Although 2007 has hardly begun, a heated race is already underway for the 2008 presidential nominations. After a recent rash of exploratory committees and official announcements, it appears that Illinois Senator Barack Obama, New York Senator Hillary Clinton and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will be some among the many seeking the Democratic nomination.
Obama recently gained an important ally when prominent Democratic fundraiser and Tufts alum and trustee Alan Solomont (A '70) gave him his support.
Currently the chairman and CEO of SolomontBailis Ventures, Solomont previously served as the national finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee during part of the Clinton Administration. While in the post he helped raise over $40 million.
Solomont has also held several other positions within the Democratic Party and fundraised for John Kerry during the last election season.
When deciding who to support for the 2008 election, Solomont faced a difficult decision. He was involved in the administration of Hillary Clinton's husband and has the same alma mater as fellow Jumbo Bill Richardson.
He spoke to the Daily to explain his decision.
Aram Boghosian: Why are you supporting Barack Obama?
Alan Solomont: Every presidential election is a reaction to the previous president. I think that Americans are so disgusted with the last six years that they are really seeking something new and different.
A new voice and a new face, but also, fundamentally, Americans want to believe in their government again. They want to have confidence in government and faith in the political process. I think Senator Obama speaks to that desire better than any other candidate.
AB: You spoke of the presidential election as being a reaction to the previous president. How can Senator Obama uniquely speak to those concerns?
AS: People are so disgusted with their government; they feel it has led them astray. They have become so disenchanted with politics and the government that they are not only open to, but longing for, someone who will speak to them with a different voice and approach politics in a way that they can be inspired by instead of being let down. I think the other candidates are very distinguished leaders themselves and of remarkable talent.
Several of the Democrats would make a very fine president, but in each election you have to think about what specifically at this moment in history Americans are looking for in their president.
And I think that because he is newer to the scene, because of his unique life experiences, because of his approach to politics and governing, and because of his desire to seek change in the way that we conduct our policy, is why Americans are and will be attracted to him.
AB: How have your past experiences with Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson affected your perceptions of their candidacies?
AS: I have enormous respect and admiration for the Clintons, both President Clinton and Senator Clinton. I've worked with and supported them through four campaigns together since 1992.
I had one of the most exciting experiences of my life supporting them and participating in the Clinton Administration, so it wasn't an easy decision for me.
I went to college with Bill Richardson. I have followed his career and known him for many years when he was in Congress and then when he served in Clinton's cabinet and as governor of New Mexico, and I think he is an incredibly talented individual who brings some remarkable experiences and skills to this campaign and perhaps the White House.
In both cases it was very difficult but I think that, like many other Americans, I am looking to be inspired by a national leader, looking for somebody who is going to offer something uplifting in a different sort of way.
I think that Barack Obama is the most amazing political talent we've seen since Bill Clinton appeared on the national stage.
There is something very Bobby Kennedy-esque about him and I think that he has the potential to bring this country together again and really be a uniter, not a divider, to lift people up instead of letting them down, and to make people feel good about their government and political leadership in a way that I don't think the other candidates can; either because they've been on the national stage too long and people approach them with preconceived ideas about them or because they don't have the same skills and abilities that Senator Obama has.
