It’s the night before the Indiana primaries and, I’ve made it no secret that I’m going to vote for Barack Obama. I see Obama as having a broader vision than Clinton. In simplistic terms, I see him as a more capable strategist even if she is an accomplished tactician. Take Iraq. Tactically, supporting an invasion of Iraq was a good move. It provided short-term, immediate advantage to its proponents even if, as a long term proposition, it was a disaster. I see this gas tax nonsense in similar terms. Pushing it provides Clinton with short term, immediate advantage even if, long term, it’s a bad idea.
On issue after issue, it seems that Clinton looks for the tactically superior position. I think this is the essence of the DLC’s triangulation approach. But there doesn’t appear to be a broad vision behind these positions. Long term, this leads to problems.
I won’t deny that Obama is a politician who sees the need to act in a politically advantageous manner at times. But, overall, he’s done a much better job of articulating a long term vision. Unilateral invasion of Iraq when there was no pressing danger didn’t fit that vision, so he opposed the war, even though, back in 2003, this wasn’t the most tactically advantageous position.
I see Obama as a potentially great leader while I see Clinton as a potentially good administrator. Given the choice, which Indiana has been given for a change, I suggest that we choose a leader.
And as you know, I am a Clinton supporter.
Having said that- if Obama is the nominee, I would fully support him.
I like that Clinton has articulated plans on how to fix things- and I don’t agree with all of them. But I like to look at the nuts and bolts of a proposal.
At this point, Obama has not done that for me. He talks about “vision”, but there are not many details. That makes him slightly less appealing to me.
regardless, everyone should get out and vote today. Vote for whomever you support for President and Governor. Then, in the fall, vote for the Democrat- whomever it may be!!
I was talking to someone about the J&J dinner. He said that he didn’t figure it changed anyone’s minds about their candidate. But it made everyone feel better about the other candidate come November should their preferred candidate not prevail.