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Friday, February 29, 2008 12:00 AM

Hillary at twilight

Was her campaign stop in an Ohio town called Hanging Rock a metaphor -- or a symbol of dogged defiance?

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  • Sunday, March 2, 2008 01:02 PM

    @pantanal

    Just a quick response to your three claims about Obama's superiorty.

    1. "far better decision maker than Hillary" Perhaps you could mention for us some of the important decisions the man has made so far which give you this conviction? Can you, in fact, name a single one? When in his brief public life has he been faced with a tough, controversial issue upon which he has had to make an actual decision as an officeholder? I don't know of any. So why is he "far better" at making tough decisions than Clinton, who's had to make one hell of a lot of them?

    (I know he's taken POSITIONS on a lot of things, in situations where he has no responsibility for any decisions made--like his opposition to the 2002 resolution. Hell, I was myself more strongly and vocally opposed than my state senator. Thing is, neither he nor I had to make any DECISION about it whatever. Note the often reffed comment he made later when he said he couldn't say with certainty what his DECISION would have been had he been faced with it in the Senate at the time.)

    2.-you claim Obama is "less self-centered and arrogant" than Mrs. Clinton. I can only say, we all see what we wish to see, perhaps. This is a man who lets none of his fans touch him or come close, who haughtily refuses any reporter's questions on the trail, who told Senator Clinton, "you're likeable enough, Hillary", who mounted an entire presidential campaign when he had barely arrived at the Senate, who promised us Illinoisans he would serve out his term when we elected him, whose friends admit he's "stand-offish" a lot of the time, who bases his appeal on rock-star revivals centering around himself, who says "the time has come", "WE are who we have been waiting for," etc. etc. I know, it's just your opinion and your call, and of course subjective, but geez--less self-centered and arrogant? wow.

    3. you say he "cares about the nation more than his own ambition." I can only say again, that's a subjective call at best. I see absolutely no evidence of the truth of that statement in what I know of him personally, what I hear him say, how I see him act, or what his group of advisors say and do. If you're right, maybe he should quit his campaign and for the good of the nation allow a far more qualified and talented person to be nominated. Now, THAT would be proof of your claim.

    All in all, you do try to stay reasonable and thoughtful and I will try to do so too. But I wish your view of Obama weren't so colored by your distaste for Clinton. Each claim says little about Obama and more about your view of her.

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