SNATCH VICTORY

Political commentators in the media are struggling to explain Hillary Clinton’s upset victory in New Hampshire. Virtually everyone had Obama ahead by more than ten points, but Hillary won by three.

I think people in New Hampshire don’t like being told who they’re supposed to vote for – their state motto is “Live free or die” – so they just went the other way. On-air handicapping of the race is clearly affecting the outcome. I must say, though, this could end up benefiting Edwards. Voters want to be on the winning side. Now that they’ve seen that neither Obama nor Clinton is invulnerable, they may fee more comfortable about voting for Edwards.

The season is young and it’s a long race.

a foot on either side

RAUCUS CAUCUS

Our electoral process is a long and grueling event, and like the Tour de France, requires a strong game-plan, a great support team, and super-human endurance. Several entrants on both sides have already crashed and burned, narrowing the field to a well-backed, well-focused few, the pit bulls of their parties.

With the California primary just a few weeks away, I’ve made my choice. I am offended by political commentators and their incessant handicapping of the election in the media – I think it influences the outcome – but private citizens should share their choices in advance with friends, argue back and forth, try to change some minds. None of this don’t ask, don’t tell crap for me.

I'll leave the Republicans to someone else, just deal with the Democrats.

Bill Richardson is without a doubt the most qualified Democratic candidate. A multi-lingual former ambassador, he spent fourteen years in Congress, held two cabinet posts and is an experienced and talented negotiator. But neither his demeanor nor his toupee seem fit quite right. With the country in need of an inspirational leader he leaves me a little flat.

I came out for Barack Obama early. An excellent writer and a gifted speaker, he has that “thing,” that indefinable quality that makes people want to follow him. After Iowa the ball is definitely rolling in his direction and my guess is that he will get the nomination, but he will not get my vote. Not because he isn’t qualified – I think he is – but because he isn’t the most qualified. On the other hand, if he does get the nomination I won’t have any trouble voting for him.

Hillary Clinton is, as everyone has said, cold and calculating, uninterested in anyone or anything that doesn’t increase her chance of a win. Like her husband, she is very smart but would sell her soul to sit in the Oval Office. I’ll vote for her if I have to, but I won’t be happy about it.

John Edwards is our best hope to return to some kind of sanity. I am impressed by his character and sincerity, but even more so by the two planks in his platform that offer Americans the best opportunity I have seen to recover their freedom and integrity: his on-going opposition to corporate and lobby influence and his desire, expressed in the New Hampshire debate, to rid the world would of all nuclear weapons. Let's don't be telling others to get rid of theirs if we're not willing to get rid of ours. These are the two most important questions facing us today and he is the only candidate to address either one.

I will vote for John Edwards with enthusiasm and hope you will too. If you disagree, let me know.

a foot on either side

WISH LIST

Every year the Los Angeles Times publishes a wish list on new year’s day. This morning they whined that they only got 2 ½ of their wishes from last year. Gees, I wonder why? Topping their 2008 list: “For the L. A. Dodgers to avoid a late-season collapse.” Americans are dying in Iraq, children are starving around the world, Pakistan is about to explode, and the number-one wish of the only real newspaper in Los Angeles involves a better year for the home team. Well, I have a wish list of my own.

That the Times would report the news – not the inside info on Britney Spears's pregnant sister, the news. That they would not take government statements at face value but would check out the facts instead. In other words, I wish they would do their job.

That American foreign policy were not simply an extension of the corporate wish list. That we would bring our soldiers home and allow other nations to find their own way.

That political campaigns were no more than two months long and were publicly funded, the only way to even approach corruption-free elections.

That term limits be imposed on all elected officials. Participation in politics should be a public service, not a career.

That pharmaceutical companies not be allowed to hold patents on life-saving drugs, ensuring themselves obscene profits. If there is something more immoral than that, I don’t know what it is.

A new set of golf clubs (hey, it’s a wish list).

Happy new year. May you all have a healthy and prosperous 2008.

a foot on either side