Your Candidate
I have no idea what Democrats are so incredibly vested in the two candidates we have. Don't people realize that, no matter what they say, both Clinton and Obama are still *just* politicians?
Kurt Vonnegut once wrote: There is a tragic flaw in our precious Constitution, and I don’t know what can be done to fix it. This is it: Only nut cases want to be president.
He was right.
Here are some thing to keep in mind, no matter who wins this race for the nomination.
Your candidate is not going to Change The World.
Your candidate is not going to remove the troops from Iraq anytime soon.
Your candidate is not going to bring our country Universal Health Care.
Your candidate is not going to stop corporations from "maximizing shareholder wealth."
Your candidate is not going to stop our oil dependence.
Your candidate is not going to stop our land and air from being polluted.
Your candidate is not even going to get much of their legislation passed through the filibuster-friendly Congress.
I urge perspective, people.
Perspective.
Kurt Vonnegut once wrote: There is a tragic flaw in our precious Constitution, and I don’t know what can be done to fix it. This is it: Only nut cases want to be president.
He was right.
Here are some thing to keep in mind, no matter who wins this race for the nomination.
Your candidate is not going to Change The World.
Your candidate is not going to remove the troops from Iraq anytime soon.
Your candidate is not going to bring our country Universal Health Care.
Your candidate is not going to stop corporations from "maximizing shareholder wealth."
Your candidate is not going to stop our oil dependence.
Your candidate is not going to stop our land and air from being polluted.
Your candidate is not even going to get much of their legislation passed through the filibuster-friendly Congress.
I urge perspective, people.
Perspective.
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For once, this is not satire.
March 25, 2008 7:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hum.
Perhaps then, it is also worth noting that neither candidate will:
• Plan for a 100 year Iraqi occupation
• Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran
• Continue the ruinous economic policies of W&Co.
Or, perhaps most importantly:
• Hug W with a look of utter rapture on their face.
Seems to me we've already had this conversation. After being attacked from both sides as being hysterical and rude for pointing out that McCain would be a disaster, I can't help but be amused at some of the more earnest cries for reason.
You're right about one thing, cscs, both parties "fans" are poison for the party and bad for America, but I don't see them stopping anytime soon.
I don't blame the candidates. Just their fans. Personal responsibility is one of those things that democrats have been crying for for the last 7 years. It's about time they showed some.
March 25, 2008 7:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
While I agree about the hug, I don't see all that much daylight between Republicans and these Dems economically.
Everyone loves Capitalism, no?
And I considered adding the requisite "While both Democratic candidates would be better than a Republican...", but I left it out. I think that's assumed.
My overall point, though, is that people have built up both Dems in this race to be saviors, and people are going to be disappointed.
Certainly on Health Care, both Clinton and Obama are extremely pro-corporate.
March 25, 2008 9:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. Which is why I don't care who gets the nomination. The difference I do see is the willingness to at least pay lip service to regulation. That is an area that needs serious attention.
Neither of these candidates is likely to do heated battle with the vested interests as Kucinich, Edwards, or Dodd were willing to do, but I think that where the daylight exists, as pale and transparent as it may be, it's an important distinction.
McCain is clueless about economics and it appears to me his solution is to just have another war.
I don't think we'd have to worry about that with either Dem. I heard Hillary talk about the corporate bailout yesterday, hopefully Obama will do the same and the party can get back to issues, rather than sophomoric, imagined "slights."
March 25, 2008 9:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I'd admit that the candidates can't do any of that all by themselves.
But if we support them with incredibly effective arguments on TPM reader blogs, *that's* another matter!
March 25, 2008 7:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. Uplifting "perspective." Can I at least enjoy the first day of baseball season, or is that off limits too?
GO SOX!!
March 25, 2008 8:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Whatever you're into.
March 25, 2008 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
But.... but... my candidate wants credit for having done all of those things. Really badly!
March 25, 2008 8:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't have a candidate, yet. My party is still arguing over how to choose one.
March 25, 2008 8:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
re: Your candidate is not even going to get much of their legislation passed through the filibuster-friendly Congress.
Yes my candidate can!!!
You are right: the only way for either Democrat to do anything worthwhile is to get to the magic 60 votes. Who can and how?
Midwest and Western Democrats are behind Obama because they see evidence he will have strong coattails in their states even if he doesn't win them outright. He can close the gap to 60 much better than Hillary and then, because he won't solidify Republicans the way Hillary will causing them to close ranks, he will be able to peel off some moderate Republicans to seal the deal and pass legislation.
March 25, 2008 9:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, that tears it. You detailed and insightful analysis backed up by your mountain of data means I must declare my own country and my first act of business is declaring Scott Baio an enemy of the state. CAUSE CHARLES AIN'T IN CHARGE HERE BEYOTCH!
March 25, 2008 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Where do you think I am wrong? All of it?
March 25, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are right about one thing. Neither candidate can make the changes you are talking about. There is one candidate running who claims she can. The other candidate recognizes this fact. That is why he is building a popular movement. To really change things takes a movement and only one candidate is trying to build one. The other candidate is living in a fantasy world where plitical machinations are what it takes. That is why I am voting for Obama. He may fail but at least the methods he will use have some slim hope of working.
March 25, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bingo! That's exactly right.
Which is why I get frustrated at people who discount his time in Chicago and in the Illinois Senate as "not real experience." He learned how to get people with very different beliefs to come together and get the work done. Sounds like exactly the kind of experience we need. It may not guarantee passing all the legislation we want, but it sure does up the odds. Can't say the same for HRC.
March 25, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Amen cscs
March 25, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink