Senator Clinton for Democratic Primary Nominee 2008

As I sit here at my desk to write this, I realize this is the most challenging narrative that I have ever written. I've put off writing this for about four months now; had I written it back when I started to think about thoughts of this, I would have revised and amended my opinions as reality began to sink in. Yet still, I write it now with heavy hand and a tinge of betrayal to my initial belief.

Senator Hillary Clinton is the overall best candidate to represent the Democratic party against presumptive Republican nominee Senator John McCain.
Four years ago I sat in my living room with my four year old son and my girlfriend at the time and watched all four nights of the televised Democratic National Convention in Boston. I was unimpressed with most of the convention, save for the speech delivered by the Reverend Al Sharpton, until I heard an Illinois state senator with a funny name speak. I'd only heard a little of him, that he was running against Jack Ryan who had dropped out because his smoking hot actress estranged wife, Jeri Ryan, had accused him of taking her to swingers clubs and swapping sexual partners, and was now assured a victory over carpetbagger Alan Keyes, who had established residency in Illinois to run for Senate. He possessed a hopeful tone and seemingly good ideas. He was fresh and youthful and obviously intelligent. I told my girlfriend then that he would be president someday and I became a follower of his career. And in a perfect world, where the playing field were level and race or gender played no part, I would still be enthusiastically supporting his candidacy.

Three months ago I still supported his candidacy. But recently, I've thought long and hard and here is my sad conclusion.

He has a lot of momentum in the Democratic primary. But what I look at is the big picture. Democrats will nominate a woman or a minority; we are the party of inclusion and always have been in the last one hundred years. And the hoopla and momentum of Republicans, conservatives rather, not supporting John McCain is fleeting; when it comes down to voting for a liberal Republican or a liberal Democrat, even Rush Limbaugh will vote for John McCain. The Republicans aren't that stupid.
But what I think is important are the minds of people when they have a more “traditional” choice in the general election. Democrats are going to vote for the Democratic candidate, no matter who that is. Most Republicans will vote for their candidate. But the so-called independent voters are what needs to be the focus. This is what I have come up with.
In the primaries, Democratic men are voting for Obama because he is a man. They'd vote for Senator Clinton if say another woman Democrat were running because they associate her with President Clinton. But let's take some of the southern Democratic men and pit a general election of Obama vs. McCain. Those same men who voted for Obama in the primary because they wouldn't or didn't want to vote for a woman, are probably not going to vote for Obama because he is black. I know, it doesn't make sense. However, I think they would vote for Senator Clinton as a Democrat against John McCain. Its hard to get rid of old habits, even ones as ignorant as prejudice. But since you vote without anyone knowing who you really voted for, you could always lie and say you voted for Obama, to avoid the appearance to friends as being a racist, but in reality would have voted for McCain.

I know this entry is not well-thought out. Actually, its very well thought. But my own conflicting personal views are being skewed by reality and its very troublesome to me. I will reserve the right to amend this to add more thought at a future date. But with us Ohioans, and the Texans, Vermonters, and Rhode Islanders voting tomorrow, I wanted to get this out.

I admire and respect all three major candidates. I think Senator McCain is a good man, a fair and decent legislator, and a moderate with whom Democrats on the Hill could work. That is what scares me most. He's so likable that people will feel guilty to vote against him. Senator Obama is a bright spot in an otherwise dark world of American politics. His vigor and charisma are admirable qualities, but I am not certain they are a sign of leadership.

Senator Clinton has the experience that is backed with results. She has articulation that we have not seen in the White House since her husband left office. She has ideas and plans to implement those ideas. And probably most importantly, she'll go to bed every night (well, I know, maybe not EVERY night) with a man who has been there and can offer an unlimited wealth of knowledge and experience.

If Democrats wish to see a Democrat back in the White House, a Democrat who will end a wrong and messy war, a Democrat who will put the economy back on the right track, and a Democrat who will restore America as the number one nation in the eyes of the world, then we have no choice but to vote for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as our nominee, and support her all the way to the White House.