I ran into Chelsea Clinton today (1/12) at the Farmer’s Market at Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade.
In a sweet, sincere voice she said, “I hope you’ll support my mom.” I had been undecided between her mom, Barack Obama and John Edwards. To be honest I was leaning away from her mom toward the other candidates, but in a few moments of looking into Chelsea’s earnest eyes, it became clear to me why I have now switched to Hillary for President. It was the same earnestness I sensed in Hillary in New Hampshire.
Regarding Hillary vs. Barack Obama I thought, “On Inauguration Day would I want someone who could hit the ground ready to run this country or someone who would hit the ground needing to learn how to run this country?”
I thought of JFK who when elected, hit the ground needing to learn how to run this country and how not trusting his instincts led to missteps at the Bay of Pigs. It was only in the crucible of the Cuban Missile Crisis that JFK turned to his own “true North” and helped America dodge a bullet while we teetered on the brink of nuclear war. If JFK were alive today and were given the choice between a President ready to take control on inauguration day vs. one who needed to get up to speed, I believe that even he would choose the former, probably knowing that its not wise to leave so much to chance.
As much as I appreciate Obama’s freshness, newness and passion, I am not eager to put a President in the driver’s seat, who needs to get up to speed to do what’s best for this country. I also know first hand how much experience has helped me develop judgment in my professional and personal life and that there is no substitute for it. I think the best ticket -- if egos could be put aside and replaced with collaboration to do what's best for this country -- would be Clinton-Obama ’08 and ’12 (where Barack can learn all he doesn’t know now to prepare him for the presidency) and then Obama-someone he can mentor ’16.
With regard to John Edwards who I met briefly at a focus group last year, as attractive and appealing a candidate is, I get the sense that he is more about winning (you can take the boy out of the litigator, but you can’t take the litigator out of the boy) and more transactional than transformational.
I felt that way about Hillary until her near tears moment in New Hampshire. Some will wonder whether that show of emotion was calculated and insincere. I do not agree. In that moment I saw her shedding the mantle of her handlers, possibly including even her husband, and letting an earnest desire to help our country push out from behind all the egos and politicking that had eclipsed it.
With regard to the Republicans, I am inclined to select a Democrat, because I think since 9/11 and the Internet, America is sorely in need of a paradigm shift and to look at the world through vastly different eyes. Regardless how many of the Republican candidates may want to distance themselves from the present administration, none of them will be able to look at the world with sufficiently different eyes to see the world anew so that America can become who and what it needs to become to restore its luster in the world community.
Related Stories: | Topics:Leadership, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, United States, John Edwards (Politician), New Hampshire |
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Recent Comments | 47 Total
January 18, 2008 at 1:59am by Irma
You know what is fascinating? It appears that the "Beer drinking, undereducated, Hillary supporters" (according to Republican owned news networks) have the most impressive, well stated, factual arguments on all of the sites. Hillary; you have my vote! Obama, you have my sympathy; I'll take another look at you in about eight years.
January 19, 2008 at 8:48pm by Diana T
I really enjoyed this blog post. I happen to have come to the same conclusions as Goulston did. Actually, I've long-admired Senator Clinton for her work on behalf of children, and her attempt to get health care for America. Her "failed" attempt at the health care plan was not of her doing, it was the GOP attack dogs, the insurance industry, and any other group that continues to make $$$ by making us pay through the nose for health care and insurance.
Senator Clinton has been a model of an inclusionary candidate. I have yet to hear anything other than a message of unity. Though I had always admired her work and volunteer efforts, I was actually undecided at the beginning of this primary season. One of the biggest factors in giving Clinton a closer look was actually the aggressive and denigrating behavior by Obama's supporters on various sites I visit. Their behavior made me question whether or not he was the candidate for me, as humans don't usually want to associate with what they don't want to become. After giving Senator Clinton a closer look, I found her plans to be full of substance, her exprience to be impressive, and her style to be what I'd want in a President.
While I bristle at the commenters that claim her only experience is as a wife (how draconian you all sound) of a powerful man, I am appreciative of her years in the White House as she is respected and known by leaders all over the world. That will get the Country far in solving those problems that need international cooperation. And.. if ANY person in this race has been vetted up one side and down the other, it's Clinton. She's a pretty safe bet.
January 19, 2008 at 9:22pm by Big Liam
I also was split between the Democrats, but before the Iowa Caucus I made up my mind to go with Hillary . Why? Well, long before the Pew pollsters decided that my demographic (below 50K/y, white, male, no home phone) must have changed our minds for racist reasons, I looked at my key issues on the economy and health care. I had considered Obama, but his health care plan is less comprehensive, and even tentative in its scope. Hillary is more progressive on almost every issue, and her ability to work with Republican senators and win praise from them gets high marks from me. Senator Obama has had some public conflicts with McCain which seemed to get very nasty before Obama backed down. I am not an Obama hater, I think he is an inspiring speaker with a very good message. I choose Clinton as a positive choice, not against Obama. Hillary Clinton is her own Person and not an extension of Bill Clinton. Aren't we past thinking women are just an appendage of thier husbands? I think Hillary will be superior to Bill as a President.
I heard one pollster call the Hillary supporters the Dunkin Donuts crowd (vs. Starbucks for Obama) well at least they got that right, my town doesn't have a Starbucks but we do have a gas station with DD. And my mom will be happy if Hillary wins.
January 19, 2008 at 10:38pm by Drosophila
I agree with the original post, especially the parts describing Hillary as someone who knows what she's doing.
The commenters who cited a many-years-ago health plan (during a period of inexperience) and First Lady time as Hillary's only bout with politics have an amusing case of selective memory. You may have heard, she was also a US Senator -- for 7 years.
Compare this to Obama's 2 years in the Senate, combined with his blind ambition. Obama is poetic -- or rather, his speech writers are -- but it's ultimately empty rhetoric. He is selling the idea of change... but there is no more common platform. It's the perennial politician's song.
Obama is too inexperienced to realize that he only *thinks* he knows what he's doing. I do think he would be an excellent VP -- if he still wants to grow up to be President of the US after a term or 2 in the Executive Office, I'll be happy to vote for him. But I do not trust him to lead the country as he is today.
In contrast, Hillary actually understands what she's getting into, and how to handle it, and how to do it well. None of the other candidates have this quality. She's the only viable option.
January 20, 2008 at 8:34am by Lolit Barth
Don't judges anyone ,just vote the best one,you think she or he deserve to be the president.
My best choices is Hillary,thru her knowledges,education,experiences and political back ground.I'm sure,she can lead this country for the best future to all of us.If we have a good leader...we have a good country.It doesn't matter if she is a woman or black or white republican...I'm sure...they all can lead the country.
I am choicing Hillary Cliton....for president 2008 !
Guy's....please,we don't have to fight...we are all the same !
January 21, 2008 at 11:32am by Kathryn
After reading Goulston's piece I have to say I couldn't agree more. I think what is wrong here that for most it is easy to bash than do your research. Everyone who is on this post is obviously perfect and has never made mistakes. Hillary Clinton was born to be a
January 22, 2008 at 12:16am by Big Liam
Hm thought I posted here yesterday?
well I was considering Obama, but Hillary to me is an authetic politician. She is who she is and I know where she stands. Obama stands for Hope, while noble, what exactly is he hoping for? I have been burned by talk before does anyone remember Compassion? that sounded great too.
I really didn't like all the pundits and pollsters basically saying if I changed my support TO Hillary, and I am poor, and don't answer pollsters I must be racist. (see the Pew pollsters claims for his skewed results in the NY Times , Andrew Kohutt (?sp)).
You should never take second hand info from anyone, look up the records and see for yourself.
Hillary is the Progressive choice on Health Care, Obama says he is for Universal health care, but its not what is written on his website, Only Universal for children, not adults. (Yes, Obama calls it Universal, but if Adults aren't required to cover themselves not all will and we all pay if they go to the emergency room, therefore its not Universal).
I feel that Obama uses language to distort his positions, so that if you don't fact check him, his positions sound to the left of Hillary.