My understanding of the american system is faulty

[wataya]

Is it really that bad for Hillary that Obama won that first election in Iowa or new hampshire ( I just can't decide which it is, my yahoo news keeps contradicting) ?

Comments

[flummoxicated.livejournal.com]

Not necessarily. These are the primary elections, what the states are voting on is delegates who represent the various candidates. So to the candidate with the largest number of delegates will win the party nomination. Iowa was the first primary, and winning Iowa is good in terms of generating publicity and enthusiasm, but there are plenty of other primaries coming up.

[wataya]

Thank you ! it's helping me to understand the whole thing.

[flummoxicated.livejournal.com]

No problem! The procedure Iowa uses is different than the rest of the states, but what they are doing is the same.

[silverstah.livejournal.com]

It's not VERY bad, but it's not great. Historically, the candidates who win the Iowa caucuses have gone on to win their party nomination. Obama did come out of IA with a very strong win.

I think Clinton's major issue is that she is being viewed as part of the 1990's/early 2000 political powerhouses. Obama is fresh and new and is talking major change. We're all kinda tired of the way the country has been run for the past 10-15 years - so someone truly NEW is refreshing to many voters. Clinton may have some very good things she wants to do, but she has a lot of history working against her.

It'll be interesting to see what happens in New Hampshire - that's next Tuesday. :)

[sarahbellem.livejournal.com]

I think Clinton's major issue is that she is being viewed as part of the 1990's/early 2000 political powerhouses

I cannot for the life of me figure out why some people view this as a BAD thing. Weren't we wealthier, happier, more socially progressive and generally viewed as friends of the international community rather than the enemy of global unity?

Not that I object to Obama as president, mind you. I'm just a rabid Clintonite. Dyed in the wool and all. :)

[silverstah.livejournal.com]

Personally, I think she's a great candidate, and I think she'd do a great job in leading our country. But there is a gut reaction in many, many people to just want something TOTALLY DIFFERENT - and since Clinton has been around the block a few times, she's not different.

Between the two, I'd probably vote for Obama - I like what he has to say, and I think that since he doesn't have as much history (and therefore, as many enemies) as Clinton, he may be able to get more accomplished. I have a gut feeling that one way or another, we're going to have them both on the same ticket - the primaries are just going to determine who is going to be the presidential candidate and who's going to be the VP running mate. ;)

[justawench.livejournal.com]

Personally, Clinton freaks me out because then our presidential terms would look like this: Bush, Clinton, Clinton, Bush, Bush, Clinton. It's like we're some kind of bi-monarchy or something.

[wataya]

Ha ! that's funny !! And in four year, Bush brother will be candidate !

[flummoxicated.livejournal.com]

I agree completely!

[wataya]

Political discussion, great ;)

I have to say that even if I don't knowa lot about Hillary, I was rather fan of Clinton. Not a rabid fan, but that was a president whose international actions where good and important. Which gives me a weakness for Hillary, who should have rather similar views. Not the same of course, but in the same vein.

I really don't know enough about Obama to have an opinion.

[wataya]

Thank you ! all you said was very helping and very interesting. The bit of knowledge we get here about te subject are tiny and troncated, so really cleared it up for me.