I put Middle Earth Journal in hiatus in May of 2008 and moved to Newshoggers.
I temporarily reopened Middle Earth Journal when Newshoggers shut it's doors but I was invited to Participate at The Moderate Voice so Middle Earth Journal is once again in hiatus.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Over before it begins?

While I'm generally loathe to give any more unwarranted attention to Robert "Novacula" Novak, his recent column in the Chicago Sun-Times (not be confused with the Trib) highlights a popular meme which seems to be taking hold on both sides of the aisle. It seems to be such a "given" that Hillary will be the nominee that pundits are already speculating on who here veep running mate will be.
Anticipating that Sen. Hillary Clinton will clinch the Democratic presidential nomination, some supporters are beginning to argue against her choosing her principal rival -- Sen. Barack Obama -- for vice president.

They maintain Obama provides no general election help for Clinton. As an African-American from Illinois, he represents an ethnic group and a state already solidly in the Democratic column.

Clinton is putting in a strong performance, over my personal objections. There is no question of that. But does this mean that it's time to declare the Democratic primary over before the first vote is even cast? Capt. Ed seems to be near drawing the same conclusion.
With Hillary Clinton having just about wrapped up the Democratic nomination for president, speculation has begun on her choice of running mate. For a while, Barack Obama seemed the perfect choice, but his performance of late has tarnished his image and reminded people of his inexperience.

It's never too late for things to change, and do so quickly. I seem to remember a fellow by the name of Howard Dean was was "assured" the Democratic Nomination. Now he spends his days shouting at the ocean without any elected office title to his name.

But there is a danger in allowing the media and the various popular pundits to flaunt such assumptions. It certainly can affect people's perceptions. When the voting public is repeatedly told that Hillary has the nomination sewn up, they being to feel that way themselves and thoughts of putting up a spirited fight on the behalf of any other candidates start to lose steam.

I do not wish to see Hillary Clinton take the Democratic nomination, but if that is the wish of the members of her party nationally, so be it. But let us at least allow the process to play out. There are many candidates, each one deserving a fair chance in the public square to put their ideas on the table.

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