Obama 2008?
I received my first phone solicitation from the Obama campaign the other night - I don't give money in response to phone solicitations, but I may be climbing on the Obama bandwagon soon. I supported John Edwards in the 2004 primaries, and I still think he is a strong candidate, but I think Obama is the man to beat. I'm pretty ambivalent about Hillary, but frankly, I don't think she can win, and I think she has too much of the "politics as usual" about her.
Can a black man win the presidency of the US? For good or for bad, I think a black man is more likely to be elected than a woman at this point in history . . . and the more I hear Obama speak, the more I like him as a potential president.
Labels: Obama
posted by Diane at 12:33 PM
7 Comments:
I totally agree. Not that I would necessarily support Hillary anyway, but I think it's very unlikely that this country is ready for a female in the head office. Definitely a better chance for a black man than a white woman.
As a Cdn, I don't get into American politics, but the socialogical slant in this contest is interesting.
Recently I was discussing this very issue with a friend. Who would the America public accept more readily; a black man or a woman (of any colour)?
Sadly American society is still male-centric and I suppose just about any man would be acceptable as opposed to a woman.
England, Sweden, India etc have all had female leaders. Even Canada had a female leader (Kim Campbell) although she was only PM by default and failed to actually win in the election (but I think it was more to do with the public being pissed off at her party). When will America wake up and realize women can lead as well as men?
That being said; I'm afraid Hillary comes with a lot of baggage (her hubby - but then W came with his father's baggage).
As I've already written, I'm not ready for a president that's younger than me--I wish he was a couple years older!
The philosophical question - who will be elected US president first, a black man or a white woman? - is one I've raised many times in the past as sort of an intellectual exercise with friends. I usually add a third option to my question, that being a Jewish man.
It's an intersting exercise, actually, and I'm always surprised by people's answers.
I honestly don't know who I'm going to support yet. I like Biden, I like Obama, I like Edwards. I don't dislike Hilary Clinton, but I agree with Diane, I don't think she can win.
Ffleur - Americans were particularly amnesic when it came to remembering the corruption of George H.W. Bush's administration, and it completely blew me away.
I'm a registered Green, so while I'm glad the Democratic party is embracing progressive ideals, I also realize that now that they are in power they will be returning to the center (which isn't bad per se) and corporations (which can be very bad).
But I have to admit that the more I learn and read and hear about Obama the more I feel he might be a savy pol that actually believes he will make a real difference. I still need to learn more about him and his platform, but I just might actually donate a couple bucks to his campaign or volunteer time (though all this is way down the road).
I also like John Edwards from his 2004 campaign, but I also need to learn more about him.
I would vote for Hilary as I think she would probably be similar to her husband in office. But that's politics as usual, and I'd rather hope for a change.
I'd also vote for McCain because I think he is an honest, decent man.
Anyway, I think I'll end this comment before it turns into a post on my blog, lol.
Great post Diane! It really got all of us thinking and talking.
V - I don't know how important issues like stem cell research and reproductive rights are to you, but if they are important to you at all, I suggest you rethink John McCain. He is manically reactionary in his thinking about both.
My opinions on the candidates are mostly formed from CNN, because that's the American news I get. Not that I don't like Hilary, but I think Barack Obama is a more charasmatic personality. Which, lets face it, tends to win out come election time. I also like John Edwards when he ran, but I think John Kerry dragged him down.
I cant wait to see how it plays out. No offence, but it can't get any worse for you guys, right?
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