Hillary's Win in Ohio Proves That She is the Populist Dem Now that Edwards is Out

[McCamy Taylor]

The War used to be the most important issue in this country. When it was, Obama had a slight edge over Hillary, because he spoke against the war at its inception when Hillary voted for it. Later, they had almost identical voting patterns, so both are better on the issue than John McCain. Therefore, I believe that either could beat McCain in the general on the topic of the Iraq War.

However, as people lose their homes and go into bankruptcy from medical bills and lose their jobs and the nations economy slides deeper into recession---a recession made worse by the continuation of a war that was supposed to be a cakewalk that would fund itself through Iraq's oil sales---Hillary has shown that she can connect with voters who have immediate pressing concerns about their finances, their jobs, their health, their houses. And Americans care a lot about their pocketbooks. Just ask George Bush Sr. or Jimmy Carter or any other incumbent who has had to try to get re-elected in the middle of a recession.

The Democrats must nominate someone who can energize the traditional Democratic base, and in particular someone whom the working class and rural voters believe cares about their economic wellbeing. Someone whom they trust to develop working solutions. When Hillary talks about economic issues, she lights up. She is enthusiastic. Tonight, when Obama tried to switch from his usual rhetoric about change and hope to the economy, he lost all his luster. He could not even pretend that he cared about the topic.

People on the brink of financial collapse are not looking for new ideology or new philosophy or new ways to contemplate the future. They are not interested in a new style of leadership. They do not give a hill of beans how the rest of the world looks at us or our president.

They want a public servant who will show up at work and solve their immediate problems .

My own family desperately needs an end to this health care crisis. With Hillary, I know I will have it. With Obama---I am not so sure. Maybe I won't be able to afford his health care. Maybe I will be one of those who is "allowed" to opt out. We need help with education costs. Again, I know that Hillary will do something. Obama will dance with the ones who brung him when he gets into office---and he is being backed by a bunch of affluent people with the time to stand around all day in caucuses.

This fall, there will be no caucuses. This fall, everything will be plain old fashioned voting.