A blog conversation--"Hillary Clinton vs Barack Obama"--is ongoing at other group sites.  What follows below is the reply I composed in response to a member's question "Who likes Hillary?"  Since it evolved into a lengthy post, I decided to put it here in my own blog.  Feel free to comment.

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Who likes Hillary?  I do!  Why do I like her?  She is the first woman in our history who has an indisputable chance at the presidency.  Is that reason enough to like her?  For me, yes.  A born feminist, I have longed to see a woman president in my lifetime.  And yes for those of us who are tired of our government being run by men. 

Is she the best candidate for the office?  No, but she would be were Senator Barack Obama not in the picture.  With no Obama, I would be a Clinton supporter.

Clearly, Clinton is the Democratic front runner in the presidential campaign.  She is a known force, has a proven track record, has strong convictions, and is in touch with Americans.  She may be the best person for the presidency.  If she wins the Democratic nomination, I will be right there supporting her. 

As a Hoosier in northwest Indiana, a part of the vast Chicagoland area, I've followed Obama's public career for years.  I supported his US Senate candidacy although I could not vote for him.  I watched his meteoric rise to political stardom and admired and still admire his continued humility.

From the earliest suggestions that Obama run for president, I've watched knowing in my heart he would be my choice in spite of the very real possibility that my long-held dream of a woman president is on the horizon.

Obama has inspired me in ways I've not experienced for many years.  Clinton has not done that for me.  I believe in Obama.  He is what America needs.