With each primary and caucus, the Democratic Party comes one step closer to selecting its nominee. The media would have you believe that the days of the Clinton campaign are numbered, that she represents the establishment and that she does not identify with the youth who have propelled Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) campaign. If you analyze the political activity on campus, I daresay you would be led to the same conclusions. Nearly everyone on the board of the GU College Democrats is a vocal Obama supporter, and Georgetown Students for Obama is larger and more organized then its counterpart, Georgetown Students for Hillary.

These numbers, however, do not fully reflect the trend in national politics. There is widespread support for Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y. across the country — how else do you explain her lead in delegates (superdelegates included)? It may not be as glamorous to track the choices of the elderly and voters who make under $50,000, but these demographics do matter. College students, blacks and those making over $250,000 overwhelmingly support Obama. Senator Clinton’s base consists of the elderly, women, Latino Americans, Asian Americans and lower-income workers. Why do their respective bases differ so much? Clinton’s support derives from those who have largely been ignored by the media and who have been burned by a weak economy and unconcerned politicians. Obama’s base represents our obsession with Hollywood and social elites. The media absolutely loves Senator Obama for the increased viewership he brings them every week. From Scarlett Johansson to Will.i.am., Obama’s supporters are chock full of beautiful, wealthy people. Clinton supporters are not moved by Obama’s amorphous message of change because it is empty rhetoric. These typically underrepresented groups in American society have the most faith in Hillary Clinton’s ability to bring about tangible change; she is the candidate who will bring their voices into the arena of national politics.

Upon analysis of Clinton’s platform, it is clear why her base is unwavering in its support. Clinton supports universal healthcare, a compassionate yet logical stance on immigration, liberalization of educational opportunity, and a conscientious approach to the civil war in Iraq. Clinton realizes that issues are rarely black and white, and her experience allows her to see the differing shades of gray. Her decisions are not born of popular pressure and influence but rather common sense and a belief in allowing each individual to live up to his or her “God-given potential.”

One of the biggest reasons I support Clinton is for her belief in universal healthcare. A person’s quality of health should not be determined by factors like income and heritage; like food and water, all of us have the right to be healthy. Obama understands how essential healthcare is to America — that’s why his plan mandates coverage for children. However, he is unwilling to go the extra step of mandating coverage for everyone because he fears the political repercussions. The common good is not subjective for Clinton; she knows what is right and will not succumb to pressure in the pursuit of her goals.

Clinton’s tendency toward moderation and compromise is exemplified by her stances on immigration and the war in Iraq. Clinton’s position on immigration is not marked by Lou Dobbs’ xenophobia, but it also does not give a free pass to illegal immigrants. She realizes that Americans have lost jobs to undocumented workers, but she also wants illegal immigrants to have a chance at citizenship rather than have to continue life as part of a secret, subservient class. Clinton, like Obama, is dedicated to ending the civil war in Iraq. But I have more faith in Clinton’s ability to end things properly and conscientiously. We all need to realize that the Iraq issue will not just disappear after American troops have departed; the country will be confronted with the issue of what direction it wants to take. The process of rebuilding Iraq and securing it for future generations will be tedious and slow, if done correctly. A stable Iraq will not be achieved by 2009, as proposed by Obama’s timeline for withdrawal. Clinton recognizes the Iraq question as one of great complexity, and she is dedicated to giving the Iraqis the proper tools for creating a viable government.

I write this viewpoint article to remind students that this campaign is not over. It is easy to take at face value the media depictions of Clinton as “divisive” and part of the establishment. I urge each one of you not to let the media narrate this campaign; instead of listening to the pundits, research both senators’ platforms and actually listen to what each proposes. If you do not allow the media to color your perceptions of Senator Clinton, I am confident that you will find her positions offer something for everyone. She has a record of reaching across the Senate aisle in the spirit of bipartisanship, but she will not compromise on core liberal values. Clinton as president will mean real change for every American.
Michelle Munjanattu is a freshman in the School of Foreign Service