He’s the future of the Democratic Party; she’s the old broom that knows all the corners of the house. Two weeks ago she was 'your girl' that can take on Republicans. Yesterday, he was 'your guy' that can take votes from Republicans. Together, they're the Top Two jostling for the top spot of the Democratic Party’s nomination.
Old versus fresh, conventional wisdom versus new approach, experience versus judgment, status quo versus change and insider versus outsider are some of the clear distinctions between them. But those are not the only distinctions.
Taking a page from Michael Jackson’s “Girl is mine”, Hilary Clinton has defended her electability with the argument that she’s a “fighter” [of Republicans], whereas Barack Obama defended his, with the argument that he’s a “lover, not a fighter” [of Republicans].
At the AFL-CIO debate, Senator Clinton said “For 15 years, I have stood up against the right-wing machine and I’ve come out stronger. So if you want a winner who knows how to take them on, I’m your girl”
Yesterday at the ABC News Debate, Senator Obama said: “If you believe that part of the problem is the failed politics of Washington and the conventional thinking in Washington, if you're tired of the backbiting and the score-keeping and the special-interest-driven politics of Washington, if you want somebody who can bring the country together around a common purpose and rally us around a common destiny, then I'm your guy.”
Senator Clinton has on several occasions touted the strength of her campaign and political machinery as better equipped to win the general election. Senator Obama argued that “a winning strategy is not crafted by a political calculus that divides the country into red states and blue states.”
In more than 40 interviews, Democratic candidates, consultants and party chairs are said to have expressed concerns that Ms. Clinton’s high negatives, which she acknowledged yesterday at the debate, could breed political divisiveness and hurt the party if she wins the election. This is seen as one of a series of fortunate events for Barack or Blessed Obama whom most people believe is more capable of strengthening the party and uniting the country. A distinction Obama himself pointed out in an exclusive interview with the Washington post and which he reiterated at yesterday’s debate. Senator Obama said to applause “what I'm interested in is not only winning the election, but also providing relief to people who don't have health care, making sure that we're tackling climate change in a serious way. And I think that's going to require building a new majority, getting new people involved in the process, and I wouldn't be running if I didn't believe that I was the person best equipped to do that.”
The dilemma with democrats is who do they put at the top of the ticket? The 'girl' or the 'guy'?
She has been through the crucible, endured the Republican machine and come out strong. But still, the scars can potentially make her unattractive. He has endured a Fox News ‘madrasa’ charge, received sticks from the media, from neo-con pundits, from both other Democratic and Republican candidates and still he soured into the Iowa debate with a slight lead in Iowa. Baby, the guy too can fight.
I believe firmly that Senator Obama at the top of the ticket is a winner. He's the one the Republicans would rather not face. He's a fresh face that represents change in an election that is about change and the future.
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I answered your poll none of the above, 'cause I want Obama and someone else. Obama/Edwards or Obama/Clark will do. But not Hillary. She's too negative and scheming. And to be honest, I think Obama needs to run with a white guy from the south.
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