I am 38 years old. I voted for Clinton twice. I still remember that night back in November 1992...my wife and I had a newborn...we had recently graduated from college. For more than half of my life (at that time), I had to endure Reagan/Reagan/Bush. I watched George H. W. Bush with amusement and contempt as he checked his watch during a debate with Clinton and Perot. Much like HRC today, he felt entitled to the Presidency. Even more so, he had attained the Presidency on the coattails of a man (Reagan) who was beloved by his party's base. Every time I hear "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow", I remember that night. The good guy won.
Now, for the second time in three elections, we have a candidate running on the coattails of a man (Clinton) who was beloved by his party's base. It is a sad comment on our nation, that Hillary Clinton probably would not have had this opportunity to run, had her husband not been in the White House. Unfortunately, she is carrying the same sense of entitlement that GHWB did. The Presidency is not to be inherited; it is to be earned.
On a day like today, when all of the news seems to be so negative for our guy, I just wanted to take the time to remind everyone that this IS GOING TO HAPPEN. We are past the point of no return, and there are some inexorable laws of politics that support this every step of the way.
Gets used to it, boys and girls: PRESIDENT OBAMA.
- MONEY: The SUPREME LAW of politics, period. Obama has a deeper donor base, he has raised TONS of more money, and he is using it wisely. This is an incontrovertible fact, and she cannot overcome this. And, of course, neither will John McCain. Oh, and when you complain about getting outspent, well, there is a reason why: HE IS OUTRAISING YOU. Good for HIM!
- ECONOMY: Say what you will about "bittergate". Short of another 9/11, Americans vote with their pocketbook. PERIOD. In a bad economy, the incumbent (McCain and/or HRC) will lose.
- LEGITIMACY: The rules award the nomination based upon total number of delegates. PERIOD. Prior to any recount, George W. Bush led Al Gore by around 500 votes in Florida. At that time, the burden of proof was on Gore, to persuade ANYONE to accept something different. He could not. HRC can not. The superdelegates are there to overturn a travesty, not to create one...much like impeachment is designed to overturn a travesty, not to create one.
- LIKABILITY: Voters, with everything else being equal, vote for who they LIKE. They prefer optimism, charisma, and overall attractiveness. Kerry, Gore, Dole, GHWB (round 2), Dukakis, Mondale, etc., all were matched against someone that was more charismatic and "comfortable in his own skin". Too many people dislike Hillary, and the "clap clap point point" deal at her rallies is disingenuous. McCain? On stage with OBAMA? No contest.
- SCANDAL/GAFFE: When push comes to shove, the authentic candidate wins. Dukakis in the tank? Bad. Bill Clinton at McDonald's? Good. Hillary doing a shot? Forced. Obama playing hoops? Brilliant. Reverend Wright? Guilt by association. Bosnia? HER OWN LIE. "Bitter"? Understandable. 100 years in Iraq? Unforgiveable.
- POPULAR SUPPORT: Obama wins caucuses, because his people are more loyal. Clinton's campaign is bleeding people left and right, and is in total chaos. Obama does better, wherever he campaigns. He gets tens of thousands at rallies. Hers have to be choreographed.
- CLOSING STATEMENT: It is like the old legal axiom: If the law is on your side, pound the law. If the facts are on your side, pound the facts. If neither are on your side, pound the table. Obama played by the rules, and he has won more states, more votes, and, supremely important, the most delegates. He has the law and the facts on his side. Hillary? She is left with begging for debates, complaning about resources, and making an emotional argument. She is pounding the table.
Any one of these 7 items should swing an election. He has all seven. There is a ton of work ahead, but Barack Obama WILL BE the next President of the United States of America. So, Kossacks, don't lose faith...don't let HRC or the MSM get to you. Stay optimistic, stay focused, and get used to this:
PRESIDENT OBAMA.
PRESIDENT OBAMA.
PRESIDENT OBAMA.