Monday, January 7, 2008

New Hampshire

Ok, I can't resists bringing politics into the blog. I remember growing up that the most passionate "arguments" were about politics. And, it's too important to ignore. So, here's my current state of thinking. I was very angry when Obama included some anti-gay religious people in one of his events in South Carolina. Now, I am going to have to eat my words, because I really think Hillary is a goner. She's yesterday's news and people want 21st century leaders. In my mind, Obama is speaking to that in the clearest terms right now. While I always hoped to see a woman president, an African American would represent the same kind of change. I understand not being in the mainstream. A non-mainstrem candidate is very exciting to me.

So, what do you think?

Don't be afraid to disagree.

11 comments:

BillsSundaySuppers said...

Well, tonight I watched Hillary speak at a rally in Manchester, NH. While Obama's "audacity of hope" is inspiring and charismatic, I wonder if he is somewhat naive. Hillary said that it is not about her or any of the candidates; it is about the American people. After all, we do need a new president, but it will take all of us working together to create change. She said that America has always been a nation of "builders and architects," but we have to revert back to a "can do" mentality. She also said that we need to export our ideas and products instead of having other countries "steal" our products and intellectual property – only to use them against the American people. There is a lot of truth and candor in this statement. I think Clinton does represent true Democratic ideas, but she also knows it will take a lot of hard work to get the job done. I think a Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket would be ideal. I think the nation truly longs for dramatic change, so Obama appeals on that side of the equation. Whatever happens, I don't see how the Democrats will not win. I don't think there is a lot of passion for a religious fanatic (Huckabee) or candidates who have changed their values just to become electable (Romney, McCain, Giuliani). Like my grandmother, I will sleep better at night with a Democrat in the White House. Most of all, I will feel better about our nation if our choice represents the future, whether female or African American. Of course, my "sweet dream" ticket would include both!

Effie said...

I agree! We need a Democratic president and Congress. I think it will be difficult for anyone person to change things. It would be great to have a Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket. I'd vote for that!

Unknown said...

I worry about if Obama can handle the campaign. The Republicans can be brutal and (in my opinion) sneaky. Clinton and Edwards know their tricks and have been targets before. Obama does not. I, like Bill, worry that he might be naive. I think right now I'm behind Hillary the most (I thought her tears today were touching and very honest) but I am open to any democrat. I would love to see a Clinton/Obama ticket. I'm still a little sad that Gore didn't get in, but I guess I don't blame him.

tonya said...

Wow. Some deep thinking. I have been more and more disillusioned with Hillary, so I'm glad to see Bill's recap here.

I forced myself to listen to the Republican debate on MPR last night. It took every once of effort I could muster, but I feel I need to be informed about positions and at least attempt to be open to hearing how other folks are thinking about solutions to our bigger issues. I'd have to say of the bunch speaking last night, Ron Paul seemed the most courageous -- or maybe just nutty. The all gave lip service to the constitution and to "all men being created equal, not by government, but by God"...except equal seems to mean in their definition. So, if you aren't American by birth (or at least 3rd generation or so), or you don't have vast amounts of material worth, or you aren't heterosexual, or Christian...well then "that's different"

Feels to me like Obama is the only one saying something different than everyone else. Although, I too think he's a bit naive. I find myself to be naive as well. I still believe that a culture of hope, a wave of hope, will fundamentally change things. This is probably why I'm partial to Obama.

It will sure be an interesting few months....

Monna said...

Here is my 2 cents worth. Obama/Edwards. It certainly won't be Hillary. Perhaps she needs to lose Bill. Look for running mate to come from the South or perhaps the West. The power of Oprah!!!!

Rick said...

Obama has really managed to piss me off over the last few months.

Let's review.

(1) McClurkin. Ahh. Alienate the gay base. Good job. Asshat.

(2) Social Security FUD. Did he read that off a fax from the RNC? There is *no* Social Security crisis. Alienate that retired voter base. Asshattery squared.

(3) "Trial Lawyer" epithet used against Edwards. Again, this is a term that any attorney knows isn't a reference to an attorney that tries cases instead of drafts contracts. It's also on some RNC punchlist somewhere. Also a big part of the base. Chapeau-de-ass again.

(4) Hillary killed Benasir. I can't believe he didn't fire the person who implied that. By that logic, Obama's chickenshit votes in the Senate are responsible for plenty of deaths, bankruptcy, and misery.

(5) He's the candidate of change?

What does that even mean? Unless Generalissimo Bush is preserved in power, Jeb Bush is a "change."

The man can give a speech. Believe me, I know. I lived in his district in Chicago, and he was my commencement speaker at my law school graduation.

But soaring rhetoric is for the poet laureate, not the President.

Face it: he's green. Hasn't been in politics very long. He's never run a race against a serious Republican challenger.

So now that I've ripped Barry Hussein's living guts out (Fox Noise's name for him, I'm sure), for those of you who know me well, you will not be too surprised that I can support him nonetheless.

If he can in fact turn out the youth vote in Iowa-esque proportions, he may get 350+ EV. But I'll believe that when I see it. Maybe enough people will have sated their white guilt by then, or the GOP will have engineered some terror alert.

Still, I see no realistic scenario where we don't get Kerry+Ohio, but that's true of the proverbial Yellow Dog. (I nominate mine, Sanford. He's 10x smarter than Bush.)

My heart was with Al Gore, who didn't run. Then with John Edwards who has actually fought corporate America and been in a national campaign (even though it was shitty). But my nuts were always with Hillary and her machine, and the longing for the Halcyon days of the 90s. Battle-tested.

You can think of some Beowulfian language to apply to the Sword-Tongues of the Clintonites.

But alas, Barack is clearly going to be the nominee. So, I'll line up.

I think he'll pick Kathleen Sibelius of Kansas as his running mate, just to chill out the pink mafia.

I also think that this will probably put a permanent end to affirmative action. You can picture the rhetoric. And, G-d forbid, if anything happens to him, the breech in race relations would be irreparable.

His name means blessed. Barak, or in Hebrew, baruch. So, be blessed, Obama, and clean this criminal mafia of Orwellian nihilists out.

tonya said...

Who will explain Rick's post to me? As Bob often says about movies "Is there another one that explains this one?"

:)

This is great dialog. I hope more families or even friends are doing this.

Jim Wilson said...

Wow. All of you rock! More please.

And, Ric, thanks for paying attention. I agree with your analysis of the current landscape.

In my heart, I want there to exist that culture of hope that Tonya mentions. Even if it is naive and idealistic, it's the stuff of life and the soul. Bushco has worked hard at destroying it. I have to believe hope overcomes hate in the end.

More later. Keep on commenting.

JillR said...

I haven't made up my mind yet on who to vote for, but it won't really matter because by the time we get to the WA Primary the decision will be made and/or most of the candidates will have dropped out of the race. Why can't the primaries all be on the same day so that the parties get an accurate vote across the country. Iowa is hardly representative of the US. Just a thought.

Unknown said...

I agree, Jill! At least California gets a little bit of a say this year. We are looking forward to voting on February 5.

BillsSundaySuppers said...

Could NH be Comeback Kid - The Sequel?