CALLANDER: Obama/Clinton - the dynamic duo

By Alane Callander
For the Stafford County Sun
Published: June 6, 2008

Obama and Clinton should be on the Democratic Party ticket together this fall. They both lasted through the June primaries; they both won many victories and garnered many votes. It doesn’t matter who has the most pledged delegates and super delegates. They both worked unbelievably hard to earn the Presidential nomination, and they both are heroes to large segments of Americans. They also both have much to contribute should they be elected President and Vice President of the United States.

Together on the ticket Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama represent breakthroughs for two underrepresented groups: women and African-Americans. Their nominations give hope to those who have been left out of positions of power and influence in our nation’s history.
They both bring unique perspectives to our country’s challenges. They are a dynamic duo.

I truly believe that the former First Lady has earned a place on the ticket, top or bottom, based on her own accomplishments, her own experience, and her own knowledge and superior intelligence, as well as because of her unwavering perseverance, exceptional judgment and poise under pressure.

Yes, somebody can take a clip or comment out of context, such as what happened in the interview with the Iowa newspaper’s editorial board when Hillary brought up that Robert Kennedy was assassinated immediately following his win in the California primary in early June 1968.

From the hysteria that broke out after Clinton’s comment was circulated through the mass media, one would think that Clinton was plotting an assassination so that she would be the Democratic Party nominee. Fortunately, Barack Obama thoughtfully responded that far too much was made of the remark.

On many occasions throughout this nominating process I have thought about the potential of assassination destroying the hopes that Americans have in the promise of democracy.

I remember thinking, when John Edwards bowed out, leaving two instead of three candidates, I wished that he had not. It occurred to me then that a tragedy like an accident or assassination could leave one candidate unchallenged, halting the worthwhile debate on issues and qualifications.

One reason assassination entered my mind is that Robert Kennedy’s assassination is an important part of my memory bank. I graduated from high school the day that RFK died. Hillary Clinton was in college at the time.

When a yearly Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration takes place in Fredericksburg, I also am reminded of King’s assassination, which occurred just weeks before RFK’s.

As many Americans, I find myself conflicted. As much as I want to see a woman attain the office of President, and I believe that Hillary is uniquely qualified for the job, I also think it will be a grand day when America elects an African-American president, particularly one who is on my political wavelength.

Obama is a breath of fresh air. He’s reflective and gets the total picture. He and George Bush are diametrical opposites, thank goodness.
As I held hands with African-Americans recently at the celebration of life of Judge John Scott, Jr., as we sang together “We Shall Overcome,”

I felt a bit sheepish — I had voted for Clinton in the Virginia Primary, not the hero of today’s black community, Obama. I hoped that everyone there recognized how Hillary has stood with the oppressed and downtrodden in so many ways throughout her public service career, but I also remembered how the Rev.

Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s former pastor, has said that Hillary doesn’t understand the pain that African-Americans feel.

Well, Hillary understands and feels the pain more than the reverend gives her credit for, but it is true that she can more easily identify with the pain of women who face discrimination in the work place or abuse in domestic relationships.

I too more easily identify with women; however, since I was a little girl growing up in the Land of Lincoln, I have felt empathy for African-Americans who have not experienced America’s blessings on a level playing field.

I am not alone in my dilemma as to whether our President should be Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. Our nation deserves to have them together serve as President and Vice President, no matter who’s on top and who’s number two.

Alane Callander is a south Stafford resident active in many local causes. Reach her at .