To begin, this is my first diary, so I will try my best.
A little background: I am a 26 year old male from Pennsylvania. I grew up in Punxsutawney (Jefferson County), a small town in northwest PA. I spent the next seven years in State College (Centre County), in central PA. Now I live the city of Philadelphia in southeast PA. I am unique in the fact that I lived, worked, and socialized in a small town, a small city, and a large city, in the western, central, and eastern parts of Pennsylvania.
I am a loyal Democrat who entered the primary season as a true undecided. Sure, I had some early leanings (John Edwards), but I was never firm in my commitment. That is, until the past few weeks in which I have solidely decided to back Barack Obama. Here's why.
For the past few months, I've felt (as do most Democrats) that both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton would serve as great Presidents, would be a major improvement over what we've had in the past eight years, and would win in the general election. Now that the Pennsylvania primary is approaching I've looked closer at the electability issue and also how each candidate is handling the process. On both fronts, I believe Senator Obama has outperformed Senator Clinton.
Senator Clinton started the primary by being the heavy favorite with every in-built advantage a candidate could dream of having. She is well-known, popular with Democrats, and had all the money she would need. What she did not have was an effective plan to win the primary - in fact - she had a very poor plan. She assumed victory and scoffed at the actual process of winning. She has allowed a political upstart to overcome significant obstacles to take the lead.
This makes me question her ability to win the general election. Would her strategy be as short-sighted and ineffective as her primary strategy? On the other hand, Senator Obama has ran a smart, effective campaign. He has understood the process and chose the correct strategy to win the process. I feel as though he will be able to continue this in the general election, and also as President.
As for electability, I believe Senator Obama has a better chance at winning the general election. To explain why, I need to give some more background about myself. My family, many of my friends, and my girlfriend are registered Republicans (it comes from growing up in a small, rural town). My parents, friends, and girlfriend are already planning to vote for Senator Obama. On the other hand, voting for Hillary Clinton is anathema to them. A good example is my grandmother, who is one of those 28% that approve of President Bush, was outraged over the Reverend Wright scandal - but not because of what Wright said. It was the reaction to it that outraged her, the reaction of Senator Clinton and others towards it.
I believe that only Senator Obama has the ability to draw non-typical Democrat voters.
The next issue I won't dwell on because it has been talked about continuously for a while - to win she needs a large percentage of superdelegates to overturn the will of the people to be chosen. I think this will destroy any chance of a Democratic president. Enough said.
Finally, the latest flare up over Senator Obama's "elitism" has pushed me firmly into his supporters. Being a lifelong Pennsylvanian who grew up in a small town, what he said is exactly right. The majority of the people in those small towns know he is right as well - even though they might not be quick to admit it. The idea that Hillary Clinton is not elite and can somehow connect with the working class is laughable. It's transparent and her reaction to this issue has really soured my respect for her.
With that said, if she somehow, by some miracle manages to win the pledged delegate count without a superdelegate coup, I will vote for her.
I just feel Obama is our best shot at not only victory in November - but our best shot at a better America.