THROUGH a nearly two-year campaign, Barack Obama has confronted and overcome a mass of obstacles—his relative youth, a slender political portfolio, an unusual name and life history, a cast outside the convention of presidential candidates.

That he stands at the door to the White House testifies to his strength of character, cool intelligence and ability to reason, the qualities this country greatly needs in a leader for very uncertain times.

The Star-Bulletin, having endorsed the Hawaii-born U.S. senator from Illinois earlier this year, once again urges voters to choose Obama.

The Democratic candidate has steered a remarkable campaign. His message of inspiration and hope has resonated among Americans discouraged by two wars, a waylaid struggle against terrorism, government incompetence, swelling costs of health care and basic goods and a divisiveness that has checked progress on any number of issues.

He has deliberatively defined his priorities and proposals and countered attempts to distort them with sober self-assurance and respect when it is due. He acknowledges his shortcomings, seeks to learn and asks for advice from the best and the brightest.

Many Hawaii voters will cast ballots for Obama because of his birthplace, but there are far better reasons. The most significant of them is his substance and the ability to trust the people whose consensus he will need to rebuild America.