Let's Get Started - It is Time for the 2008 Presidential Campaign to Begin

Whatever happens happens. While I am reluctant to join the "pile-on", I have to agree with the Reverend Al, but, at this late point, for Senator Clinton to be declared the winner would result in the destruction of the Democratic party. So let's get started. In the past 2 elections against the GOP media onslaught, the Democrats put forward candidates who had the full support of all areas of the party. And then the candidates lost.

This time, we have two Democratic candidates who fundamentally would represent enormous change, change that is appropriate to the 21st century. Perhaps because of this, they have fought a tough, tough battle. The party is in ferment. I saw uncommitted superdelegate Donna Brazille arguing with Clinton-supporter Lanny Davis the other night and she could barely contain her anger. Clearly, the stage has now shifted. Regardless of the rhetoricality of "who would be the better candidate in the upcoming general election, " after Senator Obama's strong win in North Carolina and Senator Clinton's squeaking victory in Indiana, and whether it is now media and pundit weariness, or just the general sense that this arm wrestling has gone on long enough, after this last go round, reaching this point in the nominating process, and while it is still Senator Hillary Rodham Clintons' choice to make, it seems impossible for Senator Clinton to prevail. Even were it possible, a decision based solely on the superdelegates that bypasses the democratic nomination process as instituted in the primaries would be nothing short of a disaster for the party. Even supporters of Senator Clinton are battle weary by this point.

The common wisdom suggested that perhaps Senator Clinton is the stronger candidate from the perspective of that old timey, alligator-wrassling, thumb-in-your-eye, butt whupping contest that we have known as American politics up to this point. But in the current nominating process, among independents where they were allowed to vote, as well as among the Democratic party faithful, Senator Obama continues to do well, strategically pulling in the delegates required to maintain a victory margin. Like Senator Clinton, he has some wicked friends and has said some dumb things in unguarded moments. Amnd maybe when it comes down to the general election, the Republicans will use whatever old school, swift-boatin' dirty tricks and negative media that they can against Senator Obama. Maybe lofty rhetoric won't cut it. Maybe politics remains a series of pitched battles. Or maybe Senator Obama is right and people are tired of the politics of the past and are ready to try something new, waged on ideas and possibility instead of 2-party polarization and media blather. Maybe the incredible tension that the nominating process has stirred up will prove to be beneficial, battle-testing Senator Obama and giving voice to the reality that if not now, very soon, a woman will lead this country. I hope so, but I don't know for sure. No one does. But at this point, with all due respect to Senator Clinton, it seems clearer than ever that the primary process is over, and it is probably time to find out which course this country is ready to take.

Let the real 2008 Presidential campaign begin.