Looks To Me Like The Dems Have A Nominee

I'd say the Democratic race is now over, barring some major revelation about Obama, or something physically happening to him. It has been difficult, because as the other candidates fell to the wayside, it left the first Black presidential candidate with a realistic chance for the nomination vs. the first woman with a realistic chance for the nomination. (Do you remember Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican senator from Maine? I always liked her!!!) It has caused problems for the two campaigns, as they had to feel their respective ways so as not to offend supporters in the other camp. With few major differences on policy between Obama and Clinton, the race became more about their personalities. The pundits kept asking two questions, 1) "What has happened to Hillary, who less than a year ago was the presumptive nominee?" 2) Once Obama took the lead, "Why can't he put her away? He's had several chances, but he can't close the deal."

To me, the answers are generally obvious, but when you're on cable television 24/7, you've got to fill the time with any nonsense... I mean "news" that you can. So, as to #1, the Clintons are not everyone's cup of tea. It is interesting (I'd say "telling") that a good number of former Clinton Administration members, and Democratic Party officials endorsed Obama!!! If you recall, when Bill Richardson endorsed Obama, he bore the brunt of some very nasty remarks from Clinton people. The thing that I've noticed so many folks have said is, that the Clintons are for the Clintons. Now you may disagree, but I think there's a good deal of truth to that. Remember too, Bill Clinton did NOT receive a majority of the vote in either of his presidential wins. Throughout his presidency, public opinion polls consistently showed poor marks for his being "trustworthy." As I recall, even people identifying themselves as Democrats gave him relatively low marks on this issue. A husband and wife I know, both very staunch Democrats, were even outspoken about their uneasiness over Bill Clinton's shading of the truth (others would say his "lying," but I'll leave my comment stand, as you get the drift) and what they both felt were his attempts to manipulate the Press. Now, all presidents and administrations try to manipulate the Press, but maybe Bill and his folks were just a little better at it. I do remember the wife bluntly telling me that she was afraid that Bill would start a war to divert attention from his other problems, and that she just didn't trust him. Her husband didn't say whether he agreed with his wife or not, but the point again is, these were die hard Democrats, not Republicans, or even independents saying these things. Okay, my point here, tortured though it may be, is that Hillary Clinton brought along a lot of baggage when she decided to run for president. You can't be part of the team ("Vote for one and get two") and not carry along the negatives felt toward the Clinton Administration by some over certain issues. During this campaign, in my opinion, Hillary has tried to pick and choose what she says she supported or opposed in her husband's administration. If you want to take credit for the sunshine, you gotta take the blame for the rain. Too much fancy footwork for me.

Along came Obama, who was a gifted public speaker (Hillary has improved immensely!) a fresh face, and a possible alternative to Hillary. Young folks began to flock to his banner, and the next thing you knew, he was winning some primaries and caucuses. The Clinton team seemed taken by surprise, and in my opinion, it hasn't been until the last six weeks or so that they seemed to have regained their footing, but it has been too little, too late.

Now, as to #2, laying aside all that I've mentioned above about #1, Obama has had trouble putting the nail into Hillary's coffin (figuratively speaking, of course) because of the reciprocal of #1. Presidents and First Ladies have core supporters and are well known. In this case at one point, if you recall, Obama asked, and with good reason in my opinion, who he was actually running against, Bill or Hillary. The Clintons have many, many contacts across the country. They were able to raise money and stay in the game just because of who they are (ah, or is that, who she is? I told you it's tough to separate these two!). For those of you old enough to remember, Ted Kennedy found out how difficult it is to defeat an incumbent president in your own party, when he ran against Jimmy Carter in 1980. Now I know you're saying, "But the Clintons aren't incumbents." Technically you're right, but in my opinion, it is like they are indeed running for a third term.