The Time has come, as the Walrus said. With John Edwards dropping out today, I find I must finally make a choice between Hillary and Barack. I knew this day would come, but I’m still not ready. My wife is no help. This is an even numbered day, so she’s for Hillary. Odd numbered days she’s for Barack. Of course, that pattern changes on the first, since there will be two odd days in a row, so it looks like she’ll be voting for Hillary.
There’s two considerations of course. Which can win, and which would be the better president.
Hillary must be a person of great personal strength. No one would voluntarily expose themselves to the onslaught of pure hate that will be directed at her if she gets the nomination. She has no illusions about what she’s getting into, and she’s doing it anyway. Were I in the same position, I think I’d take a pass. Not only does she know it’s coming, but she’s ready and willing to give as good as she gets. I’m not sure Barack either appreciates what will be in store for him, or is ready to fight back. If he really believes his talk about bi-partisan sweetness and light then he’s in for a shocker. But, if he can keep to that line while effectively dealing with the opposition, then he could do well. But, granting that Hillary is ready to fight back, have she and Bill perhaps developed political tin ears. Their negative campaign against Obama has been unsuccessful to date, but maybe they would be more effective against their natural enemies.
This might well be the dirtiest campaign in history. McCain has learned his lesson, and he’s prepared to sling mud. He’ll be enabled by the media, for whom he can do no wrong.
On balance, I’d say Hillary is more prepared for the road to the White House.
As to once they get there, I’m inclined toward Obama. I think he has the potential to be a more successful president. Hillary will be a repeat in many ways of the Clinton years. The media and the right will combine to gang up on her, and she will have difficulty accomplishing anything. Moreover, it’s pretty clear that her goals, as she has articulated them, are modest. We won’t have any startling departure from the status quo. Were she to try, the right would go into attack mode, and she’d get nowhere. They will not be cowed by her victory, no matter how overwhelming it might be, and I question whether she could rally the country around her. People will vote for her because they don’t want the alternative, and because they know she’ll do a competent job. Obama, on the other hand, generates real enthusiasm, and the Republicans might find themselves on the defensive if they get too oppositional with him. Maybe, once he’s elected, he’ll move toward the left a bit, and forcefully articulate a progressive vision, something he certainly hasn’t done yet. He’s certainly more of a blank slate than she is. Both would be good presidents, he has an outside chance to be a great president. On the other hand, if he really believes that bilge about Reagan he was spewing, then we have a problem.
I truly wish that Edwards had stayed in, so I could put off this choice. I have a sinking feeling I’ll be making it in the voting booth. My consolation, and it’s a big one, is that I could support either one with as much enthusiasm as a confirmed cynic can muster.
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