Legal Commentary

Hillary's redemption?

By Tom Kirkendall

It's rare that I post on politics two days in a row (or even two times in a week, for that matter), but the meltdown of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign has been one of those fascinating political developments that simply begs for analysis (yesterday's post is here).

David Berg, one of Houston's best trial lawyers and a longtime Democratic Party supporter, provides this insightful op-ed in the Chronicle yesterday explaining why he switched from supporting Clinton to Obama and why Clinton is suffering in comparison to Obama:

I guarantee you, as the oldest living man in America who has actually attended a Hannah Montana concert, my daughter is completely colorblind. From what I have seen of her generation, and that of my grown sons', that is the norm, not the exception. Racial politics simply won't work; not this time ? and if all that good will seeps into the wider world ? perhaps never again.

I wish, frankly, that the Clintons, who in many ways helped make Obama's candidacy possible, could hear firsthand how they let down so many people who cared about them and supported them through many tough years ? how by their divisive tactics they have become the people and politics they deplore.

In short, I wish they could have been there Tuesday night to understand clearly how times and mores have changed and, perhaps, to understand how important it is that a new generation be given a chance.

Meanwhile, NY Times columnist David Brooks examines the new political syndrome -- Obama Comedown Syndrome (a/k/a "OCS").

Full post as published by Houston's Clear Thinkers on February 22, 2008 (boomark / email).