Today I voted, which I believe is the duty and privilege of every American; but I will admit that I was unsure about for whom I was actually going to vote right up until the very moment I walked into the voting booth at my local precinct in order to participate in the Presidential Primary.

I am a Democrat. I have always been a Democrat. I will always be a Democrat. I will never vote Republican. Why? Well, because I believe the Republican Party is more concerned about the welfare of the “Haves” in this country than that of the “Have-Nots.” (And, yes, I do realize that each party has its flaws, as well as its charlatans and self-serving members; but, all in all, by voting the Democratic ticket, I believe I am choosing between the lesser of two evils.) I also think this country has had enough of Republican leadership over the last eight years, and it will take us a long, long time to ever clean up the mess created by the current administration. However, I digress. I was speaking of today and voting.

Well, when I went to the polls, as I said, I was deliberating over for whom to cast my vote. Would I cast my one little vote for Hillary Clinton or for Barack Obama—either the first female presidential candidate in our nation’s history or the first African American candidate?

Granted, there is much to admire about both Clinton and Obama. She is extremely intelligent and knowledgeable concerning the issues. He is extremely intelligent as well, but face it, Obama is a “greenhorn” in the political arena. Of course, he will learn through experience, but, in the meantime, I wonder if he will make careless mistakes? Allow others to direct him? Then again, Obama is determined to bring positive change to this country—something we desperately need—although exactly what changes and how he intends to bring them about remains a bit vague. It would be nice if he could be a bit more specific. Clinton, on the other hand, makes it perfectly clear what she intends to accomplish as President. She says it like it is, and hers is the voice of experience. Still, Obama is charismatic. He walks onto a stage and holds the audience captive in the palm of his hand. He comes across as warm, genuine, and personable. Clinton lacks this ability. Admit it, the woman can be a bit abrasive; plus, she doesn’t seem to know exactly what face to project to the public from one day to the next—sensitive woman or tough politician, stoic and humorless or warm and fuzzy. Then again, she has Bill by her side, and in my opinion, Bill Clinton was one of our best Presidents. Of course, whether or not Hillary will listen to his advice if she is elected is something no one can know in advance. She might, but she might not. Then again, if she is capable of being President, she shouldn't need her husband's advice.

So, again, when I entered the voting booth today, I still didn’t know for whom I would cast my vote. Then, I suddenly decided. I would vote for whom I had wanted all along. I would cast my vote for John Edwards. Why? Well, because I believe he would make a good President. (And I don’t care if he pays $500 for a haircut. He can afford it. Besides what does that matter?) The important thing is, based upon everything he has said and done, John Edwards, if elected President, would be not only an intelligent and knowledgeable leader, he would also be one who genuinely cared about the state of this nation. Moreover, he would make positive changes—and unlike Obama, he has a clear plan. The sad reality, however, is that John Edwards will not be given the chance to show this nation what he could do as President because he is out of the race, and was almost from the beginning, mainly because this campaign has not been about who could do the best job as President; it’s been about race versus gender. Either this nation is going to have its first woman President or its first African American President. They are both good candidates, and I am sure either one will do a fine job leading this country, however, I really wish something so vital—something that will affect our country so profoundly—had not come down to this--merely a contest to see who gets to make history.