I think Hillary and Obama want the same thing, but they're going at it differently.

[Ron Green]

I believe they both want a better country and a better world: Peace, sustainability, health care, a good safety net, thriving local communities, etc. And they both know that building a broad coalition in the center, dragged back after years on the far right, is what must happen.

However, Obama is committed to addressing conflict with collaborative methods, and to building on values that are shared by people of good will all across the political spectrum. Clinton, on the other hand, really doesn't get this. She responds to the same challenge by triangulating and pandering, by playing the same old-style politics and characterizing herself as "a fighter" who will go after "enemies."

To accept Obama's method is to give up some things, including the satisfaction of retaliation against the Delays, Norquists and Gingriches of the world. But the fact that Obama has been able to tell truths that we've not heard before from politicians, while staying (mostly) away from nasty slights and slurs, speaks volumes. Clinton, though, knows only the old way: Attack, show I'm tough, promise the people I'll fight for them.

I suggest that if there is a slim remaining chance to build a harmonious and sustainable world, the old way must die and we must alter politics accordingly.

[blm]

1. Hillary fights OTHER DEMS hard - she never fought Bush and Rove the last 7 years did she?

Where did you get the idea she fights? From her?

[Ron Green]

3. It's not my idea, it's how she characterizes herself.

I think she hit the ground running in 1993 with health care reform, but found out real quick about insurance company money, and I don't think she's been the same since.

[LSparkle]

2. Obama believes in the grassroots; HRC is top-down ...

I think it was Laura Flanders who once mentioned that anyone who's read
her books would recognize that HRC has a "ruling class" view of leadership,
that those who have risen through the ranks because of their unique
qualities, hard work, etc., are best suited to make decisions for the
rest (think SuperDelegates). Obama is more a believer in grassroots,
bottom-up leadership, believing in the people themselves to bring
about change, to come up with good ideas, and that their leaders should
represent them (SuperDelegates should go with the will of the people).

I think this election is the first real chance we've had to drive a
stake into the heart of the "old order" and to chart a new path. Fasten
your seatbelts ...

[bowens43]

4. Hillary wants power for hillary

At this point , she doesn't give a flying fuck about Peace, sustainability, health care, a good safety net, thriving local communities, etc.