Ohio Debate ’08 Analysis

This was a very important debate. Key arguments and myths were brought to light. Candidate nick-picking was addressed. The debate was more than an opportunity to discover which candidate was better qualified to run America. This exchange approached a discussion about the serious undertones at play, which is race and gender.

All in all, Senator Clinton lost me.

To begin, it is significant that Senator Clinton moved into discussion that she had not been invited to comment on. It was a personal question about Senator Obama’s endorsement from Louis Farrakhan. The question was a chance for those who have been accusing Obama of being a separatist or radical to hear what he had to say about it, and Clinton wanted to draw blood. The hypocrisy of the entire argument about Obama’s religion and affiliations is that no other candidate who has declared to defend the United States and her sovereignty has needed to defend their religious beliefs. Obama’s repeated declarations as a Christian is sufficient and should have ended this argument long ago.

Farrakhan is not a Christian. Obama has also repeatedly stated that he neither shares nor endorses Farrakhan’s views, and this is not newsworthy either. However, the real feat is the ability of a leader who can bring people to the discussion table. In the Christian model, the table is open for discussion to anyone who will sit, but the endorsement only comes to things that are right. It was never significant that Farrakhan endorsed Obama. The character question is, “Who does Obama endorse?”

Thus far, Obama has continued to declare to fight for the average American, all-inclusive. This is the message that has propelled him to his super stardom status. People who fight that message are the ones who seem separatist and exclusive.

She seemed to echo the misperception that blacks do not want to be fully integrated into the US, and cannot seem to understand that remembering history is vastly different from having to continue to live new ostracisms and discriminations. Obama seems to understand that the constitution protects Americans, and all Americans have a place at the table, including those with varied ideologies. It was a divisive moment in the debate when she played the faith card. Obama ended up openly stating that he does not hate the Jewish community, and that he rejects Farrakhan’s statements. Maybe he does need a pillow to sit through her shenanigans.

As far as the first painful 16 minutes of the debate, the viewers had to endure an argument that no one knows anything about. Knowing our preferred candidate supports a universal health care plan is good, but no one has any details. The back and forth bickering was ridiculous and did nothing to help anyone. It was a waste of airtime and reminiscent of popular reality show tactics. And just when we smelled relief, Senator Clinton stopped the show because it was just too important an issue for her. The take-away message was that this is her only strength and she needed to dominate the debate with her one foothold.

What is debatable is how Clinton can be ready on day one as president when she is not ready for post-Super Tuesday. She has resorted to low blow politics and comic relief that doesn’t work. Before this debate I was feeling some compassion for her as the desperation eased into the overall picture, but now she’s simply losing respect. She seems to have forgotten that she is in the history books as a First Lady.

Clips of her patronizing Senator Obama for delivering his messages of hope were shown. I watched and wondered what she would have said about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. if she were campaigning in the 1960’s. I also watched her clips on the “Shame on you Obama” press conference. Well Hillary, I am disappointed. I’m just simply and completely disappointed.