My wife and I had two friends over for dinner Friday evening, and within ten minutes, I introduced politics to the conversation. (Once again, do not invite me to parties, or accept invitations to come to my house, unless you are willing to discuss politics and/or the Buffalo Sabres.)
We were all democrats, so the discussion was more than civil, but our two guests and I (my wife made up her mind long ago) were both undecided -- this way or that -- on who to vote for on Tuesday. But it came down to this: Who could beat John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee?
You see, more than me wanting either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton as president, I really want Obama or Clinton in the White House. Does that make sense? It should, this is not that difficult.
John McCain may splinter the conservative vote -- evangelicals opting not to vote because their candidate isn't pro-life enough, and Coulter/Hannity conservatives voting with a third party because they believe McCain is actually liberal. In that case, either Obama or Clinton can beat McCain.
It has been my opinion since the beginning that Clinton is a tough sell in the general election. (She's got forty-five percent of the population not voting for her, but that wouldn't matter if they opted not to vote for the competition.) And although her campaign has clearly shown that she is more and more likable as people listen to her, there is no doubt that there still exists across this nation a fervent hatred for anything Clinton. And in the end, Coulter and Hannity (and friends and followers) -- I am sure -- will vote for their party, whomever it is, if the race were against a Clinton (even Chelsea or Chelsea's great-grandson).
While discussing the issue with our friends, I made the point that I cannot say why I like Obama or why I like Clinton, except that I would vote for either one of them, but I could definitely say what I don't like.
Clinton... is old and tired, part of the establishment. She is divisive and will continue the rift that has formed in this country, albeit unintentionally.
Obama... is inexperienced with a background that will give opposition researchers a field day. He relies on rhetoric over definitive statements on policy, and may be too willing to compromise.
Which one's better? Or which one's worse?
I think Obama has a better shot against McCain in November, and I think that Clinton has a lower ceiling (or a better likelihood of losing no matter who the GOP nominee is).
I think that politics in this country is too divisive, but will Obama actually make a difference?
Change is good, but change also brought us Pepsi Clear.
I know that Hillary Clinton would make a great president; I am not so sure about Barack Obama.
With all of that said, I'm willing to take a chance.
Tomorrow (better known as Super Tuesday)... I'm voting for Barack Obama in the democratic primary.
Labels: 2008
Good luck with your candidate.
Aunt Diane
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