A lot of folks (including family) have asked me why I’m for Obama. There are many reasons, and I’ve gone into a bunch of them. Here’s a major one, very well-stated in the endorsement of Obama by South Carolina’s newspaper, The State:
“But we also have a good idea what a Clinton presidency would look like. The restoration of the Clintons to the White House would trigger a new wave of all-out political warfare. That is not all Bill and Hillary’s fault – but it exists, whomever you blame, and cannot be ignored. Hillary Clinton doesn’t pretend that it won’t happen; she simply vows to persevere, in the hope that her side can win. Indeed, the Clintons’ joint career in public life seems oriented toward securing victory and personal vindication.
Sen. Obama’s campaign is an argument for a more unifying style of leadership. In a time of great partisanship, he is careful to talk about winning over independents and even Republicans. He is harsh on the failures of the current administration – and most of that critique well-deserved. But he doesn’t use his considerable rhetorical gifts to demonize Republicans. He’s not neglecting his core values; he defends his progressive vision with vigorous integrity. But for him, American unity – transcending party – is a core value in itself.”
That’s a big one for me, and I have the hardest time understanding why many Democrats seem blind to it. The Clintons back in the White House (and trust me — it’s a “package deal”, as a family member replied to me when I asked why we’re seeing so much of Bill in the news recently) would lead to at least another 4 years (and possibly 8) of our recent nasty cut-throat national division. Red vs. Blue. 51 vs 49. The whole ugly package.
Enough already.