(I dedicate this article to my buddy Karl H. because I know it will make him ill. Enjoy Karl!)
I am seldomly motivated to talk politics. Twenty years ago I would have been happy to engage in a 4 hour political debate and preferably a heated argument. Even ten years ago I would have been willing, especially if it was over a case of beer or a bottle of Korbel Brandy. But today, I'm just not very interested.
However, the democrat's candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, have become absolutely impossible for me to ignore. Everyday, especially every day that is a primary day, has me checking on results regularly. I have found myself enthralled with the whole idea of the first female presidential candidate and the first black candidate with a chance to win. It just seems so amazing to me and so refreshing and cool.
Here is where I'm probably going to surprise a few and tick off a few. I have found two things happening to me during the campaign. One, I am finding the Barack Obama candidacy disturbing. But, that is for another time. Two, and more importantly, I have gained a lot of respect for Hillary Clinton.
The conventional wisdom was that Hillary's negatives were insurmountable and that she was riding her husbands coat tails. And, could we really take a women seriously as a candidate? And, what if she got emotional?
Guess what, I cannot think of how a woman (or anyone) could have done much better a job (other than maybe not be so nauseatingly liberal) as a candidate, than Hillary Clinton has. As for her "negatives", that one might be what brings her down. But, her husbands coat tails? Ah, I don't think Bubba has got coat tails. Bill Clinton is more like the funny uncle that everyone enjoys visiting once a year, but nobody really listens to. His act worked as president, but that style is not transferable to his wife. I think he is more of a distraction and a hindrance than a help.
Regarding Hillary as a serious female candidate. Your darn right she is a serious candidate and I think she is opening the door for other women in the future. She may not be the democrat's presidential candidate in 2008, but I believe history will be kind to her for leading the way for women presidential candidates.
As for Barack Obama, I believe he will win the primary and get crushed in the general election. Why? Because the American people can pretty easily figure out that you don't hang out with Jeremiah Wright on the weekends if you are a uniter. You can only do that if you are convinced that "We the People" are hopelessly divided.
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