How would the USA be diffrent if Obama gets elected Vs. Clinton?

[southernleftylady]

Just wondering how you see how the world would if one vs. the other got elected?

[papau]

1. It will be as Obama said it would be if elected -small steps w/ GOP support with great speeches

[DURHAM D]

3. Well - you got the great speeches part correct.

[papau]

19. Obama said he believed in small steps that are bipartisan - was he lying?

[DURHAM D]

21. Yes - he should of said -

"I don't really believe in anything but I want you to like me".

[aquart]

4. As opposed to any actual action.

[MNDemNY]

2. Both agents of status quo.

[EffieBlack]

5. If you have to ask . . .

[southernleftylady]

7. I'm trying to see how the differences break down in our own party..

I'm sorry do you want me to ask a question about the hand shake thing since that is the only thing that seems to get anyones attention today?

[EffieBlack]

22. Touche!

OK - here's my answer.

I don't think that, substantively, there is a huge difference between Obama and Clinton (or Edwards, for that matter). I think they would all be excellent on the issues we care about. They would work to improve economic conditions, especially for the poor and middle class, they would get us out of Iraq, they would appoint good judges, etc.

But I do think that they would each bring a different symbolism to the office - symbolism that is important to the nation. Electing a woman would have a powerful symbolism across the country and the world. I do think, however, that electing a black president, given the history of slavery and racial discrimination and degradation, would have an even more powerful symbolic impact - along the lines of Mandela's election in South Africa.

I'm not suggesting that this is a reason to vote for or against any of the candidates. People must judge for themselves how much weight - if any at all - symbolism should be given in their choice of president. But you asked what the difference would be.

[southernleftylady]

29. Thank you for your well thought out answer..

now that was much better than answering on one of those handshakegate questions wasn't it? ;)

[EffieBlack]

31. Oh, I don't know. I've been dying to answer a handshake question

I just haven't been able to shut my brain down long enough to do it . . .

[southernleftylady]

33. ok here is your chance... If you had to snub a handshake..

how would you do it? ;) and to who?

[EffieBlack]

37. Hmmmm . . .

I think I would turn away like Obama did.

But first, I'd get up right in her face so that my nose almost touches hers (but carefully ensuring that no actual contact takes place) and I'd yell "Oh HAIL NO! Don't even THINK about trying to shake my hand after what you just said to me!!!"

Then I'd put my hands on my hips and stare at her for a full 15 seconds, not saying a word, but doing my sister head thing.

THEN I'd turn away.

[southernleftylady]

38. Ok that made me laugh out loud.. thank you for that! lol

I needed that

[mrreowwr_kittty]

6. HRC will refuse to go after the BFEE

Just like WJC let everyone involved in Iran-Contra and BCCI off the hook.

Same as it ever was.

[onehandle]

15. None of the top three candidates will. nt

[mrreowwr_kittty]

17. We can be certain she won't. There's at least a glimmer of a chance with the other 2. nt

[onehandle]

23. No. Not at all.

Not even Edwards.

[emilyg]

20. None of them will.

[BeyondGeography]

8. Try open government, more ethics reform, special interest arguments exposed to the light of day

None of which would happen under the Restoration.

Oh, and a President who could connect with and inspire the American people. Another issue we wouldn't have to worry about under Hillary.

[Bake]

16. Right. Because I soooooo need to be inspired.

Actually, I'd rather see a strong economy, equal justice for all, and the US not tangled up in foreign wars. That would be inspiring. Much more so than a good speech.

Bake

[BeyondGeography]

18. Then you're a political dunce

A passionless technocrat will do nothing to build our numbers in Congress and consensus for change along progressive lines.

Someday, Democrats might actually understand what it takes to make the most out of the presidency.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

24. Someday, but apparently not now.

I'm afraid the Dems are going to go with the "safe" choice. The divisive, polarizing, scandal-plagued, down ticket race spoiler will be our nominee. And this is good because "we know what we're getting with her!" Ugh. :(

[BeyondGeography]

27. We've lost 7 of the last 10 presidential elections going that route

so the smart money agrees with you.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

32. I will never underestimate the ability of Democrats to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Of all the talent we have in the Democratic Party, WHY oh WHY do they pick the ONE person who will bring MORE Republicans to the polls than any other?

[Bake]

25. Typical false dichotomy.

I didn't say squat about a passionless technocrat. And if you think all it takes to makes Washington work is inspiration, then you, my friend, are the political dunce.

Bake

[BeyondGeography]

30. The real false dichotomy is you either inspire or you're strong on policy

Obama has more hands-on legislative achievements in his career than either Edwards or Clinton. But he looks good and gives a great speech so people fall into the trap of assuming he's somehow superficial on the issues.

It's never too late to read up and take the cap off.

[lvx35]

9. Well, here's my incredibly cynical take.

We're in for a big slow crash starting around 2010-2011. Its been a long time coming. Whoever is president at the time will take the blame and it will shape American Culture. If Obama is in, the ideas of change, youth and reconciliation will be blamed. If Hillary is in, the ideas of Dynasty, past politics and vengefulness will be blamed. Either of them would be as decent a president as we could want in those times, but what's coming is something bigger than what I think a president can stop.

[whatchamacallit]

10. Can't say how in the short term, but in the big picture

the US will become a much different country if either are elected.

[stillcool]

11. If I were to guess...

it would by synergy.

[AtomicKitten]

12. It would put an end to the Bush-Clinton family rule over America.

[Bake]

14. That really doesn't answer the question.

How would the NATION be different. We'd have a different President, of course. But the question was how would the nation be different?

Bake

[Vinca]

13. I think it will shake up the world to look at the United States and

see a man with African roots leading our nation. It will be the loudest message this country can send that change is, at long last, here. I'm thinking it might also change our relationships with Islamic countries toward the positive. On the domestic front, I think he gets it that we're hurting out here and I believe he genuinely wants to turn our lot in life around. Opponents say he's out for himself, but if he was he'd be a million dollar executive rather than a public servant. He didn't have to do this. In all fairness, I also believe the other 2 candidates also had a choice and have the best of intentions. In some ways it comes down to a quality you can't explain - a bit of magic - that doesn't happen very often in any area of life.

[blues90]

26. Who the hell would know ?

You can't predict these things until there is a winning candidate as president and they prove to be either who they claim to be or not .

At this point I would not hold my breath that anything will change anytime soon no matter who wins .

There are so many problems and so much to do people are looking for some kind of miracle to spring out of the sky and change everything .

[Kokonoe]

28. People will wake up with newfound self respect.

[robbedvoter]

34. Ponies, dude!

[mtnsnake]

35. Anyone who truly thinks there would be much of a difference is dreaming

The only difference I can think of is that Obama would probably have more Republicans in his cabinet than any other Democratic president before him.

Now if someone like Kucinich got elected, then yes, there would be a real difference. The world would truly become a better place for everyone...and safer.

[rucky]

36. Biggest differences are:

Bottom-up vs. Top-down leadership style. Obama will be more of a consensus-builder, and Hillary will be more of a policymaker.

Product vs. Process: Obama will set more ambitious goals into motion, Hillary will do what she knows can get done.