I am trying really hard to feel confident if Obama should win the nomination.

[Aussie leftie]

Please make my day and explain why he is the better candidate. My first choice was Edwards and then Hillary Clinton. With the many astute politicians supporting Obama, they certainly must know something. I have read biographies on both Hillary and Bill and even though I don't agree with everything they have done in their past, I still find them both to be very caring, intelligent, diplomatic and have the "gift of the gab". I think that Hillary has always aspired to be president and I think that she would be truly qualified. I feel sad that this may be her last opportunity to run.

I am Australian and I cant vote in your elections, but I cant help but take a keen interest. Anyway, whoever wins the presidency of the United States effects the whole world.

[Kermitt Gribble]

1. It's hard for me as well.

I take some comfort in the fact that some DUers that I have alot of respect for are Obama supporters.

[Xipe Totec]

2. I have full confidence in Obama

I am a Hillary supporter; she is my choice after Edwards.

But I have no doubt that Obama, should he win the nomination, will make a fine President.

But that day hasn't come.

Until then, I'm standing with Hillary.

[judaspriestess]

28. .............

Perfectly said, I will second that.

[elizm]

3. Have you read either of Obama's books? That is where I started....

I think it would help you get an idea of what others see in him.

[Jed Dilligan]

4. Unfortunately, her policies are targeted to 1993, not now.

We are on the verge of a major economic crisis, and she talks about growing the middle class while ignoring the extremely poor, for whom she has no targeted initiatives.

[Aussie leftie]

12. Doesn't her "Health Care" policy cover everybody.

Universal health care is a wonderful thing. We first introduced it into our country in the mid 70's and then the right wing conservative government all but wiped it out. It was reintroduced in 1983 under Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke and we've all had it ever since. I am not sure of the exact amount but everyone earning over about $70,000 a year pays a tax levy. Otherwise every Australian has health coverage.

[Jed Dilligan]

14. Her version of universal health care is making everyone buy insurance

It doesn't wash with me. Also, I think that healthcare will be a less pressing issue in the next few years as people are increasingly unable to meet housing and other basic, daily needs. An extra bill for a product some might not even want is not going help matters much.

[OzarkDem]

19. Yes it does

and its better than Obama's plan, which has a built in mechanism to make it fail after the pharma and insurance companies have had time to milk it for as much money as they can.

[Aussie leftie]

23. there is another policy of Obama's that I am having trouble agreeing with

I don't know what the official title of it is, but, it boils down to incentive payment for teachers. It seems to me that all the good teachers would then be enticed into exclusive schools and the schools that are struggling would have the second rate teachers, spitting out second rate scholars.

[OzarkDem]

27. If you look closely enough at most of Obama's policies

they seem to have those little GOP/conservative details in them. It was masterful work and we've found some evidence that conservative think tanks may have put his policy statements together. They did a fantastic job of making them appear liberal, but the devil is in the details, as always.

[woolldog]

5. Why?

haven't you read any of Obama's books?

[MagsDem]

6. Unfortunately if he wins the nomination we lose in Nov

With racial politics the way they are in the south, and needing some red states to win Obama pretty much seals a loss for us in Nov I am afraid. Our base has a very bad habit of nominating unelectable candidates in the GE. That's why we have had so many crappy rethug presidents.

[sendero]

22. Bullshit..

.. every poll shows him doing better against McCain than HRC. Take your ignorance somewhere else.

[Telly Savalas]

29. To paraphrase: I don't believe black people should be running for president.

[Olney Blue]

7. Aussie leftie, I am a big fan of your country. Thank you for your interest

in our politics. :hi:

I voted for HIllary Clinton today, but I am not afraid at all if Obama becomes our nominee. He will have alot of support from a broad base of people, and Americans are ready to undo the damage of the raving chimpanzee. He's a brilliant guy, and doesn't like failure. It will be OK if he wins!

[Aussie leftie]

17. Our new Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made an official apology to our indigenous Australians

today. It was a very emotional and momentous occasion. Hopefully, this will bring us all closer together and heal the wounds of the past. Thankyou for conveying your confidence in Obama to me.

[Jersey Ginny]

8. No Democrat should feel comfortable with either candidate

Obama epitomizes the American "virtue" of hope. Elections are won based on emotion and not by policy wonks (Hillary). He's smart, inspirational, and he's gotten votes from the left, middle, and Repubs too. That being said, Democrats need to take NOTHING for granted and all of us need to work hard and contribute to get whichever candidate we choose in the white house!

[Rageneau]

9. We're playing "Let's Make A Deal" and instead of taking the Cadillac, we want what's behind Door # 2

Maybe what's behind door #2 is wonderful. Maybe it's the best president in history. Maybe he can really do the job. Maybe the Republicans won't destroy him. Maybe he's something more than charisma and clothing.

So, heck, why not take the gamble? After all, what's at stake? Only the country.

We've got a sure Cadillac already -- one of the best prepared candidates ever to run for Pres., advised by the best president of my lifetime, but she's boring. She's so yesterday. We've ridden in Cadillacs before, but we've never had a ride in whatever is behind Door #2.

So let's take it -- whatever it is.

The unknown is good enough for us.

[high density]

15. The problem is that about half of the country already doesn't like the Cadillac NM

[woolldog]

16. HRC is more

like a pinto than a cadillac.

[Aussie leftie]

20. what a wonderful analogy

[psychopomp]

26. A Cadillac with square wheels...

I see her husband back in the White House as much more of a liability than a benefit. He is far too compromised by his ties to corporations, DLC and Poppy (and all that he represents)!

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Dear God, we in the US share your problem.

My candidate was Dennis Kucinich, has been since 2003, since he opposed the war in Iraq, despite accusations of being "unpatriotic," and I liked John Edwards, as well, for being anti-war, and pro-labor. I loved his message. But he's also dropped out. I guess I'll support Obama, but he doesn't speak to me as the others did, but my choices are limited now. :shrug:

[dannofoot]

11. Oh fer God's sake....

Over half of America can't stand Hillary. Isn't that all you need?
Geez...

[high density]

13. You should feel comfortable with either one

The policy differences between the two aren't all that wide. It's now down to leadership style, personality, etc. Clinton went on framing herself back in January as the 1990s candidate with Bill at her side, and I just didn't like that idea. The '90s were fine but we're in a much different place now. I think Obama is more likely to give us a fresh look on things instead of a replay of old stuff that we don't need to revisit.

IMO IMO IMO IMO.

[OzarkDem]

18. Clinton will do fine

The next states ahead are hers and will put her ahead of Obama.

I share your concern, Obama is a weak candidate.

[sendero]

21. Well..

... if you don't know why should I try to tell ya. If you want this stupid fucking "war" to go on forever, keep rooting for HRC.

[qwlauren35]

24. Wrong Question...

If you mean why he's better than McCain, that's EASY... he's not a warmonger with a lust for corporate tax cuts.

Asking why he's better than Clinton... well, he's NOT. He's simply a DIFFERENT candidate, and people are reacting to that. We are in a climate in which Americans, especially Democrats, want someone NEW. To some people, the Clintons don't represent "new".

And it is showing in how the votes are playing out.

I think that's what is causing the problems in the discussions. Deep down, if you look at their platforms, Clinton and Obama have many similarities. The true choice is, do you want to go back to the familiar, i.e. the Clintons with a new face, or do you want to step out into the unknown with Obama, as a gut reaction to what we've faced over the last 8 years, when Senator Clinton and McCain were in office, sanctioning the Iraqi War.

In terms of the intelligence and capability that Clinton and Obama bring to the table, it's fairly equivalent. Each has strengths and weaknesses. They are both "qualified".

Here in DU, you're going to hear lots of people give reasons why either is NOT qualified. Horse-pucky. After W, even Mickey Mouse is "qualified". Then you'll hear questions about "electable". Both of these candidates have some serious liabilities in these areas and they won't go away if we pretend otherwise. One is a black male, the other is a white female. And there are some Americans who aren't ready for one, the other... or either.

So please... Clinton is qualified. Truly qualified. However, Obama is also "qualified". Truly qualified. Because the only true qualifications in America are: over 35, American born, and having the mandate of the people/delegates/electoral votes.

No one person runs the US. No one person governs the US. No one person can truly destroy the US without the complicity of many, many other people, including those in legislative power (House & Senate). The reason Bush has done such a good job with destroying our country is that complicity.

I am pretty sure that that's the biggest reason why Obama is winning.

[Zavulon]

25. Dannofoot's post echoes my sentiments.

Dannofoot said "Over half of America can't stand her" or something to that effect. Count me in with that 50.1%+.

I'll leave aside my reasons for hating her and just go with what I believe, which I'm sure at least some others here will rip me for: only Hillary could galvanize the Republican vote at present. As it stands, most Republicans are disgusted with McCain and many might just stay home (even Repuke radio nazis), but if Hillary is the candidate I think a lot of those types will change their minds and vote for McCain. Remember, these people aren't just voting against Hillary, in their minds they're voting against Bill, too.

I believe Obama would beat McCain in November, and I believe Hillary would lose.

I also believe that Obama would do his best to get us out of Iraq. I don't believe he can do it as fast as he wants, but I believe he'll try. I can't say the same for Hillary, who voted for Bush's war and refuses to admit a mistake. As for health care, Hillary's plan of garnishing pay doesn't even fly with me, and it certainly won't fly with over 50% of voters. As much as a Hillary presidency would be good only because it would technically be a change from our current lame duck asshole of a president, a McCain victory would be more of what we've had since 2001 and I believe a Hillary nomination would give us just that.

With everyone talking about "change," I personally only see a real chance of it from Obama. I was proud to vote for him today and wish I could vote for him in Texas and Ohio.