Some thoughts on the US election

Warning: This contains my opinions on this matter. If you are not comfortable with political discussion or cannot do it in a respectful manner, perhaps reading the rest of this post is not a good idea. Having said that, I welcome comments and other points of view.

So...As the election of the US President affects the whole world I thought I'd post some musings here...

Let me start with John McCain...As far as Republicans go, I respect him more than probably any other of the candidates...However, at age 71, I'm not sure he'd be the best candidate to run things. No, I'm not biased against elderly people and this man clearly still has a lot of energy and drive but the reality is that the post requires a lot of travel etc and is very demanding. He may or may not be able to hadle it if he is chosen...But of course, I think a Democrat would be a better choice.

That leads me to the Clinton/Obama race. I think both of these candidates are very intelligent people and are both capable of running the country and doing it well...At this point, however, I'd give a slight edge to Clinton. People are knocking her for saying she has the expereince to lead, and ar ekeen to point out that it's "the Washington experience" and that someone fresh is needed. Call me nuts but, yeah, I'd say Washington expereince is what one needs...She's been there and learned that lesson the hard way...which is why I'm slightly worried about Obama...He hasn't yet had to deal with the Republican political machine on the level that it's going to get to...If he can hadle it when it comes, so much the better...but I think he ahsn't been properly tested yet.

But...people constantly talk about how even the Republicans want him to win...am I missing something? Why would the Republicans want him to win if they think they can't beat him...it's not as if they want him to be the next President...The truth is, they are scared sh*tless of Hillary Clinton because they know that she knows how to beat them...Notice it's the Republicans, too, who reject the idea of Hillary running as VP, if Barack wins the nomination. Why? Because they don't want her anywhetre near the campaign...

Another thing that I find fascinating is the people are in a frenzy about Obama. What exactly does he mean by change, and honestly, given the climate in Washington, how realistic is it that he would be able to bring it about? These questions are often dismissed, but I think they are valid. Don't get me wrong, I like Obama but...he is a bit of a demagogue.

Then there is the issue of the Iraq war and who was for it and who was against it...Kudos to Obama for not supporting it from the beginning and I would've hoped that Clinton would've done the same...But, let's face it, as a woman in politics, she had a much tougher choice to make. Had she voted against it at the time, she would've been called unpatriotic, or soft on security and a woman cannot afford that in politics. Had she done what John Edwards did, she would've been calle da flip-flopper...both labels that she would have a very tough time shedding, especially considering that she is a woman. But, now, people see her as robotic and unemotional...Basically, whatever she does is not good enough for people. When she is butechered in the press, it's not her policies that they attack, it is her personality, and by extension, her womanhood. Finally, Obama was not in the Senate at the time and didn't have to make that decision...It's one thing when you do it running for a state legislature, quite another when on th enational stage. I imagine he says he would've voted against it and if that's th ecase, kudos to him...but the thing is, we can't know for sure.

Also, when Hillary comes out with ads etc. it's easy to portray it as her desperation and willingness to do whatever it takes to win...but all politicians do that...Obama is doing the same thing, only in different ways. He promised to walk the high road and then refused to shake hands with her. But all this can go on forever...Each of the campaigns is guilty of some nasty things but if we move beyond the bickering and childishness, I think they need to run together...I don't think either realizes how much s/he needs the other.

Don't be fooled by Republicans and independents going to Obama speeches etc...When the time comes, they'll ditch him and go to the Republican side...possibly giving the White House to McCain...

I think they have the best chance if they run together...Personally, I'd prefer to see, at this point, Clinton for Pres, Obama for VP...I think that way you get the best of both worlds...new outlook, as well as expereince, man and woman, black and white. Obama's young, he has plenty of time and he'll be a great Pres in his own right but for now, be HC's VP, get some of that dreaded Washington experience, and in 8 years come back as an even stronger candidate and win it all.

Just my 2 cents, of course...