woodchip wrote:Doesn't simplify voting, rather it removes the cult of personality surrounding a candidate.
Seriously, play Living Colour's "Cult of Personality" on top of campaign footage of candidates in crowds, shaking hands, hamming it up on stage. It's creepy how accurate it is.
I lean toward Obama myself. Among Democrats, I just don't like Hillary Clinton and cannot, in good faith, vote for someone who not only approved of our little Iraq fiasco, but also authorized future Iranian invasion, while simultaneously claiming that Bush is irresponsible. He only has that power because people like her keep authorizing it! I've never understood the popularity of Edwards.
Among Republicans, I just hate how much theocracy has invaded the party. I like Republican ideals when it comes to fiscal responsibility, taxes, immigration, and so on. It is needed to counter the pie-in-the-sky dreams of liberals to end up with plausible solutions. But why do I have to take all of the religious wankery that goes with it? Whatever happened to just being a decent person? You shouldn't have to flaunt your religion to prove you will do the country proud.
The thing about Obama is that even if he doesn't win the Democratic nomination, I think he has already done something vitally important for both parties. He successfully mobilized the so-called "young voters" in ways that previous elections haven't. Candidate like him are important in countering pervasive voter apathy.
But why Obama? Because I think the country needs a reboot. Is he the one to do it? Maybe. But I'd be reasonably sure that people like Clinton and others who have been in the system for years, if not decades, are not going to be the ones who step up.
Republicans like to invoke the Reagan comparison amongst themselves; I think they miss the point. When history looks back at Reagan favorably, I think a large part of it goes back to his character and skills as a public speaker over his policies (though they are certainly notable). Point blank, Reagan made people feel good about their country.
In a time of such pessimism and cynicism about Washington, much of it well deserved, we search for that person who will accomplish that. The rest is gravy.
