The thing that exposed Obama to Bush's insidious remarks was his attempt to score points with his amateurish posture on willingness to negotiate as President with leaders of "rogue states". Bush's posture has always been the dim-witted send in the military and don't talk to anyone. However, in the debates, Hillary made it clear that she would not allow the Presidency to be used in the demeaning circumstances Obama seemed all to ready to do. Hillary's strategy was to have lower level operatives "negotiate" in an attempt to see what we were dealing with and if there were any prospects to pursuing diplomacy at higher levels.
Obama has since realized his gaffe and is now talking about "preliminary steps" and gettting on his high horse in outrage at Bush and McCain for challenging his previous amateurish stand. Obama says his new position is now operative and we shouldn't pay attention to his yesterday's posture.
It is so pathetic. Hillary has been the much stronger candidate. This reverse race baiting led by James Clyburn has been sufficiently exposed so the media could run with it if they wanted to sweep Obama off the stage. And the SuperDelegates have an escape hatch in that since they can always switch their fluid "commitments" back to Hillary to get us out of this mess.
Oh well, I guess the prevailing "wisdom" is that we have to start at ground zero with an amateur when we have a full fledged pro ready to go.
Scared White
We all knew the facade of civility would eventually come down, but oh how lovely it was for a time, wasn't it?
We knew the Repugs would all have partial birth abortions themselves if only to hurl the gooey bits at the presumptive Democrat (I'm embracing the framing -- and it feels damn good!) nominee. That's basic Repuglican politikkin'. Yee and may I say ha.
But were we really prepared for Hillary's West Virginia appeals to the gun toting, Skoal-spitting Caucasoids, essentially making it okay for Bush at the Knesset to use the original N-word -- Nazi -- and grotesquely imply that Obama is a an "appeaser", triggering all the knee jerk responses he and every enemy to truth could muster? It sets the tone for the course ahead and indicates clearly that the stakes, having been high in the past, have never been this high.
Obama's opponents can't impugn his smarts or his ability to lead so they must -- must -- play to the basest card: race fear. It is all they have, luring the primal white terror of the black man from its dank hole, giving it a quick wash and a seventy dollar suit and sending it out to play havoc. It is a tactic that transcends Atwaterian shrewdness. It is the the true nuclear option making all the lurid attempts to ascribe illicit sexual behavior, bastard children or unhinged spiritual advisors so lame and ineffective that it is used as the last resort, obliterating all things in its toxic, molten mushroom cloud. And those who use it to define the contest are in effect defining themselves as scared and white, no more, no less.
Hillary: just a scared white woman? If it wins her the presidency, she is. Bush we already know is scared. If he were a woman he would have at least something going for him.
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Hillary did not have the wisdom to vote against the war in the first. She was in congress to actualy put brakes on BushCo but did not. You cant blame Mr.Obama because it cost her points with the American Voters. Why do you continue to make these kind of false analogies.
The scary part about the cage door being wide open is that the captive refuses to step through it, though he could. The "business as usual" proponents refuse to see that we cannot afford to go through 4 more years of status quo leadership of our nation.
The people are tired. And, while many may be enamored with HRC there are the rest of us who see the likelihood of her as POTUS is also business as usual.
Once there is an internship for POTUS we will enroll our future candidate. It does not exist. I expect Senator Obama to interject his intellect, desire to effect change, and willingness to be a diplomat rather than a sabre rattler to pave the way. He will surround himself with the caliber of individuals who have made his candidacy miraculous and that will make him a success. Picking a good cabinet, excellent aides and advisors are the true sign of a good president. That is the reason we have not had a good 8 years, that did not happen!
Can hardly wait for your comments after the Republicans begin their salvos. Look what they did to Senator Kerry, true patriot and war hero.
More than 90% of African-Americans in many states and 97% of black males in PA have voted for Sen. Obama, a first term Senator, who by most measures has a thin resume to be President, yet those who don't support him are being accused of being racists? Give me a break. Every other ethnic group has supported Sen. Clinton overwhelmingly over Sen. Obama and so did African-Americans until Sen. Obama's campaign decided to play the race card in SC at the end of last year (see Sean Wilenz's article about this). There is videotape of Pastor Wright launching into a race based attack at his black mega church against Hillary and Bill Clinton in Dec. 07. Who knows what went on at other African-American churches during this time period. I remember seeing one or more African-American magazines advocating for Sen. Obama in this time and heard that several African American radio stations doing the same. Yet somehow no one is supposed to point out that much of the racism in this campaign seems to be coming from the African-American community. This life-long Democrat and many others are disgusted by what's gone on in this campaign. And continually calling Sen. Clinton's supporters racists with no evidence to back them up is not going to help Sen. Obama, should he be the nominee.
Sir. Im going to give you a historical that might in some way prove that your sentiments are in error.
Blacks have supported Democrats for years and years. I can't remember when they ever supported a black nominee of the democratic party.............you know why? THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ONE. Another fact . The last time I checked Iowa was predominatly WHITE, and Mr.Obama Defeated Mrs. Clinton there. I guess thats the Reverse Racism you speak of. Why cant all the white,black,asian,hispanic ect. be supporting Barack Obama because they believe he is a better candidate.
Do you really believe that it is ok for black people to vote for HRC but not for Obama? Now who was it who played the race card in SC? Wasn't that Bill Clinton? Please don't let your belief in the HRC candidacy cause you to play with the facts. If HRC lost the black vote, and she did, it was the fault of her campaign strategy which continues even now. Please name one instance when Senator Obama asked, demanded, or indicated even remotely that he expected the black vote. Personally, I think the Clinton's expected black, Hispanic, Jewish, and white Democratics...all demographic groups because Obama was not expected to factor into the equation at all. HRC is the presumptive nominee in her mind and started this election believing it. Obama is a shock!
Finally, someone comes out and tells like it is. Look at all the bigots that infest this site; they reflect how much farther this country has to go. But, compared to 20 years ago, race relations have come a long way, and I'm particularly impressed with the young generation that I've met while registering voters.
Education leads to less fear, and these young white kids don't even think of color. God was very wise in making the human lifespan the length it is. These cretins will die off, and the numbers will diminish at time goes on.
When I was born, in 1948, segregation was in full bloom, Brown v. Board of Ed desegegration of schools occurred when I was 9; the Civil Rights Act at age 16, and now someone can lose their job for using the N word and an African American is going to be the next President. We've come a long way in my lifetime.
Hillary and Bill's assignment (punishment) for the general election should be to get hard-working white blue-collar folk back for the Democrats.
Excuse me, Steven, did you just say that Hillary's appeals to working-class voters in West Virginia enabled Bush to use the "N" word? That she is responsible for what some view to be an innapropriate talking point for a President abroad?
If you want to criticize Bush for his remarks, fine, but I think blaming Clinton is overreaching.
And I find it extremely regrettable and irresponsible that you play the race card here. Pure and simple, if anyone challenges Obama or his abilities, we are racist? How ridiculous and how damaging.
As far as opponents of Obama being unable to impugn his smarts or his ability to lead -- I beg to differ. One can, and by all means should, scrutinize Obama's record to determine whether he embodies the leadership skills necessary for the presidency. And one can determine that he is lacking in that strength -- and behold, it does not mean we are automatically racist, as you spout.
I am troubled by the Wright issue and view it as a failure in leadership. Either Obama lacked the leadership to speak up and walk out, or he agrees with the pastor's views. Either scenario is troubling.
The press has irresponsibly embraced Obama. And while you surely have the right to embrace the candidate of your choice, I would hope that you do so responsibly. There is no need to cry racism simply because an individual may come to a different conclusion than you when assessing Mr. Obama's readiness.
The issue for most Americans will be the political direction that Barack would lead us. He is more liberal than any major candidate in history. If you like that, fine. However, the nation is not ready for that and that is why McCain with all his flaws will win. The CA Supreme Court kind of sealed the deal by demonstrating what a Obama US Supreme Court would look like. In fact, having either party in control of both the Congress and the Presidency is enough to make many of us crazy.
dude - you obviously can read and repeat right wing propaganda- too bad you can't recognize it
It seems to have had that effect on you.
There are two Asian-American justices (Chin and Kennard), one Hispanic justice (Moreno) and four white justices.
Six justices are Republicans (George, Kennard, Baxter, Werdegar, Chin, and Corrigan)[citation needed] and one Democrat (Moreno)[citation needed], although most of the Republicans tend to be moderate.
Excuse me! Isn't the CA Supreme Court largely conservative and Republican? How can this decision portend what would happen in an "Obama Supreme Court"? Please check your facts before lodging false assertions.
The nation not ready for a liberal? Please. This sort of rhetoric is what got us into the cesspool we're in now. The nation is ready to be invested in, the American family extoled, a sense of humanity and shared destinyt restored. The myth of rugged individualism has reached its end.
Liberal is not an anti-American word, and the type of freedom espoused by the republicans is not really freedom at all - its merely unchecked, unanchored power to destroy. True freedom occurrs within limits.
I am big-time supporter of Obama but I wish those who support him (like Mr. Weber) would refrain from using insulting language and offensive comments in attacking Obama's opponents. It is not consistent with the kind of campaign he has tried to run. You don't do Obama's cause a service by speaking like this.
"Obama's opponents can't impugn his smarts or his ability to lead"
President Constitutional Law Professor thinks separate but equal civil unions passes muster; the Supreme Court of California disagrees.
His ability to lead? What's he ever led? The Senate Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on European Affairs? The Harvard Law Review?
The Senate Foreign Affairs Subcommittee he couldn't even hold ONE meeting about because he was so busy running for president. He gets bored very easily and can't finish one project before he's after another. He's a very impatient young man.
And what has McCain or Clinton lead? McCain's and Clinton's campaigns went in to major debt. As for the Supreme Ct decision in California, the decision is groundbreaking and not inconsistent at all with Obama's stated position to let each state decide. You completely misrepresent his position.
Obama's position is for civil unions but against marriage. That's exactly the point that the Supreme Court in CA decided: civil unions are not sufficient.
And yes, I'm quite familiar with states' rights, separate but equal line of reasoning.
The notion that one's ability to lead this country is predicated on the single issue of whether a state Supreme Court should find that the California Constiution or US Constitution requires that same sex marriages be recognized is a big stretch. I disagree with Obama on mandates for health insurance but that doesn't mean I reject his candidacy. I look at the totality of the candidate and his approach to governing.
Lincoln did not campaign on the platform of abolishing slavery as he thought it would doom his candidacy. But he did later, when the time was right, issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
Obama, like Lincoln was, is a politician not a saint and I have confidence his support for matters that will come before him - which the marriage question probably will not as, in this country such matters have traditionally been left to the states - will be given after due deliberation considering when it is most effective to do so to accomplish the goal at hand.
As this case broke new ground - or set precedent - most constitutional law professors could engage in a good faith debate about the issue and, in fact, have.
McCain's desire to continue the Bush/Cheney legacy of cowboy style diplomacy is repugnant. McCain's comments: "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran" and "I'm going to sit the Sunnis and Shiites down and tell them to quit the bullsh*%" along with a vast array of questionable statements that McCain has made lend credence to the fact that McCain has not articulated an economic policy, national security policy nor foreign policy that that is substantive.
McCain offers America irrelevant sound bites that mirror the Bush/Cheney failed policies, on these matters McCain is simply wrongheaded and his policies are not what America needs.
What has become clear over the past few months is that the portrayal of McCain as the "straight talking maverick" is a shallow myth and the contrivance of the main stream media and republican spin machine.
McCain's 28 years of experience in Washington have not produced an erudite politician who exhibits the type of judgment that America needs. What has been revealed is that McCain"s chronological age does not equate to better experience that supersedes the cogent perspectives of Sen. Obama.
Although Obama is younger he has exhibited a far superior acumen on what America needs, much more so than McCain has. Sen. Obama's finely nuanced judgment on a host of issues such as economic, social justice, national security and foreign policy topics is a testament to Obama's wisdom and capability to better serve this nation.
Obama certainly has led in the realm of marriage rights for gay and lesbian people. And he is leading the chant of "NO YOU CAN'T". It really is pathetic that a bunch of REPUBLICAN justices in California can understand this, and Obama can't. Hot Air. Empyt Suit.
His ability to lead? What's he ever led? The Senate Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on European Affairs? The Harvard Law Review?
Let's see now. We can start with the GWB's credentials upon becoming president. What exactly did he have in the way of experience or intellectual credentials upon assuming the job? Governor of Texas...did I miss anything else?
So Obama is equally unqualified to be President as Bush was in 2000?
God help us all.
So since the California Supreme Court passed gay marriage, that means Barack Obama is
not fit to be President? Where do you people get these idiotic points from? I hope you
work for the Mcain campaign!
By the way that gay marriage thing could still be overturned by the voters in California.
actually, the fact that obama, like clinton, only supports civil unions (god forbid either of them support full marriage), is bad enough, however, the crime is most fitting to obama, who fashions himself a "uniter," someone who believes all people should be treated fairly and equally. i have news for obama and the rest, civial unions are not equal, and yes obama's stance on this issue, given the recent CA ruling, is an appropriate "point" to illuminate! obama should come out in favor of gay marriage, after all, as weber states, the race card is being played, and the fact is that obama has to stand in favor of gay marriage, or risk playing a card that turns his whole campaign on its head, CHANGE, but not for gay marriage?
Prior to eight years ago were you or anyone pushing for marriages for gay and lesbian couples? What were you doing on that issue? Obama used to practice civil rights law.
Why should Mr.Obama take your advice for anything.....................Get over yourself.
Once again I ask why does the California Supreme Court Ruling have anything
to do with Mr. Obama being qulified to be president. Sir Marriage is a union between a man and a woman. A civil union is between two people of the same sex. So to me your logic goes something like; People should blame Mr. Obama
for people being born with either a penis or a vagina...............sir you are reaching.
The world is watching and listening, witnessing how much or, more appropriately, how little we have changed since the days of Bull Connor and all of the other much regaled racists and bigots in our history books. We learned just this week that the Secret Service has a dirty little secret that reflects the tone and tenor of much of what is being said about black people in America. The Secret Service is sworn to protect POTUS at the expense of their own life should the situation require. Will this same Secret Service be counted on to that if Mr. Obama is elected?
Now exactly who is it that plays the race card? I think that is played out everyday in America by a large minority who cannot fathom Obama being in the Office of the President of the United States. The nooses, the dirty little jokes, the hiring practices, and more importantly what happens behind the curtains of the voting booth.
November 4, 2008 will be a historic time and what will the history books show us....true change or business as usual in the United States of America the greatest democracy on the Earth.
Are you unaware that the Secret Service has been protecting Obama for most of this campaign??
Please pay attention, I said, "Will this same Secret Service be counted on to do that if Mr. Obama is elected?" There were very few who ever thought that this man could get this far!
Gracious! In America, what you appear to be (skin color) is what and who you are in this society. The fact is that Senator Obama grew in the womb of a "white woman" because his father was a black Kenyan. He is 50% his mother and 50% his father. Barack Obama has embraced his phenotype which not different than the genetic makeup of many Americans. However, the 'one drop rule' applies and thus he is a black man and, fortunately is proud of that fact. If America will not and cannot say "So?" in 2008 to that FACT we are a lost nation.
If we do not focus our attention and interest on what the man stands for and what he will do for this nation we are a lost nation. Obama's race is there for us to see and there for us to get beyond to get to the issue of what can he do for our lost nation. The saddest thing is that those who claim they do not "see" his race are as troubling as those who see nothing else. Those on either end of this issue do a disservice to our mulit-racial nation and its history.
Why does everything devolve into race or religion?
How about just analyzing this as pure politics.
The GOP saw the Clinton machine defeated and now they are scrambling.
They know the good people of America, regardless of race or religion, are tired of being led in the wrong direction.
GOP POLITICS OF **FEAR** ....... NOT THIS TIME....... NOT THIS YEAR!!
"We have a choice in this country. We can accept a politics that breeds division, and conflict, and cynicism...Or at this moment, in this election we can come together and say, 'Not this time'. This time let"s talk about the crumbling schools that is stealing the future of white, brown and black children alike"--Barack Obama
Talk, talk, talk. Yada Yada Yada. Flim, Flam.
A few comments on this very inane post:
- I cannot speak for everyone but I have yet to come accross anyone who cares what color Obama's skin is. Except for liberals and professional racists such as Al Sharpton who pounce on every slight public utterance and try to read racism into it.
- I don't know if Obama is smart or not at this point. He does talk well. That in itself does not make him smart. He seems to support a lot of big government socialist programs. He may be doing this for political expediency or he may be doing it because he is socialist at heart. Either way, that causes me to question his intellengence knowing that socialism has been largely discredited and is a failed system of social organization.
If you don't know whether Obama is smart or not, you must be both blind and deaf.
On the other hand, perhaps you are simply ignorant. Communism has been discredited, but socialism is alive and well in many countries. I suspect that you have no idea what socialism is. That, s
Posted May 16, 2008 | 02:20 PM (EST)