Recently I've been hopelessly conflicted about who to support for the Democratic nomination. It's been "Edwards or Obama" for months now. I feel like I'm trying to decide between a big slice of Chicago style pizza or a big dish of homemade lasagna. Conflicted, but damned if I don't like the choice.
Well, I'm going to finally commit. For now, I'm an Edwards supporter...with an asterisk Explanation on the fold...
You see, it really is a tough choice. Barack Obama and John Edwards are the clear progressives in this race. They are the clear forces for change and for a rejection of corporate-owned Government as we know it. Either would (and I would argue both will) be fine Presidents.
As I've joked in a few diary comments, it's like we're fighting over who to send into battle between Batman and Superman. All the while hoping we don't make the debate so personal that Bizarro Wonder Woman wins the contest in a three way split.
So I just have a hard time deciding and developing any animosity for the other. So John and Barack have a small difference of opinion on health care. So what? Both plans would be the best thing to happen to our health care situation ever. So they both have mild differences of opinion on foreign policy. Both would be the best foreign policy Presidents of my lifetime.
So here is why I say John Edwards with an asterisk. When it comes down to it, a choice has to be made. And right now I side with John Edwards because he is the most clear and passionate voice against corporate America. He would be the strongest fighter against CIGNA the next time they want to kill a little girl because the alternative isn't cheap.
But it isn't like Barack Obama wouldn't be damn close to being as good. We're not debating a conservative who will defend the healthcare industry as is to the death.
So it's with an asterisk that I support John Edwards. When and if he cedes the race to Obama, I will happily switch. I hope with all my might in that scenario I'm switching knowing I'm now supporting Attorney General Edwards. Oh darn. Poor me.
And it's with an asterisk because I do not get to vote in a primary until May. The odds are 90% plus that by the time it gets around to me, the decision will already be made. But I can tell you this much. If going into the Indiana primary the polls looked something like this.
Obama - 40
Clinton - 40
Edwards - 20
Or some clear cut variation, I will vote for Barack Obama. I'll be damned if I'm going to let Hillary Clinton steal this thing in a 3 way bloodbath. I don't think it will get to that point though. I think John and Barack continue to be relatively nice to each other and focus on Hillary. If that happens, I think she quits the race sooner than a lot of you think and it comes down to a debate about ideas.
In that scenario, I vote for John Edwards in the primary while Barack Obama (probably) goes onto the nomination. And I do it with glee that while I may have picked the lasagna, I'll be damn happy too if I get the pizza pie on my plate.
I don't quite want to say "who the hell cares", but so long as an agent of progressive change is our nominee I will be happy. Best of luck to both Barack Obama and his supporters, and John Edwards and his. I'm hoping for the greatest debate of ideas and change in my lifetime. I don't think I'm going to be disappointed.