We’re All So Into It
February 6th, 2008
Exciting, frustrating, energizing — no matter what the final tally is, this year’s primaries seem to be renewing America’s interest in politics.
Hillary Clinton is still my first choice candidate, although my state of Minnesota leaned heavily towards Barack Obama. I’ve watched, I’ve listened, and with apologies to Obama’s many supporters, I just don’t share your excitement for the Great Orator. Possibly because I’ve met a lot of great poets in my lifetime, and know that a mastery of words doesn’t necessarily translate to a mastery of action.
Yes, I think, we can be excited about change, and I think Hillary Clinton will bring about the changes so many of us seek. As an attorney, former first lady, and Senator, she has a history of being dynamic, strong, informed, and hard-working. She not only speaks with authority on the important issues, but has actionable long-term plans to back up her agenda, including the withdrawal of troops from the Middle East, and universal health care.
It’s still early in the process, and the news agencies seem to be in a disagreement over whether there was a Democratic front-runner in Super Tuesday elections. Even the projected delegate counts being reported are off — MSNBC is reporting that Obama is leading, while Politico claims Clinton is on top*.
It looks like it’s going to be a neck-and-neck race to the nomination, and maybe it’s odd, but the closeness of the race makes me feel proud. After a long dry spell of pessimism and apathy, it looks like passion is making a comeback. Moderates and liberals, long disgusted and disenfranchised by the closed door politics of the right wing, are finally feeling the power of choice.
The debates between voters are heated, and often edge into personal territory. After seven years of feeling invisible and shut-out, Democrats want their issues known —not just the global issues, but the everyday ones. They want to know if they’ll be able to afford next year’s tank of gas, health insurance premium, or mortgage payment. Bush is leaving America in a recession — how many jobs will be lost, what can the candidates do to save them?
Politics is being taken out of cloisters, and highbrow philosophical creeds are being taken down notch by notch, torn apart, and vigorously questioned. The doors to the ivory towers that are endemic to politics are being taken off their hinges — Americans simply aren’t as willing to believe the analysts, the spinners, or the talking heads as they once were.
It’s become an everyperson election and really, no matter whose candidate of choice eventually takes the lead, I think we can all be proud that our voices are resonating around the world with messages of hope, change, and optimism.
*Updated 2/8/08
9 Responses to “We’re All So Into It”
LBJ February 6th, 2008 at 3:20 pm #
I’m still undecided, but reading stuff like this is pushing me further away from Obama. I found this in the news today———————————–
Obama offered some pointed advice to members of Congress and other party leaders who will attend the national convention this summer as superdelegates, who are not chosen in primaries or caucuses.
If he winds up winning more delegates in voting than the former first lady, they “would have to think long and hard about how they approach the nomination when the people they claim to represent have said, ‘Obama’s our guy,”‘ he said.
Meanwhile, Obama predicted Wednesday that Republicans will have a dump truck full of dirt to unload on Clinton if the former first lady wins the Democratic presidential nomination, adding that he offers the party its best hope of winning the White House this fall.
———————-it sounds very arrogant and kind of threatening to me. And I didn’t like how Obama made a whole race deal out of Hillary’s mention of MLK. The civil rights movement was not made up of or supported only by people of color!
It’s just seeming to me that he’s more into riding the change momentum than he is about being a responsible politician. But like you said, it’s early yet. We’ll see.
As a Republican, I vowed no more after Bush, so McCain’s still on my mind, but with deep reservations.
Rebecca F. February 6th, 2008 at 4:19 pm #
Oh Janiegirl, you’re still invited to my Obama victory bash here on the farm, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to deprogram you first!! Anyway, other than the fact that you’re just so WRONG about whose the better candidate, I agree with the rest of your post TOTALLY. Seems the neocons did unite us in at least this one way…most of us are totally pissed off and aren’t gonna take it anymore!
freida February 6th, 2008 at 4:47 pm #
Don’t tell me you still believe in all of this?
Really, you don’t do you?
Yet I do still believe in ‘a few good men.’
My husband told me more than twelve years ago that she would be our
first lady president.
And, how she was being groomed.
Let’s see, if he was right…he sure does read a lot.
allison February 6th, 2008 at 5:11 pm #
Jane, Yes this is all so exciting!
LBJ, I have heard the unfriendly undertone for a while now from Mr Obama.
Hillary has had real plans for a long time now.
She has told us what she intends to implement, and how she will accomplish it.
She is truely addressing the health care crisis.
I see Mr Obama getting frustrated over simple things during the campaign. I just don’t think he really has what this fight takes right now.
There is no doubt that there is a new spark alive in the country, and he is inspiring many people.
These are good times at last for the Democratic Party, and I think that will translate into better times in this country!
Here’s to Peace!
MindyChicago February 6th, 2008 at 6:37 pm #
I feel the exact same way and thank you for expressing it so well. I am for Hillary Clinton for the same reasons. But no matter what, we won’t have Bush and that’s a big reason to celebrate!
Doris Rose MacBean February 7th, 2008 at 12:16 pm #
Jane, great post-spot on. I,too, voted for Hillary and would be proud to have her as POTUS. I am also impressed with Obama and would support him as nominee. There is a wave of change and optimism that feels good–for a change.I also hope that The new congress will reconsider action for Bush/Cheney as war criminals.
Joni February 7th, 2008 at 9:30 pm #
Jane,
I can’t wait until it’s our turn to vote and I am certainly going to vote for Hillary. She is the best person for the job, and I have no doubt that she can do it well.
I’ve watched Obama closely and there is something about him that scares me. Alot of the time, he looks angry within. He can put on a nice smile, but I can feel some undercurrent about him. He seems a bit arrogant to me also.
Patty G. February 9th, 2008 at 6:09 am #
As always Jane, a great article.
What I try and do is listen carefully when Hillary or Obama speaks out directly. This is where I get the person in rare form and not through the spin of the media or newspapers. The media gets into enough trouble making off the wall statements like they just did on MSNBC by saying Hillary is “pimping out” Chelsea to call people.
It is so true, it is becoming a every-person election, the only thing that I would love to see is the “people/popular” vote count rather than the electoral vote count. This is when we would really see a “change” in the world. Both Democratic candidates want the people involved, what better way than to make each one of our votes count!
Claudette Thornton February 9th, 2008 at 9:19 am #
I HAVE TO SAY I WOULD LIKE HILLARY TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT,BUT IF OBAMA WINS THE ELECTION I WOULD BE OK WITH THAT TOO. HOW OFTEN DOES THIS HAPPEN.