In a new Time poll, Senator Barack Obama fared better than Hillary Clinton in a matchup against the presumptive Republican nominee, John McCain. Obama can beat McCain because people, not just Democrats, but Independents and even some Republicans who wouldn't vote for Hillary if she were the only name on the ballot, will vote for Obama. Barack has proven he can with in the south, and in the red states of the heartland.
At rallys, Obama jokes about people he meets who whisper to them that they are Republicans but they support him.
"Barack," they say in hushed voices, "I'm a Republican, but I support you."
"Thank you," he whispers back. "Why are we whispering?"
Obama captured 48% of the vote in the theoretical match-up against McCain's 41%, the TIME poll reported, while Clinton and McCain would deadlock at 46% of the vote each.
This is important. Because Obama is more likely to capture the Independent vote and even some Republicans in the general election, he's got a better chance to beat McCain. And unless you happen to be a fan of George Bush, beating McCain is an absolute necessity.
Video Credit: jedreport
In this democracy of ours, people who have never known a president who is not a Bush or a Clinton will be voting for the first time. Their choices are a Clinton, Bush III (aka John McCain), and Barack Obama. Certainly Hillary Clinton would be a better President than John McCain. Where McCain's idea of diplomacy is to bomb, bomb, bomb Iran, Hillary will probably talk to them, eventually, although her vote on Kyl-Lieberman leaves one wondering. And where McCain is Bush's new BFF, Sen. Clinton's husband can only claim that of Bush I. Yes, of course Sen. Clinton would be a better President than Sen. McCain. If she could win. If she could convince voters there's a difference. That's a pretty big 'if'. Obama, on the other hand, clearly distinguishes himself from the Bush-McCain policies of pre-emptive war and economic failure. He doesn't want to bomb, bomb Iran, he wants to use diplomacy and sanctions, but will not rule out force as a last resort. As he explains in an NPR interview, "The military option is not the only option in the toolbox." People who are tired of wasting money and losing lives on wars that can be avoided know that an effective foreign policy strategy is the right combination of carrots and sticks, and that using diplomacy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sen. Clinton, who voted for the IWR and Kyl-Lieberman, can't claim a distinction from Sen. McCain when it comes to opposing Bush's failed policies.
Video Credit: bobaubin
In this primary season, we have to look beyond the names on the Democratic ballot to who can unite the country in November. Senator Kerry explains to WNYC's Brian Lehrer why Barack Obama has the best chance to beat John McCain in the general election
UPDATE: I saw this on CNN today, and just found it on youtube.
Video Credit: BarackObamadotcom
