In reality, the case is much more complex. It is bound with issues of class and income. Those women who supported Hillary because of their feminist ideals and because of their firm belief in choice will easily support Obama as the other party clearly offers no viable alternative. But, many men and women who supported Hillary come from working class background. It will be much harder to persuade them that Obama will be just as good on issues dear to their hearts.
Not because Obama's proposed agenda is not as good as Hillary's, but because they still harbor a deeply entrenched, though hidden, resentment and distrust of the black man. This was clearly demonstrated in the most recent study by Stanford University: race will be a determining factor.
It is my firm belief that this group of Hillary supporters can be won by Obama if three things happen: They have an opportunity to relate to Obama on a more personal basis; Hillary intercedes frequently on Obama's behalf in speeches and political ads; and Bill Clinton, so worshipped and adored by the people, demonstrates that Obama, in spite of those deeply hidden suspicions otherwise, can deliver on the party's message and promise to the working people.
1 comment:
I disagree about the advisability of an Obama-Clinton ticket. The only purpose behind such a VP choice would be to appease those voters / win the election: the same thing we criticize McCain's choice for (appeasing the right wing base). So instead of having gossipy news items about Palin's fashionable choice in eyewear we'd have news items about Bill Clinton as first dude. Obama made a responsible choice: someone even more qualified than Hillary, someone whose presence on the ticket does not distract from the vital issues of the day, and also someone with whom he has good chemistry, someone he will work with well every day.
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