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Why Obama?

By Big Tent Democrat

Speaking for me only

Since I rail against Obama's unity schtick all the time and find he and Hillary pretty much the same on the issues, it is fair to ask why I tepidly support him. Why not Hillary, who clearly has experience fighting the GOP.

Here's why. Obama has more political talent than Hillary. The upside for Obama is clearly higher. If he can learn to fight partisan battles, he can be the best politician we have ever seen. Hillary is a better politician than I expected and her strong support among women is not to be discounted. In some ways, Clinton has turned out to be better than I expected and Obama worse than I expected. But that is relative because I consider and considered Obama much the superior political talent.

More . . .

I again want to stress that I view both of these candidates as solid progressives and believe their stands on the issues are basically indistinguishable, with the notable exception of health care, where Clinton is said to have the more progressive view. These are two good decent progressives who are politicians, which requires a different type of person altogether.

On what the candidates want to do, I think there is nothing to choose from between them. On the policies they hope to enact, there is next to nothing to choose from between them.

I disagree with Obama's theory of change but it can be adjusted when realities hit it. Clinton is more cleareyed about what we face.

Not much to choose from. Except this. The Media HATES the Clintons. Obama is a Media Darling. There is a real chance that Obama will recieve the most favorable Media treatment a Democrat has gotten since John F. Kennedy.

And this is why I support Obama. Because it provides a possibility that Obama CAN get some of his agenda done with some adjustments to his political style.

Obama will have a chance to succeed as President. I am not sure Hillary will get that same chance. It is not fair. But it seems true to me.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on January 28, 2008 (boomark / email).