The Democrats

I've been researching the Democrats and there really aren't any huge differences in their positions. Clinton favors requiring health care for all people, while Obama favors only requiring it for children. I personally dislike when the government requires a person to do anything. I prefer when people have the ability to choose for themselves. Of course, the government does sometimes utilize mandates. The prime example is requiring insurance. But the auto insurance requirement is for the protection of others; if a person chooses not to have insurance, and that person gets into an accident, the other person in the accident could suffer horribly. This is not that. I prefer Obama this respect because it leaves more choice to the people.
Both would pull out of Iraq immediately, although Clinton would leave a larger residual force. I believe that the US has some obligation to Iraq. We need to determine whether Iraq can be stabilized or whether a civil war is inevitable. A larger residual force would have a greater chance of stabilizing Iraq, if possible, while also giving the Iraqi people space to figure out what theur country will be. Additionally, while both would seek diplomatic solutions, it seems like Obama would give greater concessions to Syria in Iran in order to do so. In this area I favor Clinton.
Clinton would end the "unfunded mandate" of No Child Left Behind, while Clinton would end it, although it is unclear what she would do. Obama believes the problem is that No Child Left Behind has not properly been funded and would improve the assessments used to track progress. I think education should be a state - or more specifically a local - issue. No Child Left Behind forces schools to teach to a test. Obama has acknowledged this by stating he will change the assessment methods. However, it is not clear what he would use as a replacement. Whatever it is, teachers would teach to that instead. I support the position that local authorities are in the best position to judge the adequacy of education. No Child Left Behind is exactly the opposite of that. Until I know more I cannot say I prefer Clinton, but I do not agree with Obama.
Obama has a slight lead in terms of the economy. His stimulus package, which used tax refunds, received higher marks from economists than did Clinton's, who favored subsidies for mortgages and heating. This, of course, means Obama's package gives greater flexibility to the people, which I favor. But mainly it comes down to the fact that Clinton believes in using the government as an economic prod, which includes placing a cap on executive pay. I want to make it clear that I believe that executive pay is way too high. I just believe that market forces should take care of the problem.
As for intangibles. Clinton is smart. But I dont like her and I dont trust her, which I think are related. The not liking her is a PR problem. The not trusting her is a result of her actions. The cattle trading controversy. Her willingness to do anything to get elected. This is just one example, but her sports allegiances have switched when they affact her chances of being elected. This may be just a small thing to some, but I believe it to be a sign of a certain type of character and a reflection of things to come. I am not sure she belives anything she says, but I am sure that she bellieves everything she says and does will get her elected (like the crying in New Hampshire). She is more experienced than Obama, but I am wary of having two families control the White House for 28 years. Obama is smart as well and more genuine. He is inspiring and a breath of fresh air, something this counrty needs now. I believe he believes what he says. I am concerned about his lack of experience, but believe he has the capacity to lead and can handle the office of the president.

As you can guess, then, I am endorsing, for the Democratic nominee for the presidency, This Man.