Reply #45: Some big, consequential differences, in my opinion. [View All]

[DLnyc]

1. On energy policy, Obama has come out clearly for investing in solar and wind technologies, which both creates jobs and moves us into a sustainable energy future. My sense is that Clinton's energy policy would be more likely to pander to coal and corporate agriculture, providing neither new jobs nor sustainable energy (but, to be fair, good for votes in WV).

2. Obama's speech on the Americas two days ago outlined a foreign policy there that focuses on improving economic conditions for the poor as well as encouraging democratic forms of government. Also, he emphasized partnership instead of bullying. The foreign policy in SA and Latin America I would expect from Clinton, based on her advisors, would instead continue to focus on funding right-wing governments like Columbia's and emphasize protecting US and multinational banking interests at the expense of the economic well-being of ordinary South and Latin Americans.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x136736

3. Obama has promised a confident approach to international relations that would emphasize dialog and real diplomacy. Clinton has mostly focused on how 'tough' she would be, a dangerous approach and too much like the current one, in my opinion.
http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4940

4. In the style of his campaign, as well as his statements and his life choices, it seems to me Obama would work 'bottom-up' and emphasize motivating and empowering the American people to drive real change, whereas Clinton would probably work in a top-down manner, deciding what she (and the powerful interests that she is quite tangled up with) thinks is best and then using power and ad campaigns to convince people that is the right thing to do.

5. In his approach, Obama has already encouraged many people to try to bridge some of gaps which have, for a long long time, kept Americans divided and easily manipulated. Clinton, on the other hand, both before this campaign and during it, has consistently exacerbated tensions and fears.

All in all, I think Obama will be a great president, Hillary would be an okay president and McCaint would be absolutely fucking disastrous puppet-like clueless nonentity who should not be allowed to even LOOK at the White House, let alone enter it.

(For my 1000th post, by the way.)