First, I apologize for my long absence due to illnesses to my PC and myself. The PC died but I recovered.
Since I seem to be the only Hillary Clinton supporter (or the only one who will identify himself), allow me to explain why. It isn’t because I’m a New Yorker and she’s the “favorite daughter.” In fact, I voted for Jonathon Tasini in the Senate primary two years ago. My support for Clinton is based on certain qualities I believe a President needs.
First is general governmental competence, which both Clinton and Obama have demonstrated. This is very important as for the past 7+ years our government has been led by total incompetents The results, a war that we have no reason to be fighting with a strategy has left our armed forces in a drastically weakened position and domestic policies that have lead to death, poverty and devastation. Within this general topic are several specific area, the first being Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. It is here that I believe Clinton is superior to Obama in that she has already made her mistake in voting for the Iraq authorization while Obama has been quite vague as to what would constitute valid grounds for committing American forces to combat. With Clinton, she convinced me when a progressive local Veterans Group I belong to had a meeting with her. Her answers to our rather pointed and sometimes downright hostile questions showed us that she “got it” when it comes to how far presidential authority actually goes. However, should Obama win the nomination, I would support him over McCain as McCain supports the Iraq War although he disagreed with the initial policy while supporting the “surge.”
The next area of concern I have is the environment. Here, being a New Yorker, I am far more familiar with Clinton’s positions and the are entirely in tune with mine. She opposes the resource mismanagement of Bush, particularly mining in National Parks and Preserves. She has been a vocal opponent of re-certifying the Indian Point Nuclear Plant in Buchanan. Obama hasn’t really addressed enough of my concerns in that area, while Kucinich and Gravel speak in the most general terms. By the way, noted environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has made ads endorsing Clinton.
Finally, I have concerns about Obama’s lack of experience in the executive branch at any level of government. While his speeches are quite inspiring, they don’t answer questions I have. I’m tired of rhetoric and candidates saying the “right” things. On the other hand, Clinton has been honest about certain issues that aren’t very popular amongst progressives. However, I learned in 1968 that demanding perfection led us to Richard Nixon. I am not picking between the lesser of two evils, I believe I am picking the best of two goods.
Here in New York, we Democrats have eight votes. The first is for the presidential candidate, six or for convention delegates (three male and three female) and one is for alternate delegate. I will be voting for only five of Clinton’s delegates and one of Obama’s as a message to the Clinton camp that she shouldn‘t expect a blank check. The one Obama delegate is none other than her erstwhile opponent of two years ago, Jonathon Tasini.
