Opinion: Dueling fundraisers gets readers thinking

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The recent news, broken here Sunday afternoon, that Hillary Clinton had lined up a bunch of prominent blacks in L.A. -- led by Magic Johnson -- to hold a September fundraiser to match the Barack Obama fundraising bash at Oprah Winfrey’s house ignited a revealing dialogue in the Comments column among their dueling supporters.

In many ways the back-and-forth comments of several dozen readers epitomizes in miniature the ongoing national quandary of the Democratic Party this election cycle. It desperately wants change from eight years of George W. Bush. But does Clinton represent change? She has already lived in the White House for eight years. Would it be Bill Clinton redux? Is being a woman sufficient change? Given her high negative ratings, can she even get elected?

Obama is a fresh face. That would be change. The problem with a fresh face is that it’s a fresh face, untested, inexperienced. Is being a state legislator and then a U.S. senator for two years sufficient experience to lead the nation in complex, tense times? Is being a first lady and traveling to UNICEF projects any kind of qualifying experience?

Was it establishment experience that got us into the current Iraq mess? Or would it be even worse now if the officials hadn’t had experience? Who would be more likely to attract independents or Republicans later? Do you oppose Hillary or Barack enough to skip voting or support a moderate Republican, if the party picks one?

Listen to some of these readers as they struggle:

‘All the so-called big names supporting Clinton are names from yesterday.’--Vwcat

‘Obama is just too dangerous to be entrusted with our national security and global affairs, as evidenced in his amateur and naive statements.’--Leo

‘The idea of either Obama or Clinton as president is scary to say the least...they really pander to the far left of even their own party and don’t come close to representing most Americans the way that Rudy Giuliani would.’--Joshua Penso

‘I like Obama. I just think he’s too green to be president.’--Angela

‘Experience means nothing once someone reaches the White House...the same experience that pulled us into the biggest foreign policy disaster in history, the same experience that made us want to nominate Kerry instead of Dean.’--Xcave

‘I can imagine how terribly hard the Clintons have fought for this. They coerce for endorsements and even pay for some. If she were a genuine front-runner, she won’t have to do all that.’--Sarah Jane

‘I would automatically vote against anyone endorsed by Oprah. She is a buffoon who knows nothing about public policy.’--Joel

‘The Democrat with the most experience is Joe Biden.’--Gizella

‘The key for me is the moral center of the candidate and I think Clinton has none. She ran for senator of a state she had never lived in so that she could run for president because her husband was, forgive me Clinton lovers, a real mess of an executive.’--John Schmor

‘I’m a Barack supporter that will vote Republican if Hillary is allowed to steal this election.’--Jimmie

‘Hillary’s foreign travel experience does not qualify as foreign policy experience. She is old news.’--Steve

‘Hillary the follower. Obama gets invited months prior to the Selma event and Clinton arm twists an invite to be there...Then Oprah announces a fundraiser for Obama, so Hillary has to look around for someone to host one for her the same week. She just can’t bear it.’--Citizen

‘Democrats take note: You will have to put up with another Republican president if you nominate lying, conniving Senator Clinton, because millions of Dems like myself WILL VOTE AGAINST HER in the general election.’--Grace Kelly

‘I am a Democrat who will vote for a Republican if Hillary is the nominee.’--Eugene Minter

‘I am a Democrat and I happen to like Barack Obama...But there is NO way Obama is ready for the presidency.’--Marilee Cramer-Smith

‘I’m not wild about Hillary, but she’s the best choice among the two. Edwards, as someone else said, comes across as a opportunist. I wish Gore would reconsider.’--Eve

‘Being a politician’s WIFE doesn’t make you experienced in foreign policy. nor does less than 8 years in the senate.’--Mia Perry

According to Irene Tsikitas of the National Journal’s Poll Track, Clinton has now built a 20-point lead on Obama nationally among registered Democrats. Nearly 60% believe Clinton has the ‘right experience to be president’ compared to 11% for Edwards and 9% for Obama. Interestingly, Clinton also leads Obama (40% to 27%) as the candidate who could bring needed change.

Statewide, however, Clinton, Edwards and Obama are in a dead-heat in Iowa, one reason perhaps why Clinton started her TV advertising there this week. Polls show her less likable than Obama, 34% to 31%.

This, of course, is what primary campaigns are all about, increasingly strenuous pre-season exhibition matches to see who has the substance, personality, speaking skills, quick mind, money and endurance to triumph by winning the nomination. That will happen officially in Denver for the Democrats a little more than a year from now. But the real answer comes this winter.

--Andrew Malcolm

(By the way, the Comments section is just below here. Feel free.)