Clinton vs. Obama? Now I'm Undecided Again
After hearing Barak Obama yesterday at Pease, I thought I was decided. I even said that to the Obama campaign when they called today (the 100th call of the day about the primary, it seems). As I wrote yesterday, Obama was electrifying, and it felt like a religious experience.
First, we went to hear Bill Clinton speak tonight in Brentwood, and I was reminded of his brilliance and command of information and policy. He seems more charismatic than Hillary; my husband even said, "He's a better advocate for Hillary than Hillary is." I left feeling sorry for Hillary Clinton, that her career, while successful, may never equal that of her husband's because he got to run first. But as I've said and written before, I don't believe in dynasties, and I don't want over twenty years of Clintons and Bush in the White House. But then we came home and watched the Democratic debate, and I was so impressed with how Hillary Clinton performed. At first, I thought she was overly negative towards Obama; I felt that way yesterday, too, based on the sound bits on the news. But she went on to do an excellent job defending herself and her record. She's smart, tough, and she has an equally impressive command of the material as her husband. I understand how exasperated she must feel, as Dodd and Biden must have, to have worked in the field for so long and be eclipsed by someone so new on the scene. She's an excellent senator.
So now I'm torn. Obama was inspiring; Clinton has a great track record.
Bill Richardson would be a great vice president for either of them. He was the Greek chorus tonight. Charlie Gibson did an excellent job.
your choiceSubmitted by blendahtom on Mon, 01/07/2008 - 15:10.
I have to tell you how much I respect you for taking a vested interest in making your choice...
"So now I'm torn. Obama was inspiring; Clinton has a great track record."
I want to give you my take on that statement... I think sometimes that we give Hilary a little to much credit for her political career when she hasn't been an elected official longer than Barak. Arguements can be made on both sides no doubt... but I am not sure I want someone who has been in Washington for the past 25 years..
The major tipping point imo is the "Leadership qualities" and after listening to Barak live and also after the debate I really like how he does not get aggitated easy and seems to be very smart and pragmatic.. Our next President needs to be a "Leader' more than a just a democrat or a Republican.. this is key in bringing our country back together again..
Once again.. thanks for taking the time to chronicle this for us!
my .02 :)
from a Greenland resident..
Clinton vs. ObamaSubmitted by Lolo on Mon, 01/07/2008 - 11:28.
You have to remember you're voting for Hillary, not Bill, and that he will not have an official position. I agree with you that she did well enough in the debate, but she is still negative, still attacking Obama instead of talking about herself. As far as track record, she voted for the war, and Kyl-Lieberman, and that is a big ding on her record. We are so fortunate that the democratic candidates are all good, which is we are down to these smaller differences to make our decision. Can you imagine having to choose from the republicans?