Between Barack and a Hard Place

As many pundits have noted, there is little difference on paper between the platforms of Obama and Clinton. Beyond the platforms however, we have the matter of perception. Much like the dot com bubble of the 90s, we have a frothy, inflated perception of Obama, as well as a well-intentioned but false sense of a new paradigm in politics. I’d like to remind voters that froth is mostly air, and that there is no new paradigm.

The cult-like phenomenon that is Obama’s campaign has become intractable even as the mantra of “Change” is given voice by his fans. Roughly 30% of his followers have closed their minds and are often the source of venomous antipathy towards Clinton, ignoring the fact that she and Obama differ little on the big issues.  Clinton’s political savvy is more than matched by Obama’s passive-aggressive manipulation of the electorate, especially younger voters and disillusioned independents.

To the disillusioned independents I can say that we are all tired of the political wrangling that often prevents the passage of legislation and often leads to a failure to solve today’s problems. To the young voters I submit that this has always been the case, and it is unlikely to change. It is the very nature of politics. I remember my political science professor defining politics as the process that decides ”who gets what”. It is by its nature filled with conflict, since not everyone can get what they want at the same time; on this issue NO WE CAN’T. We cannot be in two places at the same time. Yes we can take our country back, but it requires an electorate that is always engaged, well informed and willing to make some compromises with those with whom we disagree.

When opposing sides do come together to pass legislation it is a result of mutual concessions. So to be an uncompromising person, always standing by your principles, means that you won’t get much done unless a majority already agrees with you. To make incremental improvements working toward an ultimate goal requires political savvy and the willingness to make concessions for what you deem to be the greater good. Purists will deride you if you compromise, but pragmatists realize that a step has been made in the right direction.

For example, Bill Clinton attempted to make it legal for gays and lesbians to serve in the military; the right thing to do since that community has always been part of our military, and they are just like other people who want to serve our country. He had to settle for the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy instead. But it was a step in the right direction, and I believe history will show it to be a step in the ultimate acceptance of homosexuals in our Armed Services.

Now don’t get me wrong. There are some principles on which we can never compromise, like equal rights for all Americans, and adherence to our constitution and the Bill of Rights, for instance. But most issues that come to a vote before our legislators are in a more gray area that are easily pigeonholed only by the most ardent ideologues.

In closing I say only that Obama may have won my heart, but it is Senator Clinton who has captured my mind, my intellect, my reason. And it is she for whom I will cast my primary vote.