In a fairly tight race in Wisconsin, it appears Barack is starting to separate from the pack (that is Hillary). The JS endorsed Barack while I was out of town so I am a little late in getting this onto the Blog but, I think it is instructive to read their endorsement and understand why they decided to go for Barack. They make 4 really good points:
First, they comment heavily on the fact that his short time in Washington will actually be an asset to the new President. Hillary has tried to make this about long term experience in Washington (of which a lot of it was as the First Lady) but it may be that this experience is precisely the problem. If you have had all this experience and time and the Country is in the predicament it is in then what good is all the experience? It is good to have someone come in and ask "why" a lot is it not? So, the JS rightfully identified that he has enough experience to know what he is doing but not enough to be "part of" the establishment. Therefore, he is in the best place for change.
Second, they discuss the fact that he is a realist. He did not try to pander to the editorial board and promise all of the manufacturing jobs back rather he admitted that there has been a shift and we need to look to the future of jobs in this Country. This brings us to the third point and that is on alternative energies.
Work on alternative energies serves two big purposes. First, it weans us off of imported oil which makes us far safer than a war in Iraq or Iran. Second, it creates new manufacturing and thought leadership jobs in America. Imagine if through this forward looking program, we became the leader in providing technologies for the world as the world gets off of fossil fuels? That is big change and that is forward looking.
Finally, they rightfully identify that, right or wrong, Hillary and the Clintons are polarizing figures and we run the risk of losing the "prize" if she is our nominee. As a party we must think about what will get us the White House and I cannot imagine this Country voting for Hillary.
Mind you.. I am a big Bill Clinton fan and think he was the best President since Ronald Reagan for sure and probably before him as well. But, the Country has spoken. The Country is tired of the Clintons and, to be very frank, tired of families running this Country. We have had the Bush family and now the Clinton family trying to turn this into a monarchy and we should have none of that.
Therefore, I believe the JS was absolutely right in endorsing Barack and I am thrilled that we are looking to a big win in Wisconsin on Tuesday night.
A Fantastic Barack Obama Blog (If I do say so Myself)
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