8/25/2008
In my last post I posed the question, “Why Biden?” Now I’m wondering, why not Senator Clinton?
In a recent post, one where I reviewed an excellent article by the Atlantic Monthly, which posted some interesting documents from the Clinton Campaign, I mentioned a personal story, where I had a conversation with a family member about her support for Senator Clinton.
This family member is an Aunt of mine who lives in upstate New York and has been a Hillary supporter since she first ran for Congress. She was very disappointed that Senator Clinton had lost her bid, and though I don’t remember hearing it from her directly, I’m not sure she was planning to vote for Senator Obama.
To my Aunt, having a President Hillary Clinton would prove, once and for all, that a woman could lead at any and every level. To her, Senator Clinton was equal to the task and she was excited for the possibility of our first woman president. Certainly, I agree that Senator Clinton would make a better President than Senator Obama, though McCain is still my first choice.
I cannot say this with absolute certainty, but there is a distinct possibility that in November my Aunt may pull the lever (or push the button) for Senator McCain. Of course, both Senators Obama and McCain are aware of this fact, which is why Obama has been offering constant praise for Senator Clinton and why McCain’s latest ad asks a very relevant question, “Why Not Hillary?”
The ad is officially entitled “Passed Over,” and a post on the WSJ’s “Washington Wire” notes specifically that “Recent polls show her base of mostly white working-class women has not rallied behind the Illinois senator. McCain frequently praises the former first lady in an effort to woo her still undecided supporters.” This polling data, then, is consistent with my own experience and offers some insights into the Obama Campaign’s thinking, or lack of it.
If Senator Obama truly wants to be the next president, why not at least consider Senator Clinton? The polling on the pair of them together shows them to be nearly unbeatable, whereas, the polling on an Obama/Biden ticket is not that all that impressive. Certainly Biden will faithfully attack Senator McCain, but he’s also considered the ultimate Washington insider and a loose-lipped politician who can create a new scandal at any time. During the Democratic primaries, he got himself into trouble twice with comments about Indian Americans and for calling Senator Obama, “clean.”
Senator Clinton, however, has been influential since her first day in congress. Senator Clinton won a great deal of respect from moderates during her campaign for her willingness to stand by decisions she had made in regards to her support for the war in Iraq.
In McCain’s favor is his maverick image. While the Obama Campaign will try and tie McCain to Bush, there’s no guarantee that it will work. After all, McCain’s image is not hype; rather, it’s based on solid reality. He’s the guy the media loves to praise for “standing up against President Bush,” on issues like taxes, spending, and the war in Iraq. Senator McCain has done a great job of rallying the Republican base in the past month, but when I announced my own support for Senator McCain early in the Republican primaries, many of my conservative friends thought I was crazy to support someone they saw as disloyal.
It should also be remembered that McCain and Clinton have been very collegial towards one another since Clinton’s first day in office. They visited Iraq together at least once, and have had a good working relationship.
All this plays to Senator McCain’s favor in the upcoming election; and directly against Obama. After all, Senator Obama chose not to even consider Senator Clinton. Such disrespect has to be a slap in the face for all those who supported a worthy and formidable candidate.
What does that say about Obama? A lot! None of it good.
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