Marie Claire UK Edition Presidential Info

In the November issue of Marie Claire UK, there's a big article on Hillary Clinton : Is This America's Next President.  The article is too much for me to get into right now.  Hillary brings out the worst in me. BUT...

As an addition to the Hillary Clinton article, there is a pretty blue box that says 'Who are Hillary's main contenders for the US Presidency in 2008?  The Democrats are first, naturally.

Barack Obama
Who is he? A junior senator from Illinois. He began his official campaign with a call to end the Iraq war and for US troops to be out of Iraq by March 2008.
What's he got going for him? Oprah Winfrey urged him to announce his candidacy on her show. Wherever he goes he is greeted like a rock star. Time magazine called him 'America's hottest political phenomenon'.
And against him? His age (47) and inexperience.

John Edwards
Who is he? Former lawyer and one-term North Carolina senator, 53, who runs an anti-poverty centre.
What's he got going for him? He has been called 'the most naturally talented politician in the field' by the Washington Post. There is a lot of public sympathy for the fact that he and his wife, Elizabeth, lost a son and she is battling cancer.
And against him? Many consider him too slick and think he should drop out because of his wife's illness.

Al Gore
Who is he? He was Vice President to Bill Clinton for 8 years. Gore, 59, lost against George W Bush in 2000.
What's he got going for him? As his backers never fail to point out, more Americans voted for him in 2000 than for Bush, but the controversy over the votes in Florida 'robbed' him of the presidency. His Oscar winning environmental film, An Inconvenient Truth, has made him an eco hero.
And against him? Hasn't declared his candidacy yet.

Okay.  Soak it all in.  Next!

The Republicans

Rudolph Giuliani
Who is he? The former mayor of New York, 63, was set to fight Hillary or the New York seat in the Senate in 2001 but testicular cancer caused him to drop out.
What's he got going for him? Dubbed 'Mayor of America' for his firm leadership after 9/11, he often leads the polls of Republican contenders.
And against him? His position on gay rights and abortion (pro and pro), makes him 'too liberal' for the Christian right.

John McCain
Who is he? A Vietnam war hero and Senator from Arizona, 71, he ran against George W Bush in 2000.
What's he got going for him? A thorn in the side of the Bush administration, he is a high-profile figure in Washington, who regularly comes second only to Giuliani.
And against him? His Bush-baiting has won more support with Democrats than Republicans. his stance on keeping troops in Iraq is unpopular.

Mitt Romney
Who is he? Introduced a state law making health insurance mandatory. Romney is the 60-year-old former governor of Massachusetts.
What's he got going for him? His health insurance initiative for the underclasses could potentially solve one of the biggest problems facing the US.
And against him? Some voters may be turned off by him being a Mormon, which is still considered a left-of-field religion in mainstream America.

Check out all the political issues in there.  What?  There's only like, one?  Okay two, two issues for 6 presidential candidates.  Oh right, Americans don't vote on political issues. All our presidents have to do is have Oprah or an Oscar and they are in.  And even if we do, it's all about Iraq because we are so through with that.
Weaknesses?  Maybe a little age, maybe too "slick".  Definitely a weakness if you're not actually running for office.  In Marie Claire land the democrats have no weaknesses!  They are rock stars and heroes.

I just think the pretty blue box is a bit ridiculous and this is what the British public reads in their woman-y fashion mags.  They could have done a much better job.

Comments

[Alex Fear]

Now, I don't side with left or right but on character and personality I'm for Barack Obama.

However you are absolutely right that they seem to have no clue. Ron Paul looks to be a dark horse contender and he also had policies which are favourable with Dem voters.

If I was an American and I was going to vote Republican I'd vote Ron Paul, in fact that would be certain if Hilary got in. She's dangerous IMHO, an easily bought backtracker with an inconsistent record.

Sure John McCain has mettle but he's the GOP version of Hilary.

Hope you don't mind my opinion.

=)

[Kath]

Hey Alex Glad to hear from you and of course I don't mind your opinion! I'm undecided as of right now, simply because I haven't been following as closely as I can be. There are a couple frontrunners, though!
Obama is interesting to watch sometimes, but mostly his vibe turns me off. I agree he's good with people... there's just something about him (besides his politics which I'm not really on board with) that doesn't sit right with me.