I voted for Hillary Clinton in the California primary because I buy the argument that experience counts, even if that experience only amounts to being at the table to listen to the conversations. Senator Clinton is clearly a smart lady, and I have no doubt she learned a lot in the eight years her husband was in office. That combined with her years in the Senate gives me moderate confidence that she's got the ability to get things done.
However, I --and tens of millions of other Americans-- am intrigued by Senator Obama's message and the prospects for a new presidential approach and, dare I say it, a paradigm shift in our political culture. In addition, I was very disappointed with Sen. Clinton's 'redacted' schedule, as the entire 'I'll share selected facts' game smacks of the hubris that has characterized the current administration. I'm not sure how another eight years of doing a lousy job at lying to the public about -- among other things -- lying to the public helps anyone's confidence in our government.
But that's all been said before.
The point of this piece is to make the claim that, in my humble opinion, Sen. Obama has no choice but to support a re-vote, in whatever manifestation, in Michigan and Florida. Why? Because, as I see it, his entire position about why he should be elected president can be reduced to one word: 'integrity.' And I believe that his outrageous claim to that totally-unreachable mantle, at least as it applies to contemporary politicians, has some validity. Consequently, I believe him when he says he's not sure how his race speech plays politically. But as a United States Senator, a man whose legal background gives him a thorough appreciation for the ideals of our Constitution and the role of the people, I do not understand how he can do anything and everything in his power to prevent the disenfranchisement of millions of voters.
I understand why he wouldn't want to; it's likely that this won't benefit him at all. But that's the man I want to run my country: the man who has the courage to do what's best for all of us, and not to compromise because it provides him with some short-term gain.
Show me the man that will risk losing the election because he won't compromise his values, and I'll show you the man that deserves the right to be called the President of the United States of America.
Do it, Senator. You'll get my vote. And quite frankly, I think it plays well. And, much more importantly, I think it's the man you are, or at least, the man we want you to be.