Sunday, June 1, 2008

Hillary and Obama



Hillary is bright, articulate, and committed, a real person, good bad and ugly. We know far more about her than we would ever want anyone to know about ourselves. She knows the ins and outs of DC politics, how to get things done. And we know what she wants to get done. The Clintons have long espoused forward-looking initiatives, such as universal health care. And they have also backed old-fashioned virtues, such as fiscal responsibility. Like Shakespeare's realistic love, Hillary "treads on the ground."

Obama we know virtually nothing about except what he has decided to tell us. But he does have charisma and that Opie grin. He is a phenomenon. Situations that would sink other politicians, like his decades-long friendship with a race-baiting preacher, slide right off him. Shakespeare said he "never saw a goddess go," but Obama is so unbelievably perfect that, like--was it Campion's love?-- his feet never touch the ground.

However, his organization is less elevated. In fact, they're like a column of army ants. Hillary won the Texas vote, but Obama won the precinct conventions, and I saw it happen. The precinct conventions, held right after the voting, are usually poorly-attended, but not this time. Obama supporters turned out in droves--because they had been told, often by activist pastors, that this was what they needed to do to support their candidate. Someone had done his homework and figured out what Obama could glean Hillary's Texas victory .

Meanwhile Hillary's organization has yet to send me that "free bumper sticker" she promised a month ago--and I'd like a second one for Husband, who has become disillusioned with Obama.

Bumper sticker notwithstanding, I'm still supporting Hillary. Keep up the good fight, babe--you're worth it!

No comments: