My Choice is Obama

   Although I meant to publish this before Super-Duper-Fabulous Tuesday, I ran out of time and energy. However, since the Democratic party is still undecided about its candidate, I thought I would write a couple words on the reason that I am supporting Barack Obama. 

 

   The Clinton era of the early to mid-nineties is looked upon by the Democrats with fondness. Those that are tired of the second Bush Administration remember President Clinton as a diplomat (not as a  hawk) and as a fiscally responsible Democrat (not as a tax cutting at a time of war president). However,  let the Democrats not forget that Republicans viewed the Clinton Administration with almost as much disgust as the Democrats look at W. Just like President Bush, President Clinton was a divider and a polarizing figure. The Republicans in Congress detested him so badly they attempted and successfully impeached him over lying about a minor sex scandal. While many of these bitter feelings have been resting since the almost eight years he left office, the memories of many Conservatives would be jogged again if Hillary Clinton were in the spotlight as the Democratic nominee for president. While many Conservatives pundits (including such notables as Limbaugh, Hanity, Dobson) have expressed dedain and apathy towards John McCain as the Republican nominee, I would bet that if Clinton becomes the Dems choice, then many Right-Wingers would come out to vote not because they like McCain, but because they hate the thought of another Clinton White House. Otherwise, if Obama was the candidate, my bet would be that many Conservatives would show little desire to rush to the polls to support their not-so-attractive candidate. 

   In addition to the threat the many Republicans would rally around McCain not because they like him, but because they detest her, the fact is, McCain has and will be attractive again to many independents. Therefore, even though the Republican party has seen their approval ratings and popularity drop in recent months and years;  McCain's attractiveness to moderates, and the base's hatred for Clinton, brings the Donkey and Elephant neck and neck at the finish-line in November of '08. 

   Obama on the other hand has invigorated people that have never been involved in politics, and has rejuvenated those that became cynical about Washington.  The fact that he raised $32 million in January speaks to the intense popularity of his candidacy. His 352,607 (as of 2.9.08 at 12:04 pm) donors in 2008 alone, really emphasize the high volume of active support that he has managed to rally. He has invigorated people's spirits by talking candidly about hope, unity, and real change. Although other politicians speak this language frequently, there is something inherently different about Barack Obama. I honestly think he believes what he says; and that separates him from other politicians. He talks about how if he were elected he would look at the strongest people to put in his cabinet, not just the strongest Democrat, and I find that a breath of fresh air. On the other hand, Clinton would continue the polarization of politics that was prevalent during her husband's term and continues today.   One of my favorite lines Obama has had came after Iowa when he spoke about the people in America: 

 "The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are on people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America."

Obama and his freshness is not only appealing to those that have followed politics for decades, but also those individuals who never cast a ballot in their lives. 

   The inspired voters that are fueling his massive donations are also the voters who will give Obama a large victory in the General. Unlike Clinton, Obama does not spur the hatred of the entire Repbulican party. Obama can also compete with McCain in terms of winning the independent vote. Electability is important, and Obama has the characteristics that have proven to attract all ages, races, religions, and SESs. 

   For a person that has studied politics, and continues to be a die-hard political junkie,  I find it odd and counterintuitive that one of the biggest reasons that I support Obama is that it just feels right. When he speaks I feel like I can trust him. When he makes promises of change I honestly believe that he can do it. It is refreshing to finally be able to trust a politician the way I do Obama.  

Goodbye to All That

The posts have been nonexistent since June, but I thought I would promote a terrific article by Andrew Sullivan entitled, "Goodbye to All That." In this piece, Sullivan, a Log Cabin Republican, highlights the race for the Whitehouse, and specifically the differences between the old guard (represented by Clinton), and the new wave of leadership (represented by Obama). In his essay, Sullivan explains that Americans are ready for a new type of leadership; one that is fueled by issues and not by party politics. While the normal Obama stump speech does a fantastic jump harping the idea of change, this article explains why at both the logical and emotional level Obama's candidacy and politics are right for America - right now.

Goodbye to All That

Tough Decisions on Iraq for Clinton and Obama

The Senate Democratic Presidential candidates have a huge decision to make when it comes to their vote on the recent Iraq War spending bill. If Clinton, Obama, Dodd, or Biden decide to vote for the bill they may lose support from the Democratic base and the anti-war activists. However, if they decide to vote against the bill the backlash from moderate voters may be just as severe because they will be painted as hating the troops.

Therefore, as expected, the tension is high among these four candidates. Clinton, during a recent stop got a question from the press related to this issue. She averted the question by sternly saying that this event was set up to talk about immigration, and "there will be opportunities to discuss that subject later." Obama also displayed similar sentiments during one of his campaign events. He said, "I would like to read the provisions in the bill before making comment, Alright?" Believe me, Congressmen have made numerous comments on the validity of a bill before actually reading it. Like Clinton, Obama is stalling for time either to discuss the pros and cons of voting for the bill with his advisors, and/or to possibly run some public opinion polls on the issue.

Meanwhile, John Edwards is attempting to gain some momentum from the Democratic base. In a speech yesterday at the Council on Foreign Relations Edwards said, "the Congress needs to stand the ground against this President and force a change in policy. George Bush has shown over and over again that he’s stubborn, that he’s bull-headed, that he doesn’t think he can do anything wrong. He will not change unless the Congress forces him to do it and they need to force him to do it.” He understands how powerful leftisit lobby groups can be in pushing votes to him in key primary states such as Iowa and Nevada. In addition, knowing that groups such as Moveon.org are extremely active and motivated it wouldn't be surprising if Edwards soon has one of the most committed volunteer corps out of all of the candidates. These two elements could easily help Edwards improve his numbers, and even further his attractiveness for the populist, anti-war left of the party.

Therefore, as voting Congress men and women, Clinton, Obama, Dodd and Biden have a huge decision to make. If I were Dodd and Biden I would vote against the bill because if they have any hope of getting out of the primaries and into the general they need the support of the base. However, if I were Clinton and Obama, candidates who really have a chance of getting the nomination, this decision is a tough one to make. The flack of voting against the bill could damage them in the general election, but voting for it could hurt them against a candidate like Edwards who has consistently shown his activism against the war.

I would probably stall for time as well.