Pros and Cons

As I’ve mentioned previously, I am an undecided voter.  In my continuing effort to decide, I had the thought that I could steal an idea from a bunch of sitcoms and make pro and con lists for both candidates.  I know full well that this won’t do much good.  It’s not like all pros and cons are created equal.  But, I thought it would be a fun exercise.  I will start with Hillary Clinton, not for any good reason.  I’m just going to start with her.
 
Hillary Clinton – Pros:

1. By all accounts, she is extremely smart.
2. By all accounts, she works harder than anyone.
3. She has a unique perspective as a former first lady, former senator and former secretary of state.
4. She would appoint progressive Supreme Court Justices.
5. Her record shows that she gets things done.
6. She’s a woman.
7. She has shown a willingness to be open minded and even change her mind.
8. She has been a consistent advocate of gun control.
9. She has been a consistent advocate for children.
10. She has been a consistent advocate for women.
11. She is pragmatic.
12. She would fight climate change.
13. She would protect Obama’s legacy.

Hillary Clinton – Cons:

1. She has, at times, shown bad judgement – see email servers.
2. She is polarizing.
3. Through little fault of her own, she has a lot of baggage.
4. She is too old.
5. She is too comfortable with the economic status quo.

Bernie Sanders – Pros:

1. He understands how evil the banks are.
2. Single payer health care would be nice.
3. Free education (whatever that means, probably single payer education) would be nice.
4. He is Jewish.
5. He would appoint progressive Supreme Court justices.
6. He has been a dedicated public servant for many years.
7. He is more pragmatic than people think.
8. He has a Keynesian outlook.
9. He would fight climate change.
10. He would probably protect Obama’s legacy.

1. He doesn’t seem to understand what the word revolution means.
2. He is too old.
3. His supporters are polarizing.
4. He has never been a good advocate for gun control.
5. He seems to see everything through a class lens.
6. He doesn’t make it clear that he understands how the world has changed since the 60s.

I know this is nowhere near a complete list for either candidate.  It is just where my thoughts tend to go when I think about them.  I still don’t see any big difference between them.  And I still think O’Malley was our best choice.  I guess it may be a coin flip when I vote in April.  I guess I can take solace in the fact that neither are likely to be disastrous and both have the potential to be excellent.