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Alright, here it is for the world to hear, I’m a supporter of Hillary Clinton. But has the message of hope of Barack Obama given me a new choice, a new candidate, and a new hope for what The United States can be and should be? It is the message of Hope, and the inspiration that Obama brings, to a nation that has been stuck with eight years of a seemingly imperialistic president, that has me thinking and talking a new tone. If Obama as his supporters widely proclaim, is genuine, then a convert I am slowly becoming.

It is the audacity of hope that is slowly bringing me to his camp. Although not quite yet. The platforms of both campaigns are nearly identical, although they try to differentiate from one another. I’m concerned about bringing credibility back to The United States. Not only for the sake of the nation, but also for the sake of our own great nation, The Philippines.

We are allies in The United States, our ties with the great power has been close from the time I could remember. We have a constitution based on their system. We have a government structure that mimics theirs, although we aren’t Federal as of yet. And we even adopt the English language as if it were our own. The nation’s top newspaper is in English, and the method of instruction in higher education is in English.

The hope that Barack Obama brings is also a hope that we Filipinos can ride on. If the hope that Obama brings also means a better international policy, then we should all be in support of the senator.

If Hillary Clinton hopes to stave off the rise of Barack Obama, not only as a formidable political foe, but as a probable Democratic Nominee for The Presidency, then she must give inspiration a try as well. I’ve heard Hillary talk about policy, it’s substantial information. She’s very well versed, and very knowledgeable. But as pundits have said, and I am in agreement, she is lacking in something that may very well cost her the nomination, and that is of bringing to front her own message of inspiration.

Barack Obama’s wife in a recent interview has said that inspiration draws the people in, but it is the substance and actual hard work that will bring change to The United States, then it is clear that Hillary has forgotten about the crucial aspect of bringing people into her camp.

What brings voters into The Hillary camp is that of her name. Clinton. No amount of advertisement can change that. She’s a Clinton, and in the democratic circles, these days, that name alone is worth its weight in gold.

I myself, am a man of substance, and I need to hear the substance in the message. But even if a man such as myself, can be swayed by the message of Hope that Barack Obama gives to voters, then Hillary Clinton is in a deep hole.

Hillary, and let’s talk strategy here, needs to win Ohio and Texas. Two states worth 389 delegates. If Hillary cannot win these two states, then it may actually be the end for her. It’s premature. She’s ahead in the polls in both states. But I feel the tension. By the time March comes by, that lead may start to dwindle. I’ve seen how Barack Obama can swoop into states, and given enough time to meet the voters and preach his message of hope, the greater momentum he seems to acquire. The strategy of course is to stop the momentum, but how? And that my friends is the big question, it is the question that has been on the mind of The Clinton camp for a while now, and it may be a reason why two top staffers for her campaign were recently let go.

However, if it is hope and change that Obama is preaching. There is of course that annoying little person in me saying, “wait a minute”. Because for all the talk of change that Barack has spoken of, let’s make sure what kind of change. Barack Obama, so far as a Senator, has voted straight line democrat. He has seen the backing of the establishment, including Ted Kennedy and John Kerry. I wonder if the politicians who support him, are inspired by his message of change, frightened by his message and are trying to get on his good side, or see another politician that can be wielded into yet another politician of the establishment.

I am not a mind reader, all I can foresee is my own political leanings. And right now, that in itself is being questioned by no less than myself. By the time the month is through, I may be a convert and preaching the hope of Obama, and maybe even endorsing his candidacy. I’m not at that point yet. If Hillary doesn’t hurry, she may just lose the candidacy. And that would have been an audacious thing to say just months ago.

tags: 2008 elections, audacity of hope, barack obama, democratic race, hillary clinton