the young democrat

Now that a grueling and long primary battle is over, we must ponder the next question: who gets the #2 slot?

Many people have immediately shouted out the appropriate name: Hillary Rodham Clinton. This one’s a no-brainer. She won nearly equal as many votes as he did and came closer than any #2 to the nomination in primary history. Her on the ticket would rally her supporters (I was one of them until the race ended) and create a sense of unity within the party. At the same time, the hostile feelings between BHO and Hill’s husband Bill could create tension on the campaign trail.

Other people have shouted out lesser well-known politicians: Gov. Tim Kaine of my own Virginia, Sen. Jim Webb also of VA, Gen. Wesley Clark, Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius, Ohio governor Ted Strickland, former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia, and even former vice presidential candidate and candidate for president Sen. John Edwards.

Perhaps only the latter is well known across the country simply because he has waged a national campaign for President twice. But Edwards has denied any desire to be on the ticket, and his name on the ticket wouldn’t necessarily bolster Obama’s chances at the presidency (after all, he didn’t help Kerry in the South in 2004).

General Wesley Clark was seen as a shoe-in to this position, bringing foreign policy cred to the table in so many different ways. But, his recent comments about McCain’s service in Vietnam being unimportant (which I also believe whole-heartedly, as I did with Kerry’s Vietnam service), to which BHO rejected, has probably ended any remote chance for him to be VP.

Ohio governor Ted Strickland and Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell would be good additions to the ticket, but both have denied interest in the ticket, especially Rendell, who went as far as to say he would prefer to be his own boss. (Even though the game of becoming VP usually involves denying it at first, I would say it’s a good chance Obama doesn’t pick these former Clinton supporters to stand alongside him.)

Former Senator Sam Nunn would be a good option–he’s an old honcho, appeals to establishment Democrats, and would bring immediate foreign policy cred. The issue with Nunn, as CNN has pointed out, is his lack of experience recently. McCain’s team could turn Nunn’s foreign policy experience from a good thing to a bad thing by saying that foreign policy has drastically changed since 9/11–and Nunn hasn’t been in Congress since 1996.

And Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius was an early supporter of Obama, represents a new wave of change within the party, and stands identical on key issues to Obama. While she would not bring Kansas into play, she would most definitely represent change. The only issue with Ms. Sebelius is the anger of many Clinton supporters (me not included). If Obama is seeking to choose the most qualified woman as his #2, wouldn’t HRC fit the bill more than anybody else?

That leaves Webb, Kaine, and HRC.

Webb has recently denied interest in the position. His recent drafting of the successful GI Joe Bill was stellar and received praise from both sides of Congress. He’s still at the beginning of his first term and he’s fresh meat. I think he would make a stellar addition to Obama’s campaign as the #2, but I don’t think he’s personally ready for it.

Governor Tim Kaine on the other hand has an overwhelming chance at the presidency. He’s from Virginia, like Webb. If McCain wins Florida and Ohio (he’s already working hard in both states), it leaves Obama with few options. He would need Colorado, New Mexico, possibly Missouri, but most definitely Virginia. Virginia has a moderate amount of electoral votes that could offset the chance of a McSame presidency in case he wins both swing-states. Not to mention he represents a bout of change. His election here in Virginia was an overwhelming defeat to the Republican party, and his campaign has since made Virginia races toss-ups. He won Fairfax County and much of Northern Virginia overwhelmingly, pivotal parts of Democrats winning here in November. He was the first and most pertinent part in turning VA blue.

And HRC. I already explained that she is a polarizing figure to many Obama supporters and her husband has a quite hostile relationship with BHO, but her name alone spells doom for the Republican party. Her strength in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and much of Appalachia immediately puts those states into the Democratic column and locks McCain out of the Presidency. It would unite disgruntled supporters from both sides and fit in well with BHO’s message of coming together. Not to mention that she would bring very rich donors who have not yet contributed to his campaign (as she already has as seen from fundraisers).

I say it’s a likely bet that we’ll see either of the two as Vice President. The HRC-nod might give a few of you chills because I didn’t expect her to be in contention for Vice President, but I do think that since the race has ended and HRC has gracefully bowed out and begun fundraising vigorously for him, she has the opportunity to become a powerful asset for his national campaign.

I still get the one or two adults who come up to me and ask: “Why are you even here? Do you realize you can’t vote?” I then respond: “One day, I will be able to vote, and that’s why I am here“. It’s that simple. I want to make sure I don’t have to pay for the mistakes people in past generations made. I want to make sure that I have opportunities my parents didn’t. I want to make sure I can do something great and contribute to society.

I am a 15-year old, but a “veteran” of all sorts in the political arena. I have been involved in the process since I was 10 years old here in Virginia. I became proactive because of George Bush and I’ve been ever since. Being the worst president ever, Bush has inspired me to fight against corrupt politics and bring fighters and believers into the process.

It’s never easy to convince someone that you have the ability to make up your own mind at a young age. That’s where the “big boys” get it wrong. We (the youth) today have access to so many different opinions through multimedia–it’s how we can develop our own conclusions based on the big picture. It’s why I created this blog. Sure, it’s symbolic and historic and what not, that a 15 year old is considering taking the blogosphere by storm with his intricate opinions and formulaic conclusions. For me, it’s more to prove to the world that I am a young person who is not afraid to share his own opinions.

Those adults who have asked those questions must surely feel ashamed now. The youth is taking control of the political spectrum–more and more, the youth are running campaigns through their passion and devotion. The presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional candidates are attracted to the youth for the inspiration they bring. The youth are more important than ever–our opinions finally matter. We’re finally part of the big boys club.

One of my “intricate opinions” is why I am a Democrat. Surely, George Bush is a good reason. But, he’s not the only reason. There is a sense of dedication that Democrats have to solving America’s problems. They’re not just devoted to promoting themselves–they’re dedicated to the future, to the lives of Americans, to fixing America and ensuring independence and freedom. I am not one who isn’t afraid to attack his own party, though. The Democrats have considerable issues that just write them off as what they are: “a party looking for power” that can change. The Democratic party needs to become a movement of the people who cares about being at the top for the benefit of the American peoples, not conglomerates and heirs.

That brings me to the subject of this blog. I am a young democrat. I’m here to talk about the youth–inspiring stories that are changing the way the youth is perceived (from naive and gullible to knowledgeable and sensible) in the country and the world, and not just political topics either. I’m also here to talk about my perspective concerning US and global politics–it’s clear that change needs to come to this country and countries across the world to end the abuse of the environment, genocide of poor residents of this world, and find out what the future brings us.

I leave with you a quote from educator Mary McLeod Bethune: “We have a powerful potential in our youth and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power towards good ends”.