How fast was Hilary’s fall? Just a few weeks ago, she gave a hint of emotion in New Hampshire and grabbed the title of front-runner. Now press has all but declared Obama the nominee. John McCain appeared to agree too. He and Hilary are now allies: sharing the same enemy.
Since John F. Kennedy, Americans chose character over everything else in presidential elections. They watch the candidates’ faces and feel their voices. They look for not charisma, not experience, but someone who cares and is trustworthy. I talked to a young person in San Francisco bay area recently. She is a dreamy, idealistic, Berkeley democrat. I was surprised that she does not identify with a same-gender candidate and would vote for a black male. Slightly offended, she insisted her choice was based on issues. But not so, as I drilled down. Obama does not quite agree on her on several issues. In fact, on those issues she cares about, Obama and Hilary are pretty similar in their stances. Finally, she admitted, “I just don’t like Hilary.” I did not let go, “But what about her that you don’t like?”
“The lack of compentency and experience,” she said. “Can be remedied with good staff. I look at Hilary and cannot trust her.” “Do you trust McCain then?” I asked. “Yes,” she smiled wickedly. “But let’s not go there.”
Hilary is a high-caliber executive who can make tough decisions. Obama is poetic. If democrats are supposed to be dreamy and idealistic, I guess Mrs. Clinton needs to show a bit more herself to win.