The weekend after the Texas debate, I saw Hillary Clinton on television losing her cool over Barack Obama's criticism of her health-care plan. I don't think that I will ever recover from the image of her looking a bit like a crazed televangelist, as she scolded, "Shame on you, Barack Obama!"
I don't know, maybe that scolding attitude is some kind of secret bonding process for women voters. Whatever its intent, I can tell you with confidence that it cost her the support of every male voter in the country who has ever encountered a scolding female teacher, wife, girlfriend, mother, sister, aunt or grandmother.
In response I can only monotone, "Shame on you, Hillary!"
I first met Bill Clinton 25 years ago, shortly after he was elected to his second term as governor of Arkansas. At the time, I was on the editorial board of The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, and I met Clinton when he traveled to Memphis to solicit support for his legislative initiatives. I wrote all the newspaper's editorials about Mississippi and probably half of the editorials about Arkansas, with the other half written by Jeff Katz, who is now with NPR. I wrote many editorials supporting Clinton's legislative initiatives, some of which tipped the balance in his favor, by virtue of the newspaper's considerable influence in Arkansas.
Oddly, as much as I wrote about Bill Clinton, I was never even aware of Hillary's existence until later in the 1980s, when one day I opened the newspaper and saw a striking photo of her sitting in the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, alone in the reconstructed bus that Rosa Parks had immortalized. I realized then that I shared something with Hillary: a passion for the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
As historic as this year's election is in its willingness to give a woman and an African American male a serious, first-ever shot at the presidency, its importance pales when compared with two looming challenges.
The first is whether, after decades of professing support of civil rights, Hillary will put her principles above her personal ambitions, and gracefully step aside to allow an African American to obtain the support of a united Democratic Party. It is a dilemma that every Boomer who supports equal rights for minorities has had to face at sometime or another. Are principles just words? Or are they actions?
The second is whether Boomers will allow Vietnam War vet John McCain a fair shot at the presidency. Now I'm going to say something that everyone knows in their heart, but no one seems willing to acknowledge. If they can help it, Boomers will never allow a pro-Vietnam Boomer to be elected president. George Bush received Boomer votes, but only because he hid out in the Texas National Guard during the war. Bill Clinton received Boomer votes precisely because he was against the Vietnam War. John Kerry, a Vietnam War hero, was defeated by Bush not because Boomers were out-voted or because he was "Swift boated," but because Boomers were uncomfortable with Kerry's service in Vietnam and sat out the election.
Neither of these challenges is fair. Up against any other primary candidate, Hillary Clinton would make history as the first female president. It is just her bad luck that Obama entered the race. However, by scolding Obama, long after it is obvious that she cannot win the nomination, she is betraying principles that have defined her life until this point, and she is revealing herself to be a slave to her ambitions. It is not a very attractive image, any more than her televised scold was an attractive image.
It would be unfair for Boomers to dismiss McCain simply because of his Vietnam service. If Boomers reject him, it should be because of current issues, not because of Vietnam.
About a decade ago, I wrote a book titled "Last Suppers." It was a collection of recipes and menus from famous people who were asked to share what they would choose for their "last supper." Bill Clinton was the first person I approached, and the first to respond—with a recipe for chicken enchiladas. Ironically, the president took the time to send the recipe at the apex of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Another person who gave me a recipe was McCain, who sent in his recipe for Arizona baked beans. Unlike Clinton, McCain generously offered to help me promote the book, knowing full well that I was on the other side of the Vietnam debate. I've liked him ever since.
Truthfully, this year's presidential election is the most exciting since Abraham Lincoln threw his rather large hat into the ring.
Faced with choosing between Hillary and Obama, I will put principle above ambition and pick Obama. Faced with choosing between Obama and McCain, I will put principle above all else.
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