The gloves come off
A slumping economy. An unpopular war. It seems that 2009 should deliver the Democrats an easy presidential victory. But I'm not so sure of that. McCain, who has all but locked in the Republican nomination, is going to be a formidable opponent even for a seasoned political veteran. Obama will probably win the Democratic nomination, but with only 2 years of senatorial experience, he's just no match.
On March 4th, I will definitely be voting to nominate Clinton. I like Barack Obama--there is real feeling behind the progressive ideas he professes--but I'm not as easily won over by his young Kennedy-esque glamor like many people are. Most of the changes he proposes are cribbed from the Clinton playbook. Clinton has been a senator only a few years more, but she's been a Washington insider even longer. Yeah, she was a first lady, but instead of hosting tea parties she took a stand on universal health care--unpopular then but desperately needed now. People say she's shrill and harsh and less likable than the other candidates. She's a woman, get over it. Women should be admired, not villified, for their intelligence and toughness. I guess it doesn't help that she has wrinkles too.
And I'm tired of hearing about who supported the war and who didn't. Everyone--politicians and the people--were misled by the administration. Our occupation of Iraq or Afghanistan will not end within a year--or perhaps within the next ten years. I guess that's where I differ from many of my fellow Democrats: I think immediately withdrawing troups would do a further disservice to the Iraqi people by sinking the region into a chaos--a bloody power struggle between different factions. Our country needs a leader who can lead us forward, not by looking back.
Obama has little domestic leadership experience and nil foreign policy experience. Next to McCain--the former prisoner of war and longtime statesman--he just looks like a kid. I think this difference in experience will be particularly evident during the presidential debates. Obama can only talk in the hypothetical; McCain can talk specifics.
I even find McCain likable in a way. Well, compared to other Republicans. He looks like a reasonable guy. And he has a long track record of thinking independently rather than with the Republican herd, which has garnered him enmity among other Republicans. When Bush neoconservatism exploded onto the scene a few years ago, the moderate, free-thinking McCain was political road kill, the Republican bete noire. Now he's their only hope. For the election and the future of the party.
Only Clinton is armed enough--barely enough--to go up against this powerful foe.
On March 4th, I will definitely be voting to nominate Clinton. I like Barack Obama--there is real feeling behind the progressive ideas he professes--but I'm not as easily won over by his young Kennedy-esque glamor like many people are. Most of the changes he proposes are cribbed from the Clinton playbook. Clinton has been a senator only a few years more, but she's been a Washington insider even longer. Yeah, she was a first lady, but instead of hosting tea parties she took a stand on universal health care--unpopular then but desperately needed now. People say she's shrill and harsh and less likable than the other candidates. She's a woman, get over it. Women should be admired, not villified, for their intelligence and toughness. I guess it doesn't help that she has wrinkles too.
And I'm tired of hearing about who supported the war and who didn't. Everyone--politicians and the people--were misled by the administration. Our occupation of Iraq or Afghanistan will not end within a year--or perhaps within the next ten years. I guess that's where I differ from many of my fellow Democrats: I think immediately withdrawing troups would do a further disservice to the Iraqi people by sinking the region into a chaos--a bloody power struggle between different factions. Our country needs a leader who can lead us forward, not by looking back.
Obama has little domestic leadership experience and nil foreign policy experience. Next to McCain--the former prisoner of war and longtime statesman--he just looks like a kid. I think this difference in experience will be particularly evident during the presidential debates. Obama can only talk in the hypothetical; McCain can talk specifics.
I even find McCain likable in a way. Well, compared to other Republicans. He looks like a reasonable guy. And he has a long track record of thinking independently rather than with the Republican herd, which has garnered him enmity among other Republicans. When Bush neoconservatism exploded onto the scene a few years ago, the moderate, free-thinking McCain was political road kill, the Republican bete noire. Now he's their only hope. For the election and the future of the party.
Only Clinton is armed enough--barely enough--to go up against this powerful foe.