Onward to South Carolina
Over the course of this primary campaign, I have had many a conversation with folks detailing how my vote for the eventual Democratic nominee was unquestioned. Even in the heat volunteering in the cold New Hampshire snows, surrounded by idealists clucking in disapproval, I accented my lack of moral compuction in hitting the pavement for a Clinton nominee this autumn.
Eyes on the prize, eyes on the prize. Even Hillary Clinton would be better than John McCain or Mitt Romney.
But the past week has forced me to reconsider.
Sen. Clinton’s behavior this week has edged me away from that position. As a student of politics, I know the game is though. I’m not naive. Her use of cynical race and religion; her deliberate misrepresentation of facts and statements; her Rovian, Nixonian, Cheney-like cavalier attitude toward her Opponent are all a part of how campaigns are won. And yet, this time, instead of being an effective tactic, it reinforces my sense that the game, in fact, needs to be changed.
If Sen. Clinton wins the nomination, she will not get my vote in November.
That thought has gone through my mind a lot this week. Should Mayor Bloomberg join the race, he will get my vote, consequences be damned. Irrational, angry - certainly. But genuine. If McCain is the GOP nominee, I will entertain casting my Kentucky ballot for him. Even Giuliani may receive my support.
But I hope it doesn’t come down to that.
I donated more money to the Obama campaign. It’s absolutely imperative that he win this nomination. For reasons more than solipsistically “wanting” to vote for, and not against, a candidate. My aim here is not for mere intellectual masturbation. But is it too much to say that my sentiment is in large part motivated by fear for my country?
In other news, from Obama’s speech at Ebenezer Baptist Church, of MLK, Jr. fame, was amazing.
Eyes on the prize, eyes on the prize. Even Hillary Clinton would be better than John McCain or Mitt Romney.
But the past week has forced me to reconsider.
Sen. Clinton’s behavior this week has edged me away from that position. As a student of politics, I know the game is though. I’m not naive. Her use of cynical race and religion; her deliberate misrepresentation of facts and statements; her Rovian, Nixonian, Cheney-like cavalier attitude toward her Opponent are all a part of how campaigns are won. And yet, this time, instead of being an effective tactic, it reinforces my sense that the game, in fact, needs to be changed.
If Sen. Clinton wins the nomination, she will not get my vote in November.
That thought has gone through my mind a lot this week. Should Mayor Bloomberg join the race, he will get my vote, consequences be damned. Irrational, angry - certainly. But genuine. If McCain is the GOP nominee, I will entertain casting my Kentucky ballot for him. Even Giuliani may receive my support.
But I hope it doesn’t come down to that.
I donated more money to the Obama campaign. It’s absolutely imperative that he win this nomination. For reasons more than solipsistically “wanting” to vote for, and not against, a candidate. My aim here is not for mere intellectual masturbation. But is it too much to say that my sentiment is in large part motivated by fear for my country?
In other news, from Obama’s speech at Ebenezer Baptist Church, of MLK, Jr. fame, was amazing.