It’s almost certain that one of these two will be the Democrat candidate and they both have something unique – Hillary would be the first female President; Obama would be the first black President. These are both factors that could get the voters behind these two – the only potential problem could be if Condoleeza Rice stands for the Republicans, as she’s both black and female. The question is: is America ready for a black or female (or both) president?
Barack Obama is not only topping the bestseller lists; he is also almost an overnight sensation, since announcing his possible interest in a presidential bid, running second to the New York senator in the latest round of public opinion polls for the 2008 Democratic nomination, having already passed the 2004 nominees, John Kerry and John Edwards, and the 2000 nominee, Al Gore, in the early standings for the 2008 race.
Is it bad news for Hillary?
Not necessarily, according to political experts. It’s bad news for the John, John and Al, not for Hillary: bad news that an unknown could pass them so easily; bad news that is a reflection of their weakness, as much as his strength. But Hillary? She’s in luck. Real competition is exactly what Hillary needs. Without Obama, what kind of competition does Hillary really face? If her opponents are that weak, how much do you gain by beating them? If Hillary’s goal is to become the president of the United States she needs to be in this tough fight against Obama to propel and prepare her for the big show down against the Republican candidate in the general election. And the same is true for Obama, he needs to be in a tough race to sharpen his national appeal and prove that he is a force to be reckoned with.
‘Hillary vs. Obama’ is a question that we at The Bridge decided to bring to our university community; all the responses we gathered favored Hillary in different variation and for different reasons?
“I think Hillary has a better chance of winning, Hillary has more experience than Obama, although Obama’s charisma and appeal cannot be discounted, by I think experience will ultimately prevail”, said Dr. William W. Riggs, Political Science Department Chairman. “If Hillary is the favorite against Obama that does not mean her nomination is a lock in, it is too early in the game not to consider an unknown candidate to come in and have a good showing in the primaries and possibly win the Democratic nomination,” Riggs added.
“Hillary will probably win because I think Obama is too young and to inexperienced to become president, I am not sure Senator Clinton can win the presidency because she’s too polarizing of a figure to become the next president of the United States,” said Dr. James A. Norris, associate professor in political science
“I think Hillary Clinton has the best chance to win because of her experience and national appeal and recognition, as opposed to Obama who is not as experienced and he is not well known at the national stage,” said Hilda Cavazos, a graduate political science/public administration student.
The presidential campaign has been a relatively polite affair in its early stages, but everyone knows that is not going to last; this race will take everything that both candidates have in their disposal to win, and history is in the making no matter which way it will ultimately swing.
Hillary vs. Obama is a race worth watching. That’s good for both of them; it means it will take a marathon, not a sprint, to do it. And from the looks of it they both have shown the political stamina to run that marathon and make it across the finish line right into the White House.