Im glad the debates are over; nothings going to change my mind. Like most Democrats Ive definitely decided on who Im going to vote for on Tuesday. Perhaps you have as well. But for the few remaining undecideds out there, Id like to share the reasons why Im going vote for Barack Obama.

Its not as easy a decision as everyone makes it out to be. Obama is not perfect, and Hillary isnt fatally flawed. Both candidates have pluses and minuses. Obama does lack experience, and is untested. And while Hillarys thirty-five years thing is certainly resume padding, she is clearly more experienced and battle-tested. But her experience didnt prevent her from casting a number of horrible votes.

And thats where Hillary lost me on her votes: on the war resolutions for Iraq, and Iran. I believe that when she voted to grant Bush the power to invade Iraq, she didnt make the mistake shes now claiming. It was a deliberate, political calculation, rooted in her future plans to run for the White House. I recall that at the time she even advised John Kerry to do the same thing, for the same reason, telling him that voting no would have consequences and would hurt his chances. At least John Kerry had the courage to vote his conviction.

But even if we give Hillary the benefit of the doubt on her Iraq vote, shes since done the exact same thing by voting for the Kyl-Lieberman amendment, supporting the notion of war with Iran. On this single issue war she loses my vote. Not because Obama was against the war in Iraq though I admire that but because she voted for the use of force against Iran. It isn't that she voted for the Iraq war, or that she still refuses for apologize for that vote her vote on Iran clearly demonstrates that her presidential ambitions trump any moral considerations.

Still, as I read the comments posted on the different blogs I browse every day, theres a legion of dedicated Hillary Clinton followers out there supporting her candidacy. They see things differently, including this issue of her war votes.

I can respect that. What worries me is that some Democrats dont.

For some time now my own daughter, a precinct captain for Obama in Iowa, has been saying she doesnt think shell vote for Hillary if she wins it. Every time I respond, No. You Will! Ive done everything but threaten to disown her. Surely I raised her better than that!

Then as the Billary act started to unfold in the run-up to the South Carolina primary I started to wonder myself. Ive always supported the Clintons, even through the impeachment, and yet I found myself so angry that I was considering the unthinkable.

There is no doubt that a Clinton candidacy would dramatically boost Republican turnout in the general election. Now do we also have to factor in how she could depress the Democratic turnout?

Thats the other big negative in having Hillary Clinton as the nominee: electability.

McCain vs. Clinton? Too close to call. Imagine that. After eights years of George W. Bush and the sorry state we find ourselves in, a Republican could still be elected to the White House. Thats unfathomable to me.

Id much rather take my chances on McCain vs. Obama. The differences are sharp and clear. Warmonger vs. voted-against-the-war. Politics as usual vs. the politics of hope. Old vs. young. The past vs. the future. Just close your eyes for a moment, and picture the two of them together, standing on the stage before the first debate. No contest.

More than anything, I want to win in November. Nothing is more important than getting the control of this country out of the hands of the Republican Party. I believe Barack Obama gives us the best hope of doing that. Hillary might be able to win in a squeaker, but Obama would win with coattails that would create the absolute majorities needed to defeat obstruction in the Congress.

Ill vote for Hillary if shes our nominee, but I sure think we stand a better chance with Barack. A Democratic victory in November is not a given.


last edited: 11 months ago