Monster

I have given Barack Obama a lot of static this presidential primary season. As a black man I have to confess that if all things were equal I would vote for a black candidate if given the option. But most importantly, all things must be equal or at least in the black candidates favor. However, Senator Obama has not impressed me as a presidential candidate. Although many people in the black community readily embrace him, and many others in the black community are ready to dismiss him for whatever odd reason, he’s not black enough, his mother was white so he’s not fully black, he needs more experience, he’s too skinny, or whatever, I have stayed rather lukewarm over the entire presidential race.

I also have to admit to some dismay that the presidential race has dwindled down to a choice between Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The most important issue to me these days is the national disenfranchisement of the black community. John Edwards actually gave me the impression that he understood this fact more than Mr. Obama or Ms. Clinton did. The most glaring example of this fact is the way both of these candidates approach the issue of universal healthcare. Neither one is thinking to change the system so that the incentive the insurers have to deny care for the public is no longer an issue. Both of these candidates want to make so called affordable insurance of healthcare the crux of the issue. But as long as somebody is able to make a profit the system it will be too expensive and there will always be an incentive to turn people down in order to make money. No one wants to venture the idea of expanding Medicaid to cover the population. That would be too socially responsible for this nation that spends a trillion dollars a year on socialized defense.

Ever since the Bush administration took over the chores at the White House the black community has come out on the shitty end of the stick. There may be little difference between what the Republican Party does when it’s in control of this government compared to the Democratic Party. But what little difference there is appears to be enough to make the vast majority of the black community shiver in fear to see another four years of Republican policy. Senator John McCain is promising to keep the fight going in Iraq does nothing but send chills up and down my spine. The commercials referring to Mr. McCain as McSame are more appropriate than the creators of this advertising slogan may ever realize. So it really has come down to a choice between Mr. Obama and Ms. Clinton in my book. In all honesty Mitt Romney, Mike Hucklebee, Fred “Confederate Flag Lover” Thompson, and Rudy Giuliani were never a more palatable Republican option.

Things began to change in recent weeks. When Ms. Clinton was the front runner she pretty much dismissed Mr. Obama as a serious threat. And because he wasn’t seen as a threat he was able to actually build a coalition of the voting in the virtual political shadows. Mr. Obama actually caught up to Ms. Clinton in the delegate count and then surpassed her. His campaign never passed on an opportunity to fight for delegates in any state. It would have been nice if Mr. Obama took the same approach to taking every opportunity to fight for black votes with as much vigor. Hillary Clinton actually found the time to appear on the State of the Black Union. It would have helped me felt better about him if he also made an appearance. But Mr. Obama felt he was needed elsewhere. Too bad. My disconnect from Mr. Obama grew even wider, black man to black man.

But then after a string of eleven Obama victories, Ms. Clinton and her gang began to dig down dirty in the fight for Democratic delegates. There is no politician with the possible exception of Jimmy Carter that can say without a doubt that they do not have skeletons in their closet. So stooping to dirt slinging is a fine example of hypocrisy. Digging for things that don’t matter in an attempt to call into question the character of her Democratic rival is pretty low and will turn off many voters. Mr. Obama dressed like a Muslim with he visited a Muslim country. Truly petty. Mr. Obama bought a house from Tony Rezko. This from the people who complained about the scrutiny into their Whitewater real estate deal from Kenneth Starr. Mr. Obama doesn’t have the executive experience Ms. Clinton gained while she was married to the President. If that’s the case then Monica Lewinsky should probably be Ms. Clinton’s most qualified running mate.

But instead, Ms. Clinton says that if the people vote for her she would be willing to ask Mr. Obama to be her running mate. That’s rather arrogant. Mr. Obama has won more delegates, has won more states, has won more populace votes, has raised more money, and has inspired more people. Yet, Hillary Clinton feels gracious enough to offer Mr. Obama, who for all practical purposes is in first place, second place if he would just concede. More evidence of white supremacy with a white person thinking that a black person needs to take a step back and the white person’s coattails in order to look more acceptable to the public.

The combination of her getting dirty was a big downer for me. It is not tough. It is the typical political tactic when things are looking dark. And the sad thing is it works. People say they don’t like it when a candidate uses dirty methods to win. But it works each and every time. Ms. Clinton told people that she is more qualified to answer that phone in the White House at three in the morning while Mr. Obama is too green to know what to do even though he was experienced enough not to approve of the Iraqi war campaign. And if it was just a matter of experience then Senator John McSame would be the ideal candidate. And I pray to god that this country is spared another four more years of failed Republican policies.

I still cannot say whether or not Barack Obama would make the ideal President for my needs or those of the black community and therefore the country. But I am very sure that Ms. Clinton is not the person that I want to answer that phone at three in the morning, three in the afternoon, on the weekend, or on any holiday. She has proven that she would do anything to get the job. She would even compromise her principles and turn her back on a fellow Democrat in the race to the White House. If she wins the Democratic nomination she would then have to turn back around and ask Mr. Obama for his support in facing the Republicans. She would have to ask for my support. And I’m sorry but between these two candidates, I don’t think she’s the best person to represent me or my needs. She would be more apt to turn around and bite the hands that vote for her. Such behavior would be typical of monsters.