I am for Obama but think Hillary is an awesome woman and absolutely qualified.

[mirrera]

I just have to put this out... I am reading Hillary's memoir, and I so admire her. She is about 10 years older than I am, and has lived through such major changes.

To get to where she is is such a testament to her strength and character. Bill is the one who can't keep it in his pants, not her. The story of their love for each other is great, and if it were not for this once in a lifetime appearance of a candidate that for what ever reason is inspiring America to get off their collective asses and take part, she WOULD be our nominee.

She can not be held responsible for sticking with all the political people that she knows and has networked with since she was in college, but I believe she should have a major role in Obama's presidency. It breaks my heart that the timing is not right, and that once again so much that is wrong is driven by the stupidest of the right wing ideology. If they had not thrown so much tar at her we could at least be debating her merits instead of how much/many republicans hate her.

We are all so abused and shaken we just want a do over, a fresh look at what is possible at a time of planetary sickness. But Hillary deserves respect and admiration.

Her votes are inexcusable as are some of Obama's. Jim Webb just voted for immunity for Telecoms...?

I have to look at her resume and her upbringing, and her consistent fight for children's issues. She is her own person and put her career on a different path to be with the charismatic man she married. She is now being overshadowed by another during a historic run for the presidency.

Just the human side of her story ignites my compassion, and talk about someone you would want to have a beer with... lets cut her some slack.

[0007]

1. Holy gee willikers. I agree! But that's no reason to go overboard.

[YOY]

2. I think legacies are BS in a country where we tell our kids "anyone can be president."

n/t

[LuckyTheDog]

3. Agreed (nt)

[Mezzo]

4. You are a beacon of light in the storm...

I was in the Obama camp for a while, switched back and forth, and still pine for Edwards, but this stuff here has been truly over the top.

I just think that either way, the democratic party wins. We have two terrific candidates.

[paperbag_ princess]

5. for some things timing is never right

It is like waiting for the right time to have a child....timing will never be perfect...
but if it is worth it you make it happen!

There will never be an alignment of stars for a female candidate. It requires effort and support.

[SaveOurDemocracy]

7. Welcome to DU paperbag_princess!

:hi:

[Roxy66]

6. You hit the nail on the head for me...

I love her too. It's just too bad she has a contender that is so inspiratioal and historic...any other election year she would be our nominee. I want a woman President...I just hope in my lifetime we have another phenomenal woman running for President.

[ORDem]

8. FWIW: Huckabee's take on Clinton vs. Obama

From the Dallas Morning News:

"Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has a good line for everything, and he captured this week why Mrs. Clinton's claim to have superior command of policy misses the point. Said the Arkansas quipster: "The American people are not looking for someone who can fix a carburetor. They're looking for someone who can drive the car."

[UALRBSofL]

9. ORDem I know Huckabee's history from him being Arkansas governor

And he and the Clinton's were never really how I would say friends. He's so right wing that they would but heads on issues in Arkansas. That said, he's very honest in his christian devotions but he was never a great governor. And because the Clinton's and Huckabee butted heads in Arkansas I can understand why he would say that.

[yardwork]

15. Huck accidentally endorses Hillary with that comment.

The candidate who understands policy best is the candidate best able to "drive the car."

Huckabee, unlike Hillary and Obama, is stuck with a meager understanding of the nuts and bolts of governing and no understanding whatsoever of policy.

[Extend a Hand]

10. me too

[calmblueocean]

11. I wish there were more posts like this.

I disagree with Hillary in some areas, but she is a fighter with a keen intellect, courage, and stamina. The right wing hates her for precisely those reasons -- they've done their best to destroy her, and they've been unsuccessful. I think most people would buckle if they had to deal with 1% of the raw hate Hillary has had to deal with.

In my judgment, this year is not her year. Obama is an extraordinary talent who has tapped into the national mood, and I know that his campaign during the primaries is the one I want writ large over the nation when we nominate our candidate for president. But despite some of my major disagreements with her, it makes me sad to see people on our own side trying to destroy her.

[insanity]

12. I agree

We do have two candidates that would mop the floor with McCain, but in my humble opinion Obama is purely the better candidate and the person with the message to move the party forward.

[Forkboy]

13. Both can do the job, and do it better than many.

Unfortunately for me, I don't really support either one because I see them as merely slowing our lemming like rush to hurl humanity of a cliff from 100mph to 80mph.

You can probably tell the "hope" stuff hasn't worked on me. :)

[yardwork]

14. I am for Hillary but think Obama is an awesome man and absolutely qualified.

[Divernan]

16. Re: "her fighting for children's issues" - what about the cluster bombs?

The Senate voted on banning these horrifying weapons. Obama voted to ban them; Clinton voted against banning them.

You know what cluster bombs are, don't you? Those thousands and thousands of little ball-like weapons showered on Lebanon by the Israelis, and still maiming and killing civilians, including many children in Lebanon and other countries in which they were used.

Most are familiar with the work Princess Diana did to publicize the horrific injuries these weapons inflicted upon civilians, women, children, and how they continue to kill and maim long after a military conflict has been officially resolved. Those painted bright yellow particularly attract kids to pick them up. Would your grandchild pick up a pretty yellow ball if he found one?
Some interpret Clinton's vote against banning these inhumane weapons as an attempt to look militarily tough enough to lead a nation at war; others - particularly my Manhattan liberal (truly bona fide leftist) friends said the vote was more to keep from offending Clinton's pro-Israeli constituents/donors.

I'm politically active - personally and professionally. I understand that concessions must be made and triangulations are needed to win office. BUT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A MORAL LINE OVER WHICH THEY WILL NOT STEP - A COMPROMISE TOO FAR, SO TO SPEAK.

Add to that thought the fact that many have said they support Clinton for her work for women and children. Speaking as a woman and as a mother, let alone as a human being, and I am dead serious about this, I would cut off my hand before I pushed the button voting against a ban on these weapons.

If she wins the nomination, I will vote for her. But at the deepest emotional and psychological level, I no longer respect her.
A big talking point for Clinton supporters here on DU is "I support her for all the work she's done for women and children." I don't ever want to hear that crap claim again about someone who voted to support the continued use of cluster bombs in civilian areas. How any human being, how any woman, how any mother could vote in favor of those weapons, which have been condemned by the civilized world - leaves me stunned. It tells me that Senator Clinton has as cold and calculating a heart as I have ever heard of in an American politician.

Consider the actions of Princess Diana.
www.guardian.co.uk/society/gallery/2007/ju...
When Princess Diana tiptoed through a minefield she created an iconic image and helped secure a ban on the weapons, which had killed and maimed thousands. Now campaigners are working with her memorial charity to press for a ban on landmines’ successors, which are wreaking new devastation. Landmine Action say Diana’s name still opens doors worldwide and they hope her legacy will help them secure a ban on cluster bombs - which are wrecking lives in southern Lebanon a year after the war with Israel ended. Unexploded bombs have killed 249 people since the war ended and have left large swathes of the country a no-go area.

[Triana]

17. THANK YOU - nice post...I agree RE: Hillary (n/t)