Edwards is unfortunately the second place candidate (and I don't mean statistically) . He doesn't have the charisma of Obama, and lacks the experience and exposure of Clinton. It does not mean he's not a viable candidate... and he may have the more complete package of the 3. I think Clinton and Edwards as the final ticket.
I unfortunately think the people currently supporting Obama are not thinking of his electibility as President against a viable Republican candidate. Like it or not, many won't vote for him for President because he is 'black', and many aren't convinced he does not have Muslim ties. And he won't necessarily get the black vote because... he's not really black. He isn't a product of slavery, and had a priveleged international upbringing. I think more people would vote for Clinton as President than Obama. And even more for Edwards.
I am personally for Clinton. She has experience. She has the wisdom to know when to compromise. She has the courage to back down. And the commitment to follow through when she knows shes right.
I see the media bash her for 'crying' - she didn't cry first of all, and other politicians/candidates/Presidents have shown emotion, and cried, so why say its fine for a man but not a woman? I see the media claim she's playing the female card (referring to her reference of boys club in most cases), yet no one dares to claim Obama's playing the race card, even his speeches sound MLKish, and wanting to "unify" the nation has a subtler context of unifying the races. So yes, he is playing the race card. Heck, Edwards plays the "I'm not black and not a woman" card.
No, I'm not racist. I'm not against a black President. But I honestly don't think the U.S. has progressed far enough that a black man will be elected President. And although I'll probably vote for Clinton, I'm not sure the nation has progressed far enough to elect a woman.
I read an interesting column yesterday...
Quote:
Op-Ed Contributor
Women Are Never Front-Runners
By GLORIA STEINEM
Published: January 8, 2008
THE woman in question became a lawyer after some years as a community organizer, married a corporate lawyer and is the mother of two little girls, ages 9 and 6. Herself the daughter of a white American mother and a black African father — in this race-conscious country, she is considered black — she served as a state legislator for eight years, and became an inspirational voice for national unity.
Be honest: Do you think this is the biography of someone who could be elected to the United States Senate? After less than one term there, do you believe she could be a viable candidate to head the most powerful nation on earth?
......
If the lawyer described above had been just as charismatic but named, say, Achola Obama instead of Barack Obama, her goose would have been cooked long ago. Indeed, neither she nor Hillary Clinton could have used Mr. Obama’s public style — or Bill Clinton’s either — without being considered too emotional by Washington pundits.
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The full article can be found at
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/08/op...rssnyt&emc=rss