Hillary vs. Barak: Substance vs. Inspiration

Everyone is saying, and they are probably correct, that John McCain has the republican nomination all but wrapped up, even though Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul are still in the race. On the Democratic side, however, the contest is likely to remain competitive all the way to the Democratic convention in August. One writer, Joe Klein, Time Magazine, February 8^th issue, says it’s a fight between “inspiration and substance.” I think Mr. Klein has a point.

There’s no doubt that Barak Obama can inspire people with his rhetoric. His speeches, particularly his election night orations (whether he won or lost) have been classic examples of inspirational language and poetic rhythm. His basic theme “we are the change we have been seeking” gets listeners stirred and motivated. I watched his speech following the New Hampshire primary (which Obama lost). He employed the theme “Yes we can.” The speech teacher in me was impressed as his audience enthusiastically shouted "Yes we can" each time he came to the phrase in his speech. His rhetoric clearly inspired his audience and motivated them.

Change is what Obama is selling, but for Obama change is nebulous, unstructured. Just what does he want to change? How will he bring change about? He does not offer much to answer such questions. He has found no specific issue that distinguishes himself from his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

She simply knows more than he does and that comes through whenever they face each other in a debate. This is the reason Clinton is pressing for more debates, while Obama is resisting that challenge. Clinton’s message seems to appeal to voters who are more concerned with issues and outcomes and are less moved by inspirational language.

Obama has successfully painted Clinton as a Washington insider who, as president, will offer nothing but more of the same old politics, while he offers “change.” It is interesting that perhaps the first presidential candidate to successfully base an entire campaign on the issue of change was Bill Clinton in his contest against George H.W. Bush.

So far the contest is extremely close. Clinton is slightly ahead in the delegate count, but Obama seems to have momentum. This weekend he swept a set of small state caucuses and primaries, but shortly we will see primaries in some big states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, where Clinton is likely to run stronger.

Personally, I think Democrats, in the end, will choose substance over inspiration and make Clinton their nominee. Of course, I could be wrong – it would not be the first time. Either way, I believe that whoever the Democrats select will be a great improvement over what we have now or whatever the Republicans offer.