Barack Obama on his choice of boxers or briefs: "I don't answer those humiliating questions. But whichever one it is, I look good in 'em!"
Democrats have gotta be happy with their two strong primary choices, but what they may have missed in all this is why the party is so divided: neither candidate speaks to them on all the issues.
While it would be great to have a nominee like Barack Obama who appeals to lifelong Democrats, centrists, and even some right-wingers, it's a shame he can't use his momentum and relative inevitability to refine those positions that are at odds with that of the party's base, especially when it comes to health care.
Paul Krugman famously attacked Obama's plan in a New York Times op-ed:
Mr. Obama claims that people will buy insurance if it becomes affordable. Unfortunately, the evidence says otherwise.
After all, we already have programs that make health insurance free or very cheap to many low-income Americans, without requiring that they sign up. And many of those eligible fail, for whatever reason, to enroll.
An Obama-type plan would also face the problem of healthy people who decide to take their chances or don’t sign up until they develop medical problems, thereby raising premiums for everyone else.
Ralph Nader, during the barrage of press appearances this week to celebrate the announcement of his candidacy, attacked Obama as being "pro-corporate" and the "the first liberal evangelist in a long time." He also had unkind words for the Senator's views on Israel-Palestine:
"He was pro-Palestinian when he was in Illinois... Now he's supporting (right-wing Israeli policies that thwart progress toward peace in the Middle East)."
People aren't going to choose Nader over Obama because of this, but disillusionment could set in if voters learn just how much they disagree with him. However, if Obama can stay on the left side of the spectrum, starting with supporting flat-out universal healthcare, he may be able to unify the Kucinich, Edwards, and Clinton voters and prevent any chance of spoilers like Mr. Nader to again throw the election to the Republicans.
[Photo: The Onion]