|
I believe they both want a better country and a better world: Peace, sustainability, health care, a good safety net, thriving local communities, etc. And they both know that building a broad coalition in the center, dragged back after years on the far right, is what must happen.
However, Obama is committed to addressing conflict with collaborative methods, and to building on values that are shared by people of good will all across the political spectrum. Clinton, on the other hand, really doesn't get this. She responds to the same challenge by triangulating and pandering, by playing the same old-style politics and characterizing herself as "a fighter" who will go after "enemies."
To accept Obama's method is to give up some things, including the satisfaction of retaliation against the Delays, Norquists and Gingriches of the world. But the fact that Obama has been able to tell truths that we've not heard before from politicians, while staying (mostly) away from nasty slights and slurs, speaks volumes. Clinton, though, knows only the old way: Attack, show I'm tough, promise the people I'll fight for them.
I suggest that if there is a slim remaining chance to build a harmonious and sustainable world, the old way must die and we must alter politics accordingly.
|