Democrat Barack Obama (D-IL) has been rising in the polls for a while against Hillary Clinton, after hitting his low in September or October. New polling shows him leading (but still in a statistical tie) with Hillary Clinton and John Edwards in Iowa. Results are contradictory in New Hampshire, but the race there is surely very close. He has also captured the lead in South Carolina, and has risen to within striking distance in states across the country, especially southern ones with large black populations. At this point, he has pushed Edwards aside and captured the support of the most liberal wing of the party.
I saw Mr. Obama a week or two ago at the Apollo Theater. I was very impressed. He is incredibly charismatic, right on message, and he articulates the problems facing the country far better than any candidate in the race. However, as Shakespeare wrote, "Action is eloquence." Obama has an inferior health care plan, and seems incapable of answering tough questions on this and other issues.
I saw Mr. Obama a week or two ago at the Apollo Theater. I was very impressed. He is incredibly charismatic, right on message, and he articulates the problems facing the country far better than any candidate in the race. However, as Shakespeare wrote, "Action is eloquence." Obama has an inferior health care plan, and seems incapable of answering tough questions on this and other issues.
Edwards is certainly the most electable. While Clinton and Obama are in statistical ties with Giuliani and lose to McCain, Edwards leads the former by 11 and the latter by 8, according to a recent campaign poll. The former North Carolina senator also has the best plans in health care, education, urban development and poverty, and energy. His message is right on and, I believe, genuine. I maintain my support for him, but I doubt whether he will be able to survive a string of defeats on February 5 (commonly known as Super-Duper Tuesday), even if he wins Iowa.
Most likely, he will end up the running mate to Hillary Clinton, a ticket which I think is the strongest of the possibilities. Obama needs to stay in the senate in order to gain the track record he needs to help combat the inevitable racist attacks that will be launched against him should he run in the future.
He may well be the nominee, in which case I will help elect him. He has not, however, earned my support. Yet.
Most likely, he will end up the running mate to Hillary Clinton, a ticket which I think is the strongest of the possibilities. Obama needs to stay in the senate in order to gain the track record he needs to help combat the inevitable racist attacks that will be launched against him should he run in the future.
He may well be the nominee, in which case I will help elect him. He has not, however, earned my support. Yet.
2 comments:
We endorsed Obama as the candidate for those who work in education. We posted the educational platforms of the leading presidential candidates at OpenEducation.net and then followed up with our rationale for choosing Obama as the best candidate related to educational concerns:
http://www.openeducation.net/2007/12/12/obama-our-choice-for-president-in-2008/
It may be of interest to readers.
Thank you.
Tom Hanson
Editor
OpenEducation.net
I read your post and wrote the following comment:
As for Barack Obama being against No Child Left Behind, he is publicly calling to increase funding for it. I know this is true because I saw him say it in person in New York.
If you really want a candidate who would raise teacher pay and introduce a TRULY innovative education initiative, vote for John Edwards. He wants to raise teacher by up to $15,000 a year, and has a detailed plan to provide at least a year of college for everyone, regardless of economic circumstances.
If, however, you count Edwards out of the race, then Obama does have a superior plan. However, due to Hillary's far superior record of getting things done when it comes to education, I'm inclined to lightly disagree with you.
All the best,
Eyck Freymann
The Young Sentinel
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