Enough Already

How about neither? -- Picture courtesy Wikipedia and Newsweek Magazine

by blogSpotter
OK. I've had it up to here with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. They've been blasted across every magazine cover and headline as the Democratic Darlings of the 2008 election. The handsome black Illinois senator almost has the following of a rock star -- Obama groupies. Hillary likewise has a steadfast fan base who would feel 'the Rapture' if this woman were elected. There are primarily two groups that get all gooey over these two -- starry eyed liberals and sneaky Republicans.

I had starry eyes myself back in 1972, when I supported Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern. I saw his nice nature and idealism; I was only 15 at the time. I didn't pick up on his stammering wishy washiness, or inability to pick and stand by a veep candidate. (Thomas Eagleton had to step aside when it was disclosed that he'd underdone shock therapy for depression). It wasn't that the practical gave way to the whimsical -- my practical side was undeveloped at that immature point. McGovern was a nice guy, and still preferable over Nixon, but an older-and-wiser me probably would have favored somebody else in the primaries.

Now, we have Obama who is most of all inexperienced, and Hillary who has some of the heaviest baggage a candidate could be carrying. Obama is a photogenic unknown quantity. Hillary can be used almost as a political litmus test -- people on either extreme of the Left-Right spectrum tend to revile her. The Right sees her as a scheming Lady Macbeth, and the Left sees her as a sell-out on Iraq, abortion and health care. In the 'strange bedfellows' department, she's joined forces with Newt Gingrich to promote incremental health care; she's also joined with Joe Lieberman to promote the anti-violence Family Entertainment Protection Act. One might say her moves have been 'all over the map' -- and maybe a bit opportunistic.

Some Republicans may see where I'm coming from -- John McCain has already been coronated King of the GOP by the popular press. The man has his own obnoxious quirks, and yet the halo awarded him by the television Trinity (ABC-CBS-NBC) is blinding. I get especially irate with smirky conservative editorialists who give rave reviews to Obama-Hillary but have NO intention of voting for either one (Mark Davis are you listening?) Please do not pretend to support a candidate for the opposing party. Your wily ways are transparent. And for the voting public out there, take some chill pills and look at everyone who is running. Consider their platforms carefully. You're not voting for American Idol -- you're voting for someone who has the capacity to destabilize the Middle East with a poorly thought out war. Your vote should be decided carefully and not be based on anyone's 'glam' attributes.

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