I am in Taiwan. I have lived here for 15 years. Saw Bush wiggle into the White House in 2000.I saw him smear Kerry in 2004 and now I am watching a very interesting race amongst a great field of Democrats in 2008. My money is on Obama. Although Hillary is supposedly leading I can't imagine why; for me her success is all about Bill.
I saw Obama, like most everyone, in July 2004. After that speech I said many times that he was the next President of the USA. Now he is in a race with people that clearly do not match his skills of inspiring. I am sure they are all good politicians and all would do a good job but there is just something that resonates when I listen to Obama. Hillary Clinton is more yesterday than tomorrow, as is John Edwards. I also like Bill Richardson and Joe Biden but they do not stand as tall as Obama nor are they as cool.
I have donated money and I have been non stop with everyone I know about the guy. I have turned my mother, my Uncle, my little Brother, and now I want to convince more people that this IS the guy.
The biggest problem is the press. They are on the HRC (Bill Clinton) bandwagon. They gave Obama great coverage at the beginning but ever since then peoples opinions have turned based on, what I think, are terrible misrepresentations from the press. You have to give credit to HRC for running a good (totally boring and unoriginal) campaign but she is following a play book perfected by Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996. Her game plan is to be careful. This is so yesterday.
The greatest and most troubling strength she has is the last name Clinton. But ask anyone if they think Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton is actually change and I guarantee you will have them off balance. Ask if they think the unwritten rule about past presidents throwing there support behind someone early is a good thing or even fair. This is America and sons following fathers and wives following husbands is not what this country is about.
Thank you.
"Clinton's path may seem easier if for no other reason that it is the more traditional: persuading Democratic voters that she is the most qualified person to be president. That has often worked in past nomination battles and might well again this time. Certainly the polls suggest Democratic voters find her the most experienced and also credible in arguing that she can change the country.
From the perspective of Obama's campaign, however, her embrace of the system leaves her vulnerable if the Democratic electorate turns decisively against Washington, and not just against Bush. Obama will continue to argue that the country needs someone who doesn't come from inside that system, particularly a candidate who threatens to perpetuate the partisan polarization of the past decade."
This if from the Washington Post (Dan Balz's Take). I think this is a good summation of the differences. How does Obama get that point across?
