It was when Eileen said “I have to do whatever Caroline Kennedy tells me to do” that I knew. Sometime last week, I began to see that Eileen’s support for Hillary was wavering. The Caroline Kennedy endorsement turned my partner’s head in a way that surprised me. She’s so smart, said Eileen. She’s never done anything like this. It sure does make you stop and think.But Eileen’s thinking process has not been a linear one. She found a few moments during the debate downright infuriating. Did you see him pull back her chair, she said. She was incredulous. I think that is sickening. Don’t you think he’s trying to remind everyone that he is “the man” and she is “the little woman” She was incensed. She thought that the debate went to Hillary. Two quick asides. 1) I thought so too and 2) I always find it ever so disconcerting to find myself agreeing with Bill Bennett on CNN.So you’d think the debate would have reassured Eileen about Hillary as her candidate. But no. Something else happened last week. We are seeing growing support for John McCain. The Republican Party appears to be uniting (conservatives reluctantly) around the Senator from Arizona and he could indeed be the last man standing after Super Tuesday. Who stands the best chance of beating McCain in November? After the months of watching, reading, discussing, deliberating, it appears that our house, this has become the only question that really matters. We refuse to sit idely by and watch the Democrats give it away. Again. Hillary may have the strongest credentials. She may have the clearest to-do list on Day 1. She may know the politics inside and out. She may know how to work the system. But she is polarizing, her likeability ratings can’t stand up against Mc Cain’s. And having Bill Clinton back in the White House is the epitome of a double edged sword. Barack represents change in more ways than any other candidate on either side of the aisle. He can lift me up, he can make me believe that things could be different, better. People will root for him to succeed. Young people are inspired by him. I like him. And he has given me goosebumps. When a politician can speak and give you goosebumps, you just have to pay attention. So after several weeks of deliberation, our household results are as follows:Scout Opatut Has been solidly in Obamas court for over a year. Will place her first vote proudly for Barack on Tuesday.Eileen Opatut Has been solidly in Hillary’s court for over a year. Wouldn’t even go to see Barack at a neighbor’s fundraiser. Now believes Obama is the Democrat’s best hope in November. In a move based on strategy, she will vote for Obama on Tuesday.Joan Garry Has been undecided for nearly a year. Has read a Hillary biography, attended Obamafundraiser, given money to John Edwards. Rejecting the cynical realities of politics,remembering my goosebumps and believing that Barack is the Democrat’s best hope inNovember, I will vote for Obama on Tuesday. A unanimous election at 16 Erwin Park, Montclair New Jersey. Three votes Obama, 0 Votes for Clinton. The tribe has definitely spoken.
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- Reader comments on my most recent post.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:22 pm
[…] tribe has spoken. February 3rd, 2008 joe lance wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptHas read a Hillary biography, […]
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
[…] joangarry wrote an interesting post today on Our tribe has spoken.Here’s a quick excerptHas read a Hillary biography, attended Obama fundraiser, given money to John Edwards. Rejecting the cynical realities of politics, remembering my goosebumps and believing that Barack is the Democrat’s best hope in … […]
February 4th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I really can appreciate the back and forth over the past couple of weeks. I (your neighbor) have also been struggling, but my partner has not. My partner would like to offer a non-political case for Hillary.
She is going on the assumption that few will be switching parties; no matter who wins Tuesday (that it is why it is not political). As far as “elect abilityâ€, She believes, many find it is easier to be sexist, than racist. Therefore unless you are sexist (or young), you will vote for Hillary, and unless you are a racist you will vote for Barack. It is wonderful that Barack is inspiring a younger generation. He is inspiring a youth of (?) percent of this society, who votes (?) percent of the time. And it is wonderful that as an African American, he is inspiring another percentage who have been disenfranchised for many years.
Hillary represents 52% of the voting population, based on her gender. In how many years (?) have women (52%) of the population have had any representation in the Presidency? My partner is a business owner and if she had to choose someone to lead her company for the next 4 years based on their character, record, etc., there is no way that Hillary, based on her record, character and plans for this country (read Paul Krugman’s column today regarding her plan for health care) would not be the one promoted. Any other promotion would be based on sexism, misogyny, or the like. We are talking 4 years. If you don’t like the results, you can change in 2012! This does not reflect on Barack, who I feel, in time, would be a legitimate candidate for consideration. She feels it is very appropriate for young people to back Barack as a young and fresh candidate. However, she finds it inexcusable for any democrat, especially women, not to cast their vote for Hillary. It is our time. A woman should be given the chance. She should not be negated because of the flaws of her husband. As she stated in the last debate, this is her candidacy.
Now, I. the partner writing this, have also struggled between the two candidates. I love the international background that makes Barack who he is. I love that he can proudly say, I am America. He truly is. Yet, I believe Hillary has been more specific in more areas than Barack has been. Is he inspiring? Yes. Can he do the hard work that is needed to get results? I don’t know. I know Hillary can get down and dirty. I know that is why some don’t want to support her. But it is why when I cast my vote tomorrow, it will be for Hillary. For women, for America.
Diane (and Sharon)
February 7th, 2008 at 12:24 am
I am heartened to see that a majority of your fellow New Jerseyians didn’t follow your inane logic and vote for Obama. Obama will not be able to magically remove cynicism from politics; not everyone eats up his empty platitudes as eagerly as progressives do. And saying that Obama is the best candidate to beat McCain? Pure fantasy, especially given poll results that show Hillary beats McCain in national polls, rather than just tie him like Obama does. (http://www.ktka.com/news/2008/jan/24/poll_spells_mostly_good_news_those_hoping_democrat/)
I leave you with the words of James Wolcott writing on his blog:
“I [find] myself increasingly wary of and resistant to the salvational fervor of the Obama campaign, the idealistic zeal divorced from any particular policy or cause and chariot-driven by pure euphoria. I can picture President Hillary in the White House dealing with a recalcitrant Republican faction; I can’t picture President Obama in the same role because his summons to history and call to hope seems to transcend legislative maneuvers and horse-trading; his charisma is on a more ethereal plane, and I don’t look to politics for transcendence and self-certification.”
February 7th, 2008 at 10:00 am
[…] I might add that this reader was way more civil than the reader who offered her/his two cents on my decision to vote for Barack Obama on Super […]
February 18th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Ahh, electability. It’s why I voted for Kerry in the last caucus. You can see where that got me. I stuck with Hillary for emotional reasons: I’m sick of seeing women cast aside for someone younger, hipper and sexier. But I also used my head. And frankly, I worry about Barack winning and then not being effective ala Jimmy Carter — another great man who was stymied by the presidency because he wouldn’t play the game. If it can’t be Edwards, let it be Hillary. Followed eight years from now by Barack…
February 25th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Joan is wrong again! You never inspired me either with your expensive, boring speeches on behalf of GLAAD. Maybe it felt all tingly when some of your glitzy stars showed their support of our cause. But they were not running the show– you were. You accomplished a lot, too.
That is why I feel voting for the most accomplished, thorough candidate trumps electability. That is why Obama will not get my vote if he wins the party’s nomination. I will write Hillary in on my ballot with a clean conscience. Joan– you are so obsessed with defeating the Right Wing, and we all know–nobody wants them in the White House this go around. Hillary’s chances of winning are actually more sound. There’s a saying, if you recognize a bandwagon (like the skinny jean or Obama) and you have not already been on it, it’s too late to jump on. You’re a wannabe.