Letters to the Editor
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Victimhood has not worked since the middle ages
This balanced and nuanced article addresses many issues that characterize the more extreme supporters of both Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton. The fact that both candidates have several significant flaws permits their detractors to latch on to those traits to the exclusion of the many positive positions and attributes that both display.
When the primary season began late in 2007, I was proud and excited to have two such stellar candidates vying for the presidency on the Democratic side. I felt I could easily support either Clinton or Obama were one to become the eventual nominee.
However the balance has tipped decidedly in favor of Obama as the weeks of the campaign have worn on. I was distressed by the Clinton campaign's unsubtle attempts to inaccurately limit Obama's appeal to a just-blacks phenomenon during the South Carolina primary. I was disturbed by the shallow argument that Obama's ability to translate his complex thoughts and multidimensional world view into compelling words is somehow a dangerous flaw rather than a necessary skill of leadership.
This month the outrageous statements of Obama's pastor have been revived in a revolting whispering campaign to influence super delegates against the senator. Most recently, Obama's penetrating analysis of the way that pandering politicians use wedge issues to distract voters from the real concerns of the nation has been unfairly characterized as "elitist." The Clinton pattern has been sadly consistent: when Obama has been most enlightening and uplifting, he has been derided for treating us as intelligent adults.
I am a woman only three years younger than Sen. Clinton. I would have been eager and proud to support her for the presidency as it is long overdue that a woman be elected to that office. However, her behaviors, political positions, and wierd self-inflicted wounds have turned me against her and confirmed me as an ardent supporter of Barack Obama.
Sexism has absolutely nothing to do with the position of most people (men and women) I know who support Obama.