If this is it…

As we head into what may well be the final weekend of the 2008 race for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, a few thoughts…

It should be clear, I am in no way sounding the alarm.  I still have hope that this wave of "momentum" will come to a halt on Tuesday and common sense will prevail with Hillary winning Texas, Ohio and since the media seems hell bent on neglecting to mention them — I will — Rhode Island and Vermont as well.  Granted, I understand Texas and Ohio are the big prizes, but seriously would it hurt to at least mention the other two?

Getting back to the business at hand…I think it’s safe to say that this race has come down to what many of us (Hillary supporters) feared from the start — likability.  In my opinion, which just so happens to be the opinion of many — whether they admit it or not, people simply like Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton.  It has nothing to do with their policies — which granted are in line 80-85%.  Their differences on health care, the economy, and foreign policy are great, and for me therein lies the problem of this wave of "momentum."  Is it possible that Mr. Obama could make a good President?  Of course it is. I’m just sad that the best candidate may not have the opportunity to make her case.

Now I know how that sounds, but I’m honestly not being petty, nor am I contradicting myself. I’m simply stating that in my mind Hillary is the best candidate to lead this country in the post sad ass George Bush era, and that if people weren’t so caught up in the big crowds and speeches about change (and hope), which have had little to no real substance on how we get change other than voting for someone who hasn’t been in Washington for X number of years.   

And…for all that has been said in the past few weeks, the fact that Hillary raised some $35 million in the month of February, when EVERYONE who thinks they matter has said she is dead in the water, speaks volumes.  Clearly there are people who still believe she is the best candidate…and I am one of them.  Yes, Mr. Obama raised more money this month, but he is the front runner, no?  Wouldn’t it have been a bit of an embarrassment/sign of trouble had he not?  I’m just saying.

So here it comes…

As I’ve said on many occasions, this election isn’t a shoe-in for the Democrats. Anyone who thinks that way — after George Bush was elected not once, but twice — is simply naive. However, if come Wednesday morning when the dust has cleared signaling that the voters of Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island have join the chorus and given their delegates to Barack Obama, I will mostly likely stand down (and at that point I hope Hillary will as well) and get in line to support Mr. Obama because at the end of the day, the goal is to put a Democratic back in the White House.  That does not mean however that Mr. Obama will have secured my vote come November.  To that end he will still need to prove to me why I should cast that all important vote for him, as he will have to do for the millions of people who have voted for others during this primary season.

But that is then, and this is now. 

If you know anyone in Texas, Ohio, Vermont and/or Rhode Island get on the phone, tell them this election isn’t over and they have the opportunity and responsibility to stand up and say as much.  Let them know their vote counts and that it should be cast for the person who many of us still believe truly is the best candidate to lead this country — Hillary Rodham Clinton.