I’m backing Barack
I have been following the election melodrama in the States pretty closely - I’m a sucker for political theater. While some people bemoan the extended schedule for next year’s presidential election, I’m thrilled by it - the expanded schedule means months and months of debates and polls and baby kissing and commentary - for a political junkie it’s a joy to watch.
I have held off really getting behind a candidate largely because there is plenty of time to make that decision and I’ve been able to really look at all the candidates’ stands on the issues. I tried to be open minded, looking at each candidate in both parties based largely on their stated positions on the issues. I know that all the contenders have been waiting with bated breath for my endorsement - an alienated expat academic with no money to spend on politics - and I’m ready to say that I support Illinois senator Barack Obama. My support is not going to get Obama much - I’m unlikely, for a number of reasons, to make a donation and there is not much campaign volunteering to be done in Britain. I’m not even sure it will get counted - considering my home state’s history - but he will get my vote in the Florida Democratic primary.
What I will do is put a badge on my site and urge readers to take a look at Obama’s positions on the issues. The bad thing about the soap opera that is American politics is that most of what people see is the “smack down” jibes that the candidates target at each other and five seconds of a prepared speech. Most people don’t really know what the candidates actually stand for and I think a lot of moderate, independent-minded Americans would agree with many of Obama’s positions. I found his policy statements well reasoned and realistic and think that his solutions for many of America’s problems - particularly health care, energy independence and approach to foreign policy - are the best that I’ve read.
Beyond his positions, Obama is the candidate that represents real change in American politics. In my opinion the criticism that many of his opponents level is in fact his biggest asset. What Obama’s supposed lack of experience means is that he’s had less time to get cynical and corrupt - an unfortunate reality for those who have spent decades in Washington. None of the candidates have experience being president - thus, all of them will be learning on the job - so why not give someone who brings optimism and integrity to the office. This is certainly something that has been lacking for the last few administrations. All I’m asking of my readers, is that you take a few minutes to look at Obama on the issues, outside the picture that the media has painted of the Senator. You may be surprised by what he actually has to say.
Popularity: 13% [?]
I am still undecided, but I will look at anyone except Hillary. The Demos scare me this election because I a violently against socialized medicine!!!!!!!!!!!! I will check out Obama’s response to the isssues though. He has his work cut out against Hillary in debates. The other night she owned him by getting him to argue on her strengths every time one of her weaknesses were discussed. He has got to learn not to take her bait and chase rabbits.
25 Nov 2007 at 11:04 pm
I think Hillary is the only Dem that could lose next year. Have you listened to the right wing vitriol about her? They loath her and the independent white male vote is going to be a huge one in 08.
Beyond that, she ain’t no Bill Clinton. She’s more conservative, less charismatic and frighteningly manipulative. I think she could be an American Thatcher - and that is just scary. With Clinton as the Democratic nominee I’m hard pressed to vote Democratic.
26 Nov 2007 at 3:40 pm
Speaking of frightening, have you paid attention to Huckabee moving up the polls? A southern Baptist preacher as president? I’m not so sure I like the sound of that. What’s even scarier is that he seems at least as conservative in his viewpoints as the Bush administration. The difference is that while the Bush administration seems to just use conservatism to advance their agenda, I think that Huckabee actually believes that stuff!
26 Nov 2007 at 4:25 pm
I think Chris has it right. Although the Dems love her, I’m afraid Clinton will have a tough time courting the moderates and/or independent voters in the general election. If I got to choose, I like Sen. Biden, but I figure he doesn’t really have a chance at winning. That leaves Obama or Edwards, and of the two I lean towards Obama at the moment. I haven’t seen too much of the debates, so this position may change.
26 Nov 2007 at 6:06 pm
Matt’s probably right that Biden doesn’t have much of a chance at winning, but that’s not going to stop me from voting for him in the primaries. And I wonder if certain candidates have such low poll numbers because people feel like they don’t have a chance. Speaking of primaries, does Wisconsin even have primaries? I should look into that….
Anyway, unless Kucinich or Gravel somehow get the nomination, I’m sure I’ll vote for either Clinton or Obama. Whoever it is that gets the nomination.
26 Nov 2007 at 6:14 pm
Rush would spunk all over himself if Hillary got the nod. There is no better way to ensure a Republican victory with a capital V than nominating Hillary.
27 Nov 2007 at 6:33 am