Letters to the Editor
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My fantasy...
... is a Clinton/Obama ticket. Or, in some ways even better: an Obama/Edwards ticket. I think either would be unbeatable, and either would provide this country with a desperately needed combination of experience, pragmatism, and idealism - not to mention an extraordinary combination of brain-power.
Of course, I'm a Canadian living in the US and don't get to vote. But whichever ticket ends up being the Democratic one, I will surely volunteer for that campaign. Another 4/8 years of Republicans in this country (and who would be McCain's running mate anyway?) will not only take the US over the brink, but might push my own country pretty close to it too.
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This the last one I swear...
I do not often go to the defense of Obama, but I am forced to point something out:
Darkenesse has a point about McCain not being able to go after Obama about his no-show record (which is pretty pathetic).
And that is because McCain was worse than almost anyone. I cannot recall the exact statistics off hand, but he hardly ever showed up. He voted so infrequently that most liberal and conservative think tanks find in impossible to qualify his credentials on any scale.
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Anon
No I am not working for the republicans. But I also think for myself and consider the candidates rather than simply repeating a "democrat is better" mantra.
Yes, McCain did suck up to GW, which was truly disgusting. But really it's not any more disgusting to me than seeing Hillary send her husband out bullying Obama and making insane statements comparing him to Jessie Jackson. Actually I find Hillary more repellent because she is attacking within the party and causing a hell of a lot of damage.
But that's neither here nor there. My major problem with Hillary is that I don't trust her to listen to the public, run a transparent administration, stand by her promises, or admit her mistakes - and I've frankly had enough of this with GW. Finally, I also do not trust her at all on foreign policy - indeed I greatly fear her proven Hawkish tendancies, especially if she would come up for a second term. So I would roll the dice with McCain.
I sincerely hope it doesn't come to this - this is such a powerful moment with Obama's candidacy gaining momentum - a real chance for our country to reach for something better, higher. However, I never will again underestimate the stupidity of a nation that elected GW twice.
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Ask yourself
...if the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994 would have happened if it weren't for Hillary Clinton.
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Obama is NOT a "nimbus of vague hope!"
you wrote "She provides a steel-solid track record, he a nimbus of vague hope."
It bothers me so much when people say this, especially people who claim to follow politics closely. All it takes is a simple click over to www.barackobama.com and then the "issues" section, and you'll see the well-thought-out, detailed plans. Just because Obama is one of the greatest public speakers in the country does not mean he lacks substance nor that his belief in hope is vague. You have the ability to ascertain this for yourself, but you seem satisfied to adopt the ill-informed attitudes of the Clinton campaign in this area.
For track record, Obama has had more time in elected office, being accountable to voters, than Sen Clinton. Her experience can hardly be said to obviously outshine his.
Finally, I look at the manner in which each has conducted his and her campaign, and it's hands-down Obama, for he did not send out mailings questioning Hillary's commitment to a woman's right to choose, nor did he go back on his word not to campaign in Michigan or Florida, nor did he attempt to disenfranchise voters in Nevada once it looked like Hillary might win, nor did he use race-baiting tactics in an attempt to undermine her.
Republicans may try all of these things, but I have a higher standard for Democrats, and I hope you do as well.
http://baratunde.com/blog/obama
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Just decide based on their qualifications, not race or gender.
I’m not factoring race or gender into my calculations for voting. I’d love to see the glass ceiling thoroughly shattered, carted off to the recycling center, and turned into martini glasses we can use to toast the death of sexism and racism. I think that we’re more likely to see that accomplished in a world of freedom, peace, and prosperity, all of which have declined markedly under Bush 43. The people that would come crawling out of the woodwork to hate Clinton will probably do the same for Obama because of rumors spread about Obama’s upbringing or eyebrow waggles over his middle name. Pick the candidate that you think is best able to lead us toward that world.
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A vote for Obama is in fact a feminist vote.
An outstanding and very personal piece of writing from Rebecca Traister showing how she is a voter first, journalist second. Gasp - journalists are human! So kudos to Rebecca.
I detest Hillary and Bill Clinton. I am impressed by Obama's person, intellect and ability to inspire people in ways not seen since RFK and JFK.
I'm a white woman, a few years younger than Obama.
On the surface it would seem that a feminist (or any woman hungry to see more "sisters" in top positions) should vote for Hillary who has paid "her dues" for decades and "deserves" to be our first woman president.
However, I argue that a vote for Hillary is a vote for a woman who for years has put up with her cheating and lying husband instead of divorcing him ages ago. I believe she stayed in the marriage because it was the fastest way to the White House. She wasn't going to give up that close to the finishing line even if it meant having a permanent shit eating grin on her face for the rest of her life.
A vote for Obama would therefore in fact be a more feminist vote: a family man who clearly respects his gifted wife, this is a man who is The Mature Masculine, the kind of man who can do more for women than the shrewd Thatcher-like "macho-woman" that Hillary is. Most likely Obama would also put together a formidable cabinet which I believe will include as many or even more women than one assembled by Hillary with Bully Billy at her side.
Some may argue that Oprah, Caroline Kennedy and other women champions of Obama are betraying their own gender and that Oprah is going with Obama because he is (half) black. I believe these women are endorsing Obama because he inspires people, but also because they feel that a vote for Hillary is a vote for a woman who betrayed herself when she chose to remain with hubby after Lewinsky Gate.
NOTE: The brilliant non-fiction book "The Mature Masculine" is a must read. Written by two male authors and published in the early 1990s it is a fascinating read. (Google it please, then buy it or borrow it from your library and spread the word).