Hillary's 'Gumbo' is missing an ingredient...

[Whisp]

She seems incomplete to me in some ways. I've had that feeling about her for quite a while now, I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was, but that's it - she seems like she's missing something. She is intelligent and has many good qualities, but there's a gaping mysterious hole.

It was Donna Brazille on CNN last night that pegged it for me. She said that Clinton is like a good recipe for Gumbo, but with a very important ingredient left out - the spice or something.

What I think is missing in Hillary, is wisdom.

The kind you can see in a person, know it's there but can't really describe. I think Obama has that - I see that in him.
Hillary seems like she's a memorizer, a roter. She's very good at it, but it leaves me thinking she is not 'invested' in her words. That she doesn't even really believe them herself.

She also talks about the me and I far too much. It comes across as the story being about her - about her position and power and how she will wield it over subjects home and abroad.

I get a whole different sense with Obama - he includes everyone in his plans. He is on the sidelines watching us come together to make the changes all envision.

[hisownpetard]

1. K&R. I agree that she is highly intelligent and a good student. Great memorization skills.

For me, what's missing is conviction.

She can memorize and recite talking points on any subject, but it seems she can just as easily exchange one paragraph for another,
one theme for another, to accommodate what's currently needed in that space.

Conviction is the missing ingredient, for me.

[iconocrastic]

10. She's not very bright and has a consuming drive for power. What's missing?

[awoke_in_2003]

25. No matter what politician we are talking about,

I have one question, "Why in the world do we have to have so many pictures of them pointing?". I know, off topic, just a personal peeve.

[babylonsister]

2. He seems like the real deal, authentic, she doesn't. I honestly

think he's going to all this trouble because he CARES and wants to make our country and world better. She obviously cares, too, but it's that inevitability that annoyed me.

[Blue_Roses]

5. there's a warmness that I sense

when I watch Obama's body language. A sincerity that resonates. That is what is attracting so many. I genuinely believe he cares. I do believe Hillary cares too, however, her skin is thicker and she has a tendency to be cynical. I've always liked her and felt so sorry for her after Bill's shit, but watching these debates and the snide remarks, I see how quick she is to fly off the handle. She allows her emotions to rule her judgement.

I don't see this with Obama. There is an inner strength that he has that comes from a higher power.

You either have it or you don't.

[XemaSab]

19. Not to threadjack

but I can see how Obama critics can interpret his body language as arrogance.

I see it as a certain reservation in his character. He doesn't smile a lot, and that works to his advantage. When he does smile, it seems very genuine. It's the sincerity you're talking about, I think.

[Whisp]

6. I still get a creepy feeling of a shoe in mid air...

or a great surprise secret anvil poised over our heads.

But however this all turns out, Obama has made a great contribution to restoring the idea that is really is about us little people. We are so much more powerful than we think we are.

[polichick]

3. I heard Donna say this last night...

And, having lived in New Orleans and eaten my share of gumbo (both great and not quite there), I thought her comment was perfect!

[SteppingRazor]

4. I noticed that "I and me" vs. "we and us" thing early on...

obviously it's just a simple difference in rhetoric, but Obama's is definitely the more-welcoming style in this regard.

[polichick]

7. imo her reasons for running have more to do with an old drive inspired by...

...her demanding father than it does an authentic passion. The bio film about her shows how far back her dogged determination goes ~ but that's not the same as doing something out of passion.

[babylonsister]

8. Her husband might also have something to do with her

ambitions. He has apparently said for years that she'd be a good prez; maybe she believed his hype, and maybe, had she not listened to it, she might have appeared more effective than she does (to me, anyway).

[polichick]

11. Could be...

At the risk of sounding too new age, I can't help thinking that Hillary is learning some critical lesson with all this that will help her do incredible and fulfilling work in the future. She's so bright and talented ~ but imo needs to forget what the men in her life expect, and follow her heart.

[babylonsister]

13. Good post, and I agree. nt

[Whisp]

14. one of the things that turned me off of Hillary is the repeated 'strong' word.

To me that is playing the old game white boys club - (military) might is right story.
She spent far too much time trying to convince everyone she wasn't a 'wimp' and could kick ass as well as any man.

She had to convince people that she was as strong as all those other guys instead of finding her own inner strength, and projecting it in a positive way, not in a forceful and defensive, traditional way.

Obama has strength, he doesn't have to remind everyone. It's just there.

[polichick]

15. You're right...

Obama's strength is obvious and understated, and I suspect comes from a place of security. He once said that his mother thought he was THE BOMB ~ and that every kid needs at least one person who truly believes in him or her. He seems to know that he is loved and enough, and doesn't have to prove it.

In Hillary's bio film there's a story about her mother sending Hillary out to fight the bullies so that she could play with the boys, and another story about how impossible it was to impress her father, who always demanded more ~ so, rather than strength coming from a place of security and acceptance, she's always in combat mode.

I feel for Hillary, and hope that her future brings peace, fulfillment and respect.

[Whisp]

16. I will always look at her quite critically as a politician.

but, as you say, as a human being and being put to those challenges early in life, I am beginning to sympathize with her a bit.

Previously, my heart was totally blocked and ice cold on this - as I just couldn't get over some of the horrible things she condoned and went along with.

Now I see her more as a struggler, as we all are in some ways.

I too wish her a peaceful and full life.

[XemaSab]

20. Funny how many of our "losers" have gone on to be great men after their presidential ambitions end

Jimmy Carter. Gary Hart. Al Gore. Howard Dean.

[polichick]

22. Yeah, sometimes the journey we're on isn't the one we think we're on...

The Dems you mention took some wild and crazy rides, but ended up where their talents could best be expressed. Lucky for them ~ and for us!

[Catherine Vincent]

9. LOL!

Clinton gumbo or Obama gumbo?

[Whisp]

12. Obama is cookin'! ;)

[Whisp]

17. Kick

[fadedrose]

18. I think you hit the nail right on.....

It seems she doesn't think for herself but is a compilation of others' ideas. She sure can learn but can she come up with her own original thoughts and plans?

I wonder if the "big" people who support her are deviously trying to get Bill back into power.

[cooolandrew]

21. Yes, and wisdom is only really learning from mistakes. Barack shows he learns and evolves which can

which can only be good for the whitehouse.

[GumboYaYa]

23. It is the roux...I am an expert on these things

[awoke_in_2003]

24. Well, to be honest

I think she is missing the okra :)

[cbayer]

26. I think that vague thing you refer to is charisma.

And there is no question that Obama has tons of it. It is a very powerful force, can be used for good or evil and often causes people to follow without questioning. I am very wary of it, but that's from having blindly followed in the past, only to find out later that I didn't ask enough questions.

Gumbo, yummy. I miss New Orleans. Some people like seafood and some like chicken/andouille. But I don't like mine too spicy.