An Open Letter to “Other than Republican” Voters

Which goal is more important to you as an “other than Republican” (OTR) voter? Denying Republicans continued occupancy of the White House in 2009 and beyond? Or electing a President who makes you feel good?

I fear that if you chose the second goal, then you will likely achieve neither of those goals. Let me explain.

First, I am not opposed to a candidate who makes you feel good. Unfortunately, now may be a poor time to pursue that goal unless the candidate clearly meets the needed criteria for achieving the first goal.

So, what is the criterion for a candidate to deny Republicans continued occupancy of the White House in 2009 and beyond?

Let’s begin with where we are in January of 2008. Republicans have performed miserably over the last 7 years. Polls indicate 65-70% of the American public agree with that assessment. If someone performs well in a job, then they deserve the credit. When someone performs poorly in a job, then they deserve the blame. The American public is in a mood to blame somebody. That somebody is Republicans.

If Democrats and OTR voters are smart, then they will nominate someone for President who will not get between the American public and their mood. OTR voters will nominate someone who will force the election’s discussion to focus on what direction this country should take from 2009 forward and not be a referendum on the past. Judging by the primaries and caucuses so far, OTR voters are not very smart. They are focused on emotions rather than strategy.

In the aftermath of WWI, the French anticipated the next war would involve more trench warfare. The French built what they thought would be an impenetrable defense in the Maginot Line. Whether the defense was impenetrable to a frontal assault was never proven. That’s because the Germans went around the Maginot Line, forced the French to fight in the open and defeated the French and her allies handily.

In this election, Republicans have constructed their defenses to defeat Hillary Clinton.  The Democrats nominating Hillary Clinton is the equivalent of the Germans being foolish enough to mount a frontal attack on the Maginot Line. The nomination of Hillary Clinton means the focus of the election will not be on the direction to take from 2009 forward. The discussion (like it or not) will be about whether Monica Lewinsky’s ex-boy friend’s wife is truly qualified to be President. OTR voters can (and should) avoid that discussion.

OTR voters can because OTR voters can choose to nominate one of two other leading candidates (Obama or Edwards) who do not bring the baggage to the nomination Clinton does. OTR voters should choose to nominate one of the one of the other two leading candidates because Clinton is the worst potential Commander in Chief among them, based on her behavior as First Lady during her husband’s administration. OTR voters should choose to nominate one of the other two leading candidates because their nomination forces the Republicans to fight in the open where they must defend their record and can be defeated. Not handily, but they can be defeated.

The key, then, is what OTR voters do in the coming primaries and caucuses. OTR voters, particularly Independents, must assert themselves in picking candidates who will enable an intelligent discussion of the issues and a defeat of Republicans in November.