I'd rather vote for Obama.

[meatloaf]

I don't hate Hillary, in fact I remember often wishing she'd been President instead of Bill as she seemed to know her own mind and seemed to have a stiffer backbone. I believed at the time that if she had been President, the issue of gays in the military would've ended with a statement along the lines of "I'm the commander-in-Chief, I've made my decision, make it happen." I also like to believe Hillary's strength would've enabled her to say "No" to NAFTA, "No" to DOMA, and "No" to the Republican changes to welfare. She seemed sharp enough to re-frame the discussion of those issues and make the public understand what was at stake and how America would benefit from another path.

So imagine my profound disappointment when she started demonstrating the same sort of poor judgment, the same lack of resolve, the same lack of leadership when she first signed on to the war and then continued to support it, when she voted for the bankruptcy bill, when she and the rest of the Democratically controlled congress refused to hold Bush-Cheney et al accountable for their crimes or even to provide the most minimal checks against their naked grabs for power. It's hard to believe this is the "experience" she is touting as a strength of her campaign.

It is sad to say, but Hillary and her campaign don't seem to suggest much change from the status quo and, in particular, on what is to my mind the most important issue of our day, the war in Iraq. Furthermore, her campaign is being financed by groups that will work to stall any progressive change in health-care, media fairness, campaign finance reform, corporate taxation, and a host of other issues that matter to an angry liberal such as myself. Like Bill, she seems to have sold her soul to the DLC who as a group seem to think that if you can't beat the Republicans at their own games you join them, and I'm woefully tired of Republican-lite (d)emocrats.

On a side note: I also worry that Hillary is a much more polarizing figure than Obama simply because her last name is Clinton and she is a known, and irrationally despised entity to a large number of Americans. I'm afraid she'll motivate a large number of them to get out and vote against her while depressing turn-out of left leaning moderates and the useful idiots on our side who can't get past the fact that she's a strong woman who happens to be named Clinton.

As for Obama, on the national level I'll admit he is a bit of a light-weight and he has a vote or two in the Senate I'm not comfortable with. He has yet to complete his first term as a senator and much of that has been lost to his current run for the Presidency. However, he does have a legislative record in Illinois, and a personal record of working for the betterment of his communities. In addition, despite claims to the contrary, he has also spelled out his positions and ideas at length on his campaign's website. I'll admit to being impressed with his speaking ability, and the '04 speech in particular, but I'm more impressed with his quick thinking on his feet and the speed with which he and his camp have responded to attacks, such as the lapel pin/pledge of allegiance b.s. Part of me also wonders if it's not so bad NOT to be D.C. "experienced" as the status-quo way of doing things in D.C. seems to be a big part of the problem.

Looking to the future, I think it's great that Obama is bringing so many mew people into the election process. Call it a cult of personality if you like, hell call it daisies and daffodils if you want, as long as he's bringing them to the Democratic party. The flip side of this is how many of these people might be soured on the whole deal if, despite the numbers, both popular and pledged delegate votes are undermined by the Super-delegates. No matter how you try to paint it, it will turn off a large number of the first-time and youth voters who Obama has inspired and we do so at our own peril.

I'm also concerned about what we've been seeing coming out of the Hillary camp of late. Suggesting that like herself, McCain would bring more experience than Obama to the office was an extremely stupid comment to make, and one she may very well come to regret. Should Obama gain the nomination there is no doubt we'll see ads showing her apparent endorsement of McCain over Obama. In addition, her half-hearted objections to the race-baiting coming from surrogates within her campaign instead of forceful rejection and accountability is also setting an example more befitting a Republican.

So, despite my once high hopes, Hillary continues to disappoint, and while he stumbles occasionally, Obama continues to inspire. It is for those very basic reasons that I would prefer to vote for Obama come November. That said, no matter what, I will vote for the Democratic candidate, whoever it may be. Those threatening to do otherwise need to get over themselves and get over their candidate. Politics is a blood sport and nothing should be taken personally. How else do you explain Hatch and Kennedy being the best of friends? Hell, when it comes right down to it, none of us should trust anybody crazy enough to want this job. We should assign it to someone like Warren Buffet who recognizes the gross unfairness of our current government but who also possesses the savvy to right our ship of state, but who doesn't want the job.

Flame away, but be forewarned, I have my flame retardant underoos on.

P.S. I was a Kucinich man, then an Edwards man, then Obama. In case you were wondering.


*edited for grammar

[Growler]

1. Kick

[Laelth]

2. Generally positive and reasonable reflection.

It's interesting to see how people make choices. Initially, this was a difficult choice. I grow more comfortable with my own choice by the day.

:patriot:

-Laelth

[cooolandrew]

3. Yes, her campaign alone speaks to more of the same and even worse, video link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3qOi_l1RGY
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