BVDH The Blog will endorse a Democrat and a Republican for their respective nominations since BVDH is an avowed independent. The GOP endorsement will come shortly, but now it's time for the one on the democratic side.
After eight divisive years under President Bush, the United States needs change and hope for the future. In light of these needs, BVDH The Blog endorses Barack Obama for the democratic nomination for President. Barack Obama talks about a new majority--one of democrats, independents, and republicans--to heal America and make the country work again. He in incredibly uplifting and inspiring and these things are important despite HRC's arguments to the contrary. Obama excites people, especially young people who have not participated in the democratic process in the past and this is extremely important.
There are problems with Obama. Mainly, his lack of experience and lack of concrete plans for being President other than hope and change. But experience is not everything and past experience does not always translate into presidential success (see Bush, George W. and his successful years as Governor of Texas). He talks about fixing America's problems, but is short on the details. Despite these issues, his ability to energize, uplift, and bring new people into the process make him the strongest candidate on the democratic side.
Obama's two major opponents, John Edwards and Hillary Clinton (HRC) both have more experience, but both would be worse candidates in a general election and worse presidents. Why? HRC is extremely unpleasant, too calculating, and most importantly, unelectable. Too many Americans dislike HRC for her to be elected President. She would lose to any republican. John Edwards is a decent candidate, but he's old news. He has done nothing to make the American people support him since 2004 and at this point he's not a serious contender.
Obama could change American politics. He's not perfect and he still needs to flesh out his platform in detail, but he is the best on the Democratic side.