February 7, 2008

So, here's what the rest of the Hillary vs. Obama fight looks like:
With primaries scattered among the following two weeks in Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, Washington, Maryland, Virginia and Wisconsin the focus becomes the perception of momentum.

The Democratic nomination will certainly not be decided until March 4, what I'm calling "Super, Super Tuesday", when Ohio and Texas hold their primaries. Thus, the significance in winning the primaries leading up to that is to simply persuade Ohio and Texas voters of an advantage over the other.

In reality though, who holds (who appears to at least) the advantage in each issue? Our Hill, Barack & John ADVANTAGE should give us a peak into the future:

Economy: Not surprisingly, both candidates have attacked the Bush Administration's tax cuts for the wealthy. Their plans for replacing higher taxes on upper-income America are similar...the difference is that Americans remember the good ole' days when Bill Clinton was president and people ACTUALLY HAD MONEY. Not even that they had money, but that they were able to use credit and pay it back. Hillary has been able to capitalize on this perception of an economy-friendly candidate and coupled it with a promise to create jobs in finding alternative energy.
Advantage: Clinton.

Iraq: They both want to get the troops out now. They both have similar withdrawal deadlines to do so. HOWEVER, Obama voted against the war from the start, Clinton voted to authorize the 2003 invasion . America has shown appreciation for Obama's early vision that the war in Iraq...would suck.
Advantage: Obama.

Experience: Everyone's sick of hearing about it, but is it relevant? Obama is not necessarily unequipped to handle the oval office. He was a community organizer in Chicago, he worked within the legal system as a lawyer after attending Columbia University and he's been a senator for Illinois. The Clinton name is like the Wal-Mart of politics though. She has the political ties, the long voting record and Bill on her side.
Advantage: Clinton.

Environment: Although they both hold similar ideas, Obama has been more appealing to environmental groups. He scored the highest among Democratic candidates in a test that considered past voting records. He has a reputation of caring for the environment that has stuck to his presidential campaign.
Advantage: Obama.

Health Care: Up in the air really. Which will work better? Clinton proposes universal health care...but can the government really promise that? Obama wants to insure America's children and force employers to pick up the rest. That's great but...still...as Clinton said in a former debate...it's still not universal.
Advantage: Tie.

So, by the end it's Obama 2.5 and Hillary...2.5? Well ADVANTAGE...that doesn't really tell us crap does it?