Silencing Cynicism… Sort Of

I’ve continued to argue with myself over actually writing something positive about the candidates for president in 2008. I have decided that since I just voted in the PA primary I might as well have some good cheer about our political process.

Positive Thoughts:

Barack Obama: Catchy Advertising. No more. No less.

John McCain: A true American patriot. If I weren’t a fag and a soon-to-be doctor he would have probably been my number one choice for president. When I was a youngster in high school I actually supported his campaign against G.W.B. It’s too bad that didn’t work out, I guess. Either he or Gore would have made fine presidents I feel. John McCain is in some ways the Teddy Roosevelt of modern times. Here’s a guy who has gone into combat, been captured and tortured, only to grow up, have a son, and support his decision to join the armed services. He’s no pansy. He believes in America and will fight to protect her. That kind of personal will and love of country is something rarely seen today.

He is also somewhat of an environmentalist and supports laws to make us “greener”. Sounding more and more like Teddy… And of course he’s for continuing campaign finance reform, which is flawed but is necessary. His version of trust busting I guess…

Senator McCain is also for a sensible policy on immigration. He will strengthen the borders while also continuing the close relationship we have with the Latin world through NAFTA and other trade treaties, which are essential if America is to succeed in a global economy. Importantly McCain also supports a more open system of workers permits for immigrants.

In short, John McCain is a maverick, just like president Roosevelt (my current presidential obsession if I do say so). Even the Republican party of his day didn’t want him to be president. They felt he was a loose cannon. Just as the Republicans view John McCain today. McCain has strong opinions and he sticks to them. But they’re bipartisan opinions. When he needs to work with Democrats he will. His policies straddle the great “middle road” in America… the views of the silent majority.

Hillary Clinton: I struggle to write this section as I… did indeed vote for her. There are caveats just as there are with McCain, such as her stance on open trade as well as her reckless desire to pull troops out of Iraq. But what I admire about Hillary is that she has shown a willingness to work with the other side. She has cosponsored bills in the senate with Republicans and proven to not be a partisan warrior like that cunt of a woman Nancy Pelosi. Yes, I just called her a cunt. I rank her with Dick Cheney as one of the least likable politicians in Washington.

This is America. We have a 2 party system because we like compromise and moderation. Not wild change with every election. Hillary is a capable politician in the American sense.

Perhaps because I support her candidacy I don’t really understand her detractors. They seem to have a true deep hatred for the woman. As I don’t listen to right wing radio I don’t really know the reasons. I know they think she’s shrill… but frankly (because I’m a bleeding hearts liberal) I think any woman who debates and argues will sound “shrill”. They may also see her as “Hillarycare”…. too bad most Americans want some form of single-payer health care.

Some people may even think she’s plain divisive.

But…. I don’t get it. She’s as much divisive as Obama is change. Neither is true. Hillary has worked with all her colleagues in the Senate including Republicans. She’s well-liked in the legislature. Similarly Obama’s proposal’s are no different from Hillary’s at all (and in some cases are not as progressive) and yet he is the agent of change.

So, in the end I voted for Hillary because of her progressive thinking in the early days of the Clinton presidency, her record in the senate, and her proposals on health-care, immigration, belief in Roe v. Wade, and GENERAL desire to disentangle us from foreign wars (just not her plan on how to do it).

Hillary won’t be the nominee. Honestly… when she drops out of the race, whether that’s after she (likely) loses the Indiana primary or when she loses at the convention, I will more than likely shed a few tears. I was one of those nerds who had been following the race closely from the beginning. She was my gal from day one. I knew that only she would be able to govern effectively through compromise. I’ve supported and argued for her from the beginning. It’s sad to see something you believe in fail.

And then we move on. John McCain for president!!!!