PELOSI DOESN'T GET IT

The following is a quote from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi regarding Hillary and Barack running together ...

I don't think it's a good idea...I think that first of all that the candidates, whoever he or she may be, should choose his or her own vice presidential candidate. I think that's appropriate. That's where you would see the comfort level on not only how to run, but how to govern the country and there's plenty of talent to go around ..for a good strong ticket. I'm not one of those who thinks that that's a good ticket.

So, here's my question ... What good does it do for one of them to pick a VP based on "comfort level" or some such thing if they lose to McCain? The point of having them run together is not so they can govern more effectively or whatever; it's to prevent alienating millions of Democrats who would stay home if their candidate doesn't get the nomination. That's the big fear right now after this nightmare battle they're waging.

My opinion is -- if you really want to be elected President in November -- you better suck it up and consider your rival. It's not unheard of ... Reagan picked Bush after all.

OBAMA VS. CLINTON

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am hooking my cart to Obama's horse. This didn't seem to be much of a "controversial" decision when I made it, but now that the campaign is getting ugly, I find myself defending him (as well as myself) on a more frequent basis. Specifically, I have a good friend at work who supports Clinton, and we've spent countless lunch hours debating the merits of this race.

My friend does not necessarily dislike Obama, but he thinks the man is just too green for the job of President. "What has he done?" is a frequent quote. He also agrees with the Clinton camp that Obama hasn't been properly vetted by the media. The Reverend Wright thing, he argues, is a perfect example of the type of thing that would take him down in the general election. In addition, Clinton has shown she's a fighter who will do anything to win. That, he states, is what is needed in November.

Like my friend, I do not dislike Clinton (although, her attempt to get the Michigan votes to count really bugs me). But my belief is that he -- along with many of her supporters -- is hugely underestimating what the right will throw at her in the general. Obama, I admit, is a little bit of an unknown. But it seems to me that he has the charisma and message of hope that was missing from Gore and Kerry ... and now Clinton. Her argument about winning the "big states" is weak in that it assumes he can't. The important thing isn't whether or not he can win California and New York. No, the big question mark is whether or not she can win any state other than those won by Gore and Kerry. I'm just not sure. As for Reverend Wright: well, if that's all it takes to ruin a candidacy, then you might as will give the Republicans the keys to the White House now.

Having said all this, we both now have a separate worry ... can either of them beat McCain? I would have said "absolutely" a few months ago. But now, I have to admit that I'm starting to feel as if all the fighting between them could be their undoing. If this battle goes all the way to the convention in August without a clear winner, it seems that McCain is handed the election. The common thought is that there just isn't enough time for the Democratic nominee to "catch up" to McCain from a PR standpoint. Whenever Bill Maher has a Democrat on his show, he says, "Everyone is saying you can't lose. So, tell me, how are you going to lose?" It seems we have our answer.

The governor of Tennessee has proposed a solution that I think everyone should promote. At the end of all the voting in June, the superdelegates should be forced to make a decision. They can (and should) vote their hearts, but they cannot wait until August. No matter how you slice it, they will have all the information they need by that point to make up their minds. So far, the DNC has been unable to do anything to make this situation better. And I argue that -- if the Dems can't at least do this -- maybe they are too stupid to win.

BARACK IS DA BAMA

I have a problem. For the first time in my voting history, I can't say that I have a slam dunk choice for the Democratic presidential nominee. And to make my dilemma worse, it looks like my vote will actually matter this time around. Because you see, those pesky New Hampshanuts didn't obey the polls and vote for Obama like everyone said they should. Well, Hillary's rally at UCSB on Friday reminded me that Super Tuesday is just around the corner, and it's clear that no more speeches or debates are going to help me. Nope, I have to stop sitting on the fence and make a decision. So, here goes ... Trekking Left officially endorses ... Barack Obama!

Want to know why? I'll break it down:

JOHN EDWARDS - I like John; I really do. And I feel a little bad for him. Without even getting into his personal struggles, the guy came so very close to being VP in 2004 and then followed that by campaigning his butt off for longer than anyone else. Plus, he's been the first candidate to come out with many key initiatives (e.g. universal health care coverage). Yet, the man can't seem to get the traction needed to be a serious contender. What's this country coming to when a rich white guy can't catch a break? Seriously, though, if I strongly felt he could bring more to the presidential table than the others, I would vote for him without blinking. But all things being fairly equal, I'm just really liking the idea of a woman or a black person being president. Maybe that shouldn't be a major factor in my decision making process, but I don't care. Now is the time to break some barriers in this country!

HILLARY CLINTON - Hillary is such a complicated figure. I have so many conversations with my friends about her, and it seems that every one's feelings are all over the map. For me, it can mostly be boiled down to two things ... Firstly, I want a candidate who's playing to win, rather than someone who's playing not to lose. I am so done with the middle of the road, say nothing, don't take any chances, court independents, listen to crappy consultants kind of politics that plagues the Democratic party. That was a losing strategy for Gore & Kerry, and it's a loser today. It seems to me that Hillary is totally using that same awful playbook. Secondly, and more importantly, I don't think people on the Left truly understand how deeply the hatred goes for her amongst much of the citizenry. Heck, you don't even have to look past the comments on this blog to feel that. And I can't tell you the number of times I've heard some independent or moderate conservative on the teevee say that they would vote for any Democrat but her. My gut tells me a general election that comes down to a few votes in one state like Florida or Ohio will go to the Republicans if she is the nominee. To be clear: the problem with her electability is not that she's a woman .... it's that she's a Clinton.

BARACK OBAMA - I think the key to winning the next election is to inspire hope and make Americans feel good about being Americans again. We simply can't thrive as a country with another 4 or 8 years constantly feeling as if some boogeyman is going to blow us up. We need a respected, calming figure who can show the world what America is really about. I believe that Barack Obama is that person. Not only is he inspirational, but he's shown an uncanny ability to attract independents, young people, and even some Republicans. Now, I know there is this feeling amongst some that latent racists tendencies will prevent many people from actually voting for a black person. That doesn't seem to be a factor so far with Obama. However, for the sake of argument, let's say that it might play a role in the next election. I say, let those votes go. Who wants'm anyway? Finally, there's the lack of experience thing. All I'll say there is that 5 out of the last 6 times we changed parties in a presidential election, it went for the less experienced candidate. And might I add that George H.W. Bush aggressively played the experience card in the race against Bill Clinton.

I probably shouldn't end without talking a little bit about the leading Republican candidates. Hmmm, okay, McCain is the only one who doesn't give me the heebie jeebies.

Well, maybe the heebies.