Wednesday, January 23, 2008

All-Out Political Warfare

The largest newspaper in South Carolina endorsed Barack Obama yesterday. Here's what they said...

But we also have a good idea what a Clinton presidency would look like. The restoration of the Clintons to the White House would trigger a new wave of all-out political warfare. That is not all Bill and Hillary’s fault - but it exists, whomever you blame, and cannot be ignored. Hillary Clinton doesn’t pretend that it won’t happen; she simply vows to persevere, in the hope that her side can win. Indeed, the Clintons’ joint career in public life seems oriented toward securing victory and personal vindication.

Sen. Obama’s campaign is an argument for a more unifying style of leadership. In a time of great partisanship, he is careful to talk about winning over independents and even Republicans. He is harsh on the failures of the current administration - and most of that critique well-deserved. But he doesn’t use his considerable rhetorical gifts to demonize Republicans. He’s not neglecting his core values; he defends his progressive vision with vigorous integrity. But for him, American unity - transcending party - is a core value in itself.
I agree with their assessment that another Clinton presidency would continue the divisive politics we see today and even make it worse. We have the opportunity to put an end to all the divisive politics and name calling and set a more civil tone by electing Barack Obama. I am afraid that if we miss this chance, we won't have another for years to come.

2 comments:

The Deplorable Old Bulldog said...

Yes.

An Obama nomination would go a long way toward making the discourse more civil.

The Clintons are unlike any American politicians-in either party and certainly at the Presidential level - since Warren G. Harding,and Harding wasn't as personally dishonest and viscious as are the Clintons.

The Sandy Berger treatment is the perfect example. When Sandy got caught stealing the archives-a pretty obvious and very serious crime-Kerry, with whom I agree on almost nothing, dropped him like a hot potatoe. The Clintons are still defending and employing the guy.

I think Obama is a kind of Boy Scout who probably wouldn't openly sell pardons.

The Deplorable Old Bulldog said...

or potato-thanks Dan.