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I Voted for Hillary Clinton

I voted for Hillary today in California. It was a difficult decision to make but in the end I agreed with Robin Morgan's refrain at the end of one of her pro-Hillary articles where she said "I am not voting for Hillary because she is a woman but because I am." Morgan reminded us how powerful Hilary's voice has been for women by inserting her adddress to the 1995 UN World Conference on Women in Beijing. Go to following adddress to read Clinton's speech. http://www.womensmediacenter.com/ex/020108.html. What male candidate could ever come near to voicing women's issues to the world as Hillary Clinton has. If Barack Obama is selected to run against the declared Republican candidate for President I will support his quest for the Presidency.

I voted for Hillary realizing that the younger generation of voters supporting Barack appears to think Obama is the answer to all their vision of what the future should be. Obama has been built up into a postmodern savior or Knight on a horse coming to rescue mankind (and I think I do mean mankind not humankind). He claims he has a new mindset that would keep us from ever engaging in another Iraq. This notion is very appealing to all of us who wish we lived in a different world. Yes, Obama was wiser on the original vote on Iraq but after the deed was done it appears he did not stick to his convictions completely voting for bills authorizing funds for the War after his initial opposition. Hillary is not perfect and I guess I trust the fact she appears to understand her own reality better than Obama understands his.

I voted for Hillary because I like her health care plan better than Barack's which is not universal but which he thinks will eventually cover everyone whereas Hillary would start out requiring coverage for all. I voted for Hillary not because I agree with every position she takes but because I think she will work hard to get the basic changes we need. Barack has not been specific. I am afraid of his no holds barred approach to politics. He is too eager to be all things to everybody. Barack says he wants to reach out across the aisle but does not explain what his love fest with Republicans will mean for us in the long run. Hillary is more realistic and though she will work with Republicans as she has in the past, she is not setting herself up for unrealistic outcomes and compromise. I also voted for her because I just like her better than Obama. She has been through a lot and still has overcome and thrived. Yes, I think Obama has not been tested enough but I do hope my fears are unjustified and that if Obama wins in the long run, the dreams of millions supporting him will be realized.

I am not dreaming or standing on principle. If I were, I would have voted for Dennis Kucinich who was on the California ballot. I want my vote to make a difference. I voted for Hillary because I think I will get what I see. She will get our troops out of Iraq same as Obama has also promised. She makes no promises she thinks she cannot keep. If enough old women like me voted for Hillary, it will make a difference. I think she will stand up for us. We are people too and do want a better future. I think our votes are more radical than the younger people who support Obama will ever understand. It is a funny feeling, me, a former MLK groupie, anti-Vietnam War protester, Lesbian rights activist being seen as middle of the road and out of step. I am not out of step. It is a woman thing. And it is our time, way past our time, for all women, young and old.

Sharon Raphael

Violence in Kenya

What is happening in Kenya which since the fifties has been a stable country with a democratically elected government is a terrible tragedy. Hired thugs are killing people, hacking them to death. The U.S. has a long history of good relations and cooperation with Kenya. Many Kenyans have been educated in the United States including Obama's deceased father. These killilng are fueled by inter ethnic (tribal) tensions but primarily a result of the recent elections. Kibaki remains in power but is not on top of the situation, has become invisible, showing no leadership while violence reigns. Many think the elections were fixed. There are calls for Kibaki to step down and give the reigns to either the military or Odinga the opposition leader. I don't understand why the outside world is so indifferent to the misery happening in Kenya. Of course, we haven't done anything about Darfur either. I don't claim to understand African politics or history but those who do should be offering some kind of solutions. One radio personality from Kenya said the violence would stop, when the politicians or their stooges stopped paying the thugs to kill people. Intervention of some kind seems warranted. The crisis in Kenya is worsening day by day.

John Edwards would be a great Attorney General

I think Hillary Clinton if she wins should appoint John Edwards for Attorney General. I know the rumour is out that he should have same job in a Barack Obama administration.

Hillary Wins Big in Florida: The Votes Don't Count

Hillary wins Florida, though the votes don't count, the put downs keep coming in for instance, some of the headlines and pundits are calling the vote in Florida "a beauty contest". Obama's campaign manager, supposedly tongue in cheek, called the results a tie 0 for Clinton 0 for Obama. Chris Matthews continued his put down of Hillary showing his amusement by the fact that Hillary appeared at a party held in her behalf as a result of the Florida outcome. The fact is the vote count in Florida putting at least 20 points ahead of Obama at last count, shows she is doing well in a State with a diverse population with many urban, suburban, and rural areas. Hillary is also bound to take California, another diverse state.* Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Obama was a big event but probably not enough of a elevator ride to change what will be the outcome of the primary election and most likely the general election too that will result in the first woman being elected President of the United States.

And guess what Chris Matthews, you will never see it coming and never report it as it develops but it is undeniable that women will come out from every hamlet and place in America to support another sister who they can see is competitive enough, up to the task and beyond the capabilities of most men who have tried to be elected to the highest position in the land. And that's the way I see it. Chris Matthews and men like you, stop your sneering long enough and you too might actually see what's coming. Be amazed. Behold. A Woman is Coming and you will have to cover her almost every day for the next 8 years. Perhaps, by then, you won't have a job because over half of your viewership will have stopped watching you realizing how irrelevant you are.

Hillary came on the air while I ws writing to say she will attempt to get the votes to count in Florida. She said Florida is an important state as we can all testify from the last election and all the Dem votes should be counted. How this will happen within Democratic Party circles I have no idea. I am sure Obama forces will fight for the opposite outcome. Keep your eyes on this development. In any case, Hillary looked so good tonight. I think she is catching on. This is a turning point for her. I know
something is happening within me. The idea of her and the image of her in the White House means something to me.

the vision of Hillary in the White House is moving and I am way left of Hillary. Something is definitely happening. I liked when Hillary said she will be a President who will be concerned about what is happening in every home. (paraprasing) She will have her eyes on what is happening at homes throughout this country not like Bush and Cheney whose eyes are always on the profits of the great oil companies. (all this is paraphrased from her MSNBC interview tonight with Matthews and Obama. Matthews managed to contain himself but still persevered in his sexism by asking if she has reigned in her husband or some nonsense like that. She answered by saying she was in charge, yes, and that all spouses get passionate when campaigning for their spouses. I thought it was a gracious response, more than Matthew deserved and she thanked the All Mighty Matthews who ended the interview on that note.

*The only caveat here is that Florida has more 65+ residents than many other states including California. Hillary will have to make sure she reaches deep into the youth vote to assure herself of the edge in the California and other elections. She is alredy doing this with the African American vote. She need to get enough votes from every segment of the population to make a difference. And she knows that.

Obama Turns His Back on Hillary

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., greets Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., back to camera, as fellow hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. turns away before President Bush's the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress, Monday Jan. 28, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Is this an angry, arrogant man or what? At least Hillary had the grace to shake Ted Kennedy's hand and she probably would have done the same with Obama.

SRaphael

After Bush's State Of the Union, Obama is Seen On TV News Shows but not Clinton

After Bush's numbingly boring State of the Union speech 08, Obama is interviewed by Olberman on MSNBC and appears on CNN. Barack is asked about Senator Ted Kennedy's "anointment" of him to be the Democratic standard bearer for President. Brian Williams mentions that he asked Hillary Clinton questions about Bill Clinton's future role in the campaign. Brian says "she is not having any of it". After that, it became quite apparent that Senator Clinton would not/did not appear on either of the two above mentioned major TV news shows. I understand why the disappearing act as she would have only been barraged with questions about Bill's campaign tactics which the press interpreted as very demeaning of Barack, their new savior on their newly found frontier of politics which they see Barack as inheriting from the Kennedy era.

I think it was a smart move on Hillary's part not to appear as the whole focus was not on her but on her husband which I feel would not have benefited her in any way. It would have been in her view I believe a waste of time and I agree with that sentiment fully, although obviously I am just second guessing this non news event. Perhaps, Hillary can use this bias of the media to her advantage. Next time she comes on the air which I suspect would be soon, she can blast the male idiots for their extreme bias against her. They obviously are not taking her seriously. All they want to do is gossip about what Bill did or said or what he meant. I think much too much is being made of the Bill thing. The media would have distorted whatever he said or did not say as they are just waiting for a chance to see him slip. It might be a good idea for Bill to take a break or maybe better for him to come back with an assault of his own against these obssessive anti-woman, anti-Hillary male interrogators i.e. Chris Matthews and Brian Williams. Have I left anyone out?