One question seems to be consistently asked and answered in a skewed way: Is there a philosophical difference between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama? I’m about to argue that the conflict is not what many assume. First, I have to clear up one misconception. The litany of (particularly former) Republican nominees have argued there isn’t a difference between the Democratic candidates. They are wrong.

Not to pick on Mitt Romney in particular, but he often said Obama and Clinton want to bring policies that prop up old-statist Europe, like “Hillarycare.” To put things nicely, Romney is equivocating. To be blunt, he is denying that Clinton and Obama want to logically extend Romney’s own free-market health care plan developed during his tenure in Massachusetts. It’s simply disingenuous for him to argue that the Democrats’ health care plans are “statist.”

What Romney’s line of attack does unintentionally expose is both Obama and Clinton advocate for similar policies on education, health care and the economy. The real philosophical difference is in how they plan to implement their policies. I want to borrow a phrase I picked up from TV talking heads I think is particularly apt: Wal-Mart versus Whole Foods Market Inc.

Clinton’s approach can be likened to the way Wal-Mart markets its products: no frills, quality goods at quality prices. One might wonder if it is a mere coincidence that she used to sit on Wal-Mart’s board. Regardless, Clinton offers her track record of accomplishments — child advocacy, health care reform, education reform and work on behalf of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks first responders — and does so in a relatively simple and straightforward way. In this sense, she is the square-deal candidate for the Democrats.

Obama’s approach is similar to the Whole Foods Market’s angle: a more refined product for a more refined audience. He combines a straight-talking policy approach with abstract and intellectually challenging speeches. His style is professorial and unconventional, yet abstract in its objectives. In the limited time that Obama has been in the national spotlight, he has challenged conventional political wisdom.

But, just like the organic section of Whole Foods, we aren’t exactly sure what we are getting with Obama. We are almost all too familiar with what we are going to get from Clinton’s Wal-Mart. It’s as if we are presented with two philosophical options: One candidate who has incredible appeal but can only demonstrate limited concrete results, and one who has seemingly restrained appeal but has a track record of relatively consistent results. The real question that we need to ask is: How do we expect them to go about change? I find myself struggling with each approach to a certain extent.

The Clinton approach is reliable and fits within the traditional models and modes of political transformation. It is a top-down, policy-driven agenda that has achieved results much of the time. What this model lacks is an inspirational component. It is hard to get excited about incremental change brought about through the political means of the last generation.

The Obama approach is exciting and completely changes the models and modes of political movement in this country. He speaks of making use of strong political mandates for change and being able to easily cut through bureaucratic red tape. This is inspirational, and the fact that his candidacy has held traction is an indicator that people like the idea of this approach. The danger is no one really knows whether Obama actually will get such a mandate or that he necessarily could implement it.

Despite this philosophical struggle, as a Democrat, I feel good going into November regardless of the nominee. Like most other Democrats, I’m happy with these two candidates. While I have a preference, I don’t feel uncomfortable with the other option.

No matter what, I know it will be a vote for real change. Obama or Clinton, Whole Foods or Wal-Mart — I have to feel like either will be a better deal than the high costs of the Bush administration.

Eric Gregory is a State News columnist. Reach him at ericwgregory@gmail.com.