Hillary and Obama

Decisions...Decisions...

Where do I start? Just as all of the political analysts are baffled at Hillary Clinton's 39-37% victory over Barack Obama last night in New Hampshire, I have to say, I'm confused and stunned, as well.

Why? Well, let's see here. In Iowa, one of the whitest states in the country and very much a battleground state come the presidential election, Obama garnered 38% of the Democratic vote compared to just 29% for Hillary Clinton, which placed her third, behind both Obama and John Edwards. Before the New Hampshire Primary, Obama's camp had him up 14 points and Clinton's had her down 11. So, how in the world did she come out with the victory? I haven't the slightest, although, there are already reports of a miscount, that Obama won 38% to 34% and that many of Hillary's voters were not in-staters. But, regardless, the further this transpires, the less I want Hillary to win. I just receive a bad vibe, like there's something dirty going on. I don't care that she's indeed a woman. I could care less who's in the White House, so long as they get the job done and move us in a positive direction. But, I cannot stand her negativity, the falsities surrounding the Clinton's commentary, and how polarizing a figure she is.

The last thing we need in November of 2008 is to elect ANOTHER polarizing president. George W. Bush may have claimed at the outset that he was a "uniter, not a divider," but that was about as true as Bill Clinton saying, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" in regard to Monica Lewinsky. What we need is a uniter and I just can't see Hillary Clinton as that kind of president. Walk into any room with more than five people...blurt out the name Hillary Clinton, and just see what kinds of looks and comments you receive. I'm guessing approximately half the people give you snarls, dirty looks, or explicit language and the other half give you smiles, cheers, and complimentary commentary. There's little to no chance that if the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton will receive any Republican votes. Even though about 80% of Democrats still, to this day, support former president, Bill Clinton, not many Republicans feel the same way.

Just as I can't stand the negative ads and attacks emanating from Mitt Romney on the Republican side, I can't stand that same negativity from Hillary Clinton. It seems as if she and Bill feel that the country owes them the presidency. Why? ...and what are these 35 years of experience she's talking about? She's been senator for what, 7 years, along with being the first lady for 8 years? According to my calculator here, that's 15 years. Where are the other twenty? I'm tired of the negativity and the ingenuity. Come on. That emotional "crying" scene this past week? Give me a break. That outburst she had during the last Democratic debate, this past Saturday? She just snapped. What, if Edwards or Obama got emotional during a Q and A session, would voters flock to them in the next Caucus/Primary?

Hillary and Bill keep complaining that the media have given Barack Obama the easy road. What the heck? Until Obama's victory in the Iowa Caucus, almost everyone in the mainstream media was riding the Hillary bandwagon in the Democratic party. There was no mention of Obama having much of a chance or John Edwards or anyone else. It was Hillary Clinton of the Democrats vs. the victor of the Republican party. Hillary gets down in the polls and suddenly she and her husband complain about it? What? The media owes them to ride it easy throughout their campaign and should vet all the other candidates thoroughly? Hillary loves to talk about her "experience," yet, what comes with additional experience? Additional scrutiny. The longer the track record, the more there is to scrutinize. It's not that novel a concept.

We're only two states into this thing and I'm already sick and tired of the Clinton's. This is coming from a registered Democrat. I have to say, if Hillary wins the Democratic nomination, I may vote Republican, depending on who their nominee is. If it's John McCain, Ron Paul, or even perhaps Mike Huckabee, I may end up voting for one of them over Hillary. Mitt Romney would be my last choice in the Republican Party for the same reason Hillary Clinton would be my final choice in the Democratic one.

Fellow Democrats and Independents, let's also think about this, in the long run. If we truly want to see a Democrat in office following the eight years that are/were George W. Bush, who will be able to reach the most voters? Who's more of a uniter? Who's less polarizing? Barack Obama, without question. He's won with the Independents in both states thus far. He'd be more prone to winning Republican votes than Hillary. If the Democratic turnout is far superior to the Republican turnout on election day, then either one of these two candidates could/should win, but if both parties show up to the booths in equal amounts, Clinton could be in much deeper trouble than Obama. I'm just tired of seeing negative campaigning being rewarded. Hillary, Bill, if you truly want to debate Obama on the issues, do so. Debate, don't attack. Debate! Voters also shouldn't be voting for Hillary just because they liked Bill. I saw a poll last night which showcased how this is a possibility. If Obama faced Bill Clinton, 3/4 of Obama voters would still vote for the Illinois senator, BUT on the other side, if Hillary faced off against her husband, a large majority of Hillary voters would have voted for the former president, Bill Clinton. They're two different people. It would make no sense to vote for W. for the simple fact he was H.W.'s son, just as it would make no logical sense to vote for Hillary because she's married to Bill.

And hey, for Republicans out there who don't want to see Hillary in office and aren't too enthused about any of the Republican candidates, go to the Caucus/Primary and vote for Obama over Hillary, just to ensure that your party doesn't face her in the presidential election. Hillary does not deserve to be rewarded for her phoniness, crudeness, negativity, and polarization. I truly hope that she's not rewarded for such words and behaviors.