CNN.com staffer Jonathan Mann wrote on Friday March 7, 2008 that Senator Obama's bubble did burst and the "fun" ended with the Texas and Ohio primary losses. Furthermore, Mr. Mann believes that the media was far too soft on Obama, who will now have to fight instead of just cruising along (my summary of his text). Here is why Mr. Mann is wrong:
1. Barack Obama and his campaign never claimed that this was supposed to be an easy road to the White House. If I remember correctly, following the Senator's impressive win in SC, he stressed before his supporters and the nation that "it's not going to be easy." He has precisely called upon his supporters to fight block by block, precinct by precinct, district by district, county by county, state by state, until final victory is achieved (and that goes beyond Jan. 20, 2009).
2. To call Obama's rise to prominence in these primaries a "bubble" that was destined to burst reflects a clear lack of judgment and/or a blatant disregard for the facts. From Iowa to Vermont, millions of American voters, of all racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds, carefully examined the alternative, engaged in meaningful discussion at caucus meetings, town hall meetings, house events for Obama (I have attended a few here in Maryland), and on various other occasions, I'm sure. The candidate has consistently stated his position on the issues affecting average Americans, such as the economy, the war in Iraq and its impact on our economic situation, immigration, health care, education, etc. Obama was and is REAL. His campaign has deep roots in the American Experience and embodies the dreams of millions.
3. Fight, he will. Yet it is refreshing to hear that, even when facing the kitchen-sink kind of attacks leveled by an un-holy alliance (in immediate purpose) of Clinton, McCain, and Bush, Mr. Obama continues to take the high road. I suggest that the campaign should refocus its communication strategies. In politics, silence is the enemy of truth. When Hillary AND a complacent media raise doubts about his character or experience, he MUST react quickly, clearly, consistently, and with toughness. We won't hit below the belt as others often do, but we must show the American people, and the supporters of this movement, that our candidate can lead. Otherwise, Pennsylvania--and the nomination--will be but a...dream.
4. Finally, let me humbly remind Jonathan Mann and everyone else that in Ohio and Texas, Barack Obama managed to overcome a huge deficit, sometimes even a 20-point negative margin, to finish respectably, let alone win MORE DELEGATES in Texas after the caucus dust settles. Let me further reming my friends that Obama still has won nearly twice the number of states carried by Clinton, and has not lost in the superdelegates arena either. Even on the money side, when Clinton realizes her best yet fund-raising month, we obliterate her numbers, 55 to 35 million dollars. WOW! Aren't you proud you got (or are going to get) involved in this effort?
Mann is Wrong. And the journey of millions of hard-working, solution-minded, dreamers like me will continue. The whisper that started last year in Springfield, IL will continue to swell until its fruits, a chorus of change seekers, reverberates beyond the walls of Washington until they reach the farthest regions of the world. To all, that will say: America has been reborn and equality in the greatest nation on Earth is no longer...just words!
G.
I voted twice for Bill Clinton, in 1992 and 1996. I admired First Lady Hillary Clinton's behavior and visible strength during the Moninca Lewinsky circus and the infamous attempt to impeach the President. However, I now begin to understand why many Republicans dislike her so much. As Dick Morris once said, for the Clintons, winning, and winning at all cost, is all that matters.
The recent attacks on Barack Obama, and the thinly veiled attempt at reviving old prejudices from an already misinformed segment of the electorate (photo sent to Drudge Report, for instance) bear the mark of ultimate desperation. It's one thing to lose an election. It's another to sink below the lowest acceptable level of integrity, just for the sake of trying to win.
It is my deeply held conviction that Senator Obama should stay on the high road and not yield to the temptation of responding in kind. Yes, negative ads often work. However, with good communications skills, with an adept Truth Squad that doesn't let the opponent get away with lies and fabrications, the Movement for a United America can still maintain its dignity and continue to earn the respect and admiration, indeed the active involvement, of millions of Americans who, like me, are just fed up with the brand of Rove tactics that has, for too long, characterized Washington.
Gaby
Radio News Editor
Maryland
