So we’re narrowing down the list of candidates for which the two major political parties may select from when choosing their nominee. I’m less than impressed with nearly everyone.
On the Republican side, we have Romney, McCain and Huckabee (listed in order from with whom I’m least disgusted to, well, Huckabee, whom I’m most disgusted with).
Romney: seems like a decent candidate. I think the GOP would have the best chance of winning the White House if this man nabs the nomination. He’s said and done a few things I don’t agree with, but religion doesn’t play much into it (if it had, he certainly wouldn’t have even been mentioned initially). The only reason he’s known as the Mormon candidate is that the fundamentalist Christian groups keep beating a dead horse.
McCain: This guy actually had a chance with me (despite McCain-Feingold), but antics as of late have cast him into a shadow of doubt. Specifically, he has jumped into pandering to the fundies to get their vote by suddenly making “family values” a major part of his campaign. I don’t have to go into what a crock this is, but I will say that his personality and history of speeches and votes have made me put him into the category containing other flip-floppers (like Kerry).
Huckabee: I am beyond revolted with this man. Every time he opens his mouth, he adds more shit to the list of issues I have with him. Let’s start with this: his entire campaign (and why he considers himself qualified for the job he’s after) is based on his ministry. To convince those who still don’t believe he wishes to stomp on the Constitution by not keeping Church and State separate, he has made the statement that “it is easier to change the Constitution than the word of God, so the Constitution should be changed to reflect this.” No more comments on this, I might break the keyboard with my rage.
Across the aisle, the Democrats have a very public, emotionally-charged combat between two candidates: Obama and Clinton.
I’m not very impressed with Hillary. Even in the primaries she has begun slinging mud in the direction of her opponent, and has made abundantly clear her distaste for him. Barring the common rhetoric by her detractors that we would be continuing this “Bush-Clinton” reiteration, I don’t think I could be even remotely happy if she were to become president. Her policies that she is campaigning on are very old-politics, something that, I believe, the American people are tired of; the only difference is that she is a woman, which is the only reason she has gotten this far.
Obama, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. While he may have liberal leanings toward inflating the government, he also seems very keen on handing power back to the people. He presents and supports many new ideas, and I believe he would actually try to stay true to his word once in office. Most of all, though, he is able to connect with an audience, and his recent speeches only serve to accentuate this observation. Because of this, he would be able to unite and lead this nation, rather than alienate and upset it’s citizens. (UPDATE: The feel-good hold which Obama may have had over me is gone; see the next post for details)
So, my predictions? Who will get the nomination? Well, I’m not so sure on the republican side. I’m leaning towards McCain, but his recent return to faith-campaigning might end up splitting the ticket between him and Huckles, handing the nod to Romney (let’s hope). Huckabee won’t get the nomination, and even if he did, he would definitely not win the presidency. I just hope he doesn’t get picked as a VP. Not that the Republicans are going to win it anyway.
As for the Hillary-Obama freakout, I really think Obama’s going to get it. He has had his life history plastered on the news, his dirty laundry out for all to see, and he has yet to gain the ire of anyone (save the GOP extremists, picking on his middle name) because he just doesn’t have anything to hide. He is also viewed as a uniter, someone who doesn’t necessarily ride party lines and regurgitate rhetoric. Hillary, on the other hand, is truly viewed by the GOP as the enemy, and she views them in the same manner. If she gets the nod, our country will be in for another four years of feces-throwing party politics. A Hillary nomination would also give the Republicans the best chance to win again (as long as they pick the right candidate).
The key to unification and, ultimately, victory in this race, is not to alienate. When speeches are made, a hopeful candidate should refrain from criticizing other groups, and rather focus on their own plan for the betterment of the country. This alone will put said hopeful candidate leaps and bounds ahead of his or her opponents.
