As this campaign has boiled down to two unique and accomplished individuals, we who are progressive, are very lucky. We have a choice between an African-American U.S. Senator who opposed the Iraqi War and who inspires people or an accomplished female U.S. Senator with a record of achievement who has been able to forge a coalition to get results. But the most important thing in all this hysteria that is being drummed up is to ask ourselves....do we want to celebrate a win now with Barack Obama or do we want to win in the fall with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Lets face facts and look at history. Barack Obama, the last time he faced opposition of significance, he was crushed at the ballot box, U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush (D-Il.) Well you may point to his primary & general election win for U.S. Senate. But are those fair comparisons?
In the primary he faced a series of opponents who split the vote, including two former front-runners who had personal problems, that made them vulnerable to lose. In the General Election, Barack Obama faced Alan Keyes. Lets face it, with my election record, even I could have defeated Keyes. This man has more losses than the Iraqi Army, but I digress. Some also point to Barack Obama's wins so far this year. Obama consistently does well in caucuses, where Republicans can just as easily vote and be involved, as Democrats. But in key primary states, with liberal constituencies that should appeal to Obama, like California, New York, Michigan, Florida, etc., Obama has lost. I mean come on people do you really think Kansas or Idaho is going to go for Obama in the fall versus McCain?
Now, we have Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has won not one but two U.S. Senate campaigns, the second one in a landslide. She's an accomplished attorney, children's advocate, First Lady of Arkansas and then the United States, as well as a U.S. Senator. Clinton has consistent programs and plans on how to extricate us from Iraq safely, how to jump start the economy, and finally move us towards universal health care. Theres more than just talk with Clinton....there's results and thats what matters. Also, theres not a more vetted candidate with no unknowns than Clinton. She's ready and she won't need on the job training when she goes into the Oval Office.
Lets not get hyped up on the Obamamania. The Republicans want someone who makes speeches but has no record. The Republicans will rip Obama for his consistency in voting PRESENT. And when Obama speaks about "Hope", John McCain who endured years in a bamboo cage as a P.O.W. is going to redefine what HOPE means and meant to him.
If we want the fun and the party now, vote for Obama, but as for me, I want to win in the fall. I want to make history alright and the change with hope will come when we elect Hillary Rodham Clinton as President in 2008!