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I'd be really surprised if tonight's subjects are agricultural subsidies, metropolitan infrastructure, and the alternative minimum tax.
Look for more "race", NAFTA and "please-tell-us-why-you're-not-an-elitist"
The media just does not get it...
1. If this is truly going to be a "change" election, then the same old labels and tactics are simply not going to work.
Plus, in both the Wright and "bitter" controversies, Obama's critics overplayed their hands.
It wasn't enough to simply state that Wright could be a question of judgment. No, critics had to go overboard by trying and paint Obama as a black radical who hates America.
It wasn't enough to disagree with Obama's "bitter" comment and let it fester on its own. No, critics had to go overboard and try and make him into an elitst.
They raised the bar so high on each criticism, that voters found them incredible. You can disagree with Obama all you want. But it's gonna take a lot more to make the average voter think he's an elitist, marxist black radical who hates America.
2. We, the people, are speaking and we want to be heard. It's not surprising that, after two decades of double speech, finger pointing and passing the buck, we'll recoil at the slightest sign of "politics as usual," and cheap pandering (something that the Clinton camp can't seem to avoid).
We'll take a politician with flaws. But Hillary has more than "flaws." She comes across as FAKE; completely rehearsed, poll-tested and scripted. Her attacks have been predictable; her ever-changing goal posts all the more transparent.
This leaves people with the growing impression that she's in this for herself, not for the American people. Her proclivity to ignore reality (e.g., math), adopt Republican talking points, dismiss process (e.g., "caucuses are undemocratic," "MI and FL should count despite my agreeing that they would not") and create her own reality speak of someone who is willing to do and say anything to win something that she sees as an entitlement.
True, neither candidate will reach the magic 2025 number of delegates (although Obama has an outside shot at it). But don't ignore the elephant in the room. Come June, the people will have spoken. And they will have chosen their candidate as so represented by the person ahead in pledged delegates. Sorry, Hillary, that's Obama. Even Hillary supporter, Rep. Barney Frank, said as much in a recent interview.
Both Obama and Clinton have gone on record as saying that this is all about the delegates. And the Democratic Party WILL NOT destroy itself just to appease Hillary Clinton and her supporters by handing over a nomination that she did not earn.
3. A change election means that you can't rely on old, traditional measures of success. Wake up, media. Obama is changing the electoral map. That's been his goal from the beginning and he's doing a great job of it so far.
People talk about Obama's hard time reaching rural, white voters. Yet, they IGNORE THE FACT that he has successfully created a new coalition of voters that makes the Reagan Democrat less essential to a Democratic victory in November.
Why doesn't the media ask this simple question: How can Hillary win in November without the black vote? Without the youth vote? And, yes, without the liberal ("latte sippin'") vote. Let's see . . . young, eductaed, urban, black. . . yup, I just described the urban voter. She's getting crushed in these three demographics and her negatives amongst these groups are growing by the minute.
I don't care how much you love the Reagan Democrat. A Democratic nominee ain't winning JACK if he or she can't mobilize the urban vote. Look at the maps, folks. PA is a RED state with blue fringes. This general election will be about one thing . . . GOTV (get out the vote). Who has the ability to generate more voters in November? Obama or Hillary? It's not even a contest. . . Obama.
Democrats win a state like PA in the general election by running up the score in densely populated, URBAN CITIES like Philadelphia. They DO NOT win by being "Republican-lite;" adopting Republican terms of engagement; and trying to convince conservative voters in rural PA to believe that the Democratic Party is something that it is not.
Once again, the Democrats will win when they play to their strengths, but NOT so long as they continue to cower to bully tactics and labels like "elitism," and "unpatriotic." I'll say it again . . . Demorcats . . . GROW A BACKBONE!!!
I've yet to see any evidence that any of these "controversies" have hurt Obama. The PA polls are basically the same. And, as of last night, Obama enjoyed his largest national lead in the Gallup poll (51% to 40%).
Message to the mainstream media: This country is bigger than PA and blue collar whites aren't the only "real Americans." Get it? Honestly, I don't expect them to get it until they see Obama get sworn in as our next President.
Maybe, just maybe, we're not as dumb as the pundits think we are. Not this time.
Especially a bitter hooker.
Love your comments. great analysis and opinion as always.
I've been having mad conversations about "the media's" role in all this. The challenge, I think, is that they won't be satisfied until they MAKE US DUMB.
The fact that new polls show no one cares about Wright doesn't matter to them because they are not here to serve the people. They have proven this time and again with issue after issue
Iraq is the most flagrant recent example. Despite MILLIONS of people protesting in the street, these folks would not place a single opponent of war on their networks.
Because of their irresponsible "reporting" we had majorities thinking Saddam and al-qaeda were practically bunkmates.
It will not stop when Obama is the next prez, I'm afraid. He will be the shiny new thing for them to poke at. All their ignorant racial fantasies will play out on national television, and we won't be talking about the need to restructure our unsustainable suburban infrastructure or our disease-causing, fossil-fuel dependent agriculture system or our dire shortage of nurses or our wrong-headed educational standards.
They'll talk about how the first lady gets her hair did and if there should be watermelon served at a state dinner and how Obama blinked, ACTUALLY BLINKED, during the pledge of allegiance. "THIS JUST IN, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE FLAG DURING HIS SWEARING IN."
They will continually jab the American people in the eye with ignorance-laden, distracting, "reporting," and then they will run a poll which shows, "SURPRISE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE IRRITATED."
That's what happens when you poke people in the eye.
Appreciate your thoughts. They were on spot.
Obama 51- Clinton 38
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I believe a black Republican president would be more effective.
Interesting choice of venue.
Just saying.
(Me applauding)
McCain has even adopted and is trying to incorporate the change mantra and is attempting to follow Obama's model for attracting new voters. I don't believe that's working for him though and the proof of that is in the money. He doesn't attract the donors.
McCain let Hillary and MSM test the market to determine what would be effective in stopping the coalition building and has determined that traditional means are unacceptable and we can't be swayed.
McCain said during the college tour interview with Matthews that he would insist that the 527s remain silent. I wonder.
Act two - the Media reports on the basketball pick up games and cousins barbecueing at the Whitehouse
The audacity of Fox News.
polls have brought the ice queen the bad news. swiftboat "bitter" has run aground.
it is a veritable graveyard of swiftboats on the campaign trail.the swiftboat "plagiarism" is capsized. the swiftboat "bowling" is broken in two . the stern of swiftboat "rev.wright"' is lifted out of the water like the titanic.
what will the next swiftboat be? when will it attack?
It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who's thinking this.
The media already has it's narratives drawn up. For them, it's just a matter of which gets higher ratings at the moment. And Hillary's drama is good for tv ratings.
It's a business. The media will do whatever it can to keep this soap opera going all the way to the convention.
That is, unless the voters deliver a knock out blow some time in the next month or so. I'm gonna hold out hope for PA. But I'm really looking at you Indiana and North Carolina!
It looks like May 6th will be Obama's next best chance to end this once and for all.
Is is just me or is this more race-baiting?
Rendell's comment is odd. I'd have to see the full context to get a better idea as to whether or not it was race-baiting.
But, I'll tell you what I did find to be blatant race baiting...Bob Johnson rehashing of Geraldine Ferraro and the whole "Affirmative Action" candidate argument yesterday.
No one was even talking about him, Ferraro, or her comments. Yet, for some strange reason, Bobby felt compelled to come out of the blue and bring it all up again just one week before the PA primary?
I can't finnd the story I found that quote in, but that was all he really said.
Bruce (Born in the USA) Springsteen just endorsed Obama - wonder if that will help with his patriotism? (ha ha)
You just answered your own question.
Isn't it obvious? Nothing was working, so you regurgitate it using your Black Minstrel to say, what you can't or won't.
It didn't work in South Carolina, so the only reason for bringing it up now is to appeal to those white folks looking for a reason not to support Obama.
Could it be any clearer, that if another Black person is speaking ill of you, then there's the excuse for me not voting for Obama.
This coming from someone who is nothing more than a soulless sell-out.
I saw Obama on Gumble and loved it. He looked any younger than 46. I think those images will be trouble for McCain.
Springstreen posted the following letter on his website:
"Critics have tried to diminish Senator Obama through the exaggeration of certain of his comments and relationships," Springsteen wrote. "While these matters are worthy of some discussion, they have been ripped out of the context and fabric of the man's life and vision ... often in order to distract us from discussing the real issues: war and peace, the fight for economic and racial justice, reaffirming our Constitution, and the protection and enhancement of our environment."
Looks like he's on the same page as you B-Serious.
The "elitist" Bob Johnson calling Obama the "affirmative action candidate" that's just too rich for my blood!
He took a firm stand on that on the tour. He even went so far as to say that he would not choose a running mate who was pro-choice. There goes the religion issue people will be clinging onto.
I'm of the same thought as SBO on the issue. The thought of anyone having to make the decision is difficult, but I don't want to be the one who tells people that they can't make that decision for themselves.
YES, his answer re this issue at the compassion forum came across as truly heartfelt & thoughtful. It was really clear to anyone watching how his faith plays a role in his policies. I really didn't think a compassion forum was necessarily appropriate for a presidential campaign, but I think he did himself well. And was it just me or was Hillary rambling, and generally all over the place with her responses? No one called her on it, and the audience reaction to the candidates couldn't have been more stark!
I agree, agree and agree.
Only I don't think he would force his beliefs on anyone through policy.
Hillary = more of the same. She was clearly pandering to the Jews with the Esther story.
I hope the Jews see her for who she is.
By Manu Raju
Posted: 04/15/08 08:06 PM [ET]
"Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), the Democratic Party’s 2000 vice presidential nominee, is leaving open the possibility of giving a keynote address on behalf of Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) at the Republican National Convention in September."
"Republicans close to the McCain campaign say Lieberman’s appearance at the convention, possibly before a national primetime audience, could help make the case that the presumptive GOP nominee has a record of crossing the aisle. That could appeal to much-needed independent voters."
"McCain has yet to ask Lieberman to speak, either in primetime or elsewhere, at the convention. But if McCain thinks it will help make his case for the White House, as some of his allies suspect, Lieberman would be willing to speak on his behalf."
http://hill6.thehill.com/leading-the-news/lieberman-willing-to-star-at-republican-convention-2008-04-15.html
McCain can also appeal to white Dems as either 'one of them' or as a father figure who understands their plight.
Agreed, female Hillary supporters will stick with Obama, but the white males voters will determine the outcome of this election.
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He was permanently debilitated during his time as a POW.
If Dems try to attack him on his age and health, voters will be reminded of his bravery and heroism as a POW. If he was able to endure torture and permanent injury he can certainly endure the challenges of the office of president.
This attack will also have limited appeal with middle-aged or older white men. Hell, thanks to the miracles of modern medicine and Viagra these guys are feeling more robust than ever!
Is anyone planning on watching tonight's debate?
I gotta be honest. I don't think I can sit through another one of these things.
I'm sure the pundits will be looking for yet another magical, "where's the beef," gotcha line. My guess is Hillary's got about 5 or 6 that she's ready to feed the crowd. Ugh! What was her last one: Change you can xerox? Good grief!
I'm gonna try to avoid watching it. But something deep down inside me knows that I won't be able to keep away.
I wasn't planning on watching it either, but I know I will be popping in and out.
Olberman is going to have a bit by bit play right afterwards. I think I will be catching his run down of it.
True. Barack doesn't have to go there. And hopefully, he can even score a few points by complimenting McCain on how youthful and fit he is, etc., etc.
Yet isn't it ironic that of all the race-baiting that the Dem contest has seen, there's not been one instance of gender-baiting by Barack or his campaign?
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So Ted Kennedy, Bill Richardson et al. will be changing their votes?
"He was permanently debilitated during his time as a POW.
If Dems try to attack him on his age and health, voters will be reminded of his bravery and heroism as a POW. If he was able to endure torture and permanent injury he can certainly endure the challenges of the office of president.
This attack will also have limited appeal with middle-aged or older white men. Hell, thanks to the miracles of modern medicine and Viagra these guys are feeling more robust than ever!"
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I wasn't attacking his age or health, and I'm fully aware of his experience as a POW. I was pointing out how VISUALLY this would hurt him. Anyone with an IQ over 100 understands how lame and disrespectful it would be to target his health. However, that does not change the fact that having McCain standing next to Obama (damn near the picture of health) will cause voters some pause - in spite of the fact that part of McCain's strategy is to run with a younger attractive VP (ala Romney?). We are not electing a Vice President, but rather the PRESIDENT
Oh, you mean in the same way that Obama embracing Wright will VISUALLY hurt him?
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I was a union carpenter in the 80s and, though we all listened to Springsteen and Mellencamp (though personally, I was a Steve Earle man), none of us took their "man of the people" bulls**t literally. Everyone knew they were poseurs, hoping to get a little street cred by commisserating with the downtrodden masses, if never actually rubbing elbows with us. We all knew The Boss' lifestyle outstripped even our own bosses, by miles. And we know that the Barak Obamas and Hillary Clintons and John Edwards will never be anything more than tourists through our lives, gawking and pointing at our supposed misery, and never able to understand how we can suffer it.
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Yes, that's exactly what I meant, which is why he's polling within the margin of error in Pennsylvania and beating Hillary nationally by 10-13%
Obviously, Dems will excuse the Wright 'issue' now.
Today, from Reuters/Zogby:
'McCain was seen as a better steward of the economy than either Democrat despite their repeated criticism of his economic credentials. He led Obama by 3 points and Clinton by 5 points on the question of who would best manage the economy.'
Come to think of it, what gaffe, story, or scandal has been fatal for any candidate this cycle?
We shouldn't expect Obama's poll numbers to suddenly tank. We who support him now are not going to be dislodged from his base of support; We can excuse and explain away a great deal.
But whether all of these gaffes, scandals, and revelations can eventually come together to form an unflattering, and defining portrait of the man... well, that's another question.
From an interview with McCain adviser, Carly Fiorina: 'She told me in Illinois yesterday equipment manufacturer and huge exporter Caterpillar warned workers would be laid off if Congress didn’t pass the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. We talked about free trade and the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Both Sens. Clinton and Obama have taken the Smoot-Hawley approach of advocating protectionism during an economic downturn and oppose the agreement. Fiorina told me McCain’s free trade stance “makes tremendous sense” because “free trade creates jobs at home.”
Yet global competition does cause workers to be displaced. Fiorina talked about one of the more interesting ideas McCain brought up in his speech yesterday: reforming the unemployment system. He calls for putting an employee’s unemployment insurance contribution into a personal account that could move with the worker to provide for living expenses and job training. While the idea sounded new to me Fiorina told me McCain has mentioned this many times before. Only now has the idea broken through.'
The longer the fight for the Dem nomination goes on, the more it hurts Obama. He needs to knock out Hillary soon!
Vote for Obama at TIME!!!
IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, PLEASE
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOOOOOOOOOOOTE!!!!!!
At 12:43 he was at #35, by 6:44 he was at #18!!!!!
Rev. Wright is on the list too.