Election Hangover

After Tuesday's primary election in Wisconsin, where Obama won handily, Hillary is in need of some serious momentum. Hence today's editorial cartoon.

This idea actually was inspired by Jason Stein, a reporter at the State Journal, and I think it works well considering the weather and the political winds. I'll buy him a beer at some point for suggesting I draw Hillary stuck in the snow (the bus was a Phil Hands original idea).

I'm starting to actually feel sorry for Hillary. I didn't vote for her, but I'm starting to feel sorry for her. I saw her speak in Madison the other night and she was somewhat impressive. She's definitely qualified and has a deep and strong understanding the of the issues.

But there's a serious problem with Hillary, and it's not her fault. I don't have any scientific data to back this up, (and I'm not sure if you could even gather such data), but I imagine that about 15 to 25 percent of American's vehemently hate Hillary. They simply hate her. They are Republicans, Democrats, independents, men and women, black and white, and they hate her. They refer to her as "the bitch." Often they can't explain why they hate her, they don't need a reason. Hating her is reason enough.

Liberals didn't like George W. Bush when he took office in January 2001. They were upset about Florida, and mad that Gore had lost, but most people didn't know enough about W. to fundamentally hate him.

Hillary's had over 15 years in the public sphere for people to develop and irrational aversion to her.

She might be ready for the oval office on Day 1, but she'll also be hated on Day 1.

I'm not entirely sure how effective a president can be when he/she is hated on day 1. I think Nixon had enough years in the limelight to inspire some bonafide hatred amongst his consituents. It's possible that this very hatred led to his paranoia, which led to Watergate, which led to his downfall, which destroyed Americans' faith in our government and institutions. Some would argue that 30 years later, America still hasn't recovered from Nixon's presidency.

Will Hillary become the next Nixon. I doubt it. She already seems more mentally stable than "Tricky Dick." But it won't help unite the country in any common goals, whether that is Health care, education or a resolution to the war in Iraq.

But that's not why I didn't vote for Hillary. In the end I just think she's too darn liberal. That's the problem with being independent and moderate. Every candidate presents you with something you hate.

Election Day

Those of us in Wisconsin will have the chance to go the polls today and actually make a difference in a Democratic presidential primary. But when either Hillary or Obama winds up on top when the polls close this evening, the losing camp will undoubtedly be sore, and claim that is was some sort of "ism" that kept them from securing the nomination. Hence today's editorial cartoon.

It's a darn shame. We've come so far in America. We actually have a women and and a black man squaring off to take the nomination of a major political party. This means that for the first time in history the democratic party candidate WILL not be some old white guy (sorry John McCain).

But this also means that the runner up of the democratic primary WILL not be some old white guy, and the loser will likely play the race/gender card. That won't diminish the accomplishments of the 2008 election season, but it will leave a bad taste in the mouths of all of us who hoped we could move beyond the labels of gender and race.

Hopefully, I'm wrong and the either Hillary or Obama, will accept the will of the voters (let's hope the voters figure it out, so the super-delegates don't get the chance), and reject the temptation to play the victim.

As for me, I still don't know who I'm going to vote for today. Maybe I'll just avoid all the controversy and vote for McCain. Just don't tell anyone in Madison I said that.