The Democratic Presidential Campaign

I have been watching this presidential race since it's beginning and have had great concern about the treatment of the candidates by the media, before the people have an opportunity to vote in the primary. We are all aware that ratings matter in a race as close as this and that television personalities will keep anything going just to get us to watch -- that's acceptable.

What I find to be ironic and unacceptable is how reporters, in general, are appearing to excuse Hillary Clinton's behavior much more than Barack Obama and Senator McCain's throughout this race. I don't think that anyone watching the political shenanigans of Hillary and Bill Clinton have to go very far to find lucrative examples. No wonder independents think that Democrats are such a divided and awkward bunch.

Before her character was exposed, I truly admired her. Not because she was an excellent example of strong woman, a senator, a mother, and a faithful wife, but because she had style, class, intelligence and was very independent. That was before the lies, exaggerations, false accusations, name calling, finger-pointing, etc., and all of the other attitudes displayed by her that are very similar to those displayed by a child when he or she does not get his or her way.

In every face-to-face, in every media blitz, in every state where the races have been won, and in every media blitz AFTER the voters have spoken, the media has no choice but to be fair and give props to the candidate that has won the most votes. Clearly when we look at the methods used to win votes by both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, we see demonstrated completely opposite approaches. Barack's message has been consistent, clear, and loated with facts from day one -- yet he is painted as the inexperienced candidate. Hillary Clinton's rhetoric has been filled with eloquent word-smithing, euphamisms, charming anecdotle and lofty goals -- once she becomes president, but very little substance.

Yet, Hillary's actions are being dubbed as excusable while anything Barack Obama is accused of (whether he did it or not), is blasted across the newspapers and other media for weeks on end as if he acted that same as she and no one blinks an eye.

A prime example, the Saturday before I left for my business trip, it had just been revealed that Hillary and Bill Clinton's fortune was revealed in their tax returns and was upwards of $109 million dollars. Yet, the week I return, she is touting herself as being ' the candidate for the blue-collar working class' while calling Barack Obama an 'elitist.' Correct me if I'm wrong, but when was the last time Hillary visited a blue-collar town where the average Joe had $109 million dollars in his or her bank account? Was it when she was a little girl growing up in Scranton, PA? Meanwhile, though Barack's tax returns reveal far less, she calls him an 'elitist?' Also, did we hear anything at all about all of this money in the following week? I should think not.

It doesn't matter to me which of the candidates wins the race -- all's fair in love and war, right? I just don't understand how Hillary and Bill Clinton are getting away with tearing up the character of the entire Democratic party by dividing it from within, while the REAL fight (between the Democratic nominee and the Republican nominee) hasn't even begun.

She should have an opportunity to continue through her campaign in Pennsylvania. But after that, I hope that she can resume her class, style and a sense of dignity by stepping aside. If she wins with the character she portrays, what does that say about Americans?