Re: [Marxism] Is Clinton to the Left of Obama on Domestic Policy?

[Walter Lippmann <walterlx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The political differences which separate Obama from Clinton are not
QUALITATIVE. They are QUANTITATIVE,  but they are still significant.

The largest-circulation Spanish-language daily in the United States
has come out for Obama over Clinton because of his position on the
immigration issue. They also endorsed McCain on the Republican side
for the same reason. Those who believe that these differences aren't
enough, and fundamental change is necessary to bring a qualitative
change to the United States, they should support Cynthia McKinney.
That's what I'm doing. 

Should Obama actually receive the Democrats' nomination, there then
will be ferocious pressure against McKinney from supporters of the
Democratic Party at every level. Will she be able to stand up to
the pressure? Predicting the future is hazardous at best, but the
fact that she puts the endorsement of her campaign by Mumia on her
website augurs well for her ability to stand up to whatever the 
media is likely to dish out, not that one can expect a great deal
of coverage.


Walter Lippmann
Los Angeles, California
===================================================================

The Radical Alternative [col. writ. 1/28/08] 
(c) '08 Mumia Abu-Jamal

In this age of political discontent, it seems clear that many
Americans who plan to vote are voting for "change".

Just what kind of change is an open question. Will that change bring
the first woman to the Oval Office? Or will it bring a Black man (or,
to some, a 1/2 Black man?)

Whatever, it is interesting that the nation's punditocracy, the
talking heads who act like verbal sheepdogs of the American fleece,
have almost totally ignored one candidate who can, in her single
self, embody, not just the illusion, but the reality of "change",
experience, a demonstrated stand against the Iraq War, and a life of
living female.

I speak, of course, of Cynthia McKinney, the bold, outspoken former
congresswoman from Georgia, who spoke out against the Iraq War when
it wasn't popular.

FULL:
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/247

LISTEN:
http://www.runcynthiarun.org/audio/play/136

LA OPINION
Editorial               

The Democratic choice is Barack Obama
02 de febrero de 2008

The Democratic Party arrives at the California primary with a
historic choice between two extraordinary candidates. We believe that
of the two, Senator Barack Obama represents fundamental change in a
campaign in which "change" has become a central theme. Obamaâs
approach to immigration and his inspiring vision are what the country
need to break through the current feeling of political malaise.

There is no doubt that Senator Hillary Clinton would be an excellent
president if elected. She is capable, competent, disciplined, and
hard working. She has shown herself to be a talented legislator and
is on the right side of the major issues. Her plan for universal
health care is one example of the courageous initiatives she has
proposed as a candidate. And it would be wonderful to elect the
country's first woman president.

She has garnered significant Latino support from such influential and
high profile national leaders as RaÃl Yzaguirre, Henry Cisneros and
Antonio Villaraigosa. She has worked tirelessly over many years to
represent the best interests of Latinos and her personal commitment
has been well-documented throughout this campaign.

Yet, this is a historic moment and tremendous skills and experience
are not enough to inspire a feeling of renewal in our country after
eight long years of George W. Bush.

As well, we were disappointed with her calculated opposition to
driverâs licenses for the undocumented, which contrasts markedly from
the forceful argument in support made by Obama. We understand that
this is an extremely controversial issue but we believe there is only
one right position and it is that of the senator from Illinois. And,
while both senators support comprehensive immigration reform, only
Obama has committed to bringing forward new legislation during his
first year in office.

It is this commitment to the immigration issue which drove Obama to
condemn the malicious lies made during the immigration debate, to
understand the need for driverâs licenses, and to defend the rights
of undocumented students by co-authoring the DREAM Act. The senator
has demonstrated character by maintaining his position despite the
hostile political climate.

At the same time, there are not huge differences between the two
Democractic candidates on most of the major issues. Thus, vision
makes the difference! Obama offers an inclusive message of hope that
addresses our country's historic moment. He has a conciliatory style
that can reverse the vicious cycle of rancor which has dominated
Washington over these past decades and has paralyzed its ability to
come together on major decisiÃns.

We need a leader today that can inspire and unite America again
around its greatest possibilities. Barack Obama is the right leader
for the time. We know that he is not as well known among our
community and while he has the support of Maria Elena Durazo, Senator
Gil Cedillo and others he comes to the Latino community with less
name recognition. Nevertheless, it is Obama who deserves our support.

By deciding between a woman or an African American as their
presidencial nominee, the Democrats are making history. Barack Obama
has the sensibilities of a man from humble beginnings raised in a
multicultural home. He is the best option for a truly visionary
change.

http://www.laopinion.com/editorial/?rkey=00000000000003185160




=========================================
     WALTER LIPPMANN
     Los Angeles, California
     Editor-in-Chief, CubaNews
     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews/
     "Cuba - Un ParaÃso bajo el bloqueo"
=========================================

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