HRC

Because PA has turned out to be a key state in the Democratic primary campaign, both candidates are spending some quality time here leading up to the April 22 vote. Clinton held a rally here at Temple on Tuesday, so Michele and I decided to go. The place held about 6,000 people according to organizers, but it wasn't filled to capacity at all - probably a bad choice to have a college campus rally during spring break.

The rally was better than I expected - Mayor Nutter (yes, our mayor is named Nutter) and Governor Rendell spoke for a couple minutes each, then quickly gave the stage to HRC. I thought she spoke really well, and generally liked what I heard. She focused on her experience in contrast to Obama's, and spoke at some length about getting out of Iraq, pushing for renewable energy and oil independence, and universal healthcare, among other topics. Check out some pics over at Michele's page.

I'm still undecided between Clinton and Obama. I like Clinton's experience and policy wonkishness, and she commands respect regardless of your opinion of her. On the other hand, that part of the country (and Congress) that has an instinctive dislike of her may prevent her from getting much done. Obama probably has less policy knowledge, but maybe his kinder and gentler nature could bring people together and ultimately accomplish more than Clinton. As she's pointed out though, that could just be a fantasy. People (especially politicians) aren't kind and gentle, and maybe you need someone tough in there to get things done. I don't know.

Clinton may also be less electable - people might be tired of Clintons and Bushes, or they might just personally dislike her, or they might think her and McCain are so similar that they might as well go with McCain. Obama is something entirely new and different, so those who truly want change would vote for him in bigger numbers than Clinton.

Now you can see why I'm undecided.