So Barack Obama is the democratic nominee for president.
There has been much discussion about his experience, his readiness, and his personal attachments that may influence voters to run the other way. When people discuss the challenges he faced/faces in his pursuit, they no doubt consider the negative campaigning of opponent Hillary Clinton, that manipulated the situation of confusion that surrounded issues of the race, nationalism, and religion of Barack Obama.
It is not without logic that her campaign wernt this way. How do you distinguish yourself from someone whose politics are largely similar to your own. You have to make a big difference out of your personal lives. One candidate is a former first lady with international connections and a sense of familiarization with world leaders and policy. The other is a relatively unknown story, and where something is unknown it is potentially worrysome and frightening.
Everyone knows that when you are a candidate, you travel the country campaigning for votes in order to establish (if only the appearance/feel) of a personal relationship with the country and its people. You want to give the impression at the very least that you are someone they can trust because they've seen you, gotten used to your face, and have learned your reactions well enough to put faith in your judgement. There is a saying that goes something like "You learn a lot about a man by his handshake". This is the reason that politicians kiss babies, take pictures, listen to stories, and shake as many hands as possible. Hillary Clinton both benefitted and suffered from her long standing relationship with the country. So it was in her best interest to influence the developing relationship that Barack Obama had with the American people. To intentionally muddy the waters surrounding the issue of his religious belief, was not a mistake but a carefully chosen campaigning strategy.
What is his religion, where does his name come from, who are his parents, what does his wife look like, who are his sources of guidance, how black is he? These are some of the questions bopping around people's heads as they look at the candidates whether consciously or sub. In addition to these questions are the questions you would expect a candidate to offer up answers to, but the relationship is built on a clear and growing understanding of WHO a candidate is on the inside.
When your politicial similarities are great, sometimes the vote goes to the candidate that just goes down smoother. In order to make hers the stronger relationship Hillary did some heavy campaigning which amounted to some serious lip service in areas where she really had nothing in common with the 'common people'- such as PA. But to her credit she pushed hard to circulate the country and amass a group of followers to rival Obama's. Her failure to win the delegates does not reflect a failure to create a relationship with her supporters throughout the country but instead an inadequacy compared to the efforts and successes of the Obama campaign.
Hillary has not lost all my respect, as you might be able to tell. I truly believe her to be a strong politician with her heart in the right place. I don't like the way she plays ball, but I agree that when you want something you should give it all you've got, but she could have made more conservative moves along the way that didn't cost her so much at no one elses expense. Although I don't think she should be on the ticket, I think that she should continue to play a large role in the politics of the nation, and that it is in both the best interest of the country and the democratic party for the obama administration to see to it that they place her well.
All of that energy having been expended on Hillary, I am excited about presidential hopeful Obama. His intellectualism and conviction are powerful and inspire me to look for great strides to be made. Also his community organizing techniques enable him to demand change from a nation that is unhappy with where its at, but perhaps wouldn't come to the conclusion that it is also part their responsibility to bring about the change they want to see in the world.
Ghandi might have intersting comments on the matter.
And if Hillary is smart, she'll get on this wave before it leaves her behind.
