One last difference I'd like to demonstrate between Obama and Clinton. Normally I'm a policy wonk, but this is all about style. And besides, when was the last time we had a serious debate about policy? They tried a little on a recent CNN debate, but outside of that they're all campaigning on style and identity and likeability and emotions. So, in case you haven't seen them, the Clinton ad and the Obama ad I've been seeing on major network TV lately (helpfully posted to youtube by the campaigns themselves):
First, this recent Hillary Clinton ad I've been seeing on TV:
"Narrator: Our economy can be heading into freefall. For millions of Americans foreclosures, interest rates and health care costs are spinning out of control. With your job and family's security in the balance, the stakes have never been higher in choosing our next president. The person you can depend on to fix the economy and protect our future:
HRC: I'm Hillary Clinton and I approve this message."
Compare that to the Barack Obama ad with Caroline Kennedy:
"CK: Once we had a president who made people feel hopeful about America and brought us together to do great things. Today Barack Obama gives us that same chance. He makes us believe in ourselves again. When we act as one nation we can overcome any challenge. People always tell me how my father inspired them. I feel that same excitement now. Barack Obama can lift America and make us one nation again.
BO: I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message."
I usually think of fear based campaigning these days as the territory of the terrorists-will-eat-you Republicans. But, here's Hillary saying that if we don't elect her then the economy will eat you. Booo, bad form. I don't know what policies they might be pushing behind the scenes, but I'm very skeptical right now of anything that's being pushed through fear (See USA, 2001-2008). Also, hope is just better. Fear never built anything but walls and nuclear weapons. Hope built everything else.
We need hope. We need to stand up as empowered individuals, trying to do audacious things because we think we can, and if a enough others stand up with us, I believe that yes we can.
for your linking joy:
Hillary/"Freefall"
Obama/"Caroline"