Obama got me actively involved in politics in a way I never thought I could. I remember feeling that "fierce urgency of now" during both his campaigns. However this urgency was especially strong for me during his re-election campaign of 2012. After witnessing the unprecedented sabotage attempts that Republicans waged against him over his first term in office; the implications of the Citizens United ruling which gave corrupt Republicans the green light to try to buy the election against the will of the people, and imagining the shear joy the racist right would feel if they managed to make America's first democratically elected African-American President a one-termer I felt I had to do something. Hence began my first active foray into politics... besides my occasional keyboard warrior campaigns here on DKos and other platforms online.

Ironically, Hillary was my first choice for the Democratic Nomination back in 2008 in the early days of the Democratic Primaries (perhaps I should just say personal preference as I wasn't eligible to vote back then, nor was I registered as a Democrat). I was skeptical of the up and coming Obama at first until I eventually became a believer in him. I was annoyed by the abrasive resistance to Hillary by many on here back then (and I am still annoyed by it today). Although I became a supporter of Obama eventually, it would've been fine with me if Hillary had gotten the nomination. I like to see myself a big picture Democrat. I really don't care about some of the small ideological fights. I think some people vastly overplay these small fights within the party.

Ok I digressed a little, so let me get back on topic. So I've never voted in a U.S. Presidential election (or any U.S. election for that matter). You could call me a political virgin as far as voting is concerned I guess. 2016 will be the first Presidential Election cycle wherein I'd be eligible to vote. Hillary Clinton is perfectly poised to take my voter's virginity. She is a natural fit for me as a candidate. There are many compelling reasons to vote for her (even if you are not particularly excited about her personally). This is why I am voting for Hillary to become President:

Reason #1: I HATE REPUBLICANS!

Yes I know that's a strong word to use. But this is exactly how I feel about Republicans. I hate them. I make no apologies for that. I need a candidate who can cause the most devastation to Republicans politically on all levels from the Presidency to the state and local levels. Hillary is the singular candidate currently on the Democratic side who would have enough clout and coattails to do that in 2016. She has broad appeal in the Democratic party. She is the only one out there now who can unite the Democratic coalition in the way that Obama did in 2008 and 2012. As we all know, a united Democratic party that turns out and vote is unbeatable. The GOP needs to be crippled at all levels of Government. Hillary is the best 'hit man' for this job.

Reason #2: ELECTABILITY

I see you rolling your eyes lol. This word is so overused to push establishment candidates in both parties that many base activists have a natural 'give me a break' reaction when this is brought up. However electability really is important and as it a pre-requesite to everything else. If you are not electable your great ideas and vision for the country will go nowhere. I do believe all candidates on the democratic side are electable at the end of the day. However electability to me means more than been able to win the Presidency. Technically Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren (I know she isn't running) could win the Presidency on a hard fought ideological battle but I think it would be a small margin ideological victory (ala Bush v Kerry) that would do nothing to change or improve the political gridlock in Washington. We need a candidate who is not only electable, but has enough coattails to raise the electability of other Democrats downballot. I think the Democrats are well positioned to retake the Senate in 2016 and make some inroads in the gerrymandered GOP House. Hillary is the best candidate who can help us with that.

Reason #3: FUNDRAISING

We live in a new era of American politics. The Citizens United Ruling has completely changed the dynamics of elections. Basically the race for the Presidency can be described as a takeover bid for the White House where two CEOs (the nominated candidates) of two large corporations (the national parties) present competing bids to the shareholders of the White House (the American electorate). The shareholders, after a review period (the presidential campaign), then decide which of these two bids to approve. This is an era where millions of shareholders can be easily bought off with money to vote against their best interests and against the best interest of the country in general. The Republican-Koch Brothers Corporation knows this and this is exactly what they are trying to do. We need a Democratic CEO who can raise enough capital to compete with the Republican-Koch Brothers in this takeover bid. Hillary is best positioned to do this.

Some here decry her ties to Wall Street. I think this is a plus for her. I don't mind wall street or a couple super rich individuals cutting big checks to her campaign (this should be in addition to small dollar donations from average Americans of course, not as a substitute for it as the Republicans have done). This will create an undue influence from big donors on her if she became President you say. Hogwash is my response. Obama received tens of millions of dollars from Wall Street and the super rich during both his campaigns. He still turned out to be a fine President and a champion for the middle class. The fact of the matter is that your small dollar donations won't cut in anymore in this Citizens United era. The Democratic candidate needs to able to draw those big checks to launch an effective bid for the white house. There is no one else on the Democratic side running for office today who can match Hillary's fundraising clout.

Reason #4: CONTINUING THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE

If you like the progress we've made under Obama. Hillary is your best bet that these policies will be preserved and expanded on. Well any of the Democratic candidates would continue the progressive initiatives made by Obama, but Hillary is the most likely to win the general in my opinion. Why take a gamble with a less electable candidate (who you find more ideologically romantic) when Hillary is the only one so far showing promise of delivering the solid victories we enjoyed under Obama in 08 and 12.

Reason #5: HISTORIC SYMBOLISM

We did what many thought was impossible by electing America's first African-American President. We should make history again by electing America's first Female President. Women make up a significant proportion of the Democratic base. This should be a powerful motivator for anyone who cares about women's issues and who wants to leave their mark on history.

Reason #6: THE SUPREME COURT

The need for a Democratic President (any Democratic President) after Obama spells itself out here. No need to elaborate further.

Reason #7: HILLARY'S TENACITY AND FIGHT

One of the things I love most about Hillary is her sheer perseverance. She is a monument in American politics, always finding a way to remain politically relevant against extraordinary odds. She is a fighter and a survivor. Even the ever critical mainstream media admits this much. Her years in politics and vast experience are a plus to me.

One of my biggest disappointments with Obama was that he was too conciliatory with Republicans in his first term. He went into office in 09 with one of the strongest mandates handed to any modern Presidents with super-majorities in Congress. However you'd think it was the Republicans who won by the way he was bending over to please them. Consequently Obama spent a large part of his political capital back then trying to appease an intractable Republican opposition who wanted nothing but to destroy him. Fortunately he learned his lesson by his second term.

I think Hillary would have handled things a bit differently. She knows the fundamental evilness of Republicans. I don't think she would've been that naive. She understands the game of politics. That's how she's managed to survive all these years. I respect and admire that about her.

Reason #8: MY OWN PARTISAN PLEASURE

I am a partisan Democrat at heart. The specter of a Hillary Presidency particularly excites me for this very reason. Hillary Clinton is the most well known Democrat in the world (besides Obama and her husband). She is essentially the face of the Democratic party. Ever since the onset of her political career, Republicans have been trying to smear and tear down this woman. But she has persevered and thrived through it all.

The idea that the Democratic party could make history again by electing America's first female president, and for that woman to be Hillary Clinton, would utterly destroy the haters who call themselves Republicans. It would just crush them. I can forsee the weeping and gnashing of teeth like the meltdown they had when Obama was re-elected. There's nothing that would give me greater pleasure. For that alone, I'd crawl over broken glass and jump through a flaming hoop to cast my vote for Hillary.

There are several more reasons why I want to vote for Hillary but I don't have the time to list them all I am well aware of the the weaknesses that many like to point out on here. You say she is calculating... a panderer who likes to to take politically expedient positions; too much of a hawk; too close to Wall Street. Well to me that's not a weakness. It tells me she is a pragmatist who understands politics. I don't care that she hasn't spoken up on TPP (most average Americans don't even know what that is). I forgive her for her Iraq War vote (many other prominent Democrats voted for the war at the time with the faulty intelligence presented to them at the time). The important thing for me is that I have a feel for her as a candidate and I know where her heart stands. I have no doubt that Hillary would be as progressive if not more so than Obama as POTUS not to mention immensely better than any of the sick jokes running to be President on the republican side.

She is the biggest hurdle in the way of Republicans getting to exact complete destruction on the United States and the world if they get the White House. The fact that Hillary can unify the Democratic party and keep the Republicans at bay is a big draw to me. This should be the overriding factor for any Democrat who cares about the future of this country. The tiny ideological differences that you may have with her can be easily ironed out once she is in office.