Obama is more willing to do what is right for the country

While the Clintons have been playing the political game for decades, Barack Obama is, as previously mentioned, a newcomer. For this particular point, I argue that such status makes him MORE likely to make the "tough decisions" that Clinton argues she is more qualified to dispense. In their years in politics, the Clintons have learned what almost every politician eventually acknowledges: to win, one must pander to the public. During his first term, Bill Clinton’s liberal policies angered political pundits across the country. His push to allow homosexuals in the military (which resulted in the compromise of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell") cut his base of support significantly early in his first term. He also implemented a massive tax increase (which passed only 51-50 and 218-216) and instituted healthcare reform. These very liberal policies, combined with foreign policy problems in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Somalia, meant that he was politically left for dead by late 1994. So what did he do? He moved to the center. He passed the Balanced Budget Agreement and the Welfare Reform Act of 1995, the latter of which REDUCED the number of people on Welfare. The result being that he was re-elected by large majorities. In order to win a second term, Clinton compromised his very liberal agenda. Yes, I know that this example is Bill, and doesn’t necessarily include any past, present, or future actions by Hillary. She, however, spent that time in the White House with him. She, too, has spent the time in politics and made the compromises. And I will expand more directly in relation to her now. In contrast to the Clinton willingness to tell the people what they want to hear, Barack Obama has shown great political courage. This is most clearly evident in the debate over a possible gas tax holiday. While both McCain and Clinton endorsed the idea, Obama spoke against it, showing it to be the bad, though popular, policy it is. Of course everyone wants a gas tax holiday. Just recently, gas topped a $4 average nationwide. The prices are absolutely ridiculous. So, to say that a gas tax holiday is necessary and right is obviously in line with popular opinion. The problems, however, are many. First, there is no guarantee that lifting the gas tax would cause prices to actually go down. The oil companies are screwing us anyway (anyone who wants to argue that, feel free), so why wouldn’t they simply keep the prices the same and pocket the extra change? Second, the gas tax is incredibly necessary. It is what provides the funds for road construction and repair. I know that where I live, the roads would be gone after one winter-to-spring season change if we didn’t have the money to fill the potholes. Third (and I’m sorry if this sounds elitist or unrealistic), we shouldn’t be encouraging driving and gas consumption right now. Even if you don’t agree that emissions are causing global warming, our dependence on oil is deadly. Foreign oil indebts us to some of the most dictatorial countries in the world. What if there was another OPEC embargo? It would devastate out economy. Furthermore, even dependence on domestic oil is dangerous, because we will run out someday. It’s a non-renewable resource (unless you want to talk in terms of millennia), and the more heavily we lean on it, the harder we’ll fall when it’s gone. So, to return to my original point (sorry for the tangent), Obama had the courage to actually say this. It’s not what people want to hear. It’s not instant gratification. But it’s right. These points clearly show that Obama has the fortitude to institute good policy, as opposed to the Clintons’ willingness to support popular policy.