On the political events of late

[boudiceaborn]

My allegiances to a Democratic contender have been constantly shifting over the past few months, so it was almost more relieving than annoying that I couldn't vote in the CA primary. Back then, I was pretty strong for Hillary. After a few months of being annoyed at Hillary because, well, she's Hillary and has always had the charisma of a raisin, I

Comments

[boudiceaborn]

I thought Obama's speech on race in response to Wright's comments coming to light was actually a very strong political response, and I admired that he managed not to appear like he was running from a friend out of political expediency. (Though in the end he had to distance himself, because Wright insisted on turning himself into a political caricature and reiterate some of his most extreme views, that I very much hope Obama doesn't share) The "bitter" comment, though, man, that was pretty awful.

[eyelid]

Considering that only a few seconds of tape could be found w/Wright putting forward some extreme views, I think it's quite likely Obama just missed that speech.

Also, I don't really get the idea that one must agree with everything espoused by their pastor in order to be in a congregation. I know plenty of pro-choice, pro-stem-cell-research, pro-gay-rights Catholics. Personally, I like my rabbi very much, but certainly we differ on some issues, and I'm certainly not aware of every statement he's ever made from the bimah (or otherwise). I also don't know why it should really matter. I mean, I go to shul to pray to G-d, not to the rabbi.

Furthermore, a dozen right-wing crazy fundies have endorsed McCain (he's actively sought their endorsements), even Bob Jones University. Yet no one seems bothered by that...

[eyelid]

Now, rather than gracefully concede to Obama after Indiana and North Carolina, she's lent her campaign 6 million dollars.

to be fair, my understanding is that she lent her campaign that money BEFORE the Indiana/NC primaries.

full disclosure: I wouldn't say I'm a fervent Obama supporter, but I pick him over Hillary.

That said, this statement really bothered me...

“I have a much broader base to build a winning coalition on,” she said in the interview, citing an article by The Associated Press.
It “found how Senator Obama’s support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me.”
I don't like the implication in there that "hard-working" americans are "white

[boudiceaborn]

I don't like the implication in there that "hard-working" americans are "white."

Yeah, and I think Obama's support among non-college graduates would rebound once she stops painting him as elitist. Also, regardless of whether she meant that racial implication, I think both of the candidates need to tread around the issues of race and gender very carefully. Frankly, there's Democrats out there who might be uncomfortable about electing a woman or a black man. It's a little harder to tease out people who are misogynistic than those that are racist, simply because there's less of a geographical disparity for sexism, I think. Do she really want to use voter bigotry as a point in her favor?

[eyelid]

I think Obama's support among non-college graduates would rebound once she stops painting him as elitist.

Sure - I mean, she's practically doing the R's work for them.

Do she really want to use voter bigotry as a point in her favor?

she's kind of a dirty fighter, which can be a good thing in a general election, but in a primary... stupid.

[childminerva]

As a current resident of North Carolina, I was highly disgusted by the results. I like Obama well enough, but I have felt from the beginning that Hillary was the better candidate and that feeling has only increased as the time has gone by. I have very little hope of her now winning the nomination, but I'll support her until Obama has been officially nominated. And then I'll drag my ass to the polls and vote for him because, dear Gods...McCain scares me shitless.

[boudiceaborn]

Do you hold any hope for a Clinton vice presidency?

[childminerva]

*sigh*
My dream ticket had been Clinton/Obama, but if Obama wins the nomination I think an Obama/Edwards ticket is more likely than an Obama/Clinton ticket.

[boudiceaborn]

Clinton/Obama was my dream ticket as well, although I wouldn't mind Obama/Clinton if it were feasible.

I haven't heard much about what Edwards thinks now, though he was clearly more aligning himself with Obama during the primaries. This article (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20197952,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines) is the only one I've seen lately on the matter, and it gives the impression that the Edwards are still weighing their options. LOL, citing People in a political discussion ;).

[empryss]

I will admit that my main reason for not supporting Hillary is because her last name ends in Clinton. I don't agree that someone should stay in a marriage to make political gains because Bill was popular.

I want someone new and fresh in the White House. I like the idea with less political experience because it means that they come in more energized and open to more radical ideas that can bring about real change.

I also really support his stance that making the oil companies pay the tax this summer is a very temporary solution to a long term problem-I don't like robbing Peter to pay Paul later.

Both candidates have stated previously that they would put the other as a vice president whoever won. Although I think that would be interesting.

[boudiceaborn]

I don't agree that someone should stay in a marriage to make political gains because Bill was popular.Why do you think you know why she stayed in the marriage? There's plenty of women who stay with serial philanderers, for a multitude of different reasons. I think saying that she's just in it for politics is the easy thing to say, and a bit presumptuous... Also, I have to say that I really liked Bill, and I didn't like Hillary much at all, I was totally uninterested in her, just because during his presidency I didn't see them as being particularly similar. Then I heard what she was saying at some of the debates, and found myself agreeing with her

I'm full of presumptions in politics (;

[empryss]

I was trying to nicely imply that I don't respect her for staying with him, regardless of the many many reasons wives stay with philandering husbands. Having almost had one of those, I can't see why she would do it. It makes her a weaker woman in my eyes.

She also supported No Child Left Behind which is the bane of my existence as a teacher.

When it comes to election time for me, if it's Hillary v. McCain I'll go McCain. Now Obama v. McCain, I'll go the Obama route.

I also think the only reason McCain is really courting the Christian Fundamentalists is to help keep the party unified and appeal to as many Republican voters as possible. I do admit though I liked him more as a candidate the last time he ran.

Re: I'm full of presumptions in politics (;

[boudiceaborn]

She also supported No Child Left Behind which is the bane of my existence as a teacher.
Ugh, I didn't realize that. Teachers knew this legislation would be disasterous before it passed, and that does not put her in a very good light.
However, doesn't McCain support No Child Left Behind now much more than Hillary or Obama do? Do you think his suggestions about improving the act go far enough?

[mustelidmania]

I am scared to have McCain in the white house. pure and simple, he will continue Bushs' presidency. It is time for a change. While I am in support of Obama, despite his inexperience, I will vote democrat no matter who it is.

My dream ticket? Obama/Edwards.

My nightmare ticket? McCain/Gingrich/anyone else.