I don't mean to make this an Obama bash-fest, but....
I find Obama to be a very inspirational speaker. He talks of ending partisan wars within the country...he talks of resolving social and economic issues...he talks of leading the US back into foreign policy prosperity.
But a single moment still sticks out in my mind. It was the last debate (I believe) on CNN that John Edwards was in. Hillary pointed out that over 100 times as a member of the Senate, Barack Obama voted "Present." This means he voted neither yes or no. I believe it was Wolf Blitzer who then asked John Edwards a question, after which Edwards turned to Obama and said "Barack, I want to know why you voted Present over 100 times." And Obama still didn't directly answer why.
The reason he voted that way is obvious to me. You vote present when you wish to avoid voting against the majority or to avoid voting against your supporters. Which is smart. But it isn't inspirational....it doesn't drive change...it is cowardice, in my opinion. If you believe in something, vote that way. If you don't care, get out of politics.
But the Democratic base is so desperate for change that they have been dying to do something drastically different in the most superficial way. And that's why Barack and Hillary are the ones still standing. I don't honestly believe that either of them is more qualified than other Democratic candidates. If America wants experience, I think John Edwards would've been a good vote. Heck, he's already been through a Presidential race as VP. If American wants change, Dennis Kucinich would've been a good vote. He is against the war in Iraq and wanted to change fiscal policy. But people don't know the issues...so they vote for the person who preaches change and the person with name recognition preaching experience.
And in the event Obama wins, how will he make it through the Presidential race? Let's remember what happened to Kerry...he got "swift boated" into a loss. It seems like Obama is already reacting strongly to minor things that the Clinton camp has said...what is he going to do when the conservative base turns their full attention to him? I hate to side with Hillary on this one, but I think she has the tenacity to take them on.