The two leading Democratic candidates enter Super Tuesday so evenly matched the race would be a nail-biter were there significant policy differences between them. As it stands, so little separates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama-and so much separates them both from President Bush-that Democrats are assured of a strong standard-bearer no matter what the outcome.

Given their near-identical platforms, the decision between the two senators thus largely comes down to questions of personal conduct and rhetoric that might otherwise seem trivial. Today, however, these factors are critical, and Barack Obama emerges as the clear choice.

Obama's watchwords of hope and change have little inherent value-they are empty, easily exploitable terms. But their effect on turnout and the energy of the electorate, especially among young voters, is as real as the words themselves are abstract and will serve the party well in November. They establish the senator as a consensus-based leader whose appeal across the ideological spectrum is not just politically useful, but in a broader sense vital to rebuilding a sense of national purpose after years of division under President Bush.

Clinton, by contrast, has always been a polarizing figure. Her attack-dog

commitment to her agenda is a tremendous asset in the legislature and in advocating issues such as universal health care, but it would be out of place in the White House. The past eight years have been a painful illustration of the damaging effects of overly centralized and dogmatic executive power: While we might agree with Clinton's policies, Bush has shown us that in the long run such unilateral pursuit of partisan goals by the president is politically unhealthy.

The New York senator makes much of her long experience in national politics. By repeatedly emphasizing her readiness to govern "from day one," she has deliberately encouraged the perception of her opponent as some sort of fumbling political novice.

In reality, Obama has spent more time in elected office, not less. In the process, he has established a record that demonstrates both the open-mindedness needed for bipartisan efforts and the courage to stand tough on divisive issues-most notably Iraq. While his early opposition was made easier by his then relatively low profile, Obama's consistent message has far more resonance than Clinton's hollow regret.

Both Democratic candidates are well qualified for office. Obama, however, represents as a clean a break with the divisive, inefficient politics of past years as we are ever likely to see. Vote Obama for Democratic nominee for president.