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The Victoria College. Full-time salaried position with benefits available...
DISTRICT "Champions for Community Wellness" has the following positions...
Pro & Con is a feature in which both sides of an argument are presented in a story independent of the other argument. The feature offers both sides in this format.
Pro
Sen. Hillary Clinton hasn’t lost yet and she could tarnish her character and credibility if she quit now.
You go, girl.
Although many predict Clinton will lose her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, stranger things have happened during elections.
Just ask Al Gore.
Local supporters said Clinton should give her challenger – Sen. Barack Obama – a run for his life.
“I’m a big Hillary supporter,”said Mary Sanchez, 32. “She should stay. It’d be nice to see a woman as president. Do you think Obama would quit, give it over to her? No. Hillary believes she’s the better candidate.”
If Clinton quits, then the senator’s convictions may be questioned later, Sanchez said. “What would they say about her if they quit?”
Other Clinton supporters said the country was more stable when her husband, Bill Clinton, was president.
Since Republicans took over, a near-recession, mortgage crisis, record oil prices and a war are now par for the course.
Clinton would right the country, supporters say.
Even if Clinton loses, her presence – and the popular battle with Obama – has drawn attention and voters to the Democratic Party.
That’s according to Stephen Jabbour, the Victoria County Democratic Party chairman.
“I don’t think she’s going to drop out of the race,” Jabbour said. “The silver lining is that in every primary there has been an unprecedented turnout in voters.”
A great number of those voters are new voters and new to the Democratic Party, he said.
“They are individuals we want to nurture and keep engaged until the November election. The Dems, to win, need the energy of new voters and to maintain the existing base. In that sense, Hillary is helping.”
Con
Say goodbye, Sen. Hillary Clinton. Political forecasts give you no chance.
You can’t win the Democratic presidential nomination so help unify your party against Sen. John McCain, a Republican who is gaining steam.
Instead of bashing same-party opponent Sen. Barack Obama, join the team.
Obama supporters in Victoria say Clinton is only hurting her party by remaining stubborn.
Joe Vasquez Sr., a 64-year-old business owner, said the debate about Clinton’s decision is popular these days.
“That’s the talk of the town, really,” he said. “I know she doesn’t want to give up, but the convention’s coming around. I’d like to see a winner before then.”
To deprive Democrats a clear-cut winner is unfair, said Laquanda Dennis, 19. The New York senator should bow out with dignity, she said.
Nick Stewart disagrees. The 41-year-old Republican is all for Clinton fighting from the ropes.
“I support them battling all the way to the end,” he said, laughing. “It causes friction in the Democratic party.”
In a political year in which Democrats should be dominating Republicans, Stewart said, this ongoing battle has given his party an unexpected advantage.
Stephen Jabbour, Victoria County Democratic Party chairman, said Clinton’s decision to remain fighting is both good and bad.
The popularity of the campaigns is drawing record voter turnouts to the Democratic Party, he said.
But Clinton is also spotlighting weaknesses in Obama – and doing damage that could benefit Republicans.
“If she shows why Obama’s not electable, she does damage the party – and she’s fracturing the vote,” Jabbour said.
Splitting party voters can weaken the Democrats’ broad appeal, he said.
That’s why Vazquez thinks enough is enough.
“It’s time for her to step down,” he said.
Gabe Semenza is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6519 or gsemenza@vicad.com.