Based on the numerous diaries, stories, comments, speeches, and history of these candidates, this is my take on the race, and why I have decided to support Obama:
Both Clinton and Obama have very similar policy stances across the board and may strive to achieve similar goals, however:
Obama will run a 50 state strategy and extend the gains made into former red areas.
Clinton will likely revert to the swing state strategy that lost so much of the country to the Republicans for half a generation.
Obama will fire up the Democratic base, expand the Democratic base, and also draws large amount of independents and even Republicans to support him and vote FOR him. Democrats will be on the offense.
Clinton, whether because of years of unfair attacks, or because of how many perceive her, will fire up the Republican base to vote AGAINST her. Democrats will be on the defense.
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Obama’s farther reaching 50 state campaign will help lots of down ballot candidates and bring with it a much larger wave of Democrats, thereby increasing the overall number of Democratic leaders elected.
Clinton has such high negatives and ill will towards her that Democratic candidates in deep red areas will likely be hurt by anti-Clinton voters in their districts giving other Democratic candidates across the board a huge turnout disadvantage.
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Obama will work with Howard Dean to expand the reach of the Democratic Party and strengthen its presence everywhere.
Clinton will likely seek to oust Howard Dean's people and replace them with her cabal, slicing ‘the people’ out of the equation and replacing them with the same moneyed interests the DLC turned to in the 90's and who they prefer as the Democratic donor base.
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Obama will bring millions of new young voters into the fold, who will then be predisposed to vote Democrat for years into the future. He will also inspire millions of African Americans to register and vote for the first time, and they will likely be reliable Democratic voters for years to come.
Clinton will not inspire the youth nearly as much, and while she may bring many women to vote for her, it would be voters who may revert to voting Republican if their main reason for voting for Clinton is entirely based on gender and not ideology.
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Regardless of votes and nuance, Obama can distinguish himself from McCain with regard to the Iraq war, which McCain will inevitably run on with an "I’ll keep you safe" campaign.
Clinton cannot distinguish herself from McCain, as even McCain has said, and she will only seem more politically expedient if she tries to distinguish herself given her record, resulting in a much tighter race.
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Obama’s message of "yes we can" is a call to action that will resonate with the American people who can see challenges of our times as a common cause to achieve greatness.
Clinton’s message of "ready on day 1" is focused on her as our leader, not on her leading us, and feels like she will take our comments under advisement, along with the corporate lobbyists she argues ‘are people too’, and she will make her decision and let us know about it.
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Most of Obama's support comes from people inspired by his message, his vision, and his rallying of ourselves to be the change we've been waiting for. Most of Obama's supporters are drawn to him.
Much of Clinton's support comes from "Clinton" name recognition and her assertion that 30+ years in politics makes her more qualified.
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Even if Obama is a less of a pragmatic President than Clinton, I believe he will make the entire Democratic Party an order of magnitude stronger. He will bring a huge wave of new and young voters while helping dozens of tight down ballot races. He will inspire. He will foment good will and the feeling of a united American nation ready to handle any challenge that faces us. I believe he will lead through inspiration rather than through credentials. His presidency will be more "I trust you" than "trust me". I believe Obama, even if he does nothing remarkable in office, can do more to empower the people and the Democratic Party than a president who has a focused agenda but who leaves millions and millions behind who could join us in our challenge to restore the greatness of our nation.