marian corbett's Blog

Latest Ad

m.j. — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:11:04 EDT

Sorry, but I hate the latest Obama ad where he lectures us for 2 minutes. Even as a supporter, I found it hard to sit through the whole thing. Obama really needs some new blood to make his ads. I think most of them are pretty bad and not memorable and certainly aren't reaching middle class Americans. Again, I think his campaign is having a really hard time relating to the average voter and needs to get a better message out that's less talk and explanation and more like a powerpoint presentation and is said over and over and over until we're all clear on how he will help us out with this new economic mess, health care, taxes, foreign policy; I don't know - I just don't feel the connection with the messages he's putting out.

Who's Dictating the Message

m.j. — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:09:48 EDT

It's obvious to us out here watching the Obama campaign that the McCain campaign is dictating the message every day. They just throw out some crazy statement and Obama spends his day reacting to the slander. What's wrong with the campaign that ran so well against Clinton, at least until she started her running own gutter campaign. Why doesn't Obama get some street fighters on his staff who know how to hit back and cut these people off and take control of the message, putting them on the defensive. Watching Obama's campaign right now is like seeing him in spandex wind surfing on Lake Michigan. The whiff of "losing again" is in the air because Democrats are too wimpy to get down in the dirt and fight the Republicans.

Dr. Drew Westen's Commentary - Huffington Post

m.j. — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:19:19 EDT

Drew Westen, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at Emory University, founder of Westen Strategies, and author of "The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation," recently released in paperback with a new postscript on the 2008 election

The best commentary I've ever read about how the Democrats can lost this election! Dr. Westen is 100% spot on about the problems with Obama's lack of message and fight against the Republicans. Again, he looks weak, not nice. Call them out! Tell the American people what a McCain/Palin White House would be like and tell it the way you would speak to Michele. Get pissed off! We are! Where's your spine?

Community Organizer

m.j. — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:32:33 EDT

Weren't the women who marched to give us the right to vote community organizers/

Richard Cohen's Op-Ed

m.j. — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:21:30 EDT

Again, so many Obama supporters are writing about his "lack of fight", his lack of passion, when being interviewed on news shows. I agree with Richard Cohen's op-ed in today's Washington Post that Obama is being swift boated and doesn't seem to get it. He needs to show up and answer these attacks in language that the rest of America would use if someone were trashing our good name. Cut out the intelligent, cautious response and get pissed off and tell us that their attacks on you are BS and lies; come on, Obama. You've got a limited amount of time to stop this and we need a leader who isn't afraid to take on the Republican attack machine. You can go for compromise and unity after you're elected but if you continue down the passive road, you'll never know what might have been, just like Kerry.

Obama & Biden Need To Toughen Up!

m.j. — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:59:03 EDT

Please read Josephn Romm's editorial on today's Huffington Post web site. He talks about what wimpy answers Obama and Biden gave during their Sunday talk show interviews and how they need to start crafting their reponses with stating clearly how McCain and Palin are lying about their policies. He also said that the nation is looking for someone who can defend them and if you can't go after your opponents on national television without coming across as "nice", then we can't be convinced that you can defend us. Come on, guys! Get your message together and go after those two! You're running out of time to make your case and stop being so intimidated by Palin and the fact that she's a woman. You can certainly make the case against her without looking like you're beating up on the poor, little woman. Go after her, and McCain's policies and let America know in no uncertain terms what the next four years will look like under these two. Again, read Joseph Romm's column - he is so right!

Where's The Outrage?

m.j. — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:10:52 EDT

One of the best editorials was written by John McCarron in the August 25, 2008 edition of the Chicago Tribune. He clearly speaks to the lack of outrage displayed from Obama over the mess Bush, McCain and the Republicans have gotten our country into. Please Obama, please don't waste any more time telling your story - we got it, we know it - what we want to hear is very precisely and clearly what direction you're going to take our country in and how are you going to do it. Give me 4 or 5 problems that you will try to solve and tell me how you will accomplish that. I still don't see any outrage over the mess we're in. And for God's sake, stop tip toeing around John McCain and go on the attack. I'm looking at the same weak Democratic Party that is guaranteed to lose because it wants to play nice with the Republican street brawlers. Come on, Obama, throw some punches and draw some blood before we lose another election to yet another incompetent opponent.

Where's The Anger, Where's The Passion

m.j. — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:18:10 EDT

After reading several editorials about Obama's performance Saturday night at Saddleback Church, I agree with the commentators that the Senator needs to show us more outrage and anger over the state of our nation after eight years of Bush and the Republicans. I really love how cool Obama is, but I think he needs to step up the sense of urgency that the rest of us are feeling over the state of our economy, global warming, national security, etc... Come on, Obama, show us some heat to match the cool!

Wall Street Journal Conservative Editorial

m.j. — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:55:31 EDT

Another post in today's WSJ by conservative author Thomas Frank - Frank writes that Obama's speech of "hope" is nice, but he needs to tap into the anger that most of us feel about our broken government and how we would like to throw overboard the whole rotten mess of our reps in Washington. I agree with him. I'm pissed and I would love to see Obama show as much anger as the rest of us feel out here and show some leadership in ridding D.C. of a lot of the incompetence and corruption the Bush administration has saddled us with. I don't get any of that outrage from him at all. I find it hard to be "hopeful" when I can't get past the anger and believe that anything in Washington is going to change. There are screw ups from our reps and Bush every day that outrage me and I never really hear Obama addressing any of it.

Peter Beinart's Editorial

m.j. — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:22:35 EDT

I completely agree with Peter Beinart's editiorial in today's Washington Post regarding Obama's task of winning over middle and lower class white voters who see his race as an issue. A a Southern (N.C. and Virginia) Democrat, I know full well that there are many whites who are in no way racist, but who believe that Affirmative Action has penalized them because of their race. If Obama would address that Affirmative Action needs to be revamped according to class, then I have no doubt his rating among lower income whites would increase dramatically. I, in my job, see that Affirmative Action has placed a select group of minorities in positions which they are unqualified to hold and resent that they were hired solely because of color rather than competence. Ten or twenty years ago, I thought AA was needed, but not anymore. I'm well educated, fully support Obama, have a bi-racial son-in-law but still think Obama should address this issue and give the lower classes a hand up rather than any one racial group.

Clintonistis

m.j. — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:18:10 EDT

I don't get why Obama puts up with all the Clinton crap of the last week - Bill not acknowleding that Obama is ready to be President; Hillary saying on utube that her supporters need a "cathasis". I really resent Obama not looking out for those of us who supported him through his primary with our time and money. What about us? Why should we have to put up with watching the Clinton road show go on and on and on. She lost. Come on, Obama. Show your supporters some respect and toughness and shut the Cintons down. From where I sit, it looks like their running you show, not you. Not good with an election coming up to look like you can't even deal with these two and all their drama.

Missing Connection

m.j. — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:15:59 EDT

After seeing how close the latest polls are between Obama and McCain, I would find it hard to believe that Senator Obama isn't blowing McCain, whose campaign and presentation is really awful, out of the water. Instead, we have a tie. This would confuse except for the consideration that since Obama wrapped up the nomination, I don't feel that I know him as clearly as I did through the nomination process. Do I still support him? Yes, but I understand the Independents who still have a question mark beside his name. Something seems "off" to me in his messaging; I can't put my finger on it but I think it could be that he's trying to play middle man while maintaining a more liberal message and it seems that both of these presentations of his message are lost. I feel that his campaign, in their desire to move to the middle, which is fine, has lost the "hook" of the campaign message that sustained him when up against Clinton. I don't feel like contributing any more money right now, where as, before, I felt really fantastic whenever I could give. I think that maybe more smaller town hall style meetings may help to get his message out. Not sure, but feel that something needs to be fine tuned.

Public Financing

m.j. — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:08:15 EDT

As an Obama supporter, I had no problem with his decision to opt out of public financing and rely soley on grass roots support; I am one of those contributors. But, I am disappointed to hear his explanation, which doesn't give us voters a lot of credit. We're smart enough to understand that when he committed to public financing, he had no idea he would experience the grass roots support that has contributed to his campaign but now he does. So, of course he would choose to opt out and raise as much money as possible to finance a compaign against the Republicans, whether the 527's are trashing him or not. Don't insult our intelligence, Obama, and please don't become "Clintonian" when you change your mind about an issue. Tell us the truth, which you have pledged to do. This issue isn't a big deal to voters, but it is a big deal if it chips away at your credibility. When you speak to us about a really important issue, can we trust you to be telling us the truth?

Affirmative Action

m.j. — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:49:34 EDT

I can't remember who wrote an op-ed piece about Obama's stance on Affirmative Action, but I was in agreement with him and I think that it was a conservative who wrote it. As a liberal Obama supporter, I too, think that the time has come to end affirmative action. This piece of legislation, though certainly necessary when acted, has become possibly the single most reason there is today a division between blacks and whites that originates in the work place. There isn't any caucasian in the professional world where I work who doesn't still see positions and/or promotions awarded to African-Americans who are obviously not qualified. There are also, without question, a greater number of minorities who are deserving and no one of average intellect questions why they hold the position they do and hold no resentment. Living in Richmond, Virginia, I constantly witness a form of soft racism that holds many blacks to a lower standard in the work place than their white counterparts are held to. To me, this is racism at it's worst and it creates a horrible division that need not be there. Ending Affirmative Action would send a signal that the time has come to hold all of us to the same standard, no matter what the race and we will not tolerate a reverse discrimination against other minorities. I hope Senator Obama moves to this position.

Going After McCain the Wrong Way

m.j. — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 08:42:06 EDT

After watching Obama supporters giving talking points about John McCain's remarks on Irag, I think it's a huge mistake to cast these remarks as being about his age. The comments are beginning to sound mean and as a 59 year old woman, I don't like the "tone" that if you're 71 years old, then you must be "confused". If you keep on with this, I really believe there's going to be a backlash the way there was when the media kept trashing Hillary and she brought a lot of women together to support her. You don't need to go down this road to go against McCain on his Irag policies, nor to have to present innuendos about his age; it's very clear he's not a young man. Leave it alone and stay on policy message. I also am not hearing Obama making a real connection with working class voters or women; just not feeling the connection. Really think he needs to present his mother's background more and get more personal about his working class background.

Waiting for the Clinton Exit

m.j. — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:12:28 EDT

It's been almost four days since Obama won the nomination of our Party and all the press has been talking about is Hillary Clinton. There are many of us in the Democratic Party who not only voted for Bill Clinton, twice, but supported him and Hillary throughout those years. But now, we have supported Obama because we do, indeed, want to move forward, change Washington, and look to the future. We are really sick of all the Clinton drama and just want her to exit the stage and if she can't do so willingly, the I hope Obama pushed her out so he can focus America on the issues. If he puts Hillary in any post at all, it will once again be all about her and Bill and all the theatrics will follow them wherever they go. Our country has too many problems to solve to have their antics making the news every week. Please, Senator, stop giving her so much power; it looks like she still running the show and controlling the events of your nomination.

The Clinton's Scorched Earth

m.j. — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:56:40 EDT

After watching Hillary's lack of respect for Obama and his voters and his campaign last night, by refusing to accept his winning the nomination, I have no doubt that the Clinton's are willing to fracture the party and contribute to Obama's defeat.

The powers of the Party should let the Clinton's know that this is no longer their Partyand that she will not be accepted as an ally when she returns to the Senate, nor will she be given an opportunity to serve in any other capacity in Obama's White House. I want to see Obama take this nomination 100% away from Hillary, show some strength, and start ignoring Hillary. I think that he needs to address those blue collar workers, women and the Hispanic community directly rather than giving the impression that he needs her to win them. He doesn't and he looks weak by allowing the Clinton's to keep going down that road. He doesn't owe her anything after what she did to him last night. How classless and selfish!

Bill Clinton's Rant

m.j. — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:22:30 EDT

Once again, Bill Clinton has shown us why we don't wish to see Hillary chosen as Obama's VP. I really don't want four to eight more years of all their drama playing out to the detriment of focusing on the many problems our country is facing. Please, Senator, don't give them the opportunity for their theatrics by taking them to the White House with you.

Perspective on the Pastors

m.j. — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:35:50 EDT

I am greatly saddened by Senator Obama having to resign from his congregation. A failure to recognize, however, how the white community is viewing those pastor videos would be a grave mistake. As an ardent Obama supporter, I am blogging not to criticize, but to offer feedback I am getting from supporters like myself who still are not clear on why Obama remained in a church for 20 years when the view we are getting is that it preaches anti-white sermons. I think he will have to explain his church much better than he has done because granted, a few clips were taken over a period of twenty years, but the celebration of the congregation over Revered Pfleger's remarks about Hillary Clinton were upsetting. Clearly, the congreation didn't see anything sexist or racist in his remarks, which leads the rest of us to believe that this was a common practice or standard in Trinity Church. I don't see anything, when comparing Obama to McCain, that can prevent Obama from winning the Presidency, with the exception of this controversy. If he can't explain it better and really put it to rest and take it off the table from the Republicans, then resigning from the Church won't be enough.

Rev. Michael Pfleger

m.j. — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:41:55 EDT

I find it most unfortunate to, for the second time, be writing a blog concerning Obama's "pastor problem". What is it with his home town church that his congregation wants to aid in his defeat this November? How could anyone who cares about him and the possbile election of the first bi-racial person to the Presidency be so stupid as to mock Hillary Clinton while demeaning whites? As a caucasian older woman who has contibuted to Obama's campaign and has been a passioned supporter, I am beginning to seriously take a step back and question his judgment about being a member of a church whose congregation seems to believe that all us "whites" are racist. How could a minister be so stupid, right before the rules committee is to meet and superdelegates have not yet declared, as to demean Hillary Clinton the way Reverend Pfleger did? If Obama had any Independents sitting on fence, this video has just thrown them to McCain's camp. This episode dirties the light that has been shinging from Obama's campaign, and if he can't stop these crazies from showing up at his church for their 15 minutes of fame, then he will never win this election. I will not be contributing again to his campaign. This video made me sick and shocked at the incredible stupidity of that congregation.

Barack's VP

m.j. — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:24:34 EDT

Now that it's time, thankfully, for Obama to begin the VP vetting process, I have to say that as one who as contributed and supported him from day one, I do not want to see Hillary Clinton picked to be his running mate. A large part of the reason I have supported him is to see a change in Washington and having the Clinton's back with all of their drama would certainly undermine Obama's ability to govern and move the country toward the future. My enthusiasm of supporting him financially and with my vote would definitely be diminished.

Stumpin in Missouri

m.j. — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:50:51 EDT

I don't who selected the people to sit behind Obama last night during his stump speech in MO, but they need to do a better job next time. You had gum chomping and picture taking girls who looked bored to tears and all of the individuals sitting around them didn't look much better. Obama looked like the candidate who couldn't catch up in the numbers to get the nomination but was still staying in the race rather than Clinton. And, he was crusing through that stale speech; looking like you're on cruise control to the Presidency rather than seen sweating to get it will not help beat McCain. Throw in some of the huge, crazy crowds sometimes and get a speech going that relates better to the working class. I still don't feel that connection from him. He's got work to do!

Obama the Casual

m.j. — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:14:54 EDT

So glad to see over the weekend that Obama left the tie and was giving his stump speeches in Oregon in a casual shirt with the sleeves rolled up. I love me in good looking suits but in order to relate better to the working class, it really helps to go more casual. Still waiting to see him sometime in jeans.

Obama's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Speech

m.j. — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:06:07 EDT

I watched Obama give his speech Saturday night in Raleigh at the JJ gathering and was really diappointed to hear the same stump speech he's given the last few months. As a supporter, I can almost recite his speech along with him. He had a golden opportunity to come out and give a new, fresh speech about class divides in our county, which could have wooed some of the blue collar voters and could have given him a lot of positive press coverage, which he's needed to replace the Reverend Wright story that's still being played on the news shows. I really don't understand the campaign passing up a chance to broaden the Senator's appeal to these workers.

Winning the Female Vote

m.j. — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:36:46 EDT

Obama really needs to respond to the Supreme Court ruling regarding pay inequity between men and women. This is a fantastic issue for him to address since as a woman, I have experienced first hand this discrimination. Hard to believe, though not really, that the court struck this down unless a woman sues her company within 6 months of finding out she's making less than her male counterpart because it would "clog up the courts", as John McCain stated. Go after them, Obama, and make this issue for women your issue and tell us how you would address this as President and get this ruling reversed!

Obama's Visuals

m.j. — Fri, 02 May 2008 09:16:21 EDT

Watching the video of Obama playing a pick-up game of PIG yesterday, I again have to say that the campaign needs to get him out of that suit and tie sometimes and put him in jeans; would love to see his more casual side. No one in the working class that he needs dresses formally the way he does. Dirty him up a little bit - make him a little more "earthy" and not as GQ, though he looks really good that way, I think the blue collar voter, of which I am one, could relate better to him if he occasionally scruffed up a little - a visual can say so much more than words, sometimes. Also, I think that he needs to get more nitty-gritty when he talks about his organizational work on the streets; talk about the car you drove; talk about the little apartment you lived in. Get into the details about how hard your life was until you graduated from college and law school, or even after. I feel that Obama is too general when he speaks about his "time organizing on the streets of South Chicago".

Response to Reverend Wright

m.j. — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:36:44 EDT

So glad and relieved to have seen Obama's response to Reverend Wright's comments. I was also happy to see he showed some emotion, which is sadly lacking in him campaign rhetoric except in his speeches. It was clear to me that he was, indeed, deeply saddened by the loss of his friend and was also angry by what his former friend had done to him. All of us can relate to that experience. I would like to see Obama give up the suits and ties sometimes and show himself in jeans and scruffy shoes, walking around the streets of some towns in Indianna. I know that he can look Presidential, but I don't know that he can look like the rest of do when we're not "on camera" or at work. Peggy Noonan also made a great point on Morning Joe yesterday when she said that the campaigns are lacking humor. I first heard Obama speak in Richmond, Virginia last summer when he had just started campaigning and a lot of his appeal what that he was funny. I think Noonan is right when she says he needs to have his speach writings add some humor to the stump speaches.

What should Obama Do About Reverend Wright?

m.j. — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:46:02 EDT

As a passionate supporter of the Senator, I am sick over the re-emergence of Reverend Wright. I feel sad that this man is deliberatly trying to stop Obama from being the first African-American to be President; why would he do this to the black community and to his former parishioner ? I don't think any of us understand what his intent could be. Having said this, I think that Obama has to aggressively throw Wright under the bus. He tried to distance himself from him in the kindest way possible, but clearly, Wright rejected that gesture. Obama is being much too passive on this and as a white woman, I can tell you it's not playing well with many of us. I don't want to even consider that I'll have four years of dealing with the Reverend Wright should Obama be elected President and for the first time since Obama announced his candidancy, I am beginning to think that maybe he's not ready for the rough climate of politics. He seemed too removed and cool when there are storms tearing up the landscape all around him. Calm is great, to a point. Many of us are watching to see how he handles this and if he tries to brush it off and call it "silly", that just won't do. I think he should play the victim card the way Clinton did in New Hampshire and say how hurt and sad he is that a twenty year relationship with a man who brought him to Christ has now ended in such a hurtful way. Many of us have had friendships that have ended and we could certainly relate to the pain involved and how the trust you placed in a person for twenty years turned out to be misplaced.

Pastor Wright

m.j. — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:25:54 EDT

Pastor Wright has chosen , n an incredibly selfish manner, to put himself in the limelight, knowing that this is going to hurt Obama. I am a 58 year old caucasian woman who has given to the campaign and still support the Senator, but my generation and race doesn't want to hear the divisive tone and words of Pastor Wright. I resent his mocking of the white church and I don't even go to church and am not a part of any organized religion; but I hear, in what he said, a condescension of the way white americans behave in their churches. I honestly believe that Pastor Wright is the one distraction that will kill Obama's chance of the Presidency if not the nomination. What a horrible action for a man who is supposed to care so deeply for the black community to go out there and ruin the historic chances of voting a bi-racial man into office who so wants to unify the races. How sad that he couldn't come out to defend his good name, which he has every right to do, after Obama is elected. Once again, I find myself pulling back for the campaign until I'm able to sort out my feelings over this. I'm really tired of being blamed for all the woes of the black experience, simply because I'm white. Doesn't Obama understand that the reason we're supporting him is because he hasn't laid all of that guilt on us the way his Pastor is trying to do?

Negative Campaign

m.j. — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:23:46 EDT

As an Obama supporter who has contributed to his campaign, I feel that he is beginning to sound like all the other politicians in D.C. whose "tone" he says he is committed to changing. I think he needs to get back on message with a positive, uplifting message the way he started out in Iowa. I'm beginning to tune him out the same way I've tuned out Clinton because it all sounds the same. I would also like to see him give a speech on "class" in this county the way he gave that incredible speech on race. Please, stop rolling around in the dirt with Clinton and take the high road. Let her keep throwing the kitchen sink; it only raises her negatives.

Obama's Minister

m.j. — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:27:00 EDT

When I first saw the video of Obama's Pastor on Cup of Joe this morning, my first reacetion was, "Oh, God! It's all over!" I felt heart-sick. But as the day as gone on, I better understand how you can have a loving relationship from someone who is supporting you spiritually but be narrow-minded in other ways. My father was such a person. As a white male growing up in the farming area of eastern North Carolina, he learned prejudice as a very early age. As a child, I heard his bigotry but he showed me and my sisters such love and was never about making us hate. He mellowed as he grew old and became more open-minded, which I was glad to see. I think that there is a generational difference in what Pastor Wright experienced as a black man growing up in America, just as there is a generational difference in Geraldine Ferraro's experience. Those experiences were not always kind to minorities, whether it be their race or gender. So, the anger that you hear in their statements may be coming from a life time of being slighted and demeaned. Had that been my personal experience for most of my lfe, I would probably feel the same way. I'm sure both of these individuals are good human beings and I would like to see Senator Obama make the point that as generations progress through racism and gender bias, the time will come when a black woman, an asian woman, even a muslim, can run for President of our country and no one will bat an eye. I hope I live long enough to see it.

Obama As Vice-President

m.j. — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:50:25 EST

Just read that Clinton hinted that Obama could possibly fill a role as her VP. I would absolutely Hate for him to accept that position if there is still some way she pulls out this nomination. I will not vote for her if she's the nomination, even though I'm a 58 year old caucasian woman. It would be like voting for McCain and four more years of fighting with nothing getting done. If Obama doesn't get the nomination, I'll just check out from politics. There can be no change in Washington without Obama in the White House. He should leave the Senate if he isn't the President and run for governor of IL.

Must Read In Politico

m.j. — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 08:04:03 EST

Please read today's John Harris/Jim VendeHei editorial on Politico.com web site. They clearly state what Obama needs to do to take Hillary down by bringing up everything the Clinton's didn't get accomplished in the 90's and how many appointments they made that ended up badly, showing what poor managers they were. I believe that Obama has to go after both of them on their record and remind Democrats that it wasn't all good times during their tenure.

Copied from Politico Blog - Really Good!

m.j. — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:46:24 EST

This was copied and pasted from MSLKauai on the politico.com page, but he/she makes an excellect point for Obama stating how the Clintons had 8 years... well, please read. "If Obama was to say something like .... Bill and Hillary have already had 8 years ... and yes, the economy did well, partly because of their work and partly because of what happened in Sililcon Valley. But they had 8 years to pass health care reform, and failed ... had 8 years to reform immigration, and failed ... had 8 years improve the long term condition of Social Security and Medicare, and failed ... Had 8 years to really do something about America's failing schools, and failed ... had 8 years to put in place an energy plan that would lead us to energy independence, and failed. They passed all these unsolved problems on to President Bush just like Bush and Reagan passed them on to them and just like Bush II is goiing to pass them on once again. Instead of solving these problems, the Clintons got bogged down in scandal after scandal and the situation with Lewinski that completely distracted them from their real responsibility. They had their chance ... they had 8 YEARS! It's time to turn the page and move on. It's time to stop the politics of destroying the other side. It's time to pay attention and acknowledge why half the country has such an unfavorable opinion of the Clintons. HALF THE COUNTTRY! These people are not our enemies, they are our neighbors, our co-workers our fellow Americans and many of them absolutely can't stand the Clintons. It's time for real change, not 4 more years of what the country already rejected back in 2000."

NY Times Kristof Editorial

m.j. — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 08:18:26 EST

Nicholas Kristof makes a terrific argument for Obama in Sunday's (Jan. 20th) NY Times so please read it. He argues that Hillary's claim of 35 years of experience is a stretch and says if that is the criteria for being President then "the presidential candidate left standing with the greatest experience by far is Mr. McCain; if Mrs. Clinton believes that’s the criterion for selecting the next president, she might consider backing him." I would like to hear Obama go after her on this and make the same arguement that Kristof did. Obama also should address the fact that Hillary has strong negatives out there and could very well mobolize the Republican and Independent base to turn out and vote the Republican nominee into office, especially if it's McCain. I will not vote for Hillary even though I'm a 58 year old woman - I have no desire to go back to all of that drama the Clinton's put us through and I'm convinced that Obama can heal the wounds of the Bush era and put us on a new track for the 21st century.

Obama's Church

m.j. — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 07:45:19 EST

As a huge Obama supporter who has contributed to his campaign, I'm really upset to see the statement that his pastor and spiritual councelor put out about Bill Clinton and what he has done to them being the same thing he did to Monica Lewinsky. Not only was it in poor taste, especially coming from a pastor, it was a bad decision to weigh in politically and call attention to the support he gives to Louis Farakaan, who is anti-white and anti-semetic. I am white and have a real problem with anyone or any organization that supports someone who harbours these prejudices. I really took a step back yesterday from my support and if I did, I wonder how many other whites took the same step back to rethink their support and judgment of Obama. I still support him as my candidate, but I can definitely see a real problem in the general election with this issue if Obama is the Democratic candidate. Please give me feedback, other supporters, and tell me how you feel about this. Thanks.

David Ignatiaus Editorial in Washington Post /Race

m.j. — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:54:57 EST

David Ignatius writes that Obama should quote what he wrote in Dreams From My Father regarding the subject of race: "Because this community I imagined was still in the making, built on the promise that the larger American community, black, white and brown, could somehow redefine itself -- I believed that it might, over time, admit the uniqueness of my own life." This says how he sees us moving forward out of the trappings of racial divides and when he is attacked again because of race, as he surely will be before this election is over, then he can address it in this manner and rise above the trash talk thrown at him. Also, why does he let Clinton get away with always saying how she is ready to take charge on Day One when she becomes President? And how about all of that "35 years of experience" she keeps putting at there? Doing what? I'd like to hear Obama call her on these claims!

What about transportation?

m.j. — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:11:37 EST

Having just spent 18 hours in airports getting to Seattle from Richmond, VA, not because of weather, but because of the archaic communication system for the airlines, I would love to hear Senator Obama address the issue of moving into the future with America's systems of transportation. From the decay of interstate roads to Amtrack to the airlines, it's clear that America needs to move into the 21st century when it comes to improving these areas. What are Obama's plans for doing this? Would love to hear!

Read and Respond to Anne Applebaum's Editorial

m.j. — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:30:50 EST

I think that Senator Obama should respond in one of his speeches to Anne Applebaum's editiorial in today's Washington Post. She writes about the Saudi's being allowed an international status while they continue to deny women any basic human rights. This refers to the recent ruling that a woman who had been gang raped would serve six months in jail and receive 200 lashes. Hearing Obama speak to the continuance of a foreign policy that engages with a country supporting the degredation of women would certainly convince more women in this country that he will be a champion for women's causes not just in this country, but in others as well.

Fareed Zakaria

m.j. — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:44:03 EST

Be sure to read the Newsweek writing about Obama by Fareed Zakaria. You can access it on-line at newsweek.com. It outlines the value that coming from a diversified background can add to the ability to bring people together and get things done - mostly by understanding the backgrounds of others. It's really good and something Obama would do well to quote when out on the stump the next few weeks. The article is titled "The Power of Personality".

Chuck Todd Observation on Chris Matthews

m.j. — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:18:03 EST

Political analyst Chuck Todd made the observation on Hardball last night that Obama can deliver the "first punch" but doesn't deliver a "second punch" and that he needs to. He doesn't follow up with why it's important to no practice "the politics of slime" as he stated when addressing Clinton's agents statement that they had dirt on him but chose not to release it. Todd stated that Obama needs to focus on the process and needs to pivot more into how smaller issues drive the larger ones. I agree with Todd on this and think that Obama misses a lot of opportunities to make his case for various issues because he doesn't walk far enough through doors that are opened for him.

Democratic Debate

m.j. — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:44:38 EST

After watching the Democratic debate last night, it was clear to me that Clinton once again showed why she's the front runner and I'm supporting Obama. I don't understand why Obama's debate coaches didn't have him prepared for the illegal workers/driver's license question that they knew he would get. He looked and answered like he wasn't sure of himself just as Clinton did a few weeks ago. He also should have gone after Clinton on the health care issue and asked her why, when she and Bill had the chance during 8 years in office, they never got it done. I want Obama, desperately to win this election and take our country in a new direction but until he can look, act and speak with more certainty on the issues the way Clinton does, I don't think he can sway others to vote for him. Please, coach him better for the next debate! Why didn't he say on the driver's license issue that Law enforcement favors having the illegals hold this documentation? Is this true? I heard a commetator on MSNBC say that it was.

Chicago Debate

m.j. — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:42:53 EDT

I thought Obama did really well in the Chicago debate but hope that when he takes a foreign policy stand like his proposal of going after Al Quada in the hills of Pakistan if necessary, he doesn't back-track and try to move closer to Clinton's position after she berates him. He needs, I feel, to stand up and say "You're damn right, that's what I mean" and stick with it. He was absolutely right in his position and I don't want us to get into another war, but we do need to be fighting the "right" war against those who wish our citizens harm. So, don't back step from your views, Senator. Clinton doesn't have all the experience to creating a "new functioning government"; I feel like she's intimidating you in these debates.

Obama vs Clinton

m.j. — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:23:11 EDT

I was really happy to see Obama mix it up with Clinton after the UTube debate over whether or not to meet with foreign leaders. I think he needs to do more of this; I don't want to hear personal attacks against Clinton but I think he needs to present how he is different from Clinton. I really don't want another 4 years of a Clinton after all the Clinton/Bush years we've had. Mix it up, Senator! Show us you can give a punch! We know you can take one! We know these are difficult times and we can't have a President who is too "nice".

Christopher Dickey's Editorial

m.j. — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:30:56 EDT

I urge Senator Obama to read the editorial written by Christopher Dickey and posted on MSNBC's web page. He articulates what our government needs to due in the future to counter the growing jihadist movement and I agree with him. Below is a paragraph from his editorial.

"In a conflict that’s much more like a global counterinsurgency than a conventional war, government priorities have to change, says Kilcullen. “About 80 percent of effort should go toward political, diplomatic, development, and informational activity,” he writes, with only about 20 percent going to the military. “At present,” he notes, “the U.S. defense budget is approximately half of total global defense spending”—that is, half of all the money spent on defense by every government in the world combined. The U.S. armed forces employ about 1.68 million uniformed members. But the State Department only has about 6,000 Foreign Service officers. As Kilcullen notes, there are more musicians in America’s military bands."

katrina

m.j. — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:31:46 EDT

I see nothing on Obama's site regarding steps he would take to help New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina. What would he, as President, do? What, specifically, would be his plan of action ot help the city recover? I think that the way he responds to this doesn't just reflect his concern about poverty in our country but would also reflect how he would respond to a national emergency. Does he have the experience and the knowledge to put in place the necessary people and federal programs to competently deal with national emergency situations in our country. Everything isn't about Iraq.

Response to Terrorist Attack

m.j. — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 09:39:48 EDT

I just finished reading David Ignatius' editorial in today's Washington Post about how we're not prepared to respond to another terrorist attach and I think that Senator Obama should present a very detailed plan of how he thinks we should respond to another attack in our country, whether it be bio-chemical or a suicide bombing or a bomb going off in a building. I haven't heard any of the other candidates offering a plan and I think that Obama doing so would increase his credibility on national security without being an "alarmist".

Obama Live

m.j. — Wed, 09 May 2007 13:19:13 EDT

Went to see and hear Obama in Richmond, Virginia last night and though the crowd was small because of limited space, we were all really excited to get to see the Senator. His speech was terrific: great message, great delivery, passionate, funny at times, but it continues to concern me that I'm not hearing enough specifics in how he would pay for universal healthcare, pre-school education for all, teacher pay raises, pension plans for workers in the auto industry. I'm not crazy about having my taxes raised to pay for the automakers pension. Why does their pension have to be part of the bargaining chip for getting them to improve auto emissions? How are we going to pay for universal healthcare other than, as he mentioned, streamline the paperwork required during doctor's visits? I love Obama and think he's the right man at the right for our country but again, in order for him to win the nomination, he's going to have to make up for his lack of experience with a strong, clear message of how he plans on implementing all the ideas he touched on last night.

A Clear Message

m.j. — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:26:22 EDT

Though I understand that Obama is trying to get his message out about what his programs would be once elected, I'm concerned that I'm personally not getting a clear message of what those programs entail. To me, he seems to shift from health care, to the enviornment, to the war in Irag, etc.... I would like to hear him say, in a more concise check-list, what problems he would address and how he would bring them to fruition.I would also like to hear him say that we all understand the government cannot be all things to all people and can't solve all problems for everyone, but his belief is that, if elected, the problems we, as Americans, need to address and solve are as follows (and then present that agenda in clear, detailed form and say it over and over and over so all of us know HOW he will get results if elected). I'm going to hear Obama in Richmond, Virginia tonight and hopefully, I'll have a clearer understanding of his stance on particular issues. I'm really concerned that Clinton is beating him on the presentation of details.

Michelle Obama's Speech

m.j. — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:40:04 EDT

Good morning. There was an editorial by Maureen Dowd in today's (April 25, 2007) New York Times in which she writes about being uneasy with Michelle Obama speaking about "Barack being just a man". Michelle goes on in her speach to castize Barack for leaving the butter out. I agree with Dowd that Michelle needs to lay off the criticisms of Barack; it comes across to me as she is the one who is unquestionable the head of the household and in charge and Barack is the bystander. A large part of his appeal, as Dowd notes, is a sort of mysticism that Barack excudes and I think the Obama's need to let this stand. America is searching for a stong leader in these times of uncertainty and any comments, especially from Obama's wife, that make him look "weak" can carry that thought over into other areas of his creditials. I hope Michelle changes her tactics to showcase what a fabulous father and husband he is and how she leans on him and looks to him for guidance. Even if she is the one running the household, she needs to let him take charge of this. Afterall, if you can't be the head of your household, how can be the head of the greatest country in the world?

A Mideast Strategy Needed, Not a Tactic

m.j. — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 10:30:53 EDT

I urge the Senator to watch or listen to General Zunni's interview Sunday (4/15) with Tim Russert on Meet The Press. I would like to hear Obama talk about the need for a Mideast Strategy in the region, not just military tactic which is all Bush is giving us. The General seemed to be on the same page as Obama when he talked about pulling the troops back and securing the borders of Iraq. He also spoke of the need for a leader to engage the entire region diplomatically, which again, Bush refuses to do. Specifics like the General discussed (he has a new book out, too) would serve Obama well in his campaign and I hope to hear more specific ideas come from the Senator in the near future, as I'm sure they will.

Hold Bush Accountable

m.j. — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:13:30 EDT

I urge supporters of Obama to read The New Republic article by Noam Scheiber on today's, (April 11) web site. He thinks that Obama needs to be more specific in going after President Bush and hold him accountable for all the mistakes he has made and the awful direction he is taking our country (my works, not verbatim Scheiber). He thinks that Obama is losing some of the fire in his speeches by not doing this and lumping Bush in with everyone in Washington. I agree. As a democrat who supports the Senator, I would really love to see him articulate more on the vast difference between the Democratic Party and Bush and the Republicans; as well as articulate proposals, which I see are starting to come. Keep giving us the fire, Senator ! We know you're a nice guy and blasting Bush and the Washington Republicans doesn't mean you're resulting in partisan bickering.