Why I support Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination.

[John Q. Citizen]

I see the problem progressive face as this:

Neither candidate would be the first choice of progressives.

My candidate was Kucinich, then when he dropped out, I was leaning Edwards (I liked Edwards issues this time around, I was contrasting and attempting to reconcile his current campaign issues with his past voting record and his past campaigns, both in the primaries and for VP, when he too dropped out of the race.) I know what his strong supporters say, that Edwards has changed for the better, and I tend to agree. I certainly want to believe that.

But the problem is that we are left with Obama and Clinton. Between those two choices, for me, the choice is clear. I have to support Obama. I'm not supporting him because he's my natural first choice, I'm supporting him because he's my natural last choice.

Another DUer put it well I think; 'Obama is like a roulette wheel, and Hillary is like a gun to our head.' For a number of reasons I'm hoping Obama will turn out closer to his roots than some of his current actions suggest. On the other hand, I know what Clinton will do, and it's the same thing she's always done, from her roots to the present.

I am quite confident that progressive won't end up worse off for Obama than with Hillary. And I'm hoping we will end up substantially better. I also believe that Obama has a better chance to beat McCain than Hill does.

Here's an interesting article by David Sirota
http://www.creators.com/opinion/david-sirota/the-democrats-class-war.html

And and another interesting article by David Swanson (of after downing street org) This pretty well sums up my feelings.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00055.htm

Don't despair. It's just another election where progressives have to vote and act strategically instead of voting for who we really want.

[Vincardog]

1. OF the two I will take him over Hill.I am tired of voting for the least worse cantidate.

When did my party turn REpigLICKER lite?

[ingac70]

2. In 1992. n/t.

[KoKo]

3. Those two articles are worth the read for those of us who just can't

decide having gone through "waiting for Gore," supporting Kucinich, then Edwards.

When the plane leaves for Texas in January '09 and Bush waves and yells "See ya' Suckers!"...the country is going to be left in deep shit. Some of us feel Hillary's experience might be what is needed because she can hit the ground running.. But, others of us feel she will be Bush III.

Voting for Obama, even if he doesn't win the nomination might still bring Hillary around to get a clue. Maybe not. But, the pressure on the Democrats to see how much we want change might be worth the try.

I still am undecided but both the Sirota and Swanson articles and the Nation endorsement have me thinking more about Obama.