Home Subscribe Las Vegas Review-Journal
  Jobs Cars Homes Shopping Travel Weddings Golf Best of Las Vegas Photo   Search:

RECENT EDITIONS
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Opinion
Jan. 16, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: Obama best choice for Democrats

Or do they prefer a re-run of 'It came from Little Rock'?

As state Democrats prepare to hold their Saturday caucuses, cynical Republicans might well encourage them to choose Sen. Hillary Clinton, figuring her high "negatives" -- the unusual number of Americans who tell pollsters they'd never vote for her under any circumstances -- would virtually guarantee a GOP victory in the fall.

That's why it's a good thing for Democrats that freshman Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has managed to challenge the perception of Sen. Clinton's "inevitability."

The Clinton campaign cites Sen. Clinton's "experience." In fact, she's a one-term-plus-a-year senator whose lackluster legislative record rivals Sen. Obama's. Other than that, the "experience" in question must surely refer to her presence as a witness and enabler during her husband's presidential terms.

Suffice it to say there are dozens of issues that Americans happily dismissed as "water under the bridge" as the Clinton era came to a close, but which would quickly ensnare Sen. Clinton and her party in a presidential race that would soon look like a struggle to escape the La Brea tar pits.

Most Popular Stories
  • LETTERS: School administrators immune from cuts
  • LETTERS: Power bills high enough? Not for Harry
  • VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: Inching back up the path toward freedom
  • ERIN NEFF: A depressing spectacle in Carson City
  • LETTERS: All kids should be able to bring books home
  • EDITORIAL: Jobs for life?
  • LETTERS: Blame social promotion, grade inflation
  • EDITORIAL: Schools need reform -- but not my school
  • ERIN NEFF: Snippets from the special session
  • EDITORIAL: Fixing a boondoggle



    • For starters, imagine Sen. Clinton and "co-president" Bill Clinton invited onto a "This is Your Life" talk show where they're joined by Juanita Broaddrick, Kathleen Willey, Paula Jones, Gennifer Flowers and Monica Lewinsky.

    And that's before we even get around to a HillaryCare plan that could have sent you to jail for offering to pay your doctor in cash to "get to the head of the line."

    Meanwhile, John Edwards' anti-capitalist populism is not in this country's long-term best interests.

    Is Barack Obama, then, the ideal Democratic candidate for president? Hardly. His policy recommendations -- when he can be convinced to get any more specific than "I represent change" -- are the opposite of "change." They're old-line, welfare-state solutions that haven't spent enough time in the microwave to appear even superficially appetizing.

    Sen. Obama is a relatively young man with relatively little of the kind of real-world experience that prepares a candidate to stand firm against urgent advice to, say, bomb some remote population of defenseless civilians to "send a message," or plunge the economy into a dark night of unforeseen consequences by crippling the free market in the name of "fighting greed."

    But Barack Obama is, at least, likeable. He is a good enough orator that there is no need to cringe when he dares to speak off the cuff. He is a good politician, in the non-insulting sense that he knows how to speak to individual Americans and give them the feeling he cares about their concerns.

    As Nevada Democrats head to their caucuses Saturday, they might ask themselves whether they really want to spend two months later this year watching a re-run of the horror movie "It Came From Little Rock," with the sound turned up much too loud -- or if they'd rather make it a real contest this fall.

    If they prefer the latter, they're better off backing Barack Obama on Saturday.



    Leave Your Comment 205 Reader Comments
    Terms & Conditions
    The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsiblity of the authors. The reviewjournal.com does not review comments before publication nor guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by the comment policy. If you see a comment that violates the policy, please notify the web editor.

    Some comments may not display immediately due to an automatic filter. These comments will be reviewed within 48 hours. Please do not submit a comment more than once.
    Current Word Count:

    bug a boo wrote on July 02, 2008 08:43 AM: Everyone is getting swept up with almost a quantum energy for Obama..while I, a news junkie, am still trying to figure out who he is...and what he believes in.....Yes, I like hope and change..and don't want poor people to be poor ..but,, it's deeper than that..sometimes these cultural elitists leave their common sense at home and I can't figure if he is in this category...The press is too "nice" to him,,,


    Joanne Chartrand wrote on June 13, 2008 02:19 PM: BRAVO!!! to the staff of 7Eleven on LV.Blvd. for returning my ring lost May 24. Honest employees like Nicky & Jim are hard to retain or come by this day in age. Also thanks to the fine customer for turning it in amidst the donuts. This was my 3rd trip to Las Vegas and must mention the awesome staff at Bally's...next trip cannot come soon enought. I Love Las Vegas!!!!

    Joanne Chartrand

    Sudbury, Ontario, Canada


    Joanne Chartrand wrote on June 13, 2008 02:18 PM: BRAVO!!! to the staff of 7Eleven on LV.Blvd. for returning my ring lost May 24. Honest employees like Nicky & Jim are hard to retain or come by this day in age. Also thanks to the fine customer for turning it in amidst the donuts. This was my 3rd trip to Las Vegas and must mention the awesome staff at Bally's...next trip cannot come soon enought. I Love Las Vegas!!!!
    Joanne Chartrand
    Sudbury, Ontario, Canada


    jim wrote on March 22, 2008 07:47 PM: clinton & bomma arguing is out of hand ! that stuff does not relate to us . what it does relate to is getting a republican back into office . what does count is , is what they will do for me ( us ) . all else is burning their bridges be hind them . we dont give a damn about those unrelated facts noda . they better start getting to the point b4 its 2 late . republicans are now talking about presidential business and dems are arguing with each other . smart people being STUID !


    Abbas Wetaaka wrote on March 13, 2008 12:21 AM: The Democratic primary has brought out a long forgotten tradition in American politics. This tradition of hope and change was echoed by Abraham Lincolin.Obama is reechoing this theme with young voters picking up the the cue. Illinois is once again propelling the new politics that Americans need.We pray that extremists do not assasinate Obama in the style they did to Lincolin and Kennedy. Hearken my voie dear Americans!


    Art wrote on February 04, 2008 12:23 PM: No way, he is too young, needs more experince. Hill is the best of the two


    Eric Ho wrote on January 21, 2008 07:52 AM: Last year, I used to like Hillary because I liked what Bill did when he was president, and it would be a good change from Bush. After seeing Obama, I thought he was a better candidate because of his inspiration. Now...After couple of months, I absolutely support Obama. I hate the talk of experience, if it does not result in correct actions. I am disgusted by the irresponsible baseless accusations. Too bad I am not an American. Hehe...


    Vimes wrote on January 21, 2008 02:31 AM: A vote for Obama is vote for disaster.

    A vote for Romney or Paul is a vote for insanity.

    McCain and Clinton are the only two viable candidates in the election. And I will be voting for Clinton based solely on my belief that McCain doesn't understand International Politics to save his life.

    It has come down to who is more likable once again, something that has nothing to do with the ability to run the country.

    Well done America! Once again you have shown your true ignorance and apathy to important topics.


    Isaiah samson wrote on January 20, 2008 06:48 AM: Obama is the ideal man for the USA, the rest, Macain or any other all utter humbugs and power hungry ... they utter all nonsense. Obama is the man for all season and whole world.


    Cecil Jones wrote on January 19, 2008 10:18 PM: Change without hope predictably changes nothing. Hope that lacks the will to fight fails to win. Work without a change only yeilds the status quo. To change we must fight as "One" and hope our work begins.


    Read All Comments