How Republicans Are Different From Us

I relish the presidency of any of the likely Democratic nominees.  

Obama, Clinton, Edwards, and the others have differences in tactical approaches and policy emphasis; skills and experiences, i.e. in the details.  

The make-ups of the baskets of attributes are different, but they are each excellent baskets.  If we don't let ourselves suffer from the narcissism of small differences we can see how well our policies fare under each of these potential presidents.

The agonized choice is between great and greater.

This is what we face as Democrats.  This is why the support for the top three is so evenly divided.

Republicans also face an agonizing choice - for the opposite reason - which choice is least egregious?

This situation was starkly apparent in a recently published comment by a Utah Republican (or satirist):

Salt Lake Tribune Public Forum Letter
Article Last Updated: 01/03/2008 07:13:57 PM MST

We Utahns are Republicans. And proud of it. It's part of our cultural identity. Last in line to support George Bush. This year will prove interesting for us. If Willard Milton Romney prevails, no problem. Euphoria will be universal. But what if it's to be Rudy or Mike? Then what?
   We'll be forced to vote for either a lying, philandering demigod with no discernible moral compass, or an ordained Southern Baptist minister who denies Mormons are Christians. Such a dilemma. But then again, either would be preferable to any of the reviled Democrats!
   
Richard W. Teasdale
Torrey

It just makes me proud to be a Democrat.

Incidentally, it is not true that all Utahns are Republican or even that all Mormons are Republican.  

In my time in Utah, I found the Democratic Party to be quite alive and relevant.  

And, some great Democrats happen to be Mormon.  

Utah Democrats have had better times, such as the year that every precinct in the state went for FDR, except for one in the Federal Heights neighborhood of Salt Lake.  Curiously, that neighborhood is now a Democratic stronghold.

Let us count our blessings.