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.  

Why not Huckabee?

Why doesn't Mike Huckabee have more support? In a land of candidates who are Mormon (some Conservatives have a problem with this I don't personally), have been married three times, flip flopped on social issues, old, and are bogged down by the war in Iraq, it is amazing that a man such as Huckabee, a great socially conservative orator without skeletons in his closest, finds himself so low in the polls.

Although I do not agree with most of Huckabee's stances on issues, I still find myself more and more impressed every time I hear him speak either on radio, TV, or during a debate. His forthcoming nature is refreshing because it is the antithesis of smooth talking candidates such as Mit Romney. Just judging from the authentic passion that he speaks with, you know that he would stick to his principles as President even in the face of adversity. This is more than what could be said of the current President, or I believe any other Republican candidates in the race. For instance, Giuliani is already beginning to compromise his principles by blindidly becoming hawkish just so he can cover up his socially liberal stances and his previous marriage problems. Romney has no principles because he's nothing but a political opportunist who says one thing as Governor and another as a Presidential candidate. McCain used to be the man known to stick to his principles, but judging from his performance in South Carolina in the 2000 primaries and his false statements concerning the progress in the war in Iraq, he has compromised himself as well.

So it really depends this primary season how Republican primary voters pick a candidate. Do they merely fall for the hollow talking points of Giuliani on security, or the barrage of advertisements which a campaign like Romney can afford, or do they really stick by the principles which guide the Republican party - socially conservative values, fiscal responsibility etc? If they do send someone like Huckabee to the general election then I believe the values which Republicans supposedly hold dear will be represented in a national election. Then its America's turn to decide if those values not only fit Republican voters, but the country's as well. Until then, if Republican voters fall for the poorly orchestrated song and dance of the other major candidates they are doing an injustice to themselves and the values that supposedly guide their party.

A Refreshed Newt

First it was Tommy Thompson, then Fred Thompson, and now Newt Gingrich? What is it with these obscure dark horse candidates who are projected by some analysts to save the Republican party the same way Regan did during the early 1980's. You might suspect that the Republicans are in a heap of trouble if former Speaker of the House, exiled from congress for personal reasons, is looked upon by Conservative Republicans as a breath of fresh air.

According to MSNBC/National Journal, Newt Gingrich, thinks a run for the White House is "a great possiblity." And why shouldn't it be that way? Newt understands that at this point of time in the race no candidate on the Republican side is without major faults (at least in the eyes of the Republican base). Newt professes a "new," "successful"path for America that reaches back to values that made America "the shining beacon upon the hill."

What makes Gingrich most successful is the nostalgia he provides. Sure he's had infidelity problems and was not the must successful in confronting the Clinton White House on certain pieces of legislation, but all the base remembers about him is that he was the leader of the "Republican Revolution" of 1994. He was the man that led the charge and put the Republicans back in the driver's seat of the House for the first time since Roosevelt.

Republicans are desperate. Reading about and listening to Gingrich I am certain his "policies" are nothing but overblown rhetoric. However, this doesn't matter one bit. The base can overlook his hypocritical moments if it provides blind hope that they will be able to retain the White House. So while many don't suspect that Gingrich has a chance if he does decide to run for the Republican nomination, I would disagree.

The world of politics lacks logic and reason. Once a fall man for the party, the next minute the hero of the day. Newt could pull a Trent Lott and regain the prestige and control that was so bitterly stripped from his hands by scandal and poor performance as House Majority Leader.