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It is with a pride that I say America has come a long ways and has clearly shown it is ready to accept either a black man or a woman for president. Yet, it has not come far enough to separate the difference between an obviously very competent, experienced, capable person to do the highly stressful job as president from a golden tongued orator of fluff who has no proven foundation. Among the many qualities I am seeking in the person who would serve as president of the United States, are ability to make great decisions under pressure, face challenging situations with grace, and continue to handle the daily business of government with objectivity. Mrs. Clinton has repeatedly proven herself during her life time career to do just that. The public has had the benefit of observing Senator Clinton's career for many years. She was a gracious and dignified first lady and ran a good race and proved herself to be an able New York Senator. Until this presidential race came forward, who has ever heard of Senator Obama. He seemed to suddenly appear from the abyss and gather glitter. Now he thinks he is presidential material. I have been quite disappointed with Obama who has publicly whined "unfair" like a spoiled baby because Bill Clinton was campaigning for his wife. I was also disappointed when he tried to bring race as an issue with the Clintons. His latest misadventure is a negative mailing he did about Senator Clinton. No, no, no. I had to ask myself, just how as president would he handle a truly high pressure situation if that is the way he performs now?

It is Senator Clinton, a woman versus Senator Obama, a black man. Basically the race between Clinton and Obama has come down to two issues. To simplify, it is popularity versus ability. When push comes to shove it is ability and not popularity that will find the wisdom for the right choices and decisions for America. Any candidate who shouts to the world "he will change Washington" is speaking from naivete and ignorance. That statement alone should be enough to scare voters away from Obama. It should be a red flag for the voters that this candidate's ego is greater that his ability. Only a very wise and sophisticated person will know how to work with Washington to obtain specific needed changes. There is no substitute for the long successful track record of skill, experience, inside knowledge and ability of Hillary Clinton.

Time is of the essence in this campaign. It is vital that voters recognize immediately the price America will have to pay if it fails to choose ability over popularity. Now the challenge for Senator Clinton is to find a way to inspire those voters dizzy on the ether of Obama's popularity to recognize the difference between ability and popularity. It will be difficult but I hope possible. When it comes to old fashioned American good sense, Americans of the last few years have repeatedly shown popularity wins over reality. Otherwise, Bush would not have been elected for two terms. Look at what the price Americans have paid for that choice! The worst case of popular choice over reality was the jury that found O.J. Simpson innocent. Americans must learn to make better choices if it sincerely wants a better future for Americans.

Learn more about this author, Therese Daniels.
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