Letters to the Editor
sesanders
Published Letters: 322 Editor's Choice: 18
-
Hillary Hope
[Read the article: Hillary at twilight]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It is difficult reading an article such as this one because I do not want Hillary to give up the fight. The reason--- I do not believe Obama will be elected in November over McCain. He is too unknown, plus as the media favorite, he has had every break which will soon end when he becomes the nominee. At that point, the press may very well depict McCain as the experienced candidate, the man with integrity, and the moderate political maverick while Obama will be cast as the liberal, the voice of hope with little experience, and a question mark in foreign policy saying on the one hand that we must exit Iraq but threatening to invade Pakistan on the other. Fickle is the media! The Rezko deal may prove a factor, also.
Polls taken now are not a real barometer about public opinion in November. There will be many older conservative Democrats who stay at home or even vote for McCain.
Democrats prefer Clinton over Obama while the latter is popular with independents, the young, and, of course, blacks (see Slate.com article by Christopher Beam entitled "A Number You Probably Haven't Seen" 2/28/08). Added to the picture are crossover Republicans voting in the primaries who will undoubtedly vote for McCain in November. It should be noted that the Rasmussen poll today has McCain beating both Hillary and Obama. That is a warning! McCain should not be underestimated by Democrats.
Many independents cannot be depended upon to go for Obama in the national election, leaving the young and the blacks to get to the polls. The blacks will be there but young people are not always so reliable. Certainly, there will be many Democrats who remain faithful to the party, but if they are like me, their enthusiasm may be more forced than spontaneous. I don't see Obama winning but Hillary may stand a chance because she is superbly qualified, a veteran in the political arena, and undoubtedly a fighter to the core.
-
The bone of contention
[Read the article: Let 'em duke it out]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It is obvious that Democrats have different ideas on who should be the nominee but we all want to defeat the Republicans in November! The most likely candidate to do that is the bone of contention. Even friends have complete disagreement here. For instance, I don't think Obama stands a ghost of a chance in the general election. On the other hand, my friend of many years feels that Hillary will galvanize the Republicans. I don't buy this argument because I do not believe the Republicans are going to take a nap on election day and allow Obama to slip into the White House because they are lethargic. I stand behind Hillary because I feel she will give them a battle royal. She is a fighter to the core and the very fact that Republicans are trying to cut her up will galvanize Democrats if she is the nominee. Moreover, she is a better foil for McCain in the experience department. Added to that, she won Ohio, an ominous clue about Obama's electability.
My and friend and I did agree on one thing...it is entirely possible that neither Hillary nor Obama can win in November. Both of these candidates have real drawbacks making the whole campaign very worrisome. Despite that fact, I am going to enjoy the show and will be involved for my chosen candidate.
Of course, none of this would be happening if the Democrats had liked Edwards whom I have always believed to be the most electable of all the candidates. Sadly, I have to concede that he just didn't stir the interest of the people or perhaps more particularly, the media. It seems to me the press wanted this conflict and brought it into existence by their intense focus on these two candidates, possibly for entertainment value and money-making potential for the media.
-
Enough is enough!
[Read the article: Was Obama's skin darkened for Clinton ad?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The race baiting attacks against the Clinton campaign are utterly disgusting. I never felt that the charges of racism against Bill Clinton held any water and this latest attack is absolutely groundless!!! This is vicious politics and it will divide the Democratic Party...causing whichever candidate receiving the nomination to lose in November. Enough is enough!
-
Other considerations
[Read the article: Some free advice for Obama]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It is refreshing to see an article which takes an objective view of Clinton and Obama. Whitewater and all the other so-called questions about the Clintons were addressed by Ken Starr to the tune of many millions of dollars. These investigations were instigated by the Republican-controlled congress to stymie Bill Clinton's administration. Nothing came out of it...nada, except Monica! For Obama to bring up these nefarious inquiries is a transparent and weak effort to deflect criticism of his Rezko connections. This is very divisive...something his campaign supposedly is above.
As for Obama being favored to win the nomination, the Rasmussen poll today showed Hillary leading Obama by 49% to 43% for the nomination.
Another important consideration... Some of the states which Hillary won are very important states to Democrats---New York, New Jersey, California, Ohio, and Massachusetts. It is very significant that Hillary carried them and this cannot be overlooked or played down. Obviously, Democrats are not as sold on Obama as some of his fans think. I went to the caucus in my state and the enthusiasm for Hillary was apparent. Also, she carried our precinct...this is an area with a lot of people having college degrees, some with advanced degrees.