and rationality but also understands the powerful force religion has on individuals and on our Nation, I found it very moving. It communicated to me a level of thoughtfulness on this difficult issue that I haven’t seen in any other political leader in my lifetime.

I had been interested in Obama in the previous months before falling temporarily out of interest with the primary race. But hearing this speech convinced me that he’s the Real Deal. Politicians like Hillary Clinton and John McCain may be effective representatives for many millions of people, but only Barack Obama has the potential to lead our people in a new, positive direction.