The Campaigns of Feel Good, Don’t Give up, and Find Victory

The 2008 presidential campaign is historical in many ways. For the first time an African-American and a woman have a good chance to be President. But the campaign is more than the candidates; it is also about what Americans see in the mirror.

I love that fact that Barak Obama exists. I love who he is. I love that he is fighting the rhetoric of blame and hate. Barak Obama feels good.

Until I actually listen to what he says.

Hillary sounds like a preacher, but Obama actually does. He lectures about working together, but when he picks up a fight, he lets loose on Canada. Canada!

If there is anything to learn from the latest brouhaha is that the other side always feels like a 'monster'. Demonizing the enemy is human nature. The trick is in the perceptions of a fair fight.

Hillary Clinton's message of 'I don't give up' resonates. It shows determination, tenacity, steel and a healthy dose of chutzpah – too bad they are a warrior traits and Hillary Clinton happens to be a woman and a democrat.

I - and I suspect most Americans - want to vote Democrat. I'm tired of social conservatism and the politics of fear. I want Change!

But I don't want government intervention and business bashing and more taxes. I want pragmatism, not idealism. I want socially conscience programs that won't bankrupt the future. Oh and there is that voting mess in Florida. In their rhetoric, the Democrats are loosing my vote.

If there is a true agent of change in this race it is John McCain. He has the history of a political rebel from political funding to bipartisanship. Many Democrats actually like him. Sadly, he's an old, white man with a temper and a Republican.

In a time when the economy is in trouble, the song of 'war against terror' sounds out of date. The problem with Iraq today is not why we went in but rather should we stay and for how long. To most of the world, and especially in the Middle East, the Iraq War smacks of imperialism. So what exactly are we winning? The Iraqi oil fields. A Democracy kidnapped by Islamic Fundamentalists. What? If McCain has a good answer, he will win. Otherwise, he won't.

So that's the choice. Barak Obama for feeling good but fighting with friends and cowing to enemies. Hillary Clinton for not giving up but not elevating either. And John McCain for an aging rebel leading the strayed. It least the campaign is interesting. Now that is Change.