Putting Myths to Rest

[maldis]

I heard an absurd argument on CNN this morning, questioning Obama's electability given that he hasn't won any large states. Clinton supporters are actually saying this indicates he "can't win" in those states. So I went and gathered some more numbers.

These are the vote totals in the large states where Clinton won:

State
Clinton
Obama
McCain

Comments

[maldis]

Hillary Clinton is infinitely better than John McCain, and if it comes to that contest I'll happily vote for her. She wants to move this country in the right direction, and she's fought many difficult battles toward that end; however, I fear her greatest weakness (and, therefore, the best reason to choose Obama instead) is her readiness to play dirty in order to achieve her ends.

Sure, sometimes moral principals come into conflict with each other and force difficult decisions. Certainly, the President of the United States will be faced with many such decisions, but Clinton plays dirty when she doesn't have to.

I have watched these campaigns very carefully from the beginning, and for many months, I was undecided. I leaned toward Obama early because of his opposition to the war, but despite that and my misgivings about Clinton because of her early support for the war, I was excited about all three leading candidates for our party. Then Clinton started to distort Obama's statements and his record.

In every debate I've seen (roughly ten) Obama and Clinton have offered a comparable balance of abstract principles and specific plans, yet Clinton claims she's the only one who's offered details. Obama began directing progressive political movements in the early 80's, yet Clinton says he has no experience. She has unambiguously asserted that he's all talk, no action, unprepared to face a crisis from the oval office. She's said electing him would be like electing another George W. Bush and accused him of playing Karl Rove politics. These are baseless accusations, yet she has the nerve to level them on national television, pretending righteous fury.

I hope it doesn't come to Clinton vs. McCain. It would be a clear choice, again, but Obama would be better. He can accomplish more. He can bring more voters to the Democratic party. He can get more people directly invested in the political process. He can raise the bar on ethics in politics, leading by example. Barack Obama is an experienced leader with clear vision and a strong moral compass, and he is the candidate who will bring about the kind of change we need most.