Thoughts on Junior Super Tuesday

Darn you Christianity Today!

"But when vigorous political discourse turns into bashing of public figures, it perpetuates a great lie: that they are merely the ideologies and symbols attached to them. When a candidate's ideology is mistaken for his or her personhood, it masks a crucial truth: that each person, no matter their political views, bears God's image and matters deeply to him.

While pundits see candidates as punching bags, evangelicals [Christians] are supposed to see candidates as, well, people."

Excellent words of truth that we should all be reminded of during this political season. I am just sorry it has to be said to Christians of all people.

Let me say that my problem with Hillary has to do with her lack of political integrity (ample evidence here), and I am not saying Obama is or will be perfect, but I trust his political character more than hers. A prime example is evident in her attempt to deal her way to the nomination via this big state win farce, Superdelegate conjoling, and trying to get MI and FL delegates seated. I don't have much faith in the Democratic leadership to bring the hammer down in the name of fair play and previously agreed upon contest parameters. Dean has already punted his leadership on this. Although enough Dems. understand how devastating giving the nomination to Hillary if Barack has the popular and delegate lead at the convention would be.

I feel good about Obama's chances (of course I do, he has simple math in his favor). Pennsylvania will be a difficult contest but he starts only twelve points down instead of twenty like he did in Ohio and Texas. I think he will learn from his mistakes in those states and won't repeat them in Pennsylvania. In clearer moments I think the continuation of the contest is good for him, because as the debates have made clear, I think he gets better and better as time goes on. I think she is going to overplay her aggressive hand. It's clear to me that she is still flailing about and looking for anything that lands.

Two things I hope he does (credit to The Field blog for these insights).

One, freshen up his stump speech. The press needs some different phrasing and color to comment on. Two, do a bus tour of Pennsylvania and bring the Obama crowds to these small towns between Philly and Pittsburgh so people can get a look at him themselves. This will be important considering how well known Hillary is compared to Barack.

Shout out BIG TIME to my little brother Ian (click link for his music site), who voted AND caucused in San Antonio for Obama. In fact he was elected as a delegate and will go to his County Convention March 29th.

Simplistically speaking I think this contest comes down to a generational argument within the Democratic party. Obama's supporters are telling the Hillary supporters that it's time for that generation to go. Busters vs. Boomers. Buster's have had enough of the Boomers having all the power. The boomer's have screwed up the environment, America's reputation, the economy and are seen as being hypocritical to their generations ideals coming out of the 60's. It's now time for the buster's to take the reigns.

The boomers are arguing that having hype and 'movements' aren't how the real world works. "Take it from us", they seem to be saying "we grew up in the 60's and all this movement crap isn't realistic. You have to annihilate your ideological opponents in order to advance your principles."

UPDATE:
Obama raised $55 million dollars in February with 90% of the donations being $100 or less. I am very proud to be associated with a campaign that can raise and manage money from the ground up. That is a lot of money to be sure, but when it comes from hundreds of thousands of small donations, I think it's inspiring.