The Ties That Bind

Oh hell, politics. I've pulled back out.

I still support Obama, and I hope to get another chance to vote for him, but I'm just not as engaged as I was four, even two, months ago.

It's not that I don't care what happens in the Pennsylvania or North Carolina primaries. Or that I think the Democratic nomination should be tied up by now. In fact, I enjoy the back and forth, the debate, the Who-Has-The-Best-Plan-For-What-Major-Issue discussion, and the I-Could-Answer-The-Most-Important-Phone-Call-To-Ever-Exist political ads.

What I don't care for is the inner party back biting.

I think it's strange for people like me. People who have engaged in politics from a very early age. We know that politics a dirty job. We've lived it. We've worked it. And politicians say and do dirty things. We know this. But from the time my real life engagment with the Democratic Party began, I thought we were on the good side.

But, what I've seen for the past month is Hillary embrace the tactics of those who tried so hard to destroy her husband. I've seen her embrace the "character assassinations" that the 90s Clinton's, and the 90s Democrats, fought so hard against.

I see Hillary taking those tactics and employing them against an inspiring, thoughtful Democratic Party member. If Obama doesn't win, he, and I, and you, are still the future of this party. And Hillary is destroying my belief that the future can mean different tactics. That the future can mean discussion, not retaliation. The future can mean real issues, not who wears a flag lapel pin.

And, yes, I realize that I'm bias for Obama. I won't deny it. But, I'd hoped to be able to "pull the lever" for the Democratic candidate in the fall and feel good about it. Unfortunately for me, if my choice is Hillary Clinton, I won't be able to do that.

I suppose all I can really say is that my worst fears about the Clinton's have come true. It really is about power. I never thought I'd say it. I defended President Bill Clinton during the worst of times saying that his "marital character" didn't matter in the form of a president. Now I see the same people I defended destroying the young inspiration of our party over character "issues" for their own political gain.

It's clearer to me now more than ever. The Clinton's--both of them--are after power. And they'll do anything to get it.

It's not a sad day for Democratic politics. It's a new awakening. I just hope the Clinton's see it, too. You know why? Because I'm average American Joe. And I vote. Every time. And I'll vote for the next 60 years.

L.