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As the jabs get more painful and the kicks more frequent in the verbal beatings between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, the public has become distracted by the viciousness of politics.Americans have overlooked a problem much deeper and more important than Obama’s Somalian garb – their endorsements.
Sen. Chris Dodd has added to the long list of ‘celebrity’ endorsees for the presidential contenders, alongside Madonna, Martha Stewart and Sylvester Stallone. Although Dodd’s endorsement has more merit than that of an actor, this extremely public support for one candidate or another should not factor into the outcome of the presidential primaries.

But does it?

When Sen. Edward M. Kennedy announced his endorsement for Obama, the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women denounced his action and called it the “ultimate betrayal.” Women of the N.Y. NOW claimed that his decision ruined the relationship built between Kennedy and the organization.

Whether or not the organization or any other individual feels that one candidate is less qualified than the other has not been the case. The decision was not based on whether Obama would be a risky choice to lead the United States’ foreign policy.
People have sided with Clinton because she is a woman, Obama because he is African American, Mike Huckabee because he is an ordained minister, or John McCain because he may very well be the only Republican to vote for.

During campaign season, Americans are encouraged to vote with a hope that the number will raise with each passing election. Politicians and well-known individuals have made a special effort to push college students and young adults to vote, as seen with P. Diddy’s ‘Vote or Die’ campaign in 2004.

For years, it has been an optimistic undertaking with good intentions of getting more people active in politics. The 2008 presidential primaries have become a milestone in U.S. history with the potential to be the most interesting one in decades.

But when individuals vote for Clinton because they believe it is about time a woman was elected president, participation and efforts to get more Americans to vote are wasted.

Although difficult as it may be to set aside instincts to root for a specific gender, race or religious background, Americans should spend their time focused on the presidential platforms.

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