On Jan. 24, 2008, the Tri-State Defender endorsed Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in his bid to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for president.

We endorsed him because we felt he was the best-qualified candidate in the race. The last 10 months have proved us right. Sen. Obama has demonstrated time and again – under difficult, trying and tense circumstances – that he has the temperament, the intelligence and the will to be a president for all Americans.

The newspaper’s earlier endorsement riled some people who looked upon the reasons stated as playing the race card. That’s understandable. There are those who sincerely believe that race should play no part whatsoever in the decision-making process.

Our argument then – and now – is that culture matters, notwithstanding that such a position often is viewed as “playing the race card.”

In a global economy where all nations are interdependent, culture shapes geopolitical relationships. Our values, beliefs, ideas and worldview are molded by the ideas and fears held by the communities that shape us.

Sen. Obama’s heritage bonds him not just to the European-American and African-American communities, but also to the world. He is a world citizen who is uniquely qualified as a problem solver because he views issues through so many lenses.

Moreover, Sen. Obama has shown that he understands the importance of small, steady steps toward success. He has shown a remarkable calmness over a very difficult course and balanced that trait with the fire of conviction. He has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to speak with clarity and informed sincerity on the issues of the day, all the while showing that he knows and practices the art of listening.

At this moment in time, the nation needs a president who knows how to be appropriately reserved and unpretentious. It needs a chief executive who can wield the nation’s power in such a way as not to needlessly provoke those with whom we must interact around the world.

And indeed we must interact with the world in a much different way than has been the case over the last eight years.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, one of America’s most distinguished Republicans, has decided to support Sen. Obama because, as Powell said, “He has both style and substance. I think he is a transformational figure.”

What does transformation mean?

It means change, alteration, conversion, metamorphosis, revolution, overhaul, remodeling, reshaping, redoing, reconstruction, rebuilding, reorganization, rearrangement, reworking, renewal, revamping and remaking.

This is the door America most go through, and there is ample evidence to support Sen. Obama as the more likely of the two candidates holding the key to that door.

Remember this: America is a Republic. Here – in a very real sense – the individual is the government, with the right and responsibility to alter and abolish the status quo when reason dictates such action.

Sen. Obama has met every test of reason.

Get out and vote. Do it during the early voting period, if possible.

And let’s talk it up.