January 4th, 2008 (11:36 am)
The results for the Iowa Caucus were posted last night. On the Democratic side, Obama beat out Clinton and Edwards, though the three split relatively evenly 30%/30%/30%. Huckabee easily dominated on the Republican side, with Romney coming in second and Thompson and McCain tied for third.
I'm still figuring out where I stand on both the Democratic and Republican sides. On the Dem side, Obama is very likable and extremely charismatic (his winner speech last night was stunning compared to everyone else on either side). But will he hold up? Can he win on drive, inspiration, and change even though he's lacking in experience compared to the rest? And try as I might, I have reservations about Hillary. Maybe it's because I was irked at how she inserted herself into NY to get the senator position. Maybe it's because she's very polarizing. Maybe it's because I'd rather see the first woman president get in with zero credit going to her ex-pres husband. And Edwards? Well he's always been rather meh to me, even back when he was campaigning with Kerry.
I'm disheartened to read so many comments on CNN about how Obama and Hillary are bad choices for the Dems because America won't elect a black man/woman and therefore the Dems should go with the safer Edwards choice. Does racism and sexism still exist in America? You betcha. But warning against and trying to downplay anyone who isn't a white male does absolutely nothing to correct this problem, it only panders to it.
On the Republican side I admit I've heard very little about Huckabee. Hell, every time I see his name I think "I *heart* Huckabees!!!" Heh. No immediate problems with Romney but I do take issue with Mormonism itself (thanks to its subtle and not so subtle anti-women, anti-minority stances). I've always been fond of McCain, but I don't know if he has it in him to get through elections again. Ron Paul, while big over on Slashdot, is too libertarian to have a chance. The only one I'd really have a problem with winning would be Giuliani. A doink when it comes to funding the arts (only "noncontroversial" art is worthy of funding, apparently), running almost entirely on a platform of "I ran NY during 9/11!", and an all around creepy looking guy. Yikes.
So I really don't have a strong stance regarding the candidates, outside of a few that I don't care for. Maybe NH on Tuesday will help narrow things down.