According to "The Obama Surge" written by Joe Klein in TIME magazine, Senator Obama's clear, declarative response to Tom Brokaw's prodding question at the second presidential debate of "Is healthcare in America a privilege, a right or a responsibility?" may have clenched the presidency for the Democrats. As compared with Senator McCain's vague answers, it appears as if in the midst of our nation's economic scare that Americans really want firm answers and help from the government.

Senator Obama's personal example of his mother suffering because of the current healthcare insurance problems enabled the viewers to see such a great, intangible problem as one that could affect their mothers, too. Also, Senator Obama's explanation of the current economic and real estate crises in simple terms enabled viewers to see how such a problem really could affect each American citizen in the long run. On the other hand, Senator McCain's vague answers about "liberalism" and "Obama's cronies" did not directly answer Tom Brokaw's questions.

For this reason, Klein recognizes that Senator Obama's clarity could have been the reason for Obama's small jump in the polls. Also, Senator Obama's confidence and ease of public speaking was a stark contrast from Senator McCain's rigid structure. Klein noted that for the majority of the second presidential debate, Senator McCain appeared to have a "pent-up anger that caused him to concentrate so hard that he had little energy left to attack Brokaw's questions with any creativity."

Americans have begun to realize that Senator Obama's clarity and confidence will enable him to govern successfully. This knowledge has made Senator Obama's success possible. The senator is going to have to trust the people as much as we are beginning to trust him. After years of politician talk, that is the change we really need.