I have to be honest. Sometimes I'm turned off by the rhetoric of the Edwards and Obama supporters here. The "rec war" has gotten out of control, and the whole "YOU'RE EITHER WITH US OR AGAINST US" vibe often feels straight out of a right wing playbook. I guess this diary is my response to that and my response to last nights Iowa caucus. Follow on the fold, if you like...
You see, to me, it isn't about Barack Obama winning. Huge congratulations to Mr. Obama, by the way. But the real story is Hillary Clinton losing, and finishing a pathetic 3rd place.
Now, first things first, I am not an Edwards supporter. I am not an Obama supporter. I am a Democrat supporter who lives in Indiana and nobody is going to ask me my opinion until May. So I have the luxury of staying deliciously undecided and just letting things work themselves out. By the time I vote, it'll probably be over.
But I sure know who I don't want to win. And that is Hillary Clinton. Don't get me wrong, I am a Democrat to the core. If she is our nominee, I will vote for her. I will support her. The same way I drove myself to support John Kerry. I won't exactly like it but I'll do it. But I know looking at the candidates left, she would be the absolute worst. She would mean more secret government. More dangerous rhetoric towards Iran. More of the status quo I've come to be sick of in my 27 years on this earth.
Not trying to start a flame war so I'll just leave my Hillary comments there and hope I really don't have to explain much more why I am not fond of Hillary Clinton as Democratic candidate for President.
But Barack Obama, that would be change. John Edwards, that would be change. Even Bill Richardson would be change, though I don't think he's long for the race. Either of these candidates would be the best President this nation had seen in generations.
So to my fellow Democrats I ask that you have fun, support the candidate of your choice, but lets avoid taking things personally. And at all costs avoid a "IT'S MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY" approach to this election. At some point, one of Barack Obama or John Edwards will have to relent. Else, we risk a nonstop 3 way bloodbath that Hillary Clinton just might squeak out of with the nomination. When it becomes apparent who the "not Hillary" is, I hope the other graciously endorses the other and joins their campaign.
Because you may not like Obama's health care plan as much as Edwards, or vice versa. But both would be so much better than Hillary it isn't funny. You might think Edwards is too aggressive compared to Obama or vice versa. But both would be so much better than Hillary it isn't funny. And you might think Obama is naive compared to Edwards or vice versa. But...you get the idea.
So let us not turn this into a war. This is an exchange and debate of ideas and direction. We're not waging a war to avoid choosing a crap filled candidate. The debate we're having is about equal to trying to decide between a T-Bone Steak and a New York Strip Steak. Either way, we're eating damn good come November. Unless, that is, we make the fight so personal that the bottom round steak sneaks it's way onto our plate.
I don't know where that point comes where the loser needs to concede and join forces with the winner. Maybe it's Super Tuesday. Maybe later, I don't know. But I just hope that nobody (candidate or supporters) makes this do or die. Both men are young and brilliant enough that I believe they both may very well be US Presidents one day. Who goes first is the question.
So have fun, this is one of the most wonderful times of life for political junkies like us. I just hope that we all realize that a true progressive winning this race and ending the family dynasty is the most important thing we must do.
Come November, I'll gladly support John Edwards. Or I'll gladly support Barack Obama. I'll even gladly support Hillary Clinton. But while I'm doing it, I'm going to be wondering what in the blue hell you guys were thinking...