I'm still coming to terms with not being a 'Young Voter' anymore, but I'm part of a large voter demographic that actually makes it to the polls.
In Sunday School - We're taught "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
In Primary School - We're taught "Keep your hands to yourself and play nice with others"
In Secondary School - We're taught "Be the bigger person; don't fall to their level"
In Tertiary School - We're taught "Suck it up, Buttercup"
What am I getting at? I'm extremely disappointed in some of the press I've seen lately. The two candidates I'm watching closely because I believe they'd make a power team to be reckoned with have resorted to barbing each other and crying foul in return. I wrote it off as CNN non-sense reporting (Do they research at all anymore or just pull it off of Reuters?) until I received an email today. It was from David Plouffe (Entitled "When Hillary Attacks"). I'll assume for the moment those were David's thoughts, and not Obama's, because I'd still like to retain some hope.
Oh, David! Are you really trying to help Sen. Obama? Do you know your target audience? Let me introduce us then -
Hi, David, we're the not-so-young, not-so-old Democrats that'll be canvasing the neighborhoods and filling the polls in the not-so-distant future. We're the ones clamouring for change. Change from the croneism, change from the finger-pointing, and BY GOD! change from politicians playing the victim card. Yes, we're jaded. Yes, we're tired. We have our own problems that far out-weigh any comments a politician might make toward someone running for the same office. We are not fools. We know the games played. When YOU buy into the games, even just to use them as a 'Look at our poor, abused candidate' tools, you imply we're fool enough to believe the same snipes and barbs we see with every campaign on every level of government.
Again, we are not fools. We support OUR candidate - surely you don't believe it takes a fool to support Obama? Surely Obama is secure enough in his own person not to take notice of meaningless jabs. At most, jabs call for a statement of fact. Keep it brief, provide supporting records, let it drop. Instead, what I see here is a continuation of the ill will. How does that bode for our future with Obama as president? He'll be dealing with some of the most notoriously pig-headed diplomats, dignitaries, and world leaders Earth can offer. I'd like to think he would handle it tactfully. With grace. I'm a bit concerned he'll have well-meaning but out-of-touch advisors assisting him in his role.
I can't help but wonder what would happen if Hillary and Obama supported each other's campaigns, providing a unified Democratic front and shutting out the other Dem candidates who seem to be busy showing how similar to Republicans they can be (Vote for me! I'm just like you but have a shiny Dem badge because it's fun!). I'm not saying them running as a ticket; I'm saying supporting the cause together and letting the public decide based on their individual merits. They're both strong leaders. It took me a long while to decide which I prefer. For me, it came down to this -
I support Obama because I believe he has family at heart and in mind in his past decisions and I believe he could make the tough decisions and act in our best interest even when it pains him to do so. That's what I want in a president - Mother, Father, Disciplinarian, Patron, Champion. I'll forgive the gaffs of his PR for that.
I support Hillary in a VP role (Yes, I'm sure many are sick of hearing that - or vice versa), because I believe she's better capable in a more dignitary role and behind-the-scenes logistics. It's a tough thing to manage, but that feisty lady does it and I love her for it.
So really, Sen. Obama, please hear my pleas. Extend the laurel, be the bigger person, and make this election mean something. I'm just a Midwest gal, college educated, working three jobs to keep things going and hoping I'm around to see my son get a better future than I fear is coming. We all do what we have to to get by, and that's what we need to see from you.
