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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: geode00 who wrote (75761)	1/9/2008 3:36:16 PM
From: stockman_scott	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 89467

Obama/Edwards vs. Billary? opednews.com January 9, 2008 Obama/Edwards vs. Billary? By Mark C. Eades Barack Obama's stunning win in Iowa showed Democrats that the 2008 election could be about more than simply beating the Republicans. In New Hampshire, unfortunately, many of those inspired by Obama appear meanwhile to have been persuaded by the Clinton campaign of lowered expectations to give up their "false hopes" and retreat to a "safer," more "practical" choice. We have seen the glimpse of something better, however, and the forces of politics as usual shouldn't be claiming victory just yet. Judging by the gains Obama and Edwards have both made against the Clinton machine, it is apparent that many in the Democratic Party are now hoping for more than a rerun of the Bill and Hillary Show as the only realistic alternative to the horror show of Republican rule. While Obama and Edwards both project strong messages of change to which many are responding, the Clintons themselves have also contributed much to the decline of their presumed inevitability. We have seen much lately of how angry, bitter, and manipulative the Clintons can become when they sense their presumed ownership of the Democratic campaign challenged, either by another candidate or by the voters themselves, who in great number appear to have abandoned Billary for something a little more exciting and fresh. As Maureen Dowd asks in the New York Times today, "Can Hillary Cry Her Way Back to the White House?" The Clintons give the impression of a pair who have decided that they are entitled to the Democratic nomination and to another eight years in the White House, and that no one had better get in their way. While both Obama and Edwards remain strong contenders despite the New Hampshire results, some consideration seems due also to the combined strength of a possible Obama/Edwards or Edwards/Obama ticket for change capable of first taking down Billary and then taking down the Republicans. Coming out of Iowa and New Hampshire, Obama maintains a slim lead with a total so far of 25 delegates to Billary's 24 and Edwards' 18. Edwards and Obama combined total 43 to Billary's 24. Poll results collected by Real Clear Politics for upcoming primary states likewise show strong numbers for both Obama and Edwards even where Billary holds a double-digit lead. Obama and Edwards both project messages of change that have attracted strong support for many of the same reasons, and are both directing their fire mainly at Billary rather than at one another. Whichever of the change candidates drops out first can be expected at least to endorse the other against Billary (as left-progressive candidate Dennis Kucinich can also be expected to do). Notice also what a handsome and youthful pair Obama and Edwards make as compared to Billary or to any of the Republicans. The strong crossover support Obama in particular has gained make him a realistic contender against the Republicans; and with the fiery Edwards at his side could form the closest thing to a progressive dream ticket imaginable in the real world of Democratic politics, as well as an energetic alternative to the Geriatric Old Party (GOP). People in high places must be giving this some thought even as I dream. Mark C. Eades mceades.com Authors Bio: Writer and humanities educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area