Only Obama Can Mend Boomer Rifts

Barack Obama is the only presidential candidate who can take the US past the “debilitating, self-perpetuating” Vietnam-vintage divisions within the Baby Boom generation, conservative Andrew Sullivan asserts in an Atlantic cover story. Sullivan is so disturbed by the “nonviolent civil war” keeping America busy at home while the world struggles that he’s supporting a Democrat he believes can turn the page.

The White House hopefuls barely disagree on broad policy points. It’s the legacy of the 1960s that really raises temperatures: If Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani make the next Iraq choices, we’ll be drowned in Vietnam symbolism. But Obama isn't rooted in the past, Sullivan writes—a unique understanding of the global moment will help him rebrand the country. (More Barack Obama stories.)