My last few posts have been devoted to ruminations on the nature of liberal religion. Fair warning, it’ll continue for a few more days. I’ve worked up seven of these reflections and today posted the fourth of the series. I will continue posting them as I polish and feel them more or less ready, probably one or so a day ’till they’re all up.
But today, I find myself thinking a lot about our American presidential elections.
I’m so glad that the Democratic debate last evening was a wonk-fest. As a naked partisan I prefer to see the nasty fighting among the Republicans, who thankfully are doing their bit in that regard.
The endgame for the Republicans is fascinating, I have to admit. I’m a bit embarrassed at how much I enjoy Governor Romney. In a field of the facile, he is king. It is rare to encounter a politician who appears to be almost completely as Sminthius at the Daily Kos observed, “unencumbered by actual beliefs or principles.” It is a tad less comforting to see how easily this can lead to electoral victories. Senator McCain would be, by most accounts, a formidable candidate in the general election. And that may well prove to be. But it would almost be worth it to see Rush Limabaugh choke on the senator winning the nomination…
As those who’ve read this blog know I’ve been a supporter of Senator Clinton, pretty much from the beginning. I have wavered from time to time, particularly in the wake of South Carolina, which reminded me of the Clintonian perpetual campaign and the way of triangulation. And, I don’t mind underscoring, not happily. On the other hand while I really hear the siren song of Senator Obama’s New Jerusalem, as my spouse observed, it would be nice to see a few more bricks. These are both intriguing and formidable candidates, whom I admire and, hey they’re politicians, so I also live with a good sized dose of distrust…
As things stand today, Friday in the early afternoon, I’m moderately confident this coming Tuesday I’ll be pulling the lever for Senator Clinton. While it is not my over-riding motivation, it is my hope is to see a woman elected our president. And I think she can be that person. She is to my mind as the slogan goes “ready from day one.” Truthfully, that said, I’ll also be happy if Senator Obama gets the nod. (And my goodness, the endorsements are rolling for him!) He is genuinely inspiring, my heart beats faster as I hear him speak, and probably in many ways he really is “right from day one.” Without a doubt Senator Obama’s election as our president would send a message to the world of a new vision for America that can only be a good thing.
I guess the bottom line is if either wins, I’m in hog heaven.
Neither is as far left as I as friends who know me like to point out. My political views are probably a tad closer to the lamented Dennis Kucinich, or more likely some European Social Democrat. And if we lived in a parliamentary democracy I’d have different alignments. But, I believe deeply in living where I live.
If either of these Democratic senators becomes our next president, we will set a new and deeply needed tone and direction that our country desperately needs.
This I believe.
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