In the beginning I was an Edwards guy. Then I found it too hard to swallow some of his phoniness, so I switched to Richardson, who I am still convinced is the best person for the job. When Richardson went down in flames, I went back to Edwards, because I always loved what he had to say.
In front of me is a Maryland absentee ballot. I don't plan on using it until after February 5th. I can't make up my mind. Maybe I should do a comparison chart like Cris Carter does on Yahoo! Sports when analyzing the Super Bowl.
Hillary vs. Obama
Iraq
Slight Advantage to Obama
I like that Obama was against the war from the beginning. I hate that he's been a wuss about funding and getting the hell out. Still, the dude knows enough not to spring up and applaud when W says the surge is working. I don't think Obama will get us out of Iraq any faster than Hillary. In fact, Hillary's rhetoric on this score is better than Obama. They'll both be to scared of "cutting and running" to get out quick. But they will get out eventually.
Propensity to start Big Wars
Slight Advantage to Obama
I don't think either of them will get us into a mess like Iraq. But Obama is smart enough to stay away from the sabers, let alone rattle them when it comes to Iran. Hillary doesn't seem to mind a little rattling, a few half-hearted slices in the air to see how the rattle feels in her hand.
Propensity to start Little Wars
Big Advantage to Obama
I think Hillary will follow Bill's foreign policy template. In other words, fight a little war now and then, but nothing that will piss off people too much. Drop a few random bombs when your approval rating is down. On the other hand, I honestly think that Obama is more pre-disposed to peace. I think he will work harder to find a way to avoid bloodshed. He won't be a Jimmy Carter; at the end of his term, he won't be able to count his combat fatalities with both hands. On this score I think Richardson would have been the best President in our generation. But I think Obama will do better than most Democrats.
Health Care:
Big Advantage to Hillary
Obama's health care is Not Universal. Not Universal = Weak-Ass, Stupid, and Not Ever Going to Pass, Let Alone Work. Hillary's past in this field is shameful, because her plan back in the 90's was idiotic. Now she's talking the good liberal talk, and bully for her. I think that she's just pandering to us Democrats, but that's ok. They've done studies on party platforms. It turns out that they're not completely worthless. Today's pander is tomorrow's law. Once you're sworn in, you've got to pass something, and people always start with what was proposed during the campaign. If Hillary wins, she will have a mandate to push health care. If Obama wins, I see health care as being something he kind of pushes on, but when he gets resistance, he'll give up.
Environment:
Big Advantage: Hillary
Obama's from Illinois, so he will never say anything bad about nuclear power or coal. I don't quite understand his stance on liquifying coal technology, but for my wife the enviornmentalist, it's pretty much a deal-breaker. Bill wasn't the greatest enivornmental President ever, but he did a lot of good things, and I'm sure Hillary will follow in his footsteps. She'll put the right people at Interior and EPA. I think the environment would be muddled in an Obama administration.
Economy:
It's a wash
They're both Democrats, so they'll do OK. I think their economic stimulus plans are exercises in pandering, but they'll do little harm.
Personal Qualities:
Big Advantage: Obama
There are times when Hillary just annoys the shit out of me. Other times, like the present, I find her tolerable. Obama, on the other hand, can often be quite inspiring. At his worst, like at the last debate, he acts like a know-it-all professor who's disdainful of his opponent. All Presidents become annoying at one time or another, but I think Obama will annoy me least of all.
Winner: To be determined.
Update (1/30)
I want to thank everybody for the very thoughtful comments. Clearly I need to do more research, which sucks, because I'd rather read a good short story or novel then policy papers. But nobody said being an informed citizen was easy. (Well, I'm sure somebody said it, but they were probably pandering to the lazy ignorant vote.)