An Inflatable Suit
I always listen to the radio when I'm driving. On a recent morning, as I was dropping my son off at school I caught a story on NPR's Morning Edition that was trying to draw contrasts between Clinton and Obama. Featured in this story were two Youngstown Ohio women. A 21-year-old college co-ed and a 40-something social studies teacher. The college woman was a staunch Obama supporter and the social studies teacher was just as dedicated to Clinton. In a way it was a microcosm of the race, the young idealistic person in favor of the charismatic Obama and the experienced older person favoring the experienced Clinton.
The social studies teacher was very articulate and able to readily identify the qualities in Clinton at the foundation of her support. The young person was not readily able to recite talking points and expressed herself more in relation to her emotions. Had this been a debate, the younger woman would have fared poorly against her elder.
As I think about it, I question NPR's judgement in pitting these two together for contrast with the younger person being so obviously out of her depth. At the same time I see legitimacy in it because it does represent, accurately I think, large segments of the two candidates respective supporters.
The story for me was very useful, because in hearing the younger woman flounder, I was able to come to some personal conclusions about why I support Obama. After over seven years of a President who in my opinion is severely lacking in character, intelligence, judgement and leadership. He's little more than a smirking, swaggering John Wayne wannabe. John McCain could be an improvement, but he's going to owe so much to the Republican's conservative base by the time he's elected, that we'll never be free of the sucking black hole that has been the Bush administration. For me Barack Obama is like a breath of fresh air to a suffocating man.
For the older woman I mentioned above, the main reason for her to favor Clinton over Obama was the difference in experience between the two. That's tough to argue and it may end up being the deciding factor for many, as the primaries and the whims of the Superdelegates unfold. On the other hand, if voting for experience means electing someone who owes everything to the status quo, then I am left with skepticism the size of Bill Gate's bank balance. This country needs change, not status quo.
This would normally be the "bash Hillary" paragraph, but I will refrain since there's probably an even chance that I'll have to vote for her. Instead I'll take this in a more positive direction and say why I have come to favor Obama.
My friend Mike Hawkins, a fellow "yellow dog Democrat" and the bearer of one one of the most astute political minds I have ever known, refers to Obama as being, "an empty suit." As one who loves the english language and appreciates a nice succinct and descriptive turn of phrase, I am struck by this reference. Given Mike's proclivity toward good old fashioned Democrat politics, I am not the least bit surprised that he feels this way. At the same time, as our discussion of the candidates has continued, I can't help but notice that Mike seems pretty nervous about the slipping away of his favorite candidate's chances of becoming President.
In my free analysis (worth every penny!) I see two phenomena occurring. First, people in general are very concerned about the direction this country is heading on many different levels. Clinton represents the status quo and people like myself who don't tend to put too fine a point on it, do not want "more of the same." Second, and this is where I make a giant leap of faith, Obama is charismatic and inspirational. What he allegedly lacks in experience can be more than made up by giving our country some fresh approaches that are not tainted by the "politics of divisiveness" and fear of how it will play in corporate boardrooms or on K Street. I believe that Obama's ability to motivate people through his inspirational oratory and charismatic presence will translate into the kind of leadership this country has needed for a very long time. So to me it's not "an empty suit" I think of it as "an inflatable suit."
Please join me in supporting Barack Obama, the local organization is lively and enthusiastic and like me, they believe. Contact our local coordinator Kimberly Durso at kimberlydursok@yahoo.com and find out how you can be part of this bright future for America.