I’ve been giving some thoughts to different things:
- Although in my heart of hearts I still feel that Hillary Clinton is better prepared to be President, even I am somewhat taken aback by the sheer number of Barack Obama supporters. I’ve begun to accept the facts that 1) he most likely will be the Democrat’s candidate, and 2) he may be a more strategic choice if we want to win in November.
The Republicans got smart at the last minute and dumped Romney, Thompson, Giuliani, and for the most part Huckabee too (I don’t care what Coulter and Limbaugh are saying now; they won’t vote for a Democrat over McCain). That puts us Democrats in a tough position. McCain has a lot of crossover appeal and will play well with independent voters. If Hillary becomes our nominee, even I have to admit that choice will help McCain. Independent-voting men in particular are said to overwhelmingly favor McCain over Clinton. I don’t get it, but so many men seem to have a hang-up about voting for a woman for President. Must be some sort of macho, straight-guy thing.
I also have to agree that more Clinton supporters will cast their votes for Obama should he win the nomination than vice-versa. Because McCain and Obama both play well among independents, it will be critically important for them to choose the right running mates. If McCain chooses a conservative running mate, it might shore up the Republican base but I don’t think it will help him any. Whomever Obama picks though will be crucial to his chance of winning.
- I’m beginning to see more and more cracks in Obama’s armor. The recent controversy about "borrowing" lines in one of his speeches is a rookie mistake (like the refusal to put his hand over his heart incident), and it’s exactly those kind of mistakes that will cost him the election come November. The Republicans in the past have expertly turned little issues into near career-stopping scandals. Remember John Edwards’ $400 haircut? They still bring that up every time Edwards’ name is mentioned, and unfortunately it sways a lot of people- even Democrats. Obama needs to get a campaign manager or someone who can keep him from making these gaffes ASAP. Now that McCain has nearly secured the Republican nomination, he is attacking Obama with full force. Obama needs to make sure he doesn’t give McCain any more ammo.
- The Arizona Republic recently tried to figure out who McCain might pick for his cabinet if elected. Their predictions:
- Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., in a prominent job, possibly even secretary of State;
- Former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., as attorney general;
- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as Homeland Security secretary;
- Former Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas as Treasury secretary;
- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as Health and Human Services secretary.
Notice anything about these choices? With the possible exception of Liberman being Jewish, not a single minority group is represented. I guess we can look forward to another four to eight years of the government being run by rich, white men should McCain be elected.
- Obama is getting better about specifics. His website now includes (finally) more detailed proposals about healthcare and other issues. One of the reasons I wanted specifics from Obama is so I could compare how he plans to accomplish things versus Hillary’s plans. Unfortunately I am not as fond of Obama’s plan for healthcare over Clinton’s. Newsweek looked at both candidates’ claims that all Americans would be covered under their proposed plans. Their verdict? Hillary’s plan would come close, but Obama’s not so much. Healthcare is one of the more vital issues for me when considering candidates. Knowing that Obama’s plan falls short dissapoints me greatly.
- If I hear one more person say "We’ve had Bush-Clinton-Bush; We need a change," I’m going to scream. I liked Bill Clinton as President, but even I know that Hillary is not Bill. To say you won’t vote for her if she is the nominee just because she would be "another Clinton" doesn’t make sense to me especially since she and Obama are very similar on the issues. What specifically makes Obama a "change?" Inspiring speeches? Outline specifically what policies you think will be continued from the Bush-Clinton-Bush years that won’t continue if Obama is elected.
C’mon people. I don’t care if you want to support Obama, but please do it intelligently. Vote for the man because of his stances on the issues, not because "Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton" makes a good sound bite. I know the vast majority of you are supporting Obama for the right reasons, but nevertheless this simple turn-of-phrase seems to have influenced some.
Don’t get caught looking like an idiot when asked why you support Obama like this State Senator. Instead be like this guy.
These are just some of the thoughts going through my head. Take them or leave them, or better yet leave a comment and tell me what you’re thinking.
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Well said Scott. I’ve started reading Obama’s book, The Audacity of Hope. I’m hoping that it will help me like him more if he wins the nomination which is beginning to look likely.
I agree we need more specifics from Obama and we need more specifics from his supporters on why they wouldn’t support Hillary in the droves that we will flock to Obama if he wins the nomination. The whine of “Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton” doesn’t hold any water for me. Who cares what her name is, beyond that WHY don’t you support her?
Chris’s last blog post..Rollin? Bones Tonight!
I’m not worried about John McCain at the moment. What concerns me is the behaviour of Hillary Clinton. Now she knows she lost, she will try and torpedo Obama’s bid, so she can get in 2012. She is well capable of this and I expect it fully.
Obama is a lot shrewder than you think he is. Look at how he baited Bill Clinton in SC. It worked a treat.
He will do fine.
Sam-
I don’t think Hillary Clinton is out to “torpedo” Obama’s run. She’s playing politics, and he can’t handle that (or if his supporters can’t) then he’d better step aside. Hillary isn’t stupid. She knows that it would actually be harder for her to win an election in 2012 should there be an incumbent Republican run against her. Actually, I doubt she’ll run again if she isn’t the nominee this time.
As for Bill Clinton in SC, I thought Obama actually reacted poorly to Clinton’s attacks. It was one of the things that turned me off on Obama. If he can’t handle the (relatively mild) attacks by Bill, then he won’t be able to go the distance against McCain. Just wait until Obama gets “swift-boated.”
Chris-
I salute you for reading Obama’s book. I got the audiobook version, but I haven’t had much chance to listen yet.
Here’s what I find interesting: Hillary’s supporters seem to be willing to get to know more about Obama, but not vice versa. It seems as though his supporters absolutely, positively won’t let themselves be open to the possibility of her as a candidate. I’m not sure what to make of that, but it disturbs me.
Ok….here are some specifics regarding why Obama will be able to garner more support from independents and middle-of-the-roaders come general election time. Simply, because people like him, and, fair or not, there is a very large segment of the population who live to hate Hillary Clinton. Right wingers vote very strategically towards forwarding their demented neo-conservative agendas. Liberals vote based on specific issues that are important to them. But, the fact of the matter is, that the vast majority of Americans are somewhere in the middle…and these people vote for the person that they’d most like to hang out with - the person who seems most down-to-earth, or genuine, or inspirational. I, personally, don’t hate Hillary - but I don’t think it could be said that she really conveys any of these qualities that are important to the average, non-partisan voter who is too busy trying to make ends meet to really investigate voting records and the ins and outs of healthcare proposals. They vote for the person who they get a feeling of trust for - a feeling of trust that this person will just do the right thing. They vote for people like Obama and McCain - an inspirational speaker and a nice old guy.
As far as the “whine” of Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton - I think a decision to vote for our nation to move in a totally new directions is a completely valid position to take - and not any less intelligent than wanting to continue with another Clinton administration. It seems that Hillary’s supporters want to be able to credit her the position of First Lady as her all important experience - but when folks, like myself, express a desire to move in a totally new direction - away from the fascism of the Bush dynasty and the neo-Liberalism of the Clinton years - we’re told that Clinton is merely her last name. If we disregard her experience as First Lady in the Clinton administration, and we forget about NAFTA and DADT and the DOMA, then it seems that she’s been a U.S. Senator for 8 years and Obama’s been a State Senator for 8 years and a U.S. Senator for 3 years.
It just kind of bugs me, that Democrats and friends have taken the position that anyone who isn’t currently supporting Hillary is either uninformed or unintelligent. I can assure you that I am neither. And, I can assure you that the vast majority of Hillary supporters can’t recite her healthcare plan or her explanation as to why she voted to invade a sovereign nation any better than Obama supporters can express their reasons for supporting their candidate choice.
Cyrus’s last blog post..Roman Holiday
Cyrus-
I don’t think supporting Obama is unintelligent. I just want people to have solid reasons for supporting a candidate, not some catch phrase. You make good points for Obama though I might not agree with all of them.
As for the argument that Obama will move the nation “in a totally new directions,” could you address this in more detail please? My take after reviewing Obama’s positions on the issues like healthcare and free trade is that he is even more Republican-lite than Clinton. I don’t understand how, when their stances on the issues are *so* similar, that Obama is seen as “change” yet Clinton is not. Be specific; don’t give me phrases like “totally new directions” without telling me exactly what that is and how it varies from Clinton.
In other words, convince me.
Thanks, Cyrus. That was actually very helpful for me. My state primary is come and gone, so all that matters is November for me now, but your reasonings were sharp, including your observation about the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton double standard. I’d never thought of it that way.
I am very worried about November, more so because McCain is already attacking Obama, while Obama and Clinton are still sparring with each other. In some ways, I wish this primary had been more of a rout than a horserace now. I feel the Democratic nominee (I assume it will be Obama) will be at a distinct disadvantage when it is time to start the campaign for the general election, already a step behind the attacks from the Republicans.
David’s last blog post..Just Another Tent Pitch
Cyrus and everyone-
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I want to like Obama. I want to feel comfortable with him. I want to be able to whole-heartedly support him, but I’m not there yet. I have my doubts about him, and no one -not Obama nor his supporters- has yet eased those doubts. If you think I’m being tough on Obama, wait until the Republican-machine at the hands of Karl Rove kicks into full gear.
I should mention that at this time I think the nomination *should* go to Obama, but that is mainly for strategic reasons. Cyrus has done an excellent job pointing out how the average American will vote for the person they feel most comfortable with and not necessarily research their stances on the issues. I agree with that, and that’s why I think Obama is the strategic choice at this point.
Truth be told: neither candidate is my first, second, or even third choice. I didn’t see a lot of candidates that excited me on the Democratic side this year. I have more progressive/liberal values than maybe most Americans, and many of these candidates (esp. Clinton and Obama) come off as Republican-lite.
I honestly believe at this point we face a tremendous uphill battle no matter who our nominee is, and that McCain most likely will win. I will do everything in *my* power to prevent that, but how many others will? Will the Democrats be able to get mobilized and do what it takes to win this election? I have my doubts.
Cyrus-
I have one last question for you: *If* the Democrats choose Hillary as the candidate, will you support her? Will you vote for her?
Democrats,
As a concerned Brit I have just the following plea- whoever the Democratic nominaton is, just when it’s said and done, forget all this and align behind that person? Align like you’ve never aligned before? Align in the name of all that’s good and pure?
OK?
Lurve
Bx
We have to unite no doubt. But Shillary wants this to drag on and on. If she can’t have it, then no else will.
Obama is at the moment fighting Bill, Hillary, John McCain and the entire rnc. Something has to give dems. Just in Wisconsin, more people voted for him than all the votes on the repug side.
By the way, does anyone know that Cindy McCain, the women, JM married when she was 25 and left his familly for, so he could launch his political career with her money is a former drug addict.
http://www.oliverwillis.com/archives/2008/02/20/cindy-mccain/
But Shillary wants this to drag on and on. If she can’t have it, then no else will.
What reason do you have to think that?
Here you go:
Ethics Reform: Obama was the Senate’s point person on ethics reform, and sponsored or co-sponsored the bills that made up what the Washington Post called “the strongest ethics legislation to emerge from Congress yet.”
The Lugar-Obama initiative to strengthen the Nunn-Luger framework for securing loose nukes, and to extend it to securing and destroying stockpiles of conventional arms
Various bills concerning the response to Hurricane Katrina, including an amendment putting strict limits on the use of no-bid contracts after disasters, requiring planning for the evacuation of people with special needs and senior citizens, creating a National Emergency Family Locator System
What he wants passed/do as President:
Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days.
Make White House Communications Public: Obama will amend executive orders to ensure that communications about regulatory policymaking between persons outside government and all White House staff are disclosed to the public.
Create a Public “Contracts and Influence†Database that will disclose how much federal contractors spend on lobbying, and what contracts they are getting and how well they complete them.
Expose Special Interest Tax Breaks to Public Scrutiny: He will ensure that any tax breaks for corporate recipients  or tax earmarks  are also publicly available on the Internet in an easily searchable format.
End Abuse of No-Bid Contracts: He will end abuse of no-bid contracts by requiring that nearly all contract orders over $25,000 be competitively awarded.
As for Hillary being better prepared for President? I disagree. Look how her campaign has been run. she has lost the last 10 primaries. there has been many accounts of infighting in her campaign. She just let go of her campaign manager. She started this campaign thinking she was the anointed one - which led to her having to give her campaign a loan because of her bad planning? Ready to be President on day one?
Obama has run a tight campaign. The examples you give of him kinks in his armor? Strawman. The Republicans don’t need much to “swift boat” someone. Hillary would have much more for the Republicans to run with than Obama. I surprised you didn’t mention Obama’s middle name.
Obama has succesefully run his first national campaign better, more efficiently than Clinton. Clinton with her “35″ years of service and experience? 35 years of experience and now she finds “her voice”. All those years haven’t helped her deal with Obama. How can we trust her experience as President?
Clinton’s argument that she is the best candidate because she has been “vetted” and has survived the Republicans attacks before are silly arguments. Those arguments rely on people’s fear of change. She is basically saying we shold vote for her because we all know her (the very reason not to vote for her). Clinton is relying of people’s fear of change. If we only elected the same people, we would never move forward.
Scott, I agree with everything that you said. Moreover, the big picture is that this nightmare scenario is exactly what the Republicans want, Obama as the Democratic nominee. Obama will be deconstructed and reduced to exactly what he is, an empty suit. McCain started his negative attacks on him today. I am not going to argue about Obama’s ability to speak in way that some people find inspirational. So what? I have heard lots of inspirational speakers in my 57 years, but that does not qualify them to be President?
Voters evidently do not realize that only a small number of people participate in the primaries vs. the general election in November. Only a fraction of eligible voters have expressed their sentiments, very unfortunately. The die hard fanatics are the people propelling Obama. More than 70 million Americans will go to the polls in November. And for this election, people will be dragging the elderly out of nursing homes to make sure McCain wins.
It is a given that Obama does not have the experience to lead this country out of a recession, two wars, social programs that are bankrupting us with $48 trillion in future costs owned to current beneficiaries, a Congress that is hopelessly broken, health care that is too expensive for the upper middle class and locks out the working class, a failing infrastructure, a National Guard with totally depleted resources, $400 billion annual deficits, $9.5 trillion in Federal debit and another $22 trillion in debit owned by government agencies. Over 60,000 soldiers are currently suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome). The OMB (Office of Management and Budget) estimated that the cost to end the Iraq war as of last December would be $2 trillion, the lion’s share to care for the wounded and traumatized including Veterans benefits for the next 50 + years.
Global warming looms as one of the biggest issues the new administration must address considering the idiot who currently occupies the Oval Office will not even recognize the concept. And if all of this seems overwhelming, the fact that Congress has given tax incentives to multi-national corporations to ship the best blue collar and technical jobs in this country overseas has greatly diluted the tax base and the ability of Americans to find quality jobs. The tax code allows these corporations to keep the profits made from these offshore ventures untaxed provided the money is banked and kept offshore. And our Congressional “representatives” voted to make this happen! Between their salaries and expense budgets, each of them cost us over $600,000 per year. And that does not include the billions that they waste and steal!
The education system is totally broken. 2.5 million people will lose their homes when this foreclosure cycle winds down over the next two years. Obama says he will create a $10 billion fund for foreclosure assistance? That’s like spitting in the ocean. The financial losses to financial institutions are already far in excess of $1.5 trillion and the losses balloon with each passing day. There are $1.2 trillion on home equity loans outstanding, most of which no longer are backed by homeowner equity due to the fall in market value of homes. The entire financial system is in a very precarious situation. I guarantee that 99.9% of voters do not realize the unprecedented steps the Federal Reserve has taken to keep banks afloat, namely allowing them to pledge blocks of these home loans that might be worth 50 cents on the dollar for cash at the Fed window. Had they not done this, banks would be failing across the nation at a rate faster than the FDIC could address with its limited resources. The largest banks in the country including Citi Bank have sold large blocks of their stock to the Chinese, Saudis and other foreign interests in order to keep the doors open.
This is the tip of the iceberg. Nobody has been minding the store for the past 7 years in Washington. Everything has gone to rot and ruin. And virtually everyone in Washington is on the take, whether it be cash under the table, payoffs after they leave office or cushy jobs for administrators working in all branches of the Executive Branch (the President).
Now, I ask anyone with reasonable intelligence, can a freshman Senator who does not have the resume to run a small public company be put in charge of these horrific challenges? Think about it. “Yes We Can” and a speech will not solve anything! It takes years of experience and most of all connections on a global scale to even attempt to manage this level of crises. The only people in this political race on either side of the aisle up to the task are the Clintons.
CNN analysts just estimated that the cost of Obama’s new social programs to be $800 billion. There is no plan to fund these additional costs. In case anyone is not aware, this country is totally and completely bankrupt.
Without the dynamic duo of the Clintons who could walk into the White House on Inauguration Day and start making things happen within within hours, Obama will need a year just to find his footing. That’s history with every new President. And then who knows what Mr. Inexperience will propose to Congress or if they will buy any of it.
So you have to ask yourself, how in the hell are there so many idiots going to the polls? You need only watch Jay Leno’s - Jay Walking segments, some of which are taped immediately following graduation ceremonies at colleges to find out just how dumb and ill informed the general public is today. And yes, including college graduates!
The nightmare scenario is unfolding right before our eyes. We will know our fate on March 4th. If Hillary is not the nominee, I for one am getting the hell out of this country.
I wonder how many people are like me. I just don’t believe in Obama as our president so no matter who he is up against I can’t vote for him. But I can’t vote for McCain either. So I feel so stuck if he wins. I’ve been for Clinton since the beginning. I don’t believe in everything she does but I do most of it. I respect her and her ideas and plans. When it comes to Obama I see energy and fluff but no substance, and I need substance so that I can get behind and believe in you and vote for you. So if he is the candidate I’m lost as what to do.
Dan’s last blog post..Ode to Yuli
Sam-
Although I do not currently support Obama, I have tried to treat him and his supporters with respect. Your “Shillary” comment proves that you are not willing to do the same.
Until you can mature enough to avoid name-calling, your comments on my site will be moderated.
Dan-
If you can’t bring yourself to support Obama nor could you vote for McCain, then at that point I would suggest voting for the party rather than the nominee. Do you agree more with the Republican or Democrat platform? A President can be instrumental in helping legislation along or blocking it from getting passed. The President sets policy, but Congress initiates legislation.
Think of the recent reauthorization of the SCHIP bill providing health care for children whose families could not afford it. That bill passed Congress with the Democrats and many Republicans supporting it. President Bush vetoed it however, and because they didn’t have a veto-proof majority, the bill died. Millions of children are without health insurance now because of the President’s veto.
In other words though you may not particularly like the candidates, your vote is still important.
I disagree that he’s a better choice because he’ll influence independents. This is highlighted most noticeably in Missouri.
http://boy-oh-boy.blogspot.com/2008/02/political-thought.html
Also, his gaffes show him to be what he is: a really great speechgiver. Off-the-cuff? Not so much. His arrogance and dismissal of anyone opposed to him shows through (see his misogynistic responses to anything Clinton does).
I think he stands a good chance of being an ok down-ticket draw, but he’s not going to beat McCain. Subtly, and through 527 organizations, the Republicans will remind everyone of the country’s gentle racism. Hell, they’re already doing it, making sure we all know what an uppity house slave Michelle Obama is (check out Fox News).
If he’s the nominee, I hope to God I’m wrong. We can’t survive four more years of Republican warmongering, deficit busting, judicial-appointing nonsense. But god help me, I still believe that Obama will only survive one term himself. While his potential for greatness might be there, the potential for disaster exists in equal amounts. JFK or Carter?
Eric’s last blog post..Ep 40 - I Drank the Kool-Aid!
I’m a political idiot in general, so I don’t know as I can really add anything to the discussion. But there’s a couple things that strike me. One, I’m not sure as anyone can say in advance how any candidate will respond the role of president once elected, so the “hit the ground running” argument — for either Clinton or Obama – isn’t necessarily a valid one and is just as superficial as anything that Obama has ever said.
Two, I’m one of the people that want something different in the White House. Some may look at it as insubstantial and an unwillingness to look deeper into the issues. I don’t. I like this country. And I don’t like where it’s been going – yes, even under the so-called “utopian†Bill years (has it been so long that people only remember the positive things about that era?) – and I want that to change. I don’t see that with Clinton. I see the same deadlocked congress. I see the same political, partisan shenanigans. I see someone who doesn’t inspire.
I’ll admit that’s not delving deep into the issues. And I’ll admit that I would like to have a beer with Obama. But I’ll also admit that I’m actually involving myself in the process, learning about the candidates, and kind of having fun in the meantime.
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You’re upset because a hypothetical cabinet has white guys in it? Also, George W. Bush’s cabinet is very diverse, but why does it matter if it’s a black man or a white woman or whatever in a cabinet position? Shouldn’t the person who is best able to execute their responsibilities be in the cabinet position, regardless of their sex or race?
I’m also resolving myself to Obama as the nominee, but I am still troubled by the Obama supporters. I don’t like the fact that their first arguments are almost always non-substantive and that only when pressed will they come up with a sort of fig leaf of issues that they purport to care about.
It also bugs me that so many of them say that they could never support Clinton. It’s a sort of bullying tactic: if you don’t support my guy, I’m going to take my vote and go home! If you look at their positions on the issues, there is not a lot of difference between Senators Clinton and Obama. If you would vote for one but not the other over McCain, then clearly you’re not voting based on substance.
I still feel that this all comes down to sexism, but Obama is an inspiring candidate, and his positions are largely in line with my own, and I really don’t think that he’ll fold in front of some supposed McCain onslaught. McCain himself is just starting to get the sort of scrutiny that he deserves, and even if the Republicans are going to support him against any Democrat, there’s just no way that he’ll excite the GOP base the way Obama will excite the Dems.
TED’s last blog post..Going Among Mad People
mgroves-
I believe in a government “for the people and by the people.” In other words, I believe it should be representative of the people. Last I checked this country wasn’t made up exclusively of rich white guys.
You can’t tell me that for at least one of those positions there might be woman or minority race candidate that would make a better choice.
And Fred Thompson as Attorney General? I think I’d move to Canada.
You accuse me of being upset over a hypothetical cabinet. Well The Arizona Republic has spent a lot of time covering McCain over the years, so they know him pretty well. I think it’s important that people realize just what they might be getting with McCain.
Scott:
You cyber-vocalized my sentiments exactly. I’m a Hillary supported, and Healthcare is of utmost importance to my as an issue. I thing Bill Maher nailed it when he said (paraphrased), “anyone who hates Hillary Clinton, hates themselves! There’s not one thing hateable nor contemptable about her.”
I think Obama needs more experience. But, of course I will support him if he is the nominee.
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I love your commenst and your blog!
A few thoughts, It does appear that Obama is rather impressively moving along, and it will be certainly interesting to see what happens on march 4th. Hillary is not done, but if she loses any of the big states ( pennsylvania, ohio, or texas) she will be. I still fully support her, and our lot as florda voters has yet to be decided. If she had the votes she won in michigan and florida there wouldnt be souch furor over obama. He is still untested and woefully inexperienced, and as you said he needs to get a good campaign manager because the republican attack machine is going to rip him to shreds…its already started…everything from the copied speech, to his wife’s insane comment, to his ducking debates ( which was a smart move) and his flopping on campaign financing…they alreasy have alot to attack and he hasnt won the nomination. The republicans are getting exactly what they want…an inexperienced democratic candiate for them to tear apart.
To me Hillary is better on almost every issue out there. We know exactly where she stands and how she reacts and more importantly how she takes a punch. She has worked bipartisanly in congress and in her home state to pass numerous legislative acts. Yes she is a conserative and thats precisely why she is able to do the things that she sets out to do. Make no mistake,s he will accomplish whatever goals she sets for her or for this country. The jury is out on Obama…and I too dont see where all these supporters are coming from. One of my best friends is one of them and Ive disowned him ( LOL), he needs to prove he can win a large democratic state…like california, new york, florida, michigan, ohio, pennsylvania, and texas…if he cant win in those states against someone he calls divisive and old school…then he stands absolutely no chance in the election.
The people of florida have determined the winds of the last few elections, and believe me…there are many of us who refuse to vote for Obama. Many of us will vote against the marriage amendment and perhaps bypass the presidential nominee.
I dont seek to change anyones mind, we all support our candidates for various reasons, and hopefully Mr. Obama ( should he win the nomination) will change alot of minds in the next few months….if he makes me eat crow…so much the better.
I really have a bad feeling about Obama. I think he has a good marketing scheme, a bunch of celebrity endorsements and a bunch of money to spend but that is about as far as it goes. The man can’t even get his campaign to write an original speech, they have to borrow one from someone else. If we are wanting someone with “change”, then we should have someone that is using their own words and not the words of another politician. Its like the old saying goes: He can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk?
Jimmi’s last blog post..Yes You Can…
In an earlier comment, I pointed out a few of the main opinions that I have, regarding why I think that Obama is a strategically valid choice for the Democrats - and I included a few specifics. Of course, the reasons why any of us support the candidate that we do, are many and complicated and often not easily expressed. I’m certainly not trying to convince Scott, or any of his loyal and gentle readers to abandon support of Hillary, and come join the “Obama movement.” I’m happy that so many of you are so passionately supportive of Hillary’s campaign, and her promises as a candidate. If Hillary wins the primary, I’ll have my “Hillary ‘08″ bumper sticker on my car the next day.
But, I’m absolutely inspired by Barack Obama, and the promise of a new direction for this country. I’ve been asked to be specific about what I meant when I said that I believe that an Obama administration would take our nation in “totally new directions,” when everyone knows that Obama’s and Clinton’s stances on issues are so similar. So, here goes…
1. The Clinton camp has droned on and on and on about Hillary’s experience. One of Hillary’s catchiest sound bytes has been “Ready on Day One.” The idea is that Hillary’s position as First Lady gave her unmatched years of experience as a Washington insider, and that as such, she’ll be able to work Congress and command the military with the greatest of ease. As I mentioned earlier - take away her First Lady position, and she’s an 8-year Senator. Well, to be honest, her “experience” doesn’t cut it for me. In my opinion, her years in Washington have been spent making great political enemies, getting more entrenched in radical partisanship and perfecting the art of surveying and polling before committing to any position. She won’t be able to get a thing through Congress, because she has such a bloc of political foes (some within her own party) that no matter how well-defined she’s made her proposals - they just won’t come to fruition. I am willing to admit, that it’s possible that I’ve underestimated her political shrewdness. Which brings me back to a main facet of my point, that Hillary and her position in the Washington establishment means that more of the same. The same shrewdness and polling and posturing and partisanship that has exhausted this country for the past 20 years. Sure she’ll be a change from the current regime…and I’m ready to dance in the street next January no matter who takes the reins, but she will be just as polarizing as Bush has been and as Bill Clinton was.
2. Another part of my feeling that Obama will lead our nation in a new direction is becoming more and more apparent every day. He’s put together a stunningly effective and tight campaign. A year ago, only political junkies knew who this Illinois Senator and keynote Democratic speaker was. Now, he’s overtaken Hillary Clinton - one of the most most widely recognized names in the world. Some of the commenters here, including Scott, believe that he’s done that through empty speeches and flashy endorsements. I couldn’t disagree more. He has earned his position as frontrunner by listening to the people of this nation and letting them know that he’s listening. He’s earned it by assembling the very best talent for his campaign. The brilliant, brilliant people around him have propelled him, against obstacle after obstacle to victory after victory. How could we possibly expect that he’d do any less of a job in assembling an administration? Clinton on the other hand has had to fire her campaign manager, and has lost state after state even though she had every advantage over Obama in this race. As we have become all too painfully witness to…the adminstration makes the President.
3. I also feel that Obama can lead our wounded nation in a new direction, simply because I believe that he has a genuine and deep sense of ethics that seems to get lost on so many others, including Hillary. Now, again, I don’t think that Hillary is unethical, or untrustworthy. I do think that her heart’s in the right place, for the most part. But, I simply cannot reconcile her vote to authorize a “pre-emptive” invasion of a soveriegn nation. I very much believe that the Iraq War will be noted by history as the beginning of the end of the United States as we knew it. Her vote, which she still stands by, helped to cripple our country morally, diplomatically and financially for generations and generations to come. As recently as September she voted to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist group, which served no purpose other than to fuel the flames of yet another war on the Middle East. I knew that this endless war was wrong then. Why didn’t she? On the very day that Hillary voted to give Bush authorization to invade Iraq, Obama was risking his political career by speaking at an anti-war rally in Chicago stating:
“I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars. I’m opposed to dumb wars.”
The kind of courage to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular - and Obama’s stand was unpopular in 2002 when so many in our nation were thirsting for war with any one in the Middle East - that’s the kind of courage that can lead us in a totally new direction. Making sure that your vote aligns with the poll results is just more of the same.
4. Just as a side note - I’m not threatening to leave this country if Hillary is elected. I’m not threatening to stay at home on election day if she wins the nomination. And I would never refer to her as Shillary (which I think was supposed to be Shrillary, no?)
I just hope that Obama wins, and I’m not an unintelligent, vapid, gullible soul for hoping so. And, I don’t think that you all are any less engaged or perceptive than I am. So, may the most capable man, or woman win.
Cyrus’s last blog post..Roman Holiday
It is disheartening that throughout all of the comments, no one has mentioned the citing of the predictions of “The Arizona Republic.” You have taken their predictions and blessed them as a foregone conclusion. I hope you will send a copy of your blog to the following …
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez
Labor Secretary Elaine Chao
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings
Transportation Secretary Mary Peters
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson
Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice
It would be fun to hear their reactions to being called “rich, white men.”
This list represents 40% of the 15 cabinet posts.
George Bush has many failings and I in no way support him, but fair is fair. He has done an admirable job of inclusion among his staff.
Otherwise, your comments are well thought out and insightful. Thanks for allowing opposing viewpoints.