TIME Magazine politial correspondent Jay Newton-Small raises important questions for all Democrats to answer in a recent post to the Time.com blog Swampland. She basically affirms the case that Obama would be the stronger nominee vs. McCain, not only because of his contrasting position on Iraq but also because he eats into McCain's base of independents much more than Clinton does.
Read her full entry here: http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/02/obama_v_mccain.html
watch this video...
Tonight's debate showed that the Democrats are strong and getting stronger, but let's begin to move beyond the race/gender pat on the back because we never doubted that these could be the faces of leadership. In getting back to real politics, the real reason I support Obama is because he is the difference maker! In this whole political playing field, he is the only one that rightfully opposed invading Iraq, which demonstrates both his sound policies and his strong judgment. He takes practical, even if unpopular positions on issues, which I respect far more than lofty, unsubstantiated promises. On the matter of experience his is extensive because much of it was earned long before becoming well known and that long track record of organizing, advocating, and defending is completely relevant to his preparedness for the presidency. Obama's successful campaign demonstrates not only his leadership level but also his management abilities. I am convinced that his administration will be the great example to follow by organizations large and small. It takes big people to embrace big change, and Barack Obama is already helping us all to grow. In fairness, no president can be expected to be some amazing savior or larger than life miracle worker, but because he's sparking such a strong spirit of ambition in the American people, we will work the miracles. America is the land of innovators and in the world of politics Barack Obama is a modern pioneer. The real history he'll make will be ushering in a new American renaissance because he's inspiring thinkers, builders, inventors, workers, scientists, economists, enviromentalists, businesspeople, servicepeople, writers, artists, doctors, educators, soldiers and even fellow legislators. It's already happening. This is what I'm ready for when I say I'm ready for change.
However reliable or unreliabe they end up, polls are still interesting to see. Check out these reader tallies from before and after New Hampshire on Time.com:
After Iowa :-(
After New Hampshire :-)
Also noteworthy :-)
First of all, Bill, I don't believe in fairy tales, I believe in the real people that will rebuild a America. Second, 2% difference, same amount of delegates. We're ready for this! Momentum counts for a lot so we'll work and get more in our favor, so here we go!
To the pundits: Gotta say one thing after watching tonight's political coverage -- I hear a lot of talk of how the candidates performed among New Hampshire's young people, older women, independents, single women, etc. , the breakdowns are clear. However, with the South Carolina primary approaching I hear a lot about how the candidates are expected to preform among African Americans -- but their breakdowns stop there, as if there are no more distinctions worthy of drawing. Maybe we hear a little about African American women, but there's no talk about students, single women, independents, older people, blue collars, white collars, Republicans, etc. (who are also African Americans). I am a lot of things, also African American. It's nice to be recognized as all things that make up the whole me. Hopefully we can get more of that kind of thinking out there, it'll be better for everyone.
It's interesting that Senator Clinton, at opportune moments, will interject her gender to make the case for why she should be president. In the New Hampshire debate she said that her presidency would mark the great change that people are looking for because hey, we'd have the first woman in charge...
As a voter I don't like that reasoning. Is she running for 'woman president?' Would that then mean that Romney is running for 'Mormon president?' Huckabee for 'evangelical president?' Richardson for 'Latino president?' Giuliani for 'Italian-American Catholic president?' Obama for 'African American president?' Not at all! All the candidates are running for PRESIDENT! There's only one job opening. Using gender as a qualification clearly didn't even fool Iowa's women voters.
Man I'm happy. I can feel a good thing happening. The candidate that I'm backing has a greater and greater chance of winning each day and I'm on board now like I've been since his announcement. I feel like the fan of the sports team that's staging a thrilling comeback and possibly heading to the playoffs.
But I feel like something needs to be stated for the record here. I just heard Shelby Steele on Charlie Rose and I absolutely have to step in here and articulate that my excitement over Obama has everything to do with his message and not his color. Honestly! In fact, the best part about his color is that people are not going to let it prevent them from voting for him.
