I did not see the debate last evening, but it was encouraging to hear that the tone was positive. I have been wavering back and forth on Clinton and Obama. I guess I have been postponing a decision since our primary here in Indiana is not until May.

Just this past week, I have decided to support Obama. Both of my adult children, who have not been very involved in the past in the political process,are excited by him. My daughter heard him speak in person early in the campaign and she, along with the thousands of young people at the event, was energized by his speech. He is connecting with the younger generation in ways that have not been seen since JFK.

I am convinced that he has the charisma and the communication skills to repair all the damage done by Bush in our relationships with other nations. Those same skills will also enable him to build bridges with the Republicans so that both parties can work together to accomplish something. He also, my opinion, has the best chance to solidly defeat the Republican candidate.

Re: The Kentucky Derby of politics. If Obama had not saddled himself with Teddy Kennedy he would have won by a nose. Now, it's Hillary by a neck.

I voted for Hillary in the Florida primary. Obama sounds good but, after eight years of Pres. Bush, I want more than talk. I want action and Hillary gets things done.

Locals here point to Hillary's S-CHIP program that provides health insurance for over 6 million children as an illustration of Hillary being a person with a track record of accomplishments that help Americans. They often like what Obama says, but countless people have told me that he talks, but does not get things done like Hillary does.

My husband told me fifteen years ago that he wanted Hillary to be President. Because I have been a volunteer for the Democrats for decades, I speak with huge numbers of local Democrats. Countless people I don't even know have been coming up to me for months telling me that they would be voting for Hillary: college students, people of every race and age, male and female. They tell me things like they know enough about Hillary to trust how she would react in a crisis, but they think Obama, while interesting, is an untested and unknown quantity. After their disappointment with Pres. Bush, they say they want someone who can deliver on change and hit the ground running and that person is Hillary.

Hillary received more votes in the Florida primary than any other candidate of either political party, Democrat or Republican. Hillary won more votes in the Florida primary than Obama received in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada put together.

In my county, Hillary won with over 61% of the vote. Obama had less than 25%.

Florida-wide, Hillary won in both the male and female vote, almost every age group including the 18-29 year olds, as well as across income groups.

Greater Orlando Team Hillary, which is an all volunteer group, has hundreds of members and for the past year has been the most active volunteer group I have ever seen for a Presidential candidate in Florida this early in the election cycle. Many of its enthusiastic leaders are college students and 20-somethings.

I want more than a good speaker; I want real change and I believe Hillary can deliver on that, so I support her.

I understand what you're saying . . . but I can't get passed this one fact:

Bush, Clinton, Clinton, Bush, Bush, . . . Clinton

Where's the change?

I think Obama has more experience and has gotten more done than many give him credit for. And, when you think about it, the President isn't the sole individual running the country . . . it is just as much about who they surround themselves with, as the person in the office. Hillary is already surrounding herself with her husband's people. Barack surrounds himself with people looking for the same unifying ideas for change as himself.

Again though, after last night I feel much better about either option. Hillary was well spoken, and as far as I'm concerned, had the line of the night (It took a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush, it just might take a Clinton to clean up after the second Bush). So I'll be happy to support her if she becomes our nominee!

Ordinarygirl, I agree with you about Obama. I believe his ability to unite people and excite the young generation makes him the type of person we need to unite America. Our country has become divided by red / blue state mentality, which forces people to rally only those people who agree with them in order to get elected. The fact that he seems to have increased participation in primary and caucus in the early states bodes well for his abilty to get people excited about making sacrifices that everyone is going to have to make to solve problems facing us in near future. I believe Clinton will still be focal point for confrontation. I'm voting for Obama next week in New Mexico. We need change and the involvement of younger generation now more than ever.

ordinarygirl,

By change, I mean a change in policies. To me, names are mere names..."a rose by any other name" as the saying goes. If I thought Bush were a good president, I would not care what his name is.

I want changes that are improvements.

Some things American presidents accomplished in the past were good. If Hillary balances the budget and ushers in an era of prosperity like under the previous President Clinton, and a real change from Pres. Bush, I will be happy about that!

Hillary also has new ideas and new plans. I particularly like her universal affordable health care plan, which covers everyone (unlike Obama's plan which is estimated to leave out 15 million Americans - that's almost the size of the population of Florida, and I'd hate to see that many Americans remain without health insurance), and also includes strategies and programs for improving health care quality as well as its affordability.

So, I respect your viewpoint, but I'll stick with Hillary!

There is only one statement Hillary made last night that(though spoken with a laugh) could prove to be a flash of undie showing and it was:

"I think it's time for a woman to be president--I want to save this country."

Question: Behind all this education and experience and Max Factor makeup and blow-dried hair, are we looking at a person with a Joan of Arc complex?

Does she really think this country has been so completely screwed up by one--just one, president that only she--and only she, can restore it to its once

proud heritage?

Senator Clinton, are you on a divine mission? Have you been called out and set aside by the personal saints and emissaries of the Almighty himself?

If so, Google Saint Joan on your computer and refresh your memory as to the outcome of that well-meaning but misled young Maid of Orleans. She not only did not achieve her goal of getting the Goddams(read English) out of her beloved France--she died in the process and the English (read Goddams) remained in France until they were damned ready to feed in other pastures. Such are the intricacies and deceptions of power seeking. One might say the only thing she achieved was immortality and sainthood. Is THAT all you want senator?

Then let us pray--Our Father-----

And you might have Bill standing by with a fire extinguisher. Have a good Tuesday.