The race to become the Democratic presidential candidate is drawing to a close — with Barack Obama as the current front-runner. Yet, I hope Hillary will be first through the finishing line.
It’s not because she, like me, is a woman (although it would be nice to have the most powerful person in the world be a woman for once). And it’s not that I don’t think much of Obama. In fact, I think I prefer Obama to Clinton … he is not only smart (they both are) but he also has the ability to connect with people, while Clinton’s addresses sound too rehearsed. I also like his ideas on affordable, quality healthcare, progressive education policies and, of course, his opposing the war in Iraq.
But still, I hope that Hillary will eventually outrun him. My main reason for wanting her to come out tops is purely strategic: I believe she will be the stronger candidate against McCain. And while I would be happy with either Clinton or Obama as president, I know one thing for sure: we simply can’t have another Republican US president, especially not a John McCain who unwaveringly supports the war in Iraq and is more than likely to continue George W’s invasion spree.
And not only that: he is anti-abortion/pro-life; he wants to spend more money on defence and homeland security; he supports the death penalty and the rights of US citizens to carry guns; he is for civil unions, but no marriage between same-sex couples … you get the picture: the classical, conservative Republican.
McCain also pushed through one of the worst pieces of legislation ever to come out of Congress: the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which violates the First Amendment by limiting political speech by every organisation except newspapers within 60 days of an election.
McCain will be bad news not only for the US but for the rest of the world, too. Let’s not kid ourselves; the US is a superpower, after all, and if it sneezes the whole globe catches a cold. And that’s why I am for Hillary — because I believe she will ultimately have the better chances against McCain.
If you look at US voters in general, there are those who are staunch Republicans and those who are devoted Democrats — their votes are practically already cast. But there is also a huge contingent of Americans who waver between parties, who sometimes vote Republicans, sometimes Democrats, depending on the candidate. They haven’t made up their minds yet and can still be drawn towards one camp or the other. And it is precisely those undecided voters who will ultimately decide the fate of the nation.
I believe that these maybe-Republicans-maybe-Democrats will identify better with Hillary Clinton than with Barack Obama. They will think that Hillary is not as moderate as Obama; she is an experienced politician and relatively conservative — not old school but not too liberal either; if we did well under Bill, Hillary just can’t be a disaster — she was one of his closest advisers, after all.
I somehow cannot see that maybe-Republicans-maybe-Democrats will give Obama the benefit of the doubt — he is too left-liberal, too new to the game, too inexperienced, too idealistic. So if it’s Obama against McCain, I see the Democrats’ chances dwindle. And as I said before: that simply can’t happen.
Really? Obama would bomb the Democrats chance?
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html
So, basically, you have a right-wing wacko who is soft on big business as the potential Republican candidate, and you want to vote for a big businesswoman who is soft on right-wing wackoes instead?
Lots of luck. Not that I think that Obama is a much better option, but certainly next to Hillary’s record he smells slightly less septic.
… Hillary getting undecided voters ..Are you serious ¿? Have you not been watching the news lately? The Polls ? The results are in miz and Obama is the candidate that reaches out and gets the independent voters. Moreover Obama is the candidate that gets more votes from the opposite party. Not only does he get the vote from the usual republican voter, however inspires and brings new people to vote. There have been voter turnouts in myriads of states, and a big part of it is do to him. What do you think will happen if he is suddenly out of the race? If he does not run in the presidential elections? What do you think will happen if the hillary edges out Obama with the aid of the superdelegates? ..The American people will distrust politics. ok.. so lets just say she wins without the superdelagate aid. Lets just say she happens to beat Obama on the popular vote and the regular delegate count. So now she wins and is the democratic nominee. Do you honestly believe that the young people who supported Obama are going to vote for Hillary. I dont think so. Some of us do not take politics so lightly. Some of us do not simply pick a candidate based on well if not him then she would be ok. I for one if obama looses will probobly vote for mcain.
If I were a US citizen then I would probably be more Repulican than Democrat but having said that I think the US needs a Democrat in power to shift them away from the ‘war state of mind’.
However, realitiy is that US needs foreign oil to survive. Even the Democrats will find it hard not to try to control the middle east. So will the ‘hope’ disappear when reality of office hits home?
The US president is not uncatagorically the most powerful person on earth. I preferr to think it the Pope, he influences those with influence
Unfortunately I cannot agree with you on this. Clinton is part of the establishment. She will simply continue the existing legacy, and will support the current legal corruption within the USA. The Clinton family has benefited substantially from their position of power. It is unlikely Clinton will do anything to rock the boat.
Obama is more like Kennedy however, and promises to shake things up, which USA needs right now.
The USA needs some serious change of leadership, new blood, and new ideas if they are going to weather the coming recession with any dignity.
A stronger a candidate than McCain??
You HAVE to be joking? Are you are Republican secret agent by any chance?
Even hard core Dems are threatening to vote for the other team if she wins the ticket. She is one of THE most divisive people in American politics, and does not stand a snowballs chance against McCain.
The real compromise is gone – Edwards – and the Dems better hope like hell that Obama wins because otherwise the GOP are back faster than you can say “Karl ROve”.
I don’t know what newspaper or TV you have been watching. Obama is the man who seems well place to stop McCain as the polls show. Clinton hands are tainted with her Husbands legacy. Obama has that cross appeal that is important to win election in the US. So i couldn’t disagree with you more on this one.
It seems Garsen Subramoney(Feb/19)has got a point with those polls. Besides that, one has always to count on the “who’s who”‘s pressure. Let’s see:
1 – USA cannot afford to miss the opportunity to get a smooth entrance in the “world resources depot” (Africa) which could be performed by Obama, by obvious reasons (democrat + black).
2 – This opportunity could eventually also lead (sooner or latter) to a wider open door for Africom.
3 – This perspective would allow them to get their “economic&defense” objectives without shamefull playing. On the contrary, it could give them back their honor (…)
So, we have here a “must” for the economics, and another “must” for the defense. On this basis, I would bet that those “who’s who” will start spending money on Sen. Obama… for my satisfaction (after all, it’s always a matter of money, right ?).
Heh, I think Bruce hit the nail on the head. You must be a secret agent for the Republicans. The GOP is positively salivating at the idea of running against Hillary. Half the country already hates her, so among the rest they’d need to win, oh, one out of every 100 votes, to clinch the presidency. By contrast, the Republicans are deeply worried about the prospect of running against Obama. Yes, he’s decidedly to the left of most Americans, but so is Hillary. But unlike Hillary, Obama’s policies are hard to pin down, and he doesn’t have a long, incriminating record. Unlike Hillary, he has the kind of charm, eloquence and charisma that would sway independents, and can make even dyed-in-the-wool conservatives think, briefly, that he wouldn’t be that bad. Face it: when you listen to him, you want to believe, don’t you?
No, Obama is the only chance the Democrats have of defeating John McCain. Which is why I agree with you: I hope Hillary Clinton wins the nomination.
Oh well, this may not help your course Kristin:
Yeah but it’s not April 1st yet! Hehehe!!!
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/kkk.asp
Tomorrow the sun will rise form the west I tell ya.
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Well apparently it’s a joke by some british publication.
http://disgustedwiththesystem.blogspot.com/2008/02/klu-klux-klan-endorses-obama.html
In Truth I Trust.
I disagree with your premise as I believe the Democrats only chance against McCain (considering the two options) is Obama.
Remember Kennedy? Too young? Nixon’s experience and the power of the GOP machine? Obama offers the absolute change that the Kennedys brought.
I just started with a masters degree in Social Responsibility in the US and I think these elections will be the biggest ever. People are talking about how the elections have re-energised people to be interested in politics and has got young people taking action. This is credited to Obama as most of his followers are relatively young people. It’s going to be interesting to witness these elections. It’s alos very interesting to listen and watch all the propanganda that comes with it. Reminds me of Zuma and Mbeki.
According to a recent book review in the Economist newspaper the title of a recently published tome called “a history of fascism from Mussolini to the present time”[sic] was originally titled [by the author] “A history of fascism from Mussolini to Hilary Clinton.
She reeks of the calculating fascist and she is barely covered in velvet… Obama is a far smoother proposition … nonetheless the thought that the democrats would control all three houses is a good enough reason to support the republicans; Look what controlling all three by the republicans gave us in Iraq: and anyway i’m all for private gun ownership…i wouldn’t be writing this, if they had been outlawed when i most needed one.
I hope the chick loses. No realy, do you think they will then change the name of the big house in wich the “oval office” is.
I can’t see a black dude staying in the “white house”! That just won’t be cricket old chap.
“I believe” – you seem to have beliefs that contradict the facts about who could beat McCain in an election. Most polls show Obama beating McCain, and McCain beating Billary. Do some research!
This is one of the most fantastic twists of logic: While it is Obama who anyone knows is bringing out the new and vacilating voters, and therefore gives the Democrats a good chance of beating the Republicans, why does Kristin conclude otherwise?
McCain can only be trounced by a completely unconvetional opponent, not someone so similar in almost everything serious as Clinton is, apart from her sex!
I am not sure if Hillary can be better contender. she have bagagges(bill Clinton- he is a liability) and am not sure about her experience (if being a first lady is considered an experience) then okay. for a lot of people, it will look like as if she has made a political career out of her marriage.
1. Obama opposed the war. Most Americans today oppose the war, and the occupation. The result: Democrats took both houses of congress in the mid-terms.
2. McCain trails Obama is all national polls, McCain beats Billary, because Hillary supported the war, although she now flipped to the other sode. She will be swift-boated like Kerry come the general election.
3. It seems your only real reason for backing Hillary is because, like you, she is female. It would be sad it that is the case.
OBAMA is the change young Americans can live with.
Girl! Are you for real? Or are you just trying to twist our legs. I hate to say this, Hillary has lost already I do not think she can do anything else to redeem herself other than crying crocodile tears. If you can read this over and over again, maybe you’ll get the picture. SHE IS A WHITE HOUSE INSIDER. And you and I know well that Republicans do not want her in the White House, they’d rather vote for Obama in the primaries and then McCain in the general elections(i.e. when Obama becomes the Democratic presidential nominee). I really do not know what the beef is about Hillary, but from wht I have read and heard it’s a mess, and some voters are contemplating voting for McCain should Hillary become the Democratic nominee. What!! (that’s what I thought as well). Would you vote for someone who voted for the war in Iraq, don’t know how to handle finances , and do not want her tax records reviewed and beleive that you should be taxed if you not buy health insurance?
Think again. I almost felt sorry for her, but having seen Billary’s lack of self-control and long-suffering makes me shuuder tothink that they would act rationally in the White House. My guess is they would use Hillary’s prospective presidency to get back at the Republicans for the humiliation they endured during the Monica Lewinsky scandal, or maybe try to find means to impeanch Bush for the Iraqi war. To echo some of US voters sentiments, I think Americans are tired of the Bush-Clinton Dynasty.
With all the polls showing growing support for Obama, and so many wins to Obama too, you still want Aunty Hillary? Please, your piece sounds like a wish-list. The people want change, and in the form of Obama. And your strategic angle; Hillary can stand up to old man McCain? She could not even get rid of her own ‘wandering’ husband, how will she stand up to a Nam vet? And if she wins we’ll have this: Bush,Clinton,Bush,Clinton. Sounds like a re-run of the Bold and The Bloody fool. I say Obama for President! And about time too. We need some peace in this world.
By the way, George W. Bush’s impeachment would be justified.
Kriztin, you are wrong with your assessment that Hillary will win against McCain. The polls clearly indicate that McCain will win against Hillary, but loose against Obama. You sound like a Republican who is pleading the case for Hillary, because that is the only chance for the Republicans to the White House. Obama! Republicans are shivering.
If Hillary is the democratic nominee the Republicans will unite behind McCain. She also cannot draw independents and will polarize many democratic voters. On the other hand, Obama has a field day with independents and even some republicans, who are now informally called “Obamacans.” He is also causing exitement among young and new voters like no other candidate does. All Democrats, including Hillary supporters have indicated that they will unite behind Obama if he is the elected nominee of the party.
No matter your wish the reality is that Obama has the momentum now to become the nominee,and your party must gear itself for this charismatic and energetic 40 something to destroy your granddad nominee.
Actually, I pity the US people to have only these candidates to choose from.
On a personal note: Although I am not against McCain for all your reasons, I feel very uncomfortable with him as a candidate. Obama sounds wonderful, but also he is just too idealistic. I do not understand why so many people are falling for him. Possibly that voice/charm? And Hillary is Hillary.
On a more serious note:
I believe Hillary is the best choice simply because she knows what needs to be done and how to get it done. The US economy was in bad shape before Bill took over. The Democrats turned the economy around. Then the Republicans took over again with Bush at the helm. Look at the US economy now. (Incidentally, why on earth was he ever a candidate, let alone the fact that he was voted in.)
I think the US will only really change for the better if the Democrats are back in power and it will serve the US and the world best if that happens with Hillary behind that desk in the Oval Office.
Just because Obama is not quite white doesn’t mean he is any different from the rest of them anyway. He wouldn’t even have got this far if he wasn’t one of them. Just look at that photo of him and Kennedy – you can see he’s part of the family.
Here’s how one follower feels of his choice.
Clip #1
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/video-interviewer-picks-the-wrong-obama-supporter-to-try-to-railroad/
Clip #2
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/video-obama-supporter-derrick-responds-to-his-video/
Enjoy.
Gawd…Americans in general are just so unbelievably dumb !!!
Take this writer for instance, she who wants Clinton to win…I mean, how does a Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton so called democrasy help the world ?
Surely there is nepotism somewhere there ?
Oh yes, we are Africans and too dumb to understand.
Corruption only happens in Africa…
Well, bullshit !!
The USA is the most corrupt place in the world and has always been that way.
If the poor Obama does get elected he will cop a bullet, there is no doubt about that, the army wants to stay in charge…
If Mccain wins that will be the final nail in the coffin that is the sham of Uncle Sam, so I am all for Mccain, let him win, let justice be done, and let we see the almighty fall of the USA…all on CNN…I can’t wait !
If I were an American I wud vote for Obama twice, thats how much I support him.
But if he’s not the democratic nominee, I wud vote for McCain.
Hillary Clinton is a snake. She makes my skin crawl. Im a woman and every instinct within me shudders at the thought of Hillary Clinton becoming the leader of the free world.
As someone who opposed and opposes the Iraq invasion, the bombing of Afghanistan and the US support of Israel, I would still vote for Bush if I had to choose between him and Hillary Clinton.
At her core, Hillary Clinton is a bigger neo-Conservative that George Bush, Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove put together.
The Americans must not lose the opportuniy for entering world stage politics with a man who is best situated for that task. But I think they are not interested in peace really. They must vote Obama if they want to stop the wars in middle east. But I think, their economy is driven by the wars in the middle east.