anythings.org

Being a huge Hillary Clinton fan, it is only natural for people to assume that I will be voting for her in the upcoming California primary. I’m not going to lie - I love the Clintons. The whole family, actually. It’s a shame they didn’t have any sons or gay daughters, because I’d do anything to be a Clinton.

With that said, the upcoming Presidential election (that I have been waiting far too long for) is not as clear cut for me as it should be. I love Clinton and some of her policies. At the same time, I like some of Obama’s policies… and some of Edwards’s as well. When it comes to the 2008 election, I’m facing a bit of a problem: the Democratic candidates are all so solid that I’m not sure which one is most likely to take the White House on January 20, 2009.

Which brings me to the question: how big of a role will my vagina and my race play in 2008? Now, granted, I’m white - but not everyone in this country is. It’s impossible to say that gender and race won’t have any involvement in the upcoming election - because they will. Should I vote for Clinton because I’m a woman? Hey, solidarity sister! It sounds great: there is an opportunity for a strong Democratic woman to be President, and I’m all for it. But do her policies sway on the fence voters? Does she have a shot at beating whatever drone the Republicans dig up? Is she electable?

But I think the same of Edwards and Obama. Are they electable? Are their policies and opinions and extremely short track records enough to sway on the fence voters? And really - we have to bring it up - what about the Oprah factor? This celebrity stunt makes Obama appear to be a weak candidate when he’s not, and it makes him less appealing to me as a voter.

But Obama could be the candidate that takes it all. Goodness knows he’s got the support. And I do like some of his policies. But will his race hurt him? I hate to ask the question, but let’s face it, someone has to (and better it be someone who doesn’t care about race in “that way”). Will the crazy racist bastards that still inhabit our country make it impossible for him to be elected? And if he is elected, it’s not a matter of if someone will attempt an assassination, but how soon will an assassination attempt come. Obama’s race is a big deal for many American voters. Will this impact his ability to take back the White House?

Which leaves me with Obama and Clinton. While Clinton is using the other Clinton to draw attention to her campaign, I have less of a problem with this. Bill has been involved in politics for a very long time: him lending support to his wife in her election campaign is to be expected, since they share some of the same views on certain issues. But focusing on the issues, I am still torn between the three candidates. Who has the drive, funds, policies, and charisma to take the White House back from the evil clutches of the Republicans? Will my vagina become more important than my politics? Will I feel compelled to vote for Clinton just because she’s a woman? It’s a sticky web and it all comes down to who can beat the Republicans.

My biggest fear is that Clinton couldn’t do it because she’s a woman, and the chauvinistic pigs would do everything in their power to stop it. My second biggest fear is that Obama couldn’t do it because he’s black, and the ignorant racists would do everything in their power to stop it. My third - and final - fear is that Edwards lacks the experience to persuade on-the-fence voters our way. Who can do it? But beyond that, who will save us?

In an interesting side note, being born in 1985, if Clinton gets elected, there will have only been Bushes and Clintons in the office for my entire life span. Well, except for my first 4 years of life, which were governed by Reagan.