Am I the only one who appreciates a hard fought primary?

[calmblueocean]

The primary is our chance to root out the weak campaigners from the strong ones, to get the dirty laundry out and in the open before the Republicans do it, to see how hard each candidate can hit, and how quickly each candidate can get on their feet and hit back.

I've been impressed by both of our remaining contenders. Obama has responded as quick as lightning to any attack, whether by Hillary or McCain. Hillary's tenaciousness impresses me, too. Not because I like to see her slicing away at Obama, but because if she's the nominee, those knives will be turned full-force against McCain in the general.

That's the whole point of the primary. To make our candidates better, and to make sure we choose the best. If Obama gets seriously wounded by the velvet barbs Hillary's throwing at him now, he shouldn't be the one representing us in the general election. And if Hillary can't dent Obama's momentum, then she shouldn't be the nominee. Whoever wants to go up against McCain has to earn that opportunity, and you don't earn it by being nice. You earn it by defeating your opponents.

Is it an ugly business? Sometimes. But politics is a surrogate for war. It's a surrogate for violence. Candidates fight like lives are in the balance because lives are in the balance. We just use words instead of weapons. We shouldn't expect only handshakes and hugs.

For a while, a few months ago, I was thinking Hillary was going to let this nomination slip away from her without ever really testing Obama, without ever really stabbing at his weak spots and making him defend them. And the idea made me angry, because I felt that Hillary wasn't doing her job. Now she is. I feel better about Obama as a candidate today than I did back then, more confident, thanks to Hillary.

And I feel better about Hillary as a candidate, too. If she actually succeeds in throwing the brakes on the Obama freight train, then I will lick my chops in anticipation of her derailment of the Double-Talk Express.

The voters will decide though. Or at least that's what I believe. At any rate, so far, I see nothing to complain about. Just two strong candidates, trading blows. The way they ought to. And making the ultimate nominee the stronger for it.

[PassingFair]

1. No, I'm in your club, too.

I LOVE it that voters all across the country
are having a DETERMINING say in who will be
our President!

Viva Howard Dean!

[casus belli]

2. "But politics is a surrogate for war."

You know, historically, there's a lot of truth to this. And in all honesty, as messy as this campaign has gotten or could get, it really is nothing when held up against the fact that there are soldiers, civilian men, women and children dying every day in Iraq. While we parse words, there are orphans being created here at home and abroad every day.

I just wish we could do a better job of focusing our ire on where it belongs. Complete disgust and disdain for this War and its cheerleaders, and for the companies who have made a business profiteering from death.

All the best to you...

[Bucky]

3. Well said.

People in Texas haven't been this pumped up about an election since I've been voting. We'll have an excellent and well prepared November ground game ready throughout the country because people got to matter in the nomination decision this year.

Yes, the long primary season has been great for the Democrats. We'll be a better adn stronger party in the fall because of it.

[Skittles]

4. I LOVE IT

finally in Texas we get to have a say - a pox on all you naysayers wanting people to drop out!!!!!!!!

[Joyce78]

5. I agree ...

Senator Clinton is proving she's a tough leader ... I'm a female Buckeye and she certainly will be getting my vote. It's very hard to believe in the electoral process in Ohio as well as in Florida. It's been an absolute mess in Ohio for years, and they still haven't resolved the problems.

[JimGinPA]

8. Not To Be Snarky, But What Exactly Has She Ever "Lead"?

How can she be proving to be a "tough leader" when the only thing she's ever lead has been her disorganized campaign?

[spag68]

13. Obviously

you do not live in NY, or you would know.

[sandnsea]

6. I don't want to elect a liar, vote suppressor and race baiter

I'm stunned that any Democrat does. That's sleazy politics, not "hard fought" politics. I don't want any more of it, I'm sick of lying corrupt politicians.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

10. Well said.

[NastyRiffraff]

7. I love this!

the primary process itself, particularly this one; not the hatred and vitrol that's been spewed by some on DU.

A primary should indeed be a vetting process, kind of like a first interview. Ideally the strongest candidate will emerge...not necessarlly the smartest, not even the best politician, but the one who has the best chance at winning the GE.

It's not a perfect process; indeed it's badly flawed because it seems more like a marketing campaign than anything else. However, it's he best we have right now, so I'm enjoying it!

[WCGreen]

9. Well stated,,,,

Recommended...

[Gore1FL]

11. Every election day is like the Super Bowl to me

I feed on this stuff.

I try to be reasonable about it here to. I have called out bizzaro world statements from both Obama and Hillary supporters.

I am an Edwards refuge who does, in fact lean towards Obama, but I am thrilled to see record turnouts supporting both candidates.

[Radical Activist]

12. Primaries are great. They're when we decide what we stand for as a party.

But they can go on too long. This one is over.