electability: clinton v obama

before you vote, take into account how others would vote, lest your least preferable candidate ends up taking over the white house.


first start by weighing clinton´s PROS and CONS:

PROS
+ perceived as experienced
+ knowledgeable
+ grasp of the polls and the souls
+ the clinton machine
+ the gender ticket

CONS
- bill's 3rd term in the white house, just when everyone is looking for a fresh start
- "closest thing to an incumbent," just when everyone is looking for "change"
- yet another polarizing figure, just when everyone is tired of divisiveness
- lack of charisma/ perceived as wonk--some inspiration may be needed; otherwise, people won't stand up and vote (mccain is no cheney; people wouldn't feel URGED to vote against him--besides, not enough people were URGED to vote against bush in 2004)
- the dark side of clintonism: calculated destructiveness + bill's uncomfortable pals


then compare your results with obama´s:

PROS
+ charisma (at home and abroad)
+ appeal to independents and moderate republicans ("liberation from divisiveness")
+ young, fresh and culturally diverse, just when everyone is looking for change ("liberation from incumbent dynasties")
+ the diversity ticket

CONS
- perceived as not having enough experience (remember that cartoon by toles where pig-like politicians were rolling in the mud and saying "you don't have enough experience"?)
- where's the beef? it´s the poetry, stupid (just like lincoln´s)--YOU make the change. whatever change hillary has in mind will have to be passed from on top, and with much opposition and lack of support (due to her popularity and charisma); in contrast, the obama effect at the micro level due to the inspiration, feel-good vibe and will to harmonize of the people, will add a push to pretty much the same policies that, by the way, will have more chances of being passed by a less polarizing and more charismatic leader
- the candidate of wine drinkers--just like kerry. (well, iowa and south carolina are not precisely the hamptons).

I don't have anything against mccain, but his xenophobic, fundamentalist & belligerant republican bases scare me out. a vote for hillary gives mccain a chance--he´s already experienced and knowledgeable. he´s not as divisive. he´s more charismatic.
the choice is not between obama and hillary; it´s between obama and mccain.