The Iowa Jefferson Jackson Dinner

I just watched the Iowa Jefferson Jackson Dinner, and came away believing that we are pretty well represented, and that whoever wins the nomination would be a decent president.

Positives and negatives as I observed them at this presentation alone:

John Edwards: (Pros) cares about the common man; stands up against big money players (Cons) looks worn down by this campaign; comes across like the polished attorney he is (December 28: I have to say that Edwards is a much more favorable candidate to me now.)

Bill Richardson: (Pros) passionate critic of illegal practices of the Bush Administration; experienced in diplomatic solutions to international problems; (Cons) appearance and presentation skills less than desired; looks hardened, unfriendly

Chris Dodd: (Pros) experienced legislator acting on behalf of the underprivileged; ability to build consensus in legislature (Cons) appearance and presentation skills less than desired; looks hardened, unfriendly

Joe Biden: (Pros) very presidential looking; very experienced on foreign policy; very intelligent; great speaker; ability to build consensus in legislature (Cons) a little too cocky; patronizing, even when he's trying not to be

Hillary Clinton: (Pros) better presentation than I expected; experienced on domestic policy; ready to take on the Republicans; cares about minority rights; cares about suffering Americans; will work for better health care; (Cons) too willing to make political compromises; presentation is sometimes harsh and shrill

Barack Obama: (Pros) gives us hope for a better tomorrow;very presidential looking; very intelligent; outstanding speaker; genuinely cares about average people; working against politics as usual; against Iraq War from beginning; wants to bring troops home quickly; wants to build consensus with Republicans; working against divisive politics; will work for better health care; will work for interests of workers (Cons) inexperienced on national and international scene

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was the mistress of ceremonies for the event. I don't remember her using the words "the next President of the United States of America" except with Obama at the end. I could be wrong. Struck me as an odd sort of endorsement, though if it was, I was welcome it.

Obama strikes me as the man of the hour. He's right for so many reasons. Beyond the list I've made here, it simply fits that he represents a new America that isn't simply 'lily white'. Nonetheless, I am more comfortable with Clinton than I was before. And Biden continues to impress me. Edwards seems like a good man who isn't right for this job. Richardson and Dodd are good public servants whom I can't envision as the type of charismatic leader I'd want.

Senator Clinton is the frontrunner at this point. She's very capable. She's a fighter. As a fighter, she's a bit abrasive. If that's what America wants, I can live with it. If she is what America wants, I can live with it.

Obama will suffer from prejudice. I suspect that he is already suffering from this in the polls. A man at a bus stop recently told me he suspected Obama isn't very bright. Unfortunately many voters aren't very bright. I informed this man that Obama had been President of the Harvard Law Review, and was a Law Professor at the University of Chicago. You don't get to be President of the Harvard Law Review without being one of the brightest minds in our country. But because his skin is black, this prejudice will be hard to overcome. It is a shame. But it is real.