As theater, this debate was much as I expected. Anyone who's seen me around her knows that I'm unequivocally for Barack, but I was a bit frustrated about a couple things that are important to many undecideds.
1. Please, oh please, don't beat around the bush, and run from your earmarks. McCain got to drum "900 billion in pork barrel" three times, as Barack tried to point out the insignificance of it. This is a mistake. Own up to, and defend your earmarks, as they clearly were not, on the whole, pork. As I recall, from my pre-Obama-supporting research, most of the earmarks were for high tech, research, and other progressive projects. Running, or detracting from this made him look weak.
2. This may be just me, because very few politicians are very good at it, but Try To Actually Hear And Answer The Question. There may never be anyone as good at this as Bill Clinton (lying or not), but Barack needs to infuse a bit more of the <i>appearance</i> of candor, if not the real thing.
3. Barack needs a "line, a phrase, a hook to return to; in order to emotionally connect, and make his message. As an example, tonight McCain kept beginning his statements by working in the phrase "doesn't understand". Barack HAS to directly confront this semi-liminal message of "you're a kid, who doesn't have the knowledge of the old sage"
I don't think these 3 debates, and the Palin drubbing (not that I think that's gonna happen) will decide this either way. I think Barack's going to win, regardless. The issue for me is one of depth of support. Barack needs to swing for the fences simply because he will need broad, ground up support, in order to actually enact any of what he has been talking about.
The difference between Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter Administrations will only be the continuing involvement of "millions of people calling for change".
Re: | Report to Admin ReplyBy Seeking from La Crosse, WI 24 minutes ago (Updated 24 minutes ago)Pray tell me why?I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would vote present?If I say present to every key decision I have to make at home, I'll be homeless pretty soon.If I do that at work, I'll be fired summarily.Sorry..please explain.st!Re: Re: | Report to Admin Reply
By Bob (I'm Voting For The Smart One) Mutch 4 minutes ago (Updated 4 minutes ago)You vote "Present" to show contempt for a P.O.S. bill. Usually this means a bill the includes all kinds of opposed funding, that one could get "called on" later; either for being For or Against it.** I know I'm wasting my "breath", but, here goes:For example, let's say we have a 500 billion transportation bill. In the bill are funding requests for, say, $50 million to maintain an old, heavily used, interstate bridge in (let's just say Minnesota). You also have $300 million, or so, earmarked for a new bridge to an island of 50 people, in Alaska.OK, you with me so far?Say you vote YEA on the bill; you're then FOR a Bridge to Nowhere - For the rest of your career.Say you vote NO on the bill; you're now AGAINST critical infrastructure projects to save American lives.If you're not on the particular committee that brought the bill to a roll call vote, you have no other option. In Illinois, they do. They have "present"; which basically means, "this bill is a piece of crap"Let me know if I can be any clearer.
It seems to me that a good part of this bailout is to bleed the country dry; knowing that Obama will win, and turn off the money spigot to the uber-wealthy. I'm not talking professional people simply making over $250k; I think we're getting worked by the big time system "gamers", in the McCainsian area of $5 million plus.As is, it will have the added benefit to the Republicans of putting the Obama Administration in such a hole, that there's no way we'll be dug out by the next election cycle.Anyone else read today's article by Ron Paul? A lot of it seemed to make sense; up until the part where he goes off on a "get government completely out of it" tear. I don't think he's in the greedy bastard wing of the party, but the much smaller naive libertarian-leaning wing. That explains his place at the Republican table (card table out on the back patio)
I've got to read up a bit more; but as of now, I'm thinking No Bailout until After Nov 4. We'll have a President Elect who can then hold more sway over the proceedings that the lame a$$... er, I mean lame Duck president (small "p").
The two-faced, denying hand-in-cookie-jar, BS from the GOP is getting on my last nerve (to put it Very politely). While harping on "first time I've been really proud", or lapel pins, or failing to give credit for a stylistic construction during a speech over 20 years ago, the GOP has Demanded that we stop criticizing their candidates for anything. Lord knows (you hear that GOP), they're not talking about the last 8 years.
They're running on what; the unquestionable nobility of POWs and MOMs? That neither should ever have to defend their positions, or past decisions, because they've had it tough? You're joking, right? And yet, they're doing this with a straight (perhaps a bit unnaturally straight) face.
After the last two presidential elections, I am sadly amazed that the GOP has again found a way to lower the bar again! Let's hope that this particular well has finally run dry.
The bottom line, it seems, is that the GOP has become frighteningly, infuriatingly good at M&M: Manipulating Morons. Yes, I realized that I've opened the Pandora's box of Elitist vs. Dumb-As-Post... ist.
Cest' La Vie (Oh crap... French!... a dead give away!)
The More You Know (APA citation... NBC... blah, blah)
Obama/Biden '08
Since last night was a good night, I'll indulge some forward thinking:
Maybe we can work out a matrix of importance for the V.P.
Tough nut; but put some names in there, in order of strength in particular category, add up the points, and whoever has the fewest points wins!
Bonnie,
I understand. I'm an humanist/atheist, and believe that God doesn't belong in our pledges, or on our money. But my suggestion comes from a greater desire to see Barack Obama elected President than in my problems with current incursions of dogma in public life. I am Rarely proud of the actions of the Government of the United States, or a majority of its people, but I do have a profound pride in the Possibilities of the United States; possibilities that hold promise still as a beacon of what a diverse people Can be. What people, as a whole, can be.
So on April 12, at Noon EDT (9am my time), wherever I happen to be, I am going to put my hand over my heart, and recite a pledge that I have not recited in decades. I'm going to recite the pledge, in full Obama regalia, not for some narrow quasi-patriotic purpose, but as a show of unity; a show of unity for my choice as candidate in this upcoming election, and as a show of unity with all those other "delusional" souls who think the possible can be made just a little more real... this time.
Bob Mutchbob@pickbobsbrain.com
-----Original Message-----From: Bonnie Parker [mailto:bonnie@bonnieparker.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 12:12 AMTo: Americans of Irish Descent for Barack ObamaSubject: [AmericansofIrishDescentforObama] Re: Re: RE: APRIL 12, 2008! One Voice for Change Across America
It is bad enough that UNDER GOD is there at all... which god are we including in our pledge. I don't need canned phrases to honor my country when I am proud. AND I AM NOT ALWAYS PROUD.There are times when the truth needs to be spoken even if it is unpopular. We have made some terrible choices and we have behaved in some bad ways. The world has watched and is watching. It is time to stop acting shocked when someone stands up and says that they are sick of it. We certainly are not the monsters of the world but we could do a lot better.We need a UNITED WORLD PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCEbmp in hanover
* * * * *
Let's Pledge!
Someone sent me the following:
APRIL 12, 2008!
One Voice for Change Across America 1 Voice - 1 People - 1 Day - 1 Time -
Real Change in SUPPORT of BARACK OBAMA.
Please send to all your email contacts.
SAVE-THE-DATE April 12, 2008 - 12 Noon EDT/9 AM PDT
Is it just me, or does it occur to people that...
We Ought to Start the Rally With The Pledge of Allegiance!
Then again, I am the guy who Started my own "I Am Hussein" webpage. www.pickbobsbrain.com/iamhussein/
I think it would be great if we could all start saying the pledge at the same moment. If we create enough buzz, perhaps we can get Barack in on it. That would steal some of the opponents thunder!
Think about it.
If you like it, Go Viral!
Cheers,
Bob Mutch
bob@pickbobsbrain.com
Florida: How is it that Hillary believes a re-vote, of any kind will help her? She "won" by 16 points,yes? I think a redo will actually help Barack, but let's let the people of Florida do whatever they want, without our campaign weighing in. The difference isn't worth the political "wind".
Michigan is a different story, in that the Clinton campaign was the only major player to deny the authority of it's own party, and keep it's name on the ballot. Whatever. If We (note my use of We for Obama campaign) stipulate to a 55-40 split, in favor of Clinton (with 5% going independent), will that appease her? We can afford it, and if she thinks her margins will improve with a re-vote, she's being lied to inside her own campaign.
Take note Sen. Clinton: We will fight you like you've never been fought before; by NOT fighting you. We will be firm. We will forcefully make our case. But, we will not cross that line, that draws us into the "same old thing". We are Not the same old thing. "We" are something new. We are you too. "We" are everyone who is open to laying down their political sabres, and trying a philosophical "redo".
50% w/ +20 points Clinton = 26 net gain Clinton
Samuel,
There is little chance this will get To, much less Passed you, but here goes:
1. Forget further comment on Geraldine Ferraro issue. Let the media sharks feed on the story for as long as it has legs. As you and the campaign are aware, it's a trap you don't need to step into.
2. It's time to de-focus "experience" with a deftly handled question of honesty and stability. BLue collar voters won't stand for hypocrisy.
3. An olive branch, or outreach to Clinton faithful needs to begin. I thought of a self-deprecating "Obama Fool's Day" (i.e. Barack's comments about us being delusional) when we'll don our swag, and hit the streets with open arms. Yeah, this one needs work, but outreach in some fashion has to be planned, soon.
4. Last, and boldest. If Barack has a short list for V.P., particularly if there is a woman (No, not Her) on the list, an announcement would have some serious power in the next few days. Talk about Audacity! I think it's time, and it's the kind of "Wow!" move that some have been waiting for. They'll get off the fence.
I could be wrong about all of this. I have no political training, nor experience. I'm relatively young (OK, a year older than Barack). I have been a perennial under-achiever. But I find that when I feel this certain about certain things, I'm only wrong when I fail to act.
5. A bonus: Barack could use a couple days off, but needs to stay "in focus" (proper buzzword escapes me, and it's getting late). I think he should, in some fashion, "ask" the people of Pennsylvania for a couple days off to be with his family. Play to the blue collar, hell Any, family types.
Well, that's my 5 cents.
Memo from Obama Campaign - March 8, 2008
The Clinton campaign has publicly admitted that the only way they can still win this election is by tearing Barack Obama down. They have called their attacks the “kitchen sink strategy,” and Senator Clinton herself has referred to it as “the fun part” of the campaign. The result has been a constant barrage of attacks about Senator Obama’s record that they know full well aren’t true. And yet they repeat them, over and over again, day after day, in an attempt to deceive the American people just so that they can win this election.
This may be fun for the Clinton campaign, but this is exactly why people don’t trust their leaders anymore. This is exactly why so many people are so cynical about the political process. And it’s exactly what Barack Obama is running to change.
There is no more serious issue than the war in Iraq. 150,000 American troops are risking their lives every day in a conflict that this President and John McCain have no intention of ending anytime soon. It’s a conflict that’s cost us thousands of lives, billions of dollars, stretched our military and taxed their families, and has seriously undermined our national security, our moral standing, and our ability to go after Osama bin Laden and the core leadership of al Qaeda and finish the job against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Barack Obama had the judgment to oppose this war before it began for these exact reasons. Senator Clinton voted for this war, and yet she continues to tell the American people that her vote was for diplomacy even though the resolution was titled, “Joint Resolution to Authorize the use of Military Force Against Iraq.”
When Senator Obama arrived in the Senate, he called for a phased withdrawal before Senator Clinton did. He also introduced comprehensive legislation in the Senate to begin removing combat troops at a pace of 1-2 brigades a month, with an end date for completing that drawdown – legislation that became the basis for the Senate Democrats’ plan to end the war.
Barack Obama has said, repeatedly, that when he is President, his first act will be to convene the Joint Chiefs of Staff and ask them to immediately put in place his plan for withdrawal. He’s also said, as he did recently on 60 Minutes, that as Commander-in-Chief he would retain the flexibility to implement this withdrawal in a way that ensures the safety and security of our troops. But there has never been a doubt about the purpose of his policy – ending this war and bringing our troops home on a timetable for withdrawal.
The Clinton campaign knows full well that this is Senator Obama’s position, and they know full well that this flexibility is what his former advisor was referring to. They know it because preserving flexibility for the Commander-in-Chief has also been Senator Clinton’s position – or at least it was until she made the judgment that attacking Barack Obama on this issue is more politically beneficial to her campaign.
Washington has played too much politics with the issue of war. It’s what got us into Iraq in the first place. It’s why so many brave Americans have lost their lives. And it’s why the real Commander-in-Chief test in this election isn’t about some TV ad, it’s about whether the American people will be able to trust in the judgment and the honesty of their next President.
If the Clinton campaign wants to have a serious debate about who opposed the war in Iraq and who’s more committed to ending it, we’re more than happy to have that debate. But they should stop playing politics with war, and they should stop telling the American people things that they know aren’t true. We will not let this campaign be about who can tear each other down. We owe it to the American people to try and lift this country up.
Hillary has Experience... bringing up her issue of Experience; that's about it.
Let's look at Only Elected experience, shall we?
Obama 11+ years, Clinton 7+ Authored bills passed: Obama by about 3:2 Question: Why is it that such a large percentage of Clinton's authored legislation have NO Co-Sponsors? Does she not play well with other children?
Let's look at legislation depth.
Both Obama and Clinton introduced legislation to limit childhood exposure to lead. Clinton's was a bill for tax relief for removing old lead paint in homes (not direct action, and how many homes Are there left with lead paint?) Obama's bill was to inspect and eliminate lead products, meant for children, entering the U.S. Direct action against, presumably China, that Millions of children have daily access to. Who thinks big!? Think people. We get the president we deserve.
Last night the Clinton camp just couldn't help to include Michigan and Florida in their plus column, again!
Someone PLEASE Stop the Clinton campaign from mentioning MICHIGAN again! Don't let them finish the sentence. Clinton ran essentially unopposed, and only managed, what, 10 points over "Anyone but you Hillary"? As soon as you hear "Mich...", just give 'em the old "Zip it!" Clinton would NOT take Michigan in a primary, Or caucus, so any form of "do over" is fine with me. Florida is a losing battle, even with a re-vote. But the Republicans in charge should take a hit, for playing games, Sooo, let's give 'em half the delegates. Clinton picks up a few, and Florida has to stand in the corner; it's got a lot it should be given a time-out for.
I just have to rant a little:
A reply to someone on a blog wondering if the Rezco thing was going to hurt Barack's (Our) campaign:
There is NO "rezno" [sic] thing! Nor is there a back door Canadian NAFTA thing! There IS a disgusting, absolutely anything to win, political thing. Look into it. Spend a couple minutes, and read past the headlines and paragraph one. It's gone beyond "shame on you" now, Hillary. You've got a lot of nerve mentioning Barack and Karl Rove in the same sentence. You want to face Karl Rove, look in a mirror. One negative ad. That's all the Obama campaign needs to run; just one. We'll even come out and apologize for it, say "we just had to set the record straight, do your own investigation into these matters: Then simply run a scroll, a roll-call of infamy: White Water, Peter Paul, Travelgate, Lincoln Bedroom $29.95/night, Shame on you, Karl Rove, Democrats shouldn't attack Democrats, John McCain has the experience and Obama has a speech, Majority of Clinton Bills have No Sponsors, Janet Reno, Failure to enact meaningful Heathcare reform (in over 15 years!), 7 years Elected Experience (as opposed to 11+ for Barack)... I really could go on... Just watch the video below, and all of the fantastic media on the Obama sight, and then look at what the "other two" have to offer. No "substance", please! I'm going to have a frosty adult beverage this evening, and cheer on positivism, hope, charity, kindliness, honesty, and thoughfulness. It needs to make a comeback. Now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-wjUXgJSZA
It sure gets tiring trying to respond to folks that post comments alluding to Barack, or the campaign as either cult-like or lacking substance. I tried in the response below to someone (watchdog) on an Eastern Ohio Newspaper site. (http://forums.chillicothegazette.com/viewtopic.php?t=12273&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15):
I was critical of all the candidates, on both sides, until mid-January. After looking at the 5 leading candidates (at the time) websites, and their records (online searches and Library of Congress), I have decided that Barack Obama is the best candidate at this point in history. John McCain would be my second choice. But someone else's opinion shouldn't be what you go by when deciding. It takes work on every individual's part to make an informed decision. Whipe the pre-conceptions away, and start building reasoned arguments for/against. Or, you can just take the easy way out, and go with your "gut". Rely on old cliches and emotive phrases, like: liberal, conservative, right-wing, leftist, soft, messiah, tax-and-spend, hawk, dove, tree-hugger, kool-aid drinker (hateful fear-mongerer), prophet, commie, redneck... You get the point, yes?
NEW: Send Photo!
http://www.pickbobsbrain.com/iamhussein/
In the middle of what started as an Obama Store sales page (http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGgxmJ) someone had a great idea regarding this "Hussein problem". All of us should adopt Hussein as our middle names! Excellent! What better way to DEFUSE the, shall we say, intellectually challenged?
I'm not sure if it's Karen from Washington state that deserves credit, but it wasn't me, so don't charge me with plagiarism! Hey, that gives me an idea... OK, not now.
I am Robert Hussein Mutch!
I volunteered on the blog to try to collect, and put together into a video, photos of people holding up "I Am Hussein" signs. This got people thinking of the "I'm Sorry World" photo website after the 2004 "Election". I'm new to organizing this type of thing, so any help would be great.
I emailed the "Sorry" website host for advice/assistance. Until then, feel free to send Pix to my direct e-mail: bob@pickbobsbrain.com
Meet Barack Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGGIHqIoP2k
2004 Convention (The Beginning of the Beginning) (2part)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNfuX9seIyM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR-PD0l5qko
Yes We Can (of course)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY
My "Run" Campaign Slideshow (Music by Collective Soul)
Yes We Can in New Hampshire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe751kMBwms
Just Words in Wisconsin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6NS9unm-OQ
Michelle Obama in Iowa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqCYFpUAJ2Q
