1 Boring Old Man

I’ll admit that Hillary Clinton’s campaign is getting to me. She sounds mean, and like a Republican. But, I’ll also admit that my own bias is a factor in that reaction. I just wandered the blogs looking for someone who was criticizing the behavior or statements of the candidate they were supporting. I think Obama’s responding to questions as "political distractions" as standing up to negative campaigning. But were I a Clinton supporter, I’d see him as being defensive and running from confrontation. I see Hillary as being hostile, piling on to any Rush Limbaugh like criticism that comes down the pike. If I supported her, I guess I’d see her as pointing out his weaknesses. I expect the logic is the "logic of spammers" who send these endless emails about enhancing manhood with an increasing variety of methods. They are obnoxious and drive us and our spam filters nuts, but they must get to a small percentage of people, because they just keep coming.

I keep thinking that if one of them stopped the negative campaigning, and even stopped talking about the negative campaigning, and even stopped running against the other one altogether and only talked about their own policies, the other one would fall in line. But it’s not going to happen, it seems. One thing for damned sure, both of these people really want to be President of the United States. And I suppose that’s a good thing.

It wasn’t why I settled on Obama, but I’ve got to admit that I’m in love with Michelle Obama. She was on Colbert the other night. In between her stumps for her husband, she was funny, quick-witted, a delightful person in all dimensions. I fully expect her to make some gaffes along the way. She’s certainly no wilting violet. But even with that, she’s a breath of fresh air.

Watching John Edwards on Colbert last night, I felt something of a twang. I like him. I’m afraid that being Kerry’s running mate make have marked him for extinction. I hope not. But the reason I’m prattling on is that I know who I want to run with Obama. It’s not Edwards. It’s the most junior of people, a 2006 electee who beat Lincoln Chaffee, one of the few sane Republicans – Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. He’s a former U.S. Attorney, but he’s on fire every time I’ve seen him. He’d be the perfect person to replace Dick Cheney, maybe even ferret out all that Cheney was up to. So, Whitehouse for Veep!