Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Clinton and Obama
In the last Democratic debate Clinton said that if elected she wouldn't commit to speaking to dictators in her first year and Obama said that was ridiculous. Hillary was a big winner in that exchange. It should be a turning point but it won't be given the hive mind of the nomination process.
Obama was demagogic in his sweeping commitment and easy judgment — a Neville Chamberlain mindset without nuance. Today Obama dragged out Clinton's vote for the war, another demagogic move and sure sign of weakness. Obama doesn't seem to understand that for thugs street cred is accrued by engagements with power. An open door policy is ridiculous — you pick and choose, when and where.
Although the press is playing up experience as the root of the dispute, that is, Clinton's circumspection, the real issue is Obama's shallow need for easy approval from extremists.
The thing Clinton should be criticized about is her complete failure from a clueless arrogance to move this country toward national health care when she and the country had a chance. Obama doesn't get it — he is missing the real issues and playing to the mob.