(OPINION) — I will say it loud and clear, for now, I am a Hillary Clinton supporter but I would support John Kasich if he were to become the Republican presidential nominee over her. I am a moderate who leans left on some issues and right on others. What I cannot bring myself to do in good conscience is to support either Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders — a racist, sexist and xenophobe on the GOP side, and an avowed Socialist on the Democratic side. If both become the respective presidential nominees, then this is one election I may have to sit out and that would be a real shame. Donald Trump’s rise is a terrifying moment in American politics. It’s a throwback to the dark days in America’s history where segments of the population were singled out because of the color of their skin.
I am shocked, indeed, over the crushing blow Hillary Clinton suffered last night in New Hampshire. It was a tsunami. I am also troubled at the fact that she only eked out a small in over Sanders in Iowa. When you have an empty suit, such as Bernie Sanders promising all the freebies in the world, resonating with young people, you have to stop to wonder why. Haven’t they thought about how he is going to pay for all the things he’s is suggesting — free healthcare for all and free public college tuition? Have they stopped to think that their parents may have to shoulder some of the costs?
On a personal note, my oldest son, a college freshman, is turned off by Bernie Sanders. He must be one of a handful of young people who just can’t see how Sanders can deliver on his promises. He is willing to cast his first vote as a Republican, should the candidate be anyone other than Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. He is by no means a fan of Hillary Clinton. In fact, he doesn’t trust her one bit but he would support her over Sanders. But let me put this in context — should Sanders get the Democratic presidential nomination and win the election, he will be most likely dealing with a Republican House and Senate. I can’t see any Democrats winning on his coattails. As my son asks, which Republican is going to give him a blank check to hand out his bag of goodies to the masses? Further, are they going to sign off on a tax increase for the middle class? Let me frame Bernie Sanders pipe dreams in real terms — nothing more than a fairy tale.
My recommendation for Hillary Clinton — stop trying to move further left of Bernie Sanders. Be the moderate self that you are. And for God’s sake, stop acting as though the email server scandal is a right wing smear. It’s not. Further, come up with a plausible explanation about your ties to Wall Street. In other words, release some of the transcripts. Your credibility is on the line. Further, go after Bernie Sanders on Wall Street. I’m pretty sure his money isn’t hidden under his mattress. Ask him how he is going to really, really pay for the freebies he’s promising voters. I would also ask him about his domestic and foreign policy agenda. He can’t keep railing about breaking up big banks, free tuition and free healthcare during every speech. Hit him on his accomplishments. He has been in national politics for a long time without a record of accomplishment. Um, that makes him an establishment candidate and not an outsider. Come on Hillary, it’s time to play ball, not play footsy with Sanders.
Hillary Clinton’s cataclysmic loss in New Hampshire should be a warning that she has a lot of work to do. Her rival won every demographic group in New Hampshire. Suddenly her front-runner status is looking a little shaky and cannot just assume that the black and Hispanic vote is squarely in her corner. She has to work to keep it that way and reach out to young voters, including young women. Sanders is set to take his victory lap on Wednesday. That includes a sit-down with Al Sharpton at Sylvia’s in Harlem. While I find Sharpton absolutely loathsome, he is fairly popular in the black community and an endorsement from him would be a big deal.The timing is eerily similar to then-presidential candidate Barack Obama’s meeting with Sharpton at Sylvia’s. This is all about race.
I hope John Kasich isn’t a one-state pony. It remains to be seen if he will be able to attract some big money to stay viable. He is likable and would be a far better alternative than Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, but that’s for another blog post.
Election news cross-posted from The Hinterland Gazette.