Obama & Hillary: Making American Politics Interesting Enough
Written by Major Tom
Filed under: Profiles, Global Politics
January 27, 2007
For the first time in many years (if not in decades), something interesting is brewing in American politics nowadays; I mean really interesting.
With the popularity rating of President George W. Bush at an all-time low—only better than of Nixon when he was about to abdicate—and with the Democratic Party having had the most dramatic triumph in 2006’s Midterm Election, ensnaring control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives for the first time in 12 years, the democrats are bound for a smooth ride in the next U.S. Presidential Elections come 2008; unless something sort of a miracle happens on the Republican side by that time, pitting as a nominee a kind of a “wonder guy”, one that could overcome President Bush’s highly unpopular Iraq War strategy and low public approval. If no Republican messiah comes to save the day for the Grand Old Party within the next few months, then it would only be up for the democrats to choose their spear header and everything will come smoothly afterwards. Call this a bold prediction, but I think it won’t take a rocket scientist to anayze these things going on in the American political arena.
Now here comes the interesting part; the leading presidential contender is none other than New York Senator Hillary Clinton herself. Yes, the former first lady has gotten about 40% approval from polled Democratic Party supporters and that’s a whopping lead she got considering that the next other contender has only gotten some 17% in votes. So what we see here is the possibility of a first woman president for United States. Not that we should be happy about that (but I am sure feminists around the world could celebrate as early as now) but it is just that it makes American politics so interesting this time around, becoming worth watching out for. And besides, for a country like the Philippines, it is of moment who would be president for America after 2008, for it may affect some salient things about our country—like aids channels, military support, economic investment, tourism and so on and so forth.
Here’s another thing that’ll make politics in the States so interesting today—the second leading contender in the Democratic Party lineup is a youthful individual named Obama Barrack, the Senator from Illinois. He is young and many easily notices his intellect and adeptness in conversation and most of all, he is of African descent. Now that’s really interesting. Many thought Colin Powell could have possibly been a neat African American individual to possibly become the first black president for America, but since he had messed up in the United Nations defending President Bush’s Iraq plans four ears ago (remember that vial of anthrax ih his hand?), he had just not been good enough. Now everybody’s talking about Obama, where he came from, where he was born, where he had his early education, did he did drugs or not, or did he saw his father when he was too young to be aware of his parent’s divorce? He actually comes like a comet in the night sky, everubody is looking. And Obama may trail Ms. Clinton by a comparably large margin at this stage of the race yet it’s helpful to note that a former governor from Arizona Arkansas named Bill Clinton used to lagged in the 11th place in early Democratic Party polling some years ago, but hen he ended up being president of America a year later..
Either Hillary or Obama; American politics would be bound to become as interesting as a circus come 2008.
I is known that Hilary Clinton is a very smart woman. Bill Clinton used to work in her law firm. In other words, Bill worked for her at one point. That speaks volumes of her intellectual capacity. Obama is the new wonder boy. He is very articulate and intelligent. His being black also makes him interesting. I doubt if he has the overall skills required of a president though. Depending on the fate of the IRAQ war, the Democrats have a great momentum to win the next election not because of their greatness but because Americans a already fed up with Republicans
Comment by bw — January 28, 2007 @ 5:13 am
To BW: it looks to me that way; the Democrats benefitting from the Republicans inanity and riding thru the wave towards the 2008 presidential elecions. They could be so lucky for that.
Comment by Major Tom — January 28, 2007 @ 10:15 am
The next presidential elections will indeed be interesting in that, it will be the first time a woman might actually become the first female American president, or that a half African-American might find himself sitting in the oval office after they boot out Pres. bush.
BTW, wasn’t Clinton a former governor of Arkansas?
Have a great weekend, bro.
Comment by snglguy — January 28, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
At this stage everything is possible.
Hilary isn’t very popular and I don’t see an African-American winning the elections. My guess is that an outsider might win the game.
Comment by Sidney — January 29, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
To sngl: A lot of first time here and the novelty of a woman president or a first black prsident is catching a lot of fire and buzz nowadays in America. It could be entertaining in fact.
Thanks for pointing out the eror bro; I’ll resolve it ASAP.
To sidney: But Hillary is way ahead in the Democratic Party Polls and that could mean a great headway despite as you say her not being very popular. Or I guess, there is just not much in the Democrats line-up to present.
Comment by Major Tom — January 29, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
What most people tend to forget is that the Clintons are the epitome of public servants. Putting Bill’s scandalous sex affairs aside, neither he nor Hillary were ever engaged in any political scandal — that Whitewater thing was all a digging some dirt Republican effort that proved no wrongdoing — especially considering the fact that Bill was in office for eight years. No other sitting president in the annals of the American history has experienced so much ongoing jealousy and rage from the opposing political party. Yet through it all, Bill accomplished great feats.
I, for one, would want to see Hillary in the Oval Office; not because she is a woman, but because she is a true public servant and has the intelligence and courage to lead a powerful nation.
As for the other contender … he ought to do more for his community before considering running for the main thing. I guess having Oprah on one’s side can proved intoxicating sometimes.
Comment by eric — January 30, 2007 @ 6:25 am
may napupusuan ka na ba sa kanila? gumagaya lang naman ang pilipinas sa amerika kaya parang circus din ang politics dito sa pinas.
Comment by iskoo — January 30, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
To eric: Very true eric, despite the Lewinsky and Whitewater, anyone could see how both Clintons have been truly dependable and effective in their respective offices; you could say they were the epitome of the ‘new generations’ of leaders; young, articulate and liberal. However, Ms. Hillary Clinton could face enormous opposition for her rumored stoic behavior, not very ‘friendly’ to the people around her as what many thought she is (I actually saw how CNN had interviewed some people and many had seen her to be very rigid and strict).
To iskoo: Wala pa sa ngayon pero me nakikita ako sa ibang partido named Senator John McCain. I think he could be the ‘miracle guy’ for the Republicans come 2008. He is very articulate and speaks with a lot of sense.
Comment by Major Tom — January 30, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
I believe in Hillary having the potential of making to the Oval Office. However, fresh politics is always welcome and the more player, the better. What I made be breathe deeper is the announcement of John Kerry, opting not to run. Sensible decision!
Comment by ipanema — January 30, 2007 @ 4:01 pm
To ipanema: Credential wise, Hillary is sans rival; the only thing that could stimy her run is America is not ready enough for a woman president; just as they say bout americans not being able yet to accept a black or jewish president.
Comment by Major Tom — January 30, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
obama might, I say might if there is no skeleton to be discovered in his closet and not make any stupid act like that Dean. At least Hilary already an open book. But my best Bet goes to Edwards if and when decides to go for it. But winning the presidency is not a sure bet for the Democrats yet, because the line up for the Republicans like former New York City Mayor Guiliani and Senator John McCain are unaffected by Bushwacky.
Thanks for the visit and for the double jeopardy thing is only for the criminal offense. civil cases can be filed to as many different dependants by the same plaintiff.
Comment by vic — January 30, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
To vic: Your very right in that vic, other Republican personalities seem to have gained that immunity against whatever President Bush does wrong for they’ve been smart in handling themselves; like for example Sen. John McCain who despite being a Bush party maintained such credence of neutrality over the years since Operation Shock and Awe.
Comment by Major Tom — January 31, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
fdgdfgfd
Comment by Major Tom — February 5, 2007 @ 9:37 pm