Probably the only political post you'll see in this space
I mean, no promises, but I generally save my typing fingers for vacation narratives or loving on Starbuck. *shrugs*
Quite honestly, I think all of Obama, Clinton, and Edwards - hell, the rest of the Dem camp - are candidates I can get behind, in some way. No one's my ideal this time around (are they ever?). They're all essentially for the same principles, and against the same other ones, and it'll all shift when they get into the Oval Office, anyway.
The distinction between them, IMO, is really in how they envision their leadership style, and it's for the voters to choose what kind of leader they want in their President. That's the more intrinsic quality, less subject to political shifts.
Clinton, for instance, sees herself as a strategist, a "Here's what we'll do, come with me and let's do it!" sort. While I have some lingering trust issues with her, I really like that she's a woman with a Plan, and she makes that clear. Obama, on the other hand, is all about being the mediator. I had the opportunity to hear him speak a few months ago, and it was eminently clear that he wasn't setting out to tell us what to do and how to do it; he sees himself more as a president who will facilitate discussions among others. He was all about opening doors and coming to the table (he'll make an awesome diplomat someday). And both are perfectly valid ways to approach this job. I'm just not sure, quite yet, which I prefer.
I don't have a handle on Edwards. Sorry. But I'm certainly not dismissing him yet, so suggestions are welcome!
California votes on Super Tuesday, although my vote will be cast early due to planned out-of-townness. That's plenty of time to think about it more, and I'll go one way or another half a dozen times. This week, for instance, I've been more than half-tempted to vote for Senator Clinton SOLELY because I am tired of people going "Obama and Edwards and Hillary." (If I could make one request of LJ at large, it would be to please afford her the respect of her office, unless you're also going "Barak and John and Dennis and Bill and Chris," in which case, knock yourself out.)
No, I am not actually going to use that as a primary selection method (heh, I punned).
It should be an interesting few months, anyway. And if we can avoid carrying the drama of political wankery into LJ drama, even better. The huge turnout numbers are encouraging; I have a good feeling this year.
*knocks on wood*
Quite honestly, I think all of Obama, Clinton, and Edwards - hell, the rest of the Dem camp - are candidates I can get behind, in some way. No one's my ideal this time around (are they ever?). They're all essentially for the same principles, and against the same other ones, and it'll all shift when they get into the Oval Office, anyway.
The distinction between them, IMO, is really in how they envision their leadership style, and it's for the voters to choose what kind of leader they want in their President. That's the more intrinsic quality, less subject to political shifts.
Clinton, for instance, sees herself as a strategist, a "Here's what we'll do, come with me and let's do it!" sort. While I have some lingering trust issues with her, I really like that she's a woman with a Plan, and she makes that clear. Obama, on the other hand, is all about being the mediator. I had the opportunity to hear him speak a few months ago, and it was eminently clear that he wasn't setting out to tell us what to do and how to do it; he sees himself more as a president who will facilitate discussions among others. He was all about opening doors and coming to the table (he'll make an awesome diplomat someday). And both are perfectly valid ways to approach this job. I'm just not sure, quite yet, which I prefer.
I don't have a handle on Edwards. Sorry. But I'm certainly not dismissing him yet, so suggestions are welcome!
California votes on Super Tuesday, although my vote will be cast early due to planned out-of-townness. That's plenty of time to think about it more, and I'll go one way or another half a dozen times. This week, for instance, I've been more than half-tempted to vote for Senator Clinton SOLELY because I am tired of people going "Obama and Edwards and Hillary." (If I could make one request of LJ at large, it would be to please afford her the respect of her office, unless you're also going "Barak and John and Dennis and Bill and Chris," in which case, knock yourself out.)
No, I am not actually going to use that as a primary selection method (heh, I punned).
It should be an interesting few months, anyway. And if we can avoid carrying the drama of political wankery into LJ drama, even better. The huge turnout numbers are encouraging; I have a good feeling this year.
*knocks on wood*