(no subject)

[ksmith]

Interesting day yesterday.

I will vote for whoever wins the Democratic nomination. I'd prefer Obama, but will vote for Clinton. Like others, I take exception to those "it's 3am--do you know who will answer the red phone" ads. But Clinton is, I think, trying to draw those Obama Republicans and Indies who worry about her strength. Judging by yesterday's outcomes, the ploy may have worked.

I'm not convinced idealism will carry the day here. Call me a cynic.

The thing I fear is that if Clinton wins it all, she'll just about get her footing when her husband will get caught in some scandal, sexual, financial, or other. It's possible he may behave for 4 years, but I admit that I don't trust him to not give his self-destructive streak an airing. If that happens, that's all the press will report for two years at least. Congress will have hearings, all the resident moralists will tut-tut, and nothing of worth will be accomplished for the balance of Clinton's presidency. Then the Republicans will have a much better shot in 2012.

I want to be wrong. But we're top-heavy with hypocrites in this country, sexual and otherwise, and if Clinton-the-ex-pres puts a foot wrong, Clinton the current pres will pay the price.

Comments

[touchstone.livejournal.com]

I do think that one thing you have to consider when selecting a President is...hmm, how to put this. Imagine your potential President conceiving of The Best Idea EVER, and presenting it to Congress and the public. I don't mean that phrase in irony - imagine an obviously-brilliant, elegant, non-partisan solution to an acknowledged problem. Now, ask yourself 'What percentage of listeners would dismiss this brilliant idea purely on the basis of whose mouth it came from?' If that number is too high, this person is not going to be a successful President.

It might not be their fault. It might not be fair. But I think it's true. A president can totally screw things up all on their own, but actually doing something USEFUL requires getting people to go along with you.