However, the main reason for this post is stimulated by the fact that I've been remiss lately with my political activism, which is often a bit overwhelming for those who hear from me all the time, but I realized that I needed to speak out and speak often about my support for Hillary Clinton to be the next President of the United States. And on the heels of SUPER TUESDAY, time is running out.
So here goes...
Before I start, please, if you do support Hillary, make a contribution today if you can...I am going to...I support Hillary Clinton for President and not Barack Obama because:
Hillary is a woman! Yes, that is one of my reasons. You may feel that it should be irrelevant, but I feel strongly about this reason and thus, it is my first. This country needs a strong female at the helm to break up the boys club (I know that many think that is the reason she will have a tough time securing the win, but I believe she is up to the challenge). And many people have admitted that they are voting for Obama because he is black. I get that. I do. If Barney Frank were running I would be voting for him and partly because he is gay. Hillary is a strong, intelligent, passionate, liberal, articulate, committed and experienced woman.
Which brings me to my second reason...Hillary has EXPERIENCE in Washington. I love the fact that so many people in the country right now are jazzed by Obama because he is fresh and new and has all these exciting ideas...trouble is, he does not have the experience to follow-thru or execute his vision and the House and Senate and other "influences" in Washington (and their are A LOT of them) will chew him up and spit him out. No one has scrutized Obama at all - even the liberal media admits it. Experience should matter for the most powerful position in the land and we have seen, in the past eight years, what inexperience can bring.
Another reason I support Hillary Clinton for President is the fact that she DID vote for the authorization to go to war. I can hear all of you now, screaming and shouting and threatening to revoke my liberal card, but I don't care. I remember those days very well and I remember the intel that was being jammed down our throats. I also know, having grown up in Western New York (land of Republicans) and also having lived in New York City, that a majority of Hillary's constituants, and that includes liberals, weren't sure what should be done about Iraq and people were FOR inspectors going in and if something wasn't done, giving the President the authority to do something about it. I do not believe that Hillary was voting for war and certainly could not have anticipated this quagmire. For Obama to say he was against the war from the start, as if he had to vote on it in the Senate, is disengenuous. Quite frankly, he refused to vote "yes" or "no" SO many times in Illinois that he may have broken a record for his abstenstion votes. Is that someone you want making the tought decisions? Actually, he has shown he often isn't willing to make them. Hillary made a tough decision and now everyone wants her to apologize. I DON'T. It would show weakness and woman are always seen as weak. If Obama goes up against McCain, the Republicans will have a field day on this one issue alone - Obama can not protect our country and does not see war as a viable action. They won't be able to attack Hillary on this issue or call her weak. She wants the same thing we all do now, to bring our troops home while trying to make sure the region does not fall apart. But she also has shown she can be tough when necessary.
As she has said, and I agree, she will be READY FROM DAY ONE! She has been in the Senate and she has been in the White House - and not as some passive First Lady, but someone who cared about the country and made universal health care her own goal - for better or worse.
I believe Hillary cares about the issues that matter most to me. I understand that she is a politician, but that's part and parcel of our system and I believe that should be seen as a strength and not a weakness. She knows how to deal with the attacks from the Right that Obama has not seen. She has already survived so many investigations and rediculous allegations - "been there, done that." She has also shown that she can cross the isle and work with Republicans like John McCain on important issues.
Yes, she is polarizing, but if you think that Obama won't be if he gets the nomination, think again. Many of the same white male Democrats who refuse to even consider Hillary (because she is a woman) will suddenly find it just as difficult to vote for a black candidate over someone like John McCain. I guarentee it.
I really like Barack Obama but his inexperience and youth scares me. I just don't believe in my heart of hearts, and maybe more important, my brain, that he is ready for this job. Someday, most definitely. At this juncture in our country's history, no. I believe that if Barack Obama gets the nomination, that the Republican, especially if it is John McCain, will win.
Which brings me to the final reason I support Hillary - I believe she can beat any Republican and win the White House. I really do believe that.
Oh, one more thing, for now (I am sure I will be adding to this, I am just really tired tonight but feel I have to start this thought process or it will be too late) and that is I feel that the African-American community will re-embrace Hillary if she is the nominee. Everyone is making far too much of the percentage of African-American votes that Barack is now enjoying - of course - it makes sense. But let us not forget that Hillary and her husband have been fighting for equality and justice for the black community their entire lives. That block will move back to Hillary when she gets the nomination. The Hispanic community, overwhelmingly voted Republican in the last two elections. They support Hillary but I do not think they will support Barack. As for white men, what can I say? I'm not typical. Most of those boys want establishment - that means more white men would vote for Hillary than Barack. You do the math.
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