US Features
Clinton-Obama battle for presidency is just beginning
By Gabriele Chwallek Jan 21, 2007, 4:44 GMT
Washington - It's official: Hillary Rodham Clinton is looking to move back into the White House, and this time she hopes to be the leading figure.
The six-year New York senator's entering the race was hardly surprising, but that didn't stop a furore among the US media when she announced her plans Saturday to form a presidential exploratory committee - the first step towards a White House run.
The attention is not only due to Clinton's decision, but who she is up against - Illinois Senator Barack Obama, who on Tuesday said he was forming his own exploratory committee.
That makes for an unusual race for the Democratic nomination: a woman against an African-American; a politically experienced, intelligent and cool character against a young, charismatic and intellectual charmer.
Of course, that discounts that a third candidate in this wide-open presidential field could still play spoiler. Among the other hopefuls in the Democratic party are 2004 vice presidential candidate John Edwards, while some still believe the Democrats' 2000 candidate and former vice president Al Gore may still throw his hat in the ring.
But for now, the world will be concentrating on the duel between Clinton and Obama: the first woman and first African-American to be front-runners for their party's nomination.
Both candidates have their weakness, and they have one important one in common: their chances of claiming the presidency, even if they do win the Democratic nomination.
Aside from doubts among Democrats over whether America is ready for a female or African-American president, there are other issues. Hillary Clinton's past could haunt her, while Obama's lack of past could hurt him as well. Obama was elected to the Senate for the first time in 2004.
Those weaknesses could leave them prime targets in the eyes of Republican challengers, television commentators speculated Saturday.
Ever since she entered the limelight as first lady to Bill Clinton, Hillary has counted as one of the most polarizing figures in Washington: a woman who is revered on the one side as much as she is hated by the other. Her unfavourable ratings in polls are around 40 per cent, much higher than Obama or Edwards, according to Bloomberg News.
The Reverend Jerry Falwell, an Evangelical Christian leader, last year said nothing would motivate his followers more than Clinton's candidacy. 'If Lucifer ran, he wouldn't,' Falwell said, cited in the Los Angeles Times.
Democrats worry the country may be suffering from Clinton-fatigue, after Hillary already ushered in a new age of influential first ladies during her first eight years in the White House - she was behind a failed health-care overhaul plan pushed by the Clinton administration in the 1990s.
Her handling of the Monica Lewinsky scandal could also be a flashpoint. Hillary Clinton famously called the accusations of infidelity against her husband a 'right-wing conspiracy.'
And while the US media have shown great respect for Clinton's experience and determination, some commentators have offered a different story of her personality. She has been portrayed by some as cold and calculating, lacking the ability to inspire and without vision - the exact opposite of Obama, whose fresh and thoughtful persona has even been compared with John F Kennedy.
Critics of Clinton gained new ammunition in her decision to oppose President George W Bush's recent plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq, though she in 2002 voted for the US-led invasion and has until now been softer in her opposition to the war than many of her fellow Democrats.
Hillary Clinton offered some of her most stinging criticism of the war in comments earlier this week after returning from a trip to Iraq, and supported a proposed Senate bill opposing the Bush administration's troop surge.
Next to her White House experience, Clinton has another key advantage over the other challengers: money. Experts say candidates need a 100-million-dollar 'war chest' to compete for the presidency. Clinton raised half that amount for her New York Senate re-election bid last year.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Obama is a muslim as you know. Now how would that play with this entire war situation, in fact how does he see the US-Iraq war, when the US is going after muslims?
Is America ready for a muslim president? ...
I quote Dave Chappelle 'That first n---a better watch out'. This world is going to change a lot if we have either of those two in power - and its not going to be for the worse. Either one of these candidates would give the US and its people a whole new standing on a world scale.
I am truly exited to see what happens during election time.
Lets see where it goes.
'How low are our expectations that we should get excited about candidates who are in it to win it without anything at center -- no beliefs, no ideas, no creativity. Hillary is a politician and that's about all there is to her. Hooray.'
I don't care for Hilary Clinton much myself, but characterizing her as without beliefs, ideas or creativity is simply wrong. Hilary was key in trying to implement national health care during Bill's presidency and Her book 'It takes a village...' clearly displays that she *does* in fact have beliefs. Though they might not coincide with your own. I think her greatest fault is that opinions have already been formed about her during Bill's presidency. At a time when this nation really needs a uniting force, putting another polarizing president in office would be a horrible mistake. I certainly hope that Obama wins the democratic nod, and perhaps McCain will take the republican primary.... It would be the first time in many years that two candidates worth voting for faced off against each other.
Hillary is a one term senator and even that was off her husband's coat tails. Otherwise, what experience does she have? No more than any other arm chair quaterback politician. Hillary is dishonest. At least Obama is open and honest. Personally, I'd rather see the Gov. Lingle, (R) Hawaii, make a run for the White House, but definitely Obama over Hillary.
Cold and calculating is the perfect description of Hillary. Even as first lady, it was blatantly obvious what her ambitions were. She is one of those people who thinks she is hiding her ambition, but it radiates from her without her even trying. I believe that kind of secretive manipulation and obsessive desire for power is what makes her scary - not the fact that she is a woman. There is no doubt women can be solid leaders. Hillary is not one of them.
This article is right that she has no direction other than her quest for supreme power. That is her guiding light. And that is scary. Everything she does is so calculated that one has to wonder if she isn't an android programmed to be a willow blowing in the wind of public opinion in order to get what she wants. Obviously this is nothing new for politicians, but at least some of them actually have some sort of inspiration and reason to lead other than simply their own selfish ambitions.
Like the current president, Hillary is one of those who would attend a funeral because of the image and media attention rather than the fact that it just might be OK to feel sympathetic towards the loss of a human life. Sorry, George, your fake concern for dead troops doesn't fool me either. Democrat or Republican, it doesn't matter. These politicians are two different sides of the same coin. Ignore their words. People need to pay attention to what these people in power are actually doing and what motivates them in order to decide whether they are 'good' or 'bad'.
I think we need a GAY president !!! America is soooo gay in everything, a presidencial candidate needs to STEP UP !
Here is more on Obama:
http://www.insightmag.com/Media/MediaManager/Obama_2.htm
I'm pleased to see Ms Clinton joining the race. She brings intelligence, focus, and an understanding of Government that would benefit the US. We've been without that for some time. Dick Cheney could be doing that, but he seems to have some kind of hidden agenda. I look forward to Ms Clinton taking the smart line - not the party line.
I don't think the US needs 'charisma' on the world scene right now. Leaders and militant groups have gotten so angry, they would play that to their advantage. We need to be showing strength by demonstrating the principles of freedom we defend - not our weapons & oil interests, and, above all, listening to our constituency.
Don't know how America would react to a Muslim presidential candidate...
but Obama belongs to the United Church of Christ.
I hate democrats, but go obama!
I love to see the right wing fear mongering machine kicking into full force against obama, even on this board. just makes me think maybe he IS the right guy after all.
Anyone but hillary. Stalin, Hitler, Satan, Ice-T, Captain Kangaroo, Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli, Not Jimmy Carter though,
Yeh, vote for a woman who is too stupid to divorce her husband who is getting blown under his desk in the oval office? By an ugly fat chick!
BB are you delusional? Right wing fearmonger? Are you afraid of something? I mean something real, of course. Not your stupid political dribble..
The links about Obama made me laugh.
I have a bridge over the Ocean in Kentucky I would love to sell whoever bought them.
Maybe it's the degree in political science, or perhaps the second one in public relations, but I am wondering why I could see right through that entire witch hunt spin, and yet someone felt it had enough merit to post it here.
The truth is that the world is not ready for a female president of the USA, considering our current situation and 'enemies'. We are up against countries which simply do not respect, fear, or give credit to female leaders, and now is not the time to be a trend setter, or appear any weaker than we already do. We are a baby of a country, people seem to forget that.
However, by electing an African American president perhaps the world would finally see that America is letting go of some of the same ignorances and hates that nearly tore us apart during our civil war, and will allow us to begin to reearn the prestige and respect we seem to think we deserve simply by pride and prejiduce alone.
Very interesting election in the future!
Wow sure thinks alot of him/herself.
Maybe its my psychic gift, or maybe because I'm The Second Coming that allows me to see the truth of it all
Alex,
If that's all you got on Obama... dude. At this point, I'm willing to vote for someone who lies/obscures their personal past, family history, drug usage, illicit sexual affairs, gay family members, etc. SO LONG AS THEY DO NOT lie/obscure us into a war, lie about opperating illegal prisons in foriegn countries, lie about wiretapping, lie about using torture, defraud the public of millions, award reconstruction contracts to their highest campaign contributors, reveal covert operatives, ignore national emergencies, ignore Hans Blix and the UN, DO I REALLY NEED TO REMIND YOU OF ALL THE S**T YOUR PARTY HAS PUT US THROUGH IN THE LAST 6 YEARS????? Cause we're still living it, and we're still PISSED OFF. Suck my balls 'Alex'.
and one more thing..
I bet Obama knows what the difference between a Sunni and Shiite is. Zing!
I have a couple points to make, and am unsure of the best way to convey them.
First, Obama is not a Muslim. The sole fact that his father was does not mean that he himself was. If you have read his books or listened to his speeches, you would know he is a devout Christian. We all have friends and coworkers whose parents are Christian, Catholic, Jewish; that does not mean that they are following in the same path. And yes, he was given a Muslim name by his Muslim father, the same name as the dictator America just disposed. That means absolutely nothing.
But secondly, Obama's supporters, and just those that know the truth need to not be so demeaning when pointing it out. His opponents are going to turn the propanda spin machine on full force, labeling him as a Muslim and a threat to our nation. I have received chain emails stating this; I know it to not be true, but not everyone does. You need to point out the truth and explain things to them in a civil manner, not call them stupid, curse at them, or label them as a hatemonger or rightwing fanatic or any other term you would like to use. Such treatment just incites hostility and resentment, not an openness to listening and learning.
Obama is a great man and would make a great President; THIS point in time, RIGHT NOW is vital to insuring that that becomes a reality. And that means informing the American people of the truth, and they are only going to listen to you if you treat them with respect.
' CrisJan 21st, 2007 - 05:45:07
Obama is a muslim as you know. Now how would that play with this entire war situation, in fact how does he see the US-Iraq war, when the US is going after muslims?
Is America ready for a muslim president? ...'
Wow, way to be an idiot. He is a member of the United Church of Christ, he is *not* Muslim. Also, he has been against the war publicly. Stop adding your two cents and read before you think.
commenter, Cris says that 'Obama is a muslim'. This is NOT true. According to his web page he 'lives on Chicago’s South Side where they attend Trinity United Church of Christ.' Please check your facts.
http://obama.senate.gov/about/
Re: Hilary.
It was a right wing conspiracy.
Though personally I like and prefer Ms. Hillary Clinton, for her abilities and experience, and the fact that a woman can bring about a passionate change in American society for the better, Obama too represents new opportunities.
A person with insights in to the most talked about religion now, Islam, and good knowledge of Christianity, can bridge the gaps between the two religions.
If nominated, and if elected, he too will represent American dreams, and actually make America yet more better.
There is nothing to worry about Barak Obama, any more than about Hillary or Keith Elison. All are true Americans, in their spirit and objectives, and can influence Islamists at large to reconcile with America.
goooo obama i hope he wins the election
Hillary actively promoted the illegal war that will continue to shame our country for many years. She voted against the requirement that all cars get at least 40 m.p.g.by 2017. This is shocking since driving cars causes global warming, acid rain and smog. She is not an environmentalist. We need to put the war behind us and take immediate steps to end the global warming crisis. Based on her record, I don't see how we can do that with Hillary as President.
I'm no fan of the muslim world by any means, but give it a break. Being muslim has an insignificant bearing in and of itself. If being muslim meant all muslims were on the same page and supporting each other, then why the heck do muslims torture, rape, murder, invade, mutilate and insult each other? Like every other religious or political entity out there, people hate each other within their own circles.
There's no denying he has ties to the muslim world, and that any con artist can pose as whatever suits his fancy, but his power source is 'Christian' (I put quotes around it because that word has more of a traditional influence than an actual faith based one in political terms) and he'd be foolish to pull some radical muslim stunt if elected. Technically speaking, however, it appears as if he isn't muslim any way.
It must burn that, after driving of her political enemies, this...amateur appears and steals her thunder.
A pity Joe Lieberman won't run. A real Kennedy democrat, he has the will to persevere.
In my opinion, Clinton definitely deserves to be in this race and its sad to see that people would vote against her because she an ambitious, so called 'power hungry woman'. I do agree that Hillary is ambitious, but so what? Personally, I would rathar have an ambitious six year senator who has always wanted to be President for many years than some inexperienced junior senator who has only been in office for two years and just happened to get into the race because he was praised for making a rally speech in the 2004 Democratic national convention. Hillary, as a politican, has done way more than Obama in her six years of being a Senator and as First Lady. People argue against her because of the healthcare bomb that happened in her early years as First Lady, yet they fail to see that as a New York Senator she raised funds to improve healthcare industry in New York and she is one of the top advisors and members of the Senate Health Committee. She was instrumental after September 11th in providing funds to the victims of the September 11th attack and revitilizing New York's economy. So let me pose the question, What has Barak Obama done? Where are his accomplishments? What has he done in the past two years in his office that could make a person say, 'Yea, this guy should be president because he's accomplished a lot,'? Before people start jumping on the Obama boat, I ask people to seriously reconsider alienating and attacking Hillary Clinton and start asking questions about Obama inexperienced political life.
Listen up A wipes. Hilary is a communist wrapped up in democrate clothes, but don't be fooled. Be careful what you wish for. You might just get it! Got it!
page: 1
nickJan 21st, 2007 - 05:33:25
How low are our expectations that we should get excited about candidates who are in it to win it without anything at center -- no beliefs, no ideas, no creativity. Hillary is a politician and that's about all there is to her. Hooray.
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