Tips to Dr. Strangelove for the title.
First of all, I was not a Clinton supporter. Clinton was my safety candidate; someone who I felt (feel) comfortable with as President even though she was not my first choice. I was an Edwards’s man myself. I have only recently joined the Obama fold. I want to share how I was converted in the hopes that I can cut through the bitterness and maybe convert someone else.
No, I’m not clairvoyant. I am projecting my beliefs onto others. When you attack me in the comments, please bear this in mind. Also, please defend your own beliefs instead of attacking your opponents. I’m tired of the bitterness and hyperbole. Before you post, think about whether your comment is phrased in a way that will help the eventual nominee win in November no matter who it is. If it isn’t, then take some time and re-write. Both candidates are better than McCain even at their respective worst.
More below the fold.
Clinton’s attack that (paraphrasing) "words are pretty, but we need action" cuts to the core of her support. Obama’s message of hope and change does not resonate with Clinton supporters no matter how you rephrase it. The reason? We (as I said, I’m still an Obama noob) do not think that the Republicans will bargain in good faith. Therefore, a pledge to compromise sounds like surrender.
Bill Clinton himself was the ultimate compromiser. Remember, he was the one who gave us NAFTA and welfare reform. These were compromises worked out to placate a growing Right. They were repaid with Ken Starr and Monica-Gate, impeachment hearings and shutting government shut down. The Right was not willing to compromise at all.
Along came George the Lesser, promising bipartisanship and a pledge to "restore integrity to the White House." One of his first bills was No Child Left Behind, an education plan that was sold as so bipartisan that no less a man than Ted Kennedy was on board. We were sold out again.
We were betrayed on the war. We were betrayed on Patriotism. We were betrayed on torture and eavesdropping.
When we finally won a majority in the Senate, we were betrayed from without by stonewalling Republican senators and within by leaders like Nancy "Impeachment is Off the Table" Pelosi.
Words have betrayed us for a long time. No one can guarantee a 60-seat majority in the Senate, so we are expecting to be betrayed again. And again. And again.
Hillary Clinton is a fighter. One of the biggest complaints about her is the fact that she fights too often and she fights dirty. We want that on our side. We want action. Even if we loose, we’d rather loose fighting.
Do you see why all the pretty words in the world won’t change this mind-set?
I just recently learned that, in addition to all his brilliant oratory and feel-good message, in addition to his change-for-the-sake-of-change, Barrack Obama is also a Man of Action. I had some helpful fellow DKOS’ers point out what Obama has done in response to some of my comments. For example, how many know the huge number of bills he sponsored in the Illinois Senate. I surely didn’t, and I’m a news junkie compared to the average American. I am now tentatively, nominally, fully on board with Obama (forgive the indecision, I’m a noob and I’m still trying it on for size).
What we need is for someone to write a diary entitled "Barrack Obama: Man of Action" that highlights what he has already accomplished and what battles he has already fought, win or lose (preferably win). This could be set against a stirring Obama quote where he talks about the issue. This would be incontrovertible proof that he is not "all talk".
What we don’t need is another diary that highlights quotes form people who aren’t running, because this does absolutely nothing to allay fears that he is making promises he can’t keep.
For many people Clinton is the safety-candidate. No amount of diminishing her reputation will help you beat her, because she is a known quantity that we are resolved to live with. The only way to beat her is to elevate Obama. Show us that he is even better.