the presidential primary on 2/5

Richardson dropped out yesterday, leaving Edwards, Clinton and Obama (I don't consider Kucinich a serious candidate). I admire Edwards, but he campaigns as if he were running for trial lawyer in chief and seems to have little or no appeal beyond traditional Democratic constituencies. My junior senator is obviously quite bright and very hardworking, but she doesn't think outside the box (her policy proposals are rewrites of her husband's policies--who knows, maybe she's the original author), and she galvanizes the opposition in an unhelpful way. That leaves Obama by default. He is the best public speaker of all the candidates, exudes class and charisma, and has broad appeal to independents and moderate Republicans. He has his shortcomings too (promises more than he can deliver, seems to advocate change and consensus at the same time, and is known as "the senator from Archer, Daniels, Midland") but fewer than his opponents and has the best chance of winning in November.

the presidential primary on 2/5

Richardson dropped out yesterday, leaving Edwards, Clinton and Obama (I don't consider Kucinich a serious candidate). I admire Edwards, but he campaigns as if he were running for trial lawyer in chief and seems to have little or no appeal beyond traditional Democratic constituencies. My junior senator is obviously quite bright and very hardworking, but she doesn't think outside the box (her policy proposals are rewrites of her husband's policies--who knows, maybe she's the original author), and she galvanizes the opposition in an unhelpful way. That leaves Obama by default. He is the best public speaker of all the candidates, exudes class and charisma, and has broad appeal to independents and moderate Republicans. He has his shortcomings too (promises more than he can deliver, seems to advocate change and consensus at the same time, and is known as "the senator from Archer, Daniels, Midland") but fewer than his opponents and has the best chance of winning in November.