Sunday, January 27, 2008

Obamarama

I spoke this morning with some friends at church. We discussed the various candidates, mourned for the loss of Fred Thompson, and voiced our opinions on who we'd prefer the Democrat nominee to be. I'm torn between the two most likely prospects for the Dem nod, Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. I would prefer Hillary to win because of the anti-Hillary vote it would bring out. As W.C Fields once said "I never voted for anybody. I always voted against." In a race with Hillary vs. Anyone, the possibility of a Hillary (and Bill) presidency would drive conservatives to the polls in droves.

Enter Barack Obama. A few months ago I wouldn't have really considered the ramifications of his nomination because he was far behind Her Inevitableness. But with his victories in Ohio, Nevada, and South Carolina, and endorsements from major Democrats such as Senator Kennedy, Senator Kerry, and Senator Leahy, he is now very much the front runner.

Obama has an edge in that he was elected to the U.S. Senate only 3 years ago, So he has escaped the issue that hounds Hillary: voting for the Iraq War in 2002. But the way benefits most from his short senate term is that it has helped him be seen as a Washinton outsider, someone who isn't involved in the grime of politics. His campaign's main theme is "Change" and "Hope". Things which resonate with American's right now who are worried about the economy and are tired of partisan fighting.

His nomination would bring out a general election characterized by a discussion of ideas, not personality. You liberals who are conniving, government-worshiping elites. Then you have liberals like Obama who are idealists, who really do want to change this world for the better. Sincere Idiots, if you will. The downturn being that he is nowhere near a polarizing of a figure as Hillary Clinton. Though we would have a decent election run, we would have more of a chance of conservatives who are dissatisfied with the party not showing up in November.

So...do I choose the polarizing insider Clinton? Or the sincere outsider Obama?

Neither! I endorse John Edwards! Because if we're gonna choose a pansy, we might as well go for broke!

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