Letters to the Editor
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Clinging to Bill's coattails
As a woman, I am offended by Hillary's touting her level of experience over that of Obama. The only reason she was able to run for a Senate seat without ANY previous electoral vetting was because she had been married to Bill Clinton. She includes her stint as First Lady in her CV to qualify her for the presidency. A woman who qualifies herself for a job based on her marriage is hardly a valid feminist icon. Her resume padding would be laughable were it not being taken seriously by people who should know better.
The other problem I have with Hillary is that she is inflexible in her positions and unwilling to use the wise counsel of others. Thus, no apology for her support of the Iraq invasion and occupation, and a defensive position is her response to criticism.
Consider how the Right's obsessive hatred of her would bring out the vote for McCain, the likely nominee; apparently there are also independents and Democrats who might be similarly motivated.
Finally, if people vote based on gender and/or color, we're doomed.
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Hillary on torture
For those of you who want me to sign up for the military if I vote for McCain over Hillary, I'll do it if you agree to the reverse. I 100% believe that she would be the more agressive president on foreign policy, and that is a large part of why I would never vote for her. As you can see from the quotes below, she can not even give a straight answer on condemning certain types of torture, whereas Obama and McCain are very clear on this. What is it going to take for people like you to understand what a danger this woman is. Think about it and don't just give me the standard we need a democrat in office arguments. Democrats like Hillary make the categorization "democrat" meaningless. (see quotes below from editorial appeared in the Sacramento Bee Feb. 1)
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York has condemned torture, but declined to take a stand on specific techniques. A Washington Post interview of October 2007 captured her position. She began: "We should not conduct or condone torture." Then she focused on Bush era techniques, not on what she would allow as president. Her conclusion: "I think we have to draw a bright line and say, 'No torture - abide by the Geneva Conventions, abide by the laws we have passed,' and then try to make sure we implement that."
Now the Democrats: Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois has been straightforward: "No administration should allow the use of torture, including so-called 'enhanced interrogation techniques' like waterboarding, head-slapping and extreme temperatures. It's time that we had a Department of Justice that upholds the rule of law and American values, instead of finding ways to enable the president to subvert them." He has said, "Torture is how you create enemies, not how you defeat them."
Sen. John McCain of Arizona championed an anti-torture amendment banning the use of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by U.S. personnel anywhere in the world and prohibiting U.S. interrogators from using interrogation techniques not listed in the U.S. Army Field Manual on Intelligence Interrogation. McCain has been clear that waterboarding is "a terrible and odious practice and should never be condoned in the U.S. We are a better nation than that."
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Obama is both qualified and electable
Re: It breaks my heart, however, what the GOP noise machine has done to her, tearing her down since 1992 (or before), demonizing her to the point where she's probably the single most polarizing political figure in the country.
Voting for the most polarizing person one can think of, doesn't seem like such a hot idea. Especially, since so many Republicans and independents like Obama. so much. And it's not because his voting record is right of center. On the contrary, his record is strongly liberal, and yet many people of all political persuasions, like and admire him.
Even my father, who's backing Mitt ("triple the size of Guantanamo") Romney, likes Obama.
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charisma wins elections -
and If you get one - you can have a beer with - and a thoughtful conversation - vote em in!
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How'd That Ferraro Vote Work Out?
Hey Rebecca, way to move the Cause forward by voting for Ferraro. Nice!
I hate to say this, but like it or not this stuff matters. Voting matters. Our choice of leader has consequences in the world. You seem aware of this. Why then would you fail to act on what you know is the better course? Symbolism? Honor? Real honor is having the courage to do the right thing, even if it isn't as gratifying to your ego.
Love your writing. Salon is so great!!
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Lauriehester: the dirt is on its way
With all due respect, where have you been lately, Laurie? Obama has more elected experience than Hillary--8 years in the tough Illinois legislature working across the aisle with Republicans to get legislation passed + the same in Washington. Hillary is the most divisive candidate we've had in years--she'd unite the Rebpubican party & she'd lose. Look at the polls--McCain beats Clinton, Obama beats McCain. Don't even need polls to figure that out. Clinton HASN'T been vetted in this primary--you're kidding yourself. Obama & the other democractic candidates played loyal dem politics by holding back (as has the liberal media.) The Republicans (and conservative media) are waiting with tons of FACTS showing the Clintons' flawed characters & THEIR inability to lead. They are holding back because they want folks like you to give Hillary the nomination--they know they can beat her but not Barack. They won't let anyone forget Hillary's proven ethics violations in Travelgate, Whitewater/Guarantee Trust, etc. They'll remind everyone that Bill lied under oath (repeatedly) & he pardoned almost 200 people, including Mark Rich (a man who stole millions but also gave millions to the Clintons), his own brother & numerous friends who had gone to jail because of Whitewater OR were lobbied by Hillary's two brothers (admittedly for money.) And wait til they start on the millions Bill has been paid by the Middle East and, more importantly, Billary's failure to release Whitehouse records that would actually show us what experience Hillary had. Billary can't release the documents (and won't before the election) because they would sink Hillary. All very ugly to come! If we vote for Obama we'll win in November because he has nothing to hide! Inspiring & HONEST.