There has been an wish expressed repeatedly for diaries that explain why people support their candidate for president, and I thought I would take an opportunity to add my reasons. I want to make known from the start my predilection for Hillary Clinton for both the Democratic nomination and the presidency. I would be a fool not acknowledge the obvious, that a lot of folks on Daily Kos don't much cotton to Hillary, though I think there are a lot of people on the site who quietly support her but don't wish to get involved in the heated discussions. I think Hillary represents the most credible candidate for the Democratic nomination, and so far, a large plurality of Democrats consistently have expressed their hope she will be the nominee. Let me explain the three reasons why I am for Hillary.
First, there is a simple moral argument. Hillary is the first Democratic woman, the first woman of any political inclination, who has a credible chance to be president of the United States. Since my earliest political awareness as a young boy in the mid-1960s, I have been keenly aware of the injustice of a male-dominated presidency and have wanted to see a woman be president of the United States. Hillary's election will be a radical statement by the people of the United States about the real qualifications for the presidency. Slightly more than half of all Americans have never had a member of their sex as the leader of the country, and it is well past time that this historic wrong be righted. It may be long years again before we have another chance if we fail this time. I think we will transform American culture through her election.
Second, there is the argument of her experience in facing the Republicans. Her experiences with them prepare her for the campaign and the presidency in a way I believe no other candidate is prepared. Over the last 15 years, the right has pawed at her incessantly, spending millions of dollars of public funds to uncover any kind of mud to throw at her. We can be confident that Hillary has a clean bill of health. After these years of investigation, there will be no surprises. We know the whole story. Moreover, we have someone who understands the way the Republicans work, and I believe that she will be quick on her feet and precise in her responses.
Third, she is, I believe, much more experienced at the working of policy and government than either of her two main competitors. As a public servant, as the wife of a governor and a president who was deeply involved in his administrations, as a lawyer and activist, and as a United States Senator, she already has had an opportunity to see firsthand and up-close what it means to serve the interests of the people and govern the country. There is no contender for the presidency, either among the Democrats or the Republicans, who will require less on-the-job training than Hillary Clinton. After the disaster we have been witnessing these last nearly seven years, we need someone who can get to work fixing the country from her first day in office.
Before I close, let me address the matter of the war, which I believe is the crux of the problem most Kossacks have with Hillary. I personally and without equivocation opposed the invasion of Iraq before we went there, and I have desired an immediate withdrawal from the first day. I did not agree with Mrs. Clinton's vote when she made it, and I don't agree with it now. But for the reasons I have given, I have forgiven her and the majority of my fellow Americans who were misled on this issue.
All of this being said, whoever gets the nomination of the Democratic Party, I stand foursquare with the choice of my party.