if you want to win in the fall, barack is the only option [View All]

WARNING: LONGWINDED

before i start, i'd just like to make clear, this will not be an attack piece on hillary clinton. for years, she has been unfairly maligned by the most vicious of personal attacks, and i refuse to engage in the same disgusting tactics that so many of you seem to have adopted from your republican brethren. she is a remarkable woman, who at a great personal expense, has given voice to those without it, and there is no doubt that she would make a great president.

but she can't win in the fall.

it's a sad, unfortunate reality. she has the credentials and the ability to lead, but as we've been soberly made aware so often in the past, the best man/woman doesn't always win. ask yourself this; if john kerry, a decorated war hero with decades of honorable senate service, couldn't beat george w. bush, a shitbag, do you honestly think hillary, someone with the highest unfavorables in any party, can beat mccain? there's a chance she could, anything is possible i guess, but there's far too much at stake to risk it.

at stake:

-continued war in iraq and afganistan
-a possible war with iran
-more wars elsewhere... north korea? china? mexico?
-supreme court nominees (3-4 possible)
-the continuing divide between rich and poor
-global warming legislation
-privatization of government institutions
-nationalized health care
-government instituted torture
-government surveillance
-government waste
-etc.etc.etc.

this election is far too important to throw away. the republicans have made a calculated decision and nominated the candidate with the strongest favorable ratings in their party. we have to do the same.

so let's discuss barack obama. just as the attacks on hillary clinton by many users of this site, are appalling and unfair, so are those similar attacks on barack obama. seriously, what the fuck is wrong with you people? why are we demonizing the good guys? both barack and hillary have selflessly committed themselves to fighting for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised. this is inarguable, yet a constant stream of shit is thrown in their direction. is this the way you treat everyone who dedicates themselves to helping others? if so, please, take a hard look at yourself, and fuck off. and then join the republican party. you're welcome there.

barack obama is an impressive man, with an impressive record. most remarkably, in such divisive times, where the country is so bitterly divided along ideological lines, barack obama transcends traditional political boundaries, and unites both the democratic party behind him, and some republicans as well. call me a bleeding heart, but the thought of a country for once united, not behind fear or tragedy, but behind promise and hope, gets me all misty eyed.

it's an opportunity that we would be foolish to let slip away. we stand at a point in history where the republican party is fractured. years of failed policy has repudiated republican ideas, and their ranks are disillusioned and the party itself on life support. it's time to pull the plug. obama, with his broad appeal, has the ability to draw in the youth of today to create a longstanding democratic coalition for the future.

picture, a generation where democratic ideas dominate the political landscape. every child born in our country is ensured a quality education, and quality health care. alternative energy's are being produced on a national scale, eliminating the need for oil. and everyone smiles, and we almost all look as good as barack obama when we do.

now picture a world where republican policies dominate. never ending wars are continuing to be fought over oil, under the guise of mindless nationality. scientific progress is inducted into the axis of evil. and the only preventative measure for global warming is the inevitable coming nuclear winter. but at least gay people can't get married.

make no mistake about it, mccain may not be loved by the republican base at the moment, but a hillary candidacy would unite them behind him with a renewed purpose. a party that has existed solely on it's opposition to the clinton name for years would be given new life, when it could and should have been dead. and in the ensuing administration, mccain would further revitalize his party, as his conservative credentials would take center stage. think - supreme court justice sean hanity. the result: the republican party is back, and we're more fucked than ever.

barack is our only hope. he stands in perfect contrast to john mccain. as with any general election, the race will ultimately be decided by independents. and in a battle for independents, with the similar favorability ratings between barack and mccain effectively neutralizing each other, the race will be decided by the two candidates stances on the key issues of the day. specifically, the most important issue facing our country today, the war in iraq.

it is absolutely crucial we don't make the same mistake we made in 2004, lest we suffer the same fate. for the average voter in the last election, it was a far too nuanced position for john kerry to argue against the war, when he voted for it. they just didn't buy it and it was far too easy to argue against. this time we need a candidate with a clear record of opposing the iraq war from the start. independents, along with the rest of the country, are united in opposition of this failed occupation. it's a simple equation for them to make: john mccain supports the war. barack never has. who would you choose? we can't lose.

of course, it also doesn't hurt that barack obama is, in political terms, a young 47 years of age, and john mccain is, in political terms... really, really fucking old. youth always wins. which brings me to my last point.

i've noticed through observation of this message board and through study of the exit polls, that support for a particular candidate is largely generational. younger voters tend to support barack, while the older voters tend to support hillary. baby boomers in general seem to be hesitant to support the relatively youthful barack. so, if you've managed to read this far, congrats, here's a treat. i'm about to make some news...

barack obama, born in 1961, is himself, a baby boomer! (born between 1946 and 1964) yes! it's true! he's one of yours. he's part of your legacy. with your help, he can be part of all of ours.

baby boomers, you've given us so much great music. so much great technology. so much great culture. etc. please, i ask a favor, give us this great leader. give us a future. give us barack obama.

thanks for reading.

p.s. check out these videos of barack in 2002, speaking out about the iraq war:

(couple minutes a piece)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EhpKmQCCwB8
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sXzmXy226po


for reference:

obama's favorability ratings
fav: 59% unfav:32%
http://pollingreport.com/l-o.htm#Obama

hillary's favorability ratings:
fav: 50% unfav: 46%
http://pollingreport.com/C2.htm#Hillary

mccain's favorability ratings:
fav: 59% unfav: 29%
http://pollingreport.com/l-o.htm#McCain