Essential Difference Between Obama and Clinton

Workout notes I had to delay my workout until 6:25 as I forgot that I had to dig Barbara’s car out. Ok, that is an exaggeration, but we did get a few inches of this yucky white stuff and I did have to clean her car, clear a way (she is still recovering from her foot operation).

Still, I got in a 5 mile “run” on the treadmill (home) in 51:20, and 3 mile walk (36 minutes), and then 20 minutes of yoga.

Did I tell you that I detest snow?

Democratic notes: Here is an interesting take from a St. Petersburg (Florida) newspaper:

[...]Clinton, of course, is the safer choice, largely because she has been in the national eye for 16 years. If anything, we may know too much about her. She bills herself as the candidate of competence and experience who is “ready to lead from day one.” However, like many voters who have cast ballots so far, we find Obama to be a more promising choice and a more inspiring voice in these troubled times. His message of hope and change has resonated with voters, including independents and young people. He speaks of the kind of change many Americans yearn for in their politics and their government – not just turning the page on George W. Bush’s presidency but changing something more fundamental in Washington.

What separates these two candidates are not the issues, where their differences are minimal, but the values and vision they would bring to the presidency and the kind of political character they have displayed so far.

In Clinton, we see the past; in Obama, we see a fresh start. Clinton is a divisive political figure; Obama’s appeal transcends racial and party lines. She exudes competence; he radiates optimism. She came to the campaign with a sense of entitlement; he came to it with a sense of possibilities. She can be evasive, even misleading; he can be refreshingly candid about his own shortcomings and his political mistakes. She represents business as usual in politics; he at least offers the hope of something better. [...]

Hat tip to PoliticalAl2008 at the Daily Kos.

Obama and Clinton: essential differences

I think that the debate outlined the essential difference between Obama and Clinton:

Clinton:

Politics is not a game. It is the most serious of business. We have seen that over the last seven years. We have seen what a difference it makes when we have a president who is indifferent to and insensitive about the real-life struggles of Americans, and I want to be the champion that once again gives Americans the feeling that they have a president who cares about them and can produce results for them. And that’s what I intend to do.

Obama:

OBAMA: Well, I don’t think Dr. King would endorse any of us. I think what he would call upon the American people to do is to hold us accountable, and this goes to the core differences, I think, in this campaign.

I believe change does not happen from the top down. It happens from the bottom up. Dr. King understood that.

(APPLAUSE)

It was those women who were willing to walk instead of ride the bus, union workers who are willing to take on violence and intimidation to get the right to organize. It was women who decided, “I’m as smart as my husband. I’d better get the right to vote.”

OBAMA: them arguing, mobilizing, agitating, and ultimately forcing elected officials to be accountable, I think that’s the key.

So that has been a hallmark of my career, transparency and accountability, getting the American people involved. That’s how we’re going to bring about change. That’s why I want to be president of the United States, to respect the power of the American people to bring about change.

There it is: Clinton wants to be the people’s champion (i. e., vertical relationship), Obama wants to empower the people to do it themselves (horizontal relationship).

Note: Daily Kos poll as of this morning:

Who won the battle?
Edwards
36% 5010 votes
Hillary
15% 2141 votes
Obama
48% 6679 votes

| 13833 votes

Note: Obama is still “over polling” in terms of debate performances; it isn’t a surprise that his style appeals more to the Kos community than it would to the Democrats “at large”.

Interestingly enough, 53% of the same population has HRC winning the nomination to 33% for Obama and 14% for someone else (Edwards?).

I’d say that Clinton has the edge; if this were a football game she’d be up 10 points in the second half. A comeback by us is possible, but we are certainly the underdogs. So I had better get busy walking my routes this weekend!

But Obama’s position now reminds me of, well, Reagan’s in 1976. Not quite there, but working his way. Obama vs. an incumbent McCain in 2012? Or, maybe Obama running to succeed Clinton in 2016? Who knows. I certainly don’t.