IN ORDER to understand which candidate will be the true "change agent," look at how the people who actually need change in their lives have voted so far.
According to CNN exit polls, of the 23 percent of primary voters with postgraduate degrees in New Hampshire, 43 percent of them support Sen. Barack Obama while only 31 percent voted for Sen. Hillary Clinton. Of those "very worried" about the economy, 40 percent voted for Clinton and 36 percent voted for Obama. It seems Obama has the most appeal to those most comfortable in the current economic situation. In other words, Obama supporters are those who can afford the risk his presidency would ultimately be, given his meager track record.
Sixty percent of voters age 18-24 voted for Obama. Of the voters 60 and older, 60 percent of them voted for Clinton. Falling in the younger age group, I hesitate to do anything but tout the importance of young people voting in huge numbers, which is healthy and vital for a robust democracy. But one must admit, while it might be nice to see fourteen-year-old girls waving signs for a candidate, certainly one would trust the judgment of people who had seen an election or two in their lifetimes and likely possess greater skill at separating the political wheat from the chaff. They likely can discern better the candidates ready to lead now and those who have a bright future -- eight of so years from now.
Wealthy white elites overwhelmingly endorse Obama. They see his candidacy as something cathartic for the nation, something to heal division between red and blue states, and as an end to political dynasties. Working class and lower middle class families, however, overwhelmingly support Clinton. They hear her talking about how she enacted legislation to insure 10,000 children in New Hampshire, or worked across the aisle with Southern Republican senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) to help improve health care benefits for National Guard and reservists, and that resonates with them. Why? Simply put, being "cathartic" doesn't put food on the table. "Healing division" does not help pay for their child's cancer treatment. Intangibles like catharsis tend to be little more than an upper class luxury.
Even the Bush administration admits the economy is floundering. For just one example, more than 2 million families had their homes foreclosed last year, and no end to this devastation is in sight. Hillary Clinton's comprehensive economic stimulus plan addresses the financial troubles in concrete, specific actions to help the suffering working and middle classes.
Of the "big picture" issues of this election -- health care and national security -- Clinton far and away outshines Obama. Lest people forget, Clinton was the one who started the conversation on universal health care in this country that used to shudder at the idea as something too "socialist" or -- horror of horrors -- "European." Although her health care plan of the 1990's did not pan out, she knows more than anyone what the challenges are to getting this legislation passed, and she certainly has already done her homework on one of the most complex problems plaguing America.
Obama may be the darling of the media and professional white elites, but the average American who has fallen on tough times over the last eight years cannot afford to think about politics in terms of the grandiose. So much of the mystique around Obama centers on his ability to "inspire." To be honest, I think Americans have a long tradition of working hard for their personal goals, challenging the status quo, and reaching for new heights. Perhaps we sometimes give politicians too much credit for great oratorical ability. Americans have dreams already -- all they need is a president who does her best to stimulate the economy, to look out for them against big special interests, and to possess the savoir-faire necessary to navigate the international arena.
For all the talk about Clinton being too much of a Beltway insider, she is doing something truly revolutionary for average Americans: She is making politics about real people again. In a world where political races seem far removed from the real world, Clinton is trying to make politics about tangibly improving the lives of Americans.. She may never have a career as a motivational speaker ahead of her, but I personally find her wonkishness endearing and relieving. Unlike George W. Bush or Obama, she knows domestic and international politics down to the details. And yes, sometimes details can be boring. But, to borrow the expression of Obama, you know what I'm "fired up" about? Voting for a candidate who will work for real change for real people on day one as president of the United States.
Marta Cook is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. She can be reached at mcook@cavalierdaily.com.
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