Reply #13: She gave it a good run, hello Barak

[Uncle Sinister]

I came to Clinton reluctantly, after Edwards dropped out. She's smart, tough, and experienced. She's been through the media meat grinder since '92 and come up smelling like a rose. I like her. I think she has the potential to be not only a good, but a great president.

Obama was my third choice, I won't lie about that. But we are gifted this year to have a primary that was rich and deep. The three candidates that have already dropped out were all qualified to hold the office, and my god so is Hillary. But it is not to be. The only way she could win now is with a nasty and divisive fight that would rip the party to shreds, while the republicans coast to a McCaine, Huckabee white house.

The smartest thing for her to do, if she's not already, is to start opening the back channels for a deal. She could have any position she wanted, from vp down, plus a couple of cabinet seats. She should do herself, and the party, a favor and take it. More, she should do the nation, and the world, a favor and take the deal. (and I hope John is getting a piece of the action too)

For those of us that didn't initially support Obama, it's not like he's chopped liver or anything. He's also smart, and tough, and experienced, and would it be so bad to have a president who can truly inspire us? Would it? The man is electrifying, and it's not all hype. Yes, he'll have to grow into the job, but so would have Hill, or John.

Whoever takes the oath next year will inherit probably THE most difficult presidency since Andy Johnson, and jesus christ and a host of angels couldn't save the next administration from a shitstorm of woe. The next president will have 4 years to stop the bleeding, and the next president will, at least in part, fail. The next president, will not, barring a major miracle, be re-elected. So lets get someone who inspires for 4 years, shit, we can use it. Can't we????

I wish John and Bill had done better. I wish Clinton had locked it up on 2/5. They didn't, she didn't. The only way she wins now is to win "ugly". I hope she doesn't do it.

I hate to make this analogy, but it must be made. Ronald Reagan was elected much more on his ability to inspire than on his record. He had to learn on the job. He surrounded himself with a brilliant cabinet. Not sayin I like him, mind you, but there is no denying that he was spectacularly successful. He achieved exactly what he wanted to for America, he had two spectacular gifts (and yeah, I remember Reagan) He could inspire trust, even in those who disagreed with him. He could get people who hated each other to work together.

Be clear, I don't like a damn the direction Reagan moved the country, but move it he did. He probably moved it as much as F.D.R. or Lincoln.

I see the same potential in Obama. Just potential, right now, but have we ever had a president who was ready for the job? Maybe he is...if not the messiah, then the leader that inspires for 20 years. We are so very overdue for another one.

So I'm tossing my chips in with Obama. He has the potential for greatness. He has a rich field of people to help him. (how a bout Richardson VP, Clinton State, Clark Def, Edwards AG, Gravel Interior, Kucinich UN) would that rock or what?

So say I "drank the kool-aid" if you will, I think I made an informed choice to support our party's apparent nominee, and rally around him and ensure not only that he wins, but wins resoundingly, with long coat-tails.

Our country has been taken away from us, and right now, today, Obama is our last, best, chance to take it back. Let's do it.