Why Stop Now?

I've mentioned before, in the interest of full disclosure, that I am not in any was a fan of Hillary Clinton. Not only do I think Obama is a better candidate for a number of reasons, I just can't ignore her actions after the Clinton's left the White House so she could magically appear in New York to run for Senate and start a nearly decade-long campaign for the White House.

That being said, why should she drop out like so many want?

On a personal level, I'd love it. But regardless of how many people say it's impossible for a number of reasons for her to catch Obama before the convention, it's still an extraordinarily close race. For the first time in years, some of these late primaries actually matter and people in these areas get to have a say (it's really time to get a different primary schedule going, don't you think? Everyone should have a vote every election cycle), and we want everything to shut down beforehand? Why? Don't we trust the people in these states? Everyone seems more worried about Florida and Michigan - I say they had their chance, and they blew it. Let's let Pennsylvania do it's thing!

I also think, especially with the long gap between primaries we're currently in (SCHEDULE CHANGE!!), the theory that an extended primary will hurt the Democratic Party is becoming a self fulfilling prophecy. If we all did what Bill Clinton is suggesting - "chill out" and debate the issues - there would be no harm. Instead, everyone keeps harping on how bad things are, and people are going to start believing it when they keep hearing it said by party leaders! The message should be: "Hey! Look at us! TWO great candidates! We must be the best party suited to lead this nation!", not "This is damaging, everyone's image is going to be hurt and we'll lose in November."

Yes, McCain will be appealing to Independents and Democrats, but he would be regardless of what happens over the next few weeks. The Democrats need to stop complaining that every state might get a primary this year and get back to the issues. The Party is looking pretty strong right now, and it's because politics are a huge issue in this race - a race that needs two people. Once the primaries are all over, then re-evaluate the delegate count and try to resolve this before the convention. But why right now?

So as much as it pains me to say: Go for it Hillary. Many people have held on with much shakier footing.

Super Confusing

Obviously I'm a bit late to be making any sort of relevant analysis on Super Tuesday's results - I'm sure you've heard it all before. One thing I would like to discuss, however, is how even though these primaries are the precursor to the same election for the same position chosen by the same people, it seems as if each party is dealing with it's own set of issues. For example, religious issues are a major concern in the Republican Party primaries, while health care has been huge for the Democrats. Neither side has often commented on what the other party, which they will be competing against shortly, is doing. It's an odd occurrence.

It also shocks me how both parties are viewing primary season. On the Republican side, the question has been (until this afternoon) who the "conservative " alternative to John McCain is, Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney. Even after Super Tuesday, in which McCain was able to win a huge amount of delegates by attracting the majority of the party and many independents, the wing of the party that labels themselves "conservative" still insisted McCain was not fit to represent the GOP, and some went as far as to say they would rather vote for the Democratic candidate.

The reason this seemed strange to me is that on the Democratic side, both candidates have begun touting their "electibility" come November. Both Clinton and Obama are claiming that they will have the best chance to win independents, or even members of the party, in the general election, and that each stands a better chance against the Republican machine.

How is it, that in two parts of what is essentially the same race, one party has become obsessed with pleasing a small faction of the nation, while the other is looking towards the public as a whole? It's amazing to me to see how pleasing a small group of ultra-conservatives (albeit a loud group) in the GOP has become more important than how well the candidate would do in the main election - would Mike Huckabee stand a better chance than McCain of drawing moderates and independents? It's interesting to observe how two groups of people striving towards the same goal can focus on such completely different aspects of the public vote.