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Hillary or McCain, Never Obama
By David KnowlesMay 13th 2008 9:48AM
Filed Under:eHillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain, Featured Stories, 2008 President
From a strict policy perspective, this formulation is, of course, absurd. As Clinton, McCain, and Obama will all tell you, the differences between Clinton and Obama pale in comparison to those between Clinton and McCain. Really, it isn't even close. Virtually every single substantive issue that Clinton and Obama support, McCain does not, and vice-versa. McCain offers huge corporate tax breaks, Clinton and Obama do not. Clinton and Obama want to make sure that a woman has the right to choose whether or not to have an abortion, McCain does not. McCain has even voted to ban funds for abortions in cases of rape and incest. On the Iraq war, McCain will not hasten a pullout. Clinton and Obama will. Clinton and Obama have health-care proposals whose goal is Universal care, McCain does not. And on and on.
So why the cognitive dissonance? Well, most of the people who employ the "Hillary or McCain" retort do so for far less sensible reasons than actual policy distinctions.
A select few simply could never vote for a black man, period. Their racism is such that they're set on making sure that he [Obama] shall not overcome.
Others still take Obama for a Muslim. These are the people who like to emphasize his middle name, or who drop the first and last, and simply call him "Hussein." To them, religious affiliation is a disqualifying mark, never mind the fact that Obama is a Christian, his name just sounds wrong to their ears.
Then there are those who single out patriotism as the characteristic that somehow unifies McCain and Clinton but excludes Obama. He doesn't wear a flag pin, they cry, even though the lapels of McCain and Clinton are themselves often bare of Old Glory's reassuring presence.
Obama has no experience, some clamor, conveniently overlooking the experience and accomplishments the junior Senator has compiled over the years.
The NoBama crowd, keen on saving America before it's too late, would have you believe that America's very survival hangs in the balance should we be so stupid as to elect a guy born in Hawaii to a white mother and a black Kenyan father.There's a secret deal with the Muslims, these people will whisper, citing Obama's reticence to continue funding of a a weapons system that has cost taxpayers over $100 billion so far, but whose effectiveness in a real-life combat situation remains highly suspect. What is never mentioned is Obama's plan to increase the size of our military.
For you guilt-by-association fans, there's the fact that Obama knows a guy who used to be part of the Weather Underground, and who threw him a fundraiser. Or that Obama's former preacher is a pretty-over-the-top orator. Or that a Hamas spokesman seems to prefer Obama over the others.
Hell, even if every one of these is either false or so thin as to be transparent, if you add them all up together, then surely there's enough reason to keep Obama out of the White House, right? Enough of nothing adds up to something, no?
Mind you, there are legitimate reasons that you might prefer Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama, and the majority of Clinton supporters don't seem to fall prey to the "Hillary or McCain" gambit. You might like her health-care plan more, for instance, of feel she's got more experience, or whatever. Likewise, you might simply hold Republican values more than Democratic ones. If that's the case, by all means, McCain is your man. But for those people currently supporting Hillary Clinton who say "No Obama Never!" perhaps it's time for a bit of introspection. If your reluctance is based on policy, then I'd say you need to revisit the similarities between Obama and Clinton, as well as the differences between both of them and McCain. If , however, one of the other reasons I've mentioned has taken root inside of you, I can only wish you good luck.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 30)Llenette110:06AMMay 13th 2008
OMG! Thank you for this article. But you know, people are still going to vote based on idiotic reasons. As if it isn't bad enough in the White House with one idiot, half the country is going to become idiots by voting McCain if Hillary doesn't win. Lesser of two evils anyone?
Mary10:10AMMay 13th 2008
It is your delivery Mr. Knowles, that makes whatever you are trying to say, go right out the window.
Pure whiny smartass!
Blacks Against Obama10:12AMMay 13th 2008
I'm a Black female with a master's degree (educated not from the inner city or ghetto) and do not support Obama. The guy is a fraud and is only running with the support of White male politicians that are trying to get a sense of recognition and power (losers all in their won pursuits of the Whitehouse).
Not all Blacks are supporting Obama, not all women are supporting Obama, very few seniors are supporting Obama. As a matter of fact most with common sense are campaigning against him. If he's the Democratic nominee, I may have no choice but to vote Republican (for the first time in my life) or not vote at all (for the first time in my life)....choices that I regret, but may have to make.....
Mary10:13AMMay 13th 2008
Oh that is right, you are just appealing to Obama supporters, and making fun of folks.
surferjoe10:17AMMay 13th 2008
Obama never ever because idiot media types like you keep trying to use guilt to cram him down our throats. Get on your soapbox about his 93% voting block and are they hearing platforms or seeing only color in their vote.
jb10:18AMMay 13th 2008
Why in the world would anybody think that Hillary would do a better job of managing America's economy than Obama, when her campaign is $20 million in debt? I don't get it.
j10:21AMMay 13th 2008
jb
What a stupid question.
sblum10:25AMMay 13th 2008
hillary/mccain or abstain,
take it to the bank,
and larry sinclair and rev. manning will eventually have their say
Katherine10:32AMMay 13th 2008
HILLARY OR MCCAIN!!!
NEVER OBAMA!!
:)
You Obama followers do not get it. There are a hundred reasons to not vote for Obama.
--Hillary can come back later on and win the whole thing, in the meantime, I would really love to relax and just let the republicans eat Obama alive.
W. B. Wilhite10:34AMMay 13th 2008
On the other hand, there are plenty of people who will vote for Hillary or Obama merely because of gender or race. Therefore, the sexist or racist sword cuts both ways. Some people will cast their votes along tribal issues. Duh.
M2D510:37AMMay 13th 2008
To David Knowles
Mr. Knowles , as you can see , your piece has to use a old expression, brought in the usual suspects' response. It is almost comical to read how they never did this or never did that. But under great stress of their conscience they must do that which is unpleasant.
However, it has not stopped many of them , in the past from sending posts that border on the offensive, sometimes downright repugnant. It is interesting how some ,depending on the poster's web pseudonym, can be relied upon to repeat the same worn-out ideas/lines. Some even probably goes as fas as claiming to be something they are not. This apparently to them add legitemacy to their arguemnts. Surely there can be some evidence from your side regarding co-ordinated efforts from groups to put out a specific line. Or in some cases, to go nutso with cut& paste to fill up page after page with the same stuff. Oh well, it does make for interesting reading, sometimes sincere, sometimes funny, sometimes pathetic, and I do mean pathetic.
Bob10:37AMMay 13th 2008
No-One really wants another for years of George W. Bush , But Hillary Supporters stand United behind her . They will send a mesage to Howard Dean . If Obama is the Nominee instead of Hillary , The Democratic Party will be in for a rude Awakening in November when it is announced that the Next President is John McCain .
RADAY10:40AMMay 13th 2008
GOD BLESS AMERICA. DO YOU REALY THINK THAT OBAMA WOULD OF GOT THIS FAR IN THE RACE BECAUSE IS CAN CHANGE AMERICAN. NO ONE WOULD OF VOTED FOR HIM IF BEFORE ALL HELL BROKE LOSE WITH HIS PRECHER AND DIRTY DEALINGS. IF PRIMARIES WERE DONE OVER IN EACH STATE NO DOUBT HE WOULD BE BEHIND OR OUT BY NOW. I HAVE NEVER VOTED FOR ANOTHER PARTY BUT IF HILLARY DOESNT GET NOM. WE WILL ALL VOTE MCCAIN. HILLARY CAN OVER TURN THE BUSH YEARS AND WE NEED HER CHANGE NOT THE CHANGE OF OBAMA
diane hollander10:40AMMay 13th 2008
the media especially msnbc and cnn has caused the democrats to be split. i would never vote for obama, not because he's black but because of his poor judgement of rev. wright and his lack of experience. this morning i heard that if obama lost the general election the party would blame the clintons. well they better blame their elitest reporting. you can say black people but not white people. they are causing a split that will not be healed. now they have us the party of kennedy. i tell you i will never vote for obama, but will have no choice but to vote for mc cain. blame it on msnbc. i have decided not to watch msnbc anymore because of their clinton bashing.
Open Your Eyes10:50AMMay 13th 2008
From the Titled Piece:
"the differences between Clinton and Obama pale in comparison to those between Clinton and McCain. Really, it isn't even close. Virtually every single substantive issue that Clinton and Obama support, McCain does not, and vice-versa."
Funny how Obama himself couples the policies and administrations of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush as a singular politics that he wishes to distance himself from. And of course the rabid Obama supporters like Keith Olbermann who talks about the Obama plan and campaign against the McClintons.
Obama doesn't NEED rank and file demcorats. He has his own contingency "the Chardonnay and KFC" crowd.
Open Your Eyes10:53AMMay 13th 2008
diane hollander10:40AMMay 13th 2008
the media especially msnbc and cnn has caused the democrats to be split.
Couldn't have said it any better.
The likes of Olbermann and Mathews who gained their audience from the support of the rank and file democrats should make it clear while MSNBC will be losing audience share.
liz10:56AMMay 13th 2008
Mr Knowles - when Hillary wins the nomination, will you vote for her?
While you contend it is a certainty that BO has won the nomination, the process is still not over, much as you would like it to be.
For personal reasons, I will write Hillary in if she is not the nominee. If she is the VP choice, I will hold my nose and vote for BO.
wunofakind10:56AMMay 13th 2008
It just never ceases to amaze me, the hate-filled messages on this blog.
I say, Vote for whomever you wish -- it's your natural-born right -- but try to do so with the love of one candidate and not the hatred of another.
I think both candidates would weather the storm a lot better if their supporters would just stick to what they love about their candidate.
We've all seen what "smear" tactics have done to the Democratic party, both the givers and receivers of such behavior. It's a lose-lose situation.
These comments are open for all the world to see. Let's show them we can rise above hatred and come together as a dignified nation.
Open Your Eyes10:59AMMay 13th 2008
I wonder if Hillary would consider pulling a "Lieberman" and running as an independent. She would get alot of votes. Maybe it's time for a new party.
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Davidg10:02AMMay 13th 2008
First, in all my regretably wasted months of reading these aol pm blogs, I have never seen one person say that they would not vote for Obama because he was a black man. Not once. You, Tommy Christopher and Denise Williams among others have accused people of racism on a fairly constant basis, but never because someone said "I don't like black people".
Rev. Wright "over the top"...God damn America is over the top? Okay.
Guilt by association? Ayers is a non repentant domestic terrorist. He obviously saw something he liked in Obama. So does Hamas, Farrahkhan, the volunteer with the Che Guevara flag, African dictators...they like something, hmmmmm, what could it be?
No, it's not about policy. Obama could not be elected as a democrat if he sayed what he really believed, so he has the by the book DNC policy. That should be a shock to nobody.
No, it's not policy, it is personal. I would never even consider voting for someone I know nothing about, and can learn nothing about because he has attack dogs calling me a racist for asking a question.
I went into this with an open mind. I am a lifelong democrat or independent. I have never voted for a Republican that I can remember, certainly did not vote for Bush, either one of them. I should be a democrat no matter what...after what I have seen and heard from the Republican party. It's astounding to me I would vote for a Republican, but I will.
I will vote for McCain because he is at least sane. He is at least a real person and not a creation. He is at least a grown man not trying to seek approval of a non-existant African father.
McCain is not a wild-card. Obama is.
Nice attempt at trying to discredit us again, Knowless...but it won't work. We know we are not stupid, we know we are not racists, we know what we are doing...and we will NOT be voting for Barack Obama...no matter what.