Illinois has an illustrious history when it comes to producing presidents. Liberals and conservatives can both find a great leader with Illinois roots to revere in Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan, while historians are starting to look more favorably on the black sheep of Illinois presidential politics, Ulysses S. Grant. Many think that Sen. Barack Obama will continue the trend of powerful visionaries acceding to the presidency begun with Lincoln.

With all due respect to the junior senator from Illinois, a President Obama is not the best person to lead the country because the senator has yet to specify a clear vision of the 21st century United States commensurate with his reputation.

Since Obama’s step onto the national stage at the 2004 Democratic National Convention when the media anointed him the future of the country, it has focused on his life story.

Inarguably he is a great American success, overcoming humble beginnings as well as the barriers to becoming a powerful black man in a white man’s profession. Politics, however, is not about the past. Sen. Obama, what have you done for me lately?

A quick examination of his legislative record reveals sponsorship of beneficial laws, ranging from limiting lead in homes to the Higher Education Opportunity Through Pell Grant Expansion Act (HOPE Act). Anyone who argues that Sen. Obama has not benefited the country or the state of Illinois is ignoring evidence.

His lawmaking actions, though, lack the spark of his speeches and manifest tepidity for bold, controversial positions. People love Sen. Obama because his background bodes of optimism, yet his legislative actions and oratory lack a specific vision of how to translate optimism into policy.

People might combat my view, saying that Sen. Obama is the best choice from either party. I fail to understand why the two parties force Americans to settle when it comes to presidential candidates. I want to fall in love with my president.

However, I am tired of smoke-and-mirror politicians speaking in broad terms. I want a bold policy declaration before I give my heart away. I want to know what my vote is getting me.

For Sen. Obama to match his hype, he needs to specify how to fix Iraq, how he will sharply cut greenhouse gas emissions, how he will overhaul governmental financial management and, most importantly, devise a signature revolutionary idea … something that declares to the world that the United States is the responsible global leader.

Barack Obama is a man of potential. He has the background and the intellect to alter the direction of world history, but for him to make the jump from senator to president, he must leave the timid party line behind and make bold declarations.

People like Obama for what he symbolizes and not for his political substance.

When children cry out in pain from a lack of health care or bombs rain down in war, I want the man with ideas, not just an attractive life story.