Why I Still Back Hillary Clinton. By Robert Farmer

[goldcanyonaz]

Seven months ago, despite my affection for the Clintons, I did not feel that Hillary Clinton was electable.

Looking at the field, I was taken with Barack Obama. His freshness and message are appealing. I had read his books and agreed with his ideas on governance and the role of the president. I believe that he is a great talent and will be a major player in our party for decades to come. I also believe that if Barack Hussein Obama became president, the rest of the world would look at our country differently, perhaps helping to repair the damage the Bush administration has done to our global reputation.

My role as national campaign treasurer has been not to raise money personally but to sign up fundraisers, to encourage them to maximize their efforts and to make them feel part of the candidate's political family. Last year I sent e-mails to the 400 most effective fundraisers in the country announcing my support of Obama and asking about their interest in becoming involved with his campaign. I received 100 positive responses.

But late last year I realized I had made the wrong decision. The opportunity for the Democrats to recapture the White House is real. The Bush administration squandered much of the goodwill toward America after Sept. 11, 2001, and, given the events of the past four years, it would be tragic if we selected a nominee who falls short in the general election. And Obama is still largely untested and inexperienced. Even looking at his success in Iowa, which should provide momentum in today's New Hampshire primary, I think that Hillary Clinton is more electable. Obama is attractive, but he would be the object of an unbelievably negative advertising campaign. Hillary has already been vetted beyond imagination.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/07/AR2008010702261.html?hpid=opinionsbox1