Is There a Time Out in the Primary?

While I was charged up and excited about the Democratic primary campaign last month, I am starting to grow weary of it just a few short weeks later. I don't like all the nasty comments and rhetoric that is going on now. It is very unbecoming of both candidates. What was such a feeling of hopefulness for change and pride in my country four weeks ago, has now changed to dread and worry about how all this is going to work out. Two perfectly capable and qualified people whom I respected are now turning into ugly, spewing, boasting, one-upsman talking heads. I don't like it. I don't like it at all. We need a time out so that all of us can get off the spinning wheel and refocus. Let me off this ride!

The Problem With This Election

I have to admit that I am really having a good time observing how all this primary election stuff is playing out, but I do have a problem with it. It is confusing, and I am conflicted with myself about all of it as well. I started out liking Barack Obama, then I changed to Hillary Clinton because she seems more familiar, and she is a strong leader. Barack Obama seems like he is fresh and not stained by a long political career, but that is also what bothers me about him. He also seems very serious. Hillary Clinton, although I think she has been known to be a rather cold person, appears to be able to laugh at herself and really seems like a human; Obama seems like a robot to me. I am just so torn. I want change! Good heavens, how I want change. I am so looking forward to our country getting out from under President Bush's thumb that all I can think about is change. But, what kind of change do I want? A really radical, untested, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants change? The kind that I think Obama represents. Or, do I want a safer, calmer, softer sort of change that I think would come from Clinton? I wonder if the rest of the country feels as conflicted as I do? I suspect they do in the way the voting has been going. No one is ready to let go of either of the Democratic candidates. It sure would be easier if there was a clear choice!

The Mudslinging Begins

I knew this would happen sooner or later, but I just hate to see it happen. I am referring to the accusation by Senator Hillary Clinton that Senator Barack Obama plagiarized some of the material from his speeches. I don't like all the bickering and accusations and meanness that comes out of candidates during elections, but I think it is almost necessary. The Obama camp is sort of blowing off the accusations by saying "so what, I borrowed a few speech lines and ideas from my friend." Barack Obama might not think it's a big deal, and in the smaller picture, it may not be anything, but in the larger picture, it could make one pause before jumping onto the Obama bandwagon. Barack Obama also says that Hillary has borrowed words and phrases too. I am afraid that this is only the beginning of the picking and throwing that is going to go on until the Democratic nominee is picked. I guess we all need to remember that what we hear in the news and from either side of the race is not the whole story. We need to hear what accusations are being made and then do our own research before jumping to conclusions about either one of the candidates.