I'm not saying that I won't be pulling the big "D" lever this fall. Of coarse I will. I will also work tirelessly for our candidate to get him/her elected. I just think that we are now at a disadvantage for the upcoming fall election and I am not inspired by one or the other enough to help get them the nomination.
Let's be quite clear, both candidates have their strengths. Hillary is a very strong candidate who knows how to take, and give, a punch. She has a strong, loyal following and perhaps one of the greatest political minds ever as her closest advisor. And, it would be wonderful for that glass ceiling to be finally smashed. She may be the stronger candidate.
Obama is one of the greatest speakers we have seen and has motivated more people to political action than I have ever witnessed before. And as a person who worked with inner-city Chicago students a few years back, I can not think of anything that would do more to improve the outlook for young African-American males than to see a Black man elected President. It could be a turning point knowing that our country has finally come so far that yes, even they, can become the President.
But they also have weaknesses that concern me. Hillary, for whatever reason, has probably the largest group of people that just flat out hate her. Every accusation that we have heard before, every questionable relationship will be dredged up again. I can only see a long, drawn-out, dirty election ending it a very close, if not again disputed outcome. I don't think Obama has shown that he can take a punch very well, and has not learned how to use his charm to diffuse attacks. He needs to demonstrate any possible ability he has dealing with negative attacks on the Reznik issue, NOW! Most regretfully, I don't see either one showing the concern for issues, like poverty, that I most cared about that Edwards did.
I await the eventual nominee. Obama and Clinton supporters, your attacks may commence. I will enjoy my rest and see you at the convention.