Who Can Beat McCain?

Lotta folks on this site hating Hillary because she's a woman. Lotta folks on this site loving Hillary because she's a woman. Makes me think that, in some quarters, men have been uncomfortable with women a lot longer than whites have been uncomfortable with blacks.

Sometimes I honestly believe that a racist white guy would vote for Obama over anyone like his wife or mother. A woman as Commander-and-Chief? Uh-uh, they say.

How sad.

Lotta folks worried about Obama's level of experience. Whatever you do, don't buy into that Republican bullshit. Obama is FDR compared to this Bush. The GOP committed every possible sin in order to get Bush elected. They forged a whole set of new ones to get him reelected. Everyone around the world recognizes that America is in real trouble. Most Americans do, too.

The past eight years have been the moral low point of the American experience.

I have said in these pages before that either candidate has the potential to make a very good president. Clinton is smart and shrewd in ways that will serve her well in office. I think she would play a Democratic Congress like a violin. Obama will have the great fortune of being able to attract his own version of the "Best and the Brightest", an army of brilliant and capable reform-minded people who would normally abjure political careers as the result of their inherent cynicism.

Who can beat McCain? That is all that matters.

McCain is another right-wing, retro, deficit-loving, never-seen-a-defense-appropriation-I-didn't-like tool. But there are a lot of people in this dumbed-down country that will buy that. They want to turn the clock back. To what, I don't know. Which Democrat will give a critical number of Americans the courage to move forward? This election represents a turning point for this country, not only internally, but regarding our future among the other nations of the world. America will begin to, albeit slowly, irreversibly go down if we do not get this right.

It is wrong to assume that either of these Democrats is less qualified than the other. But Democrats must think like Republicans, now more than ever. Who can win?

You think major GOP fundraisers sat back and clucked over the nomination of Bush in 2000? You must be joking. They held their noses and went along for the ride because Republicans like James Baker and that maniac Richard Mellon Scaife have their hands on the money valve and they anointed Bush. The GOP plays to win. They don't have good candidates all that often, but they don't let that stop them. Everyone digs in and puts their shoulder behind even the lamest nominee.

If you want to advocate for Clinton or Obama, do so in the context of how they will defeat McBush.

PS: One possible consequence of an Obama presidency? Supreme Court Justice Hillary Clinton. Dang, that sounds good.

Comments

[MrXfromplanetX]

Hopefully this comment won't get censored this time:

Kucinich wanted to introduce real socialized medicine just as Michael Moore had recommended.

Hillary's health care plan requires you to buy a health insurance policy from a health insurance company. I'm sure Kaiser Medical is thrilled.

Didn't anyone see Sicko?

That's what Nixon did on behalf of Kaiser was require employers to pay for an HMO plan.
Health insurance companies have some of the most over paid CEO's in the country.

http://alternativeconservative.com/2008/03/24/hillary-fascist-health-care

I heard someone giving Diane Feinstein a plug the other day.. Diane's been working with Orrin Hatch of Utah to give telecoms companies immunity for warrantless wiretaps
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16306942

These people will never shape up as long as people don't hold them accountable, but now it's too late for this presidential election.

I would like to recommend the documentary "Orwell Rolls in His Grave." It gives some really good insight into US media coverage http://mrxfromplanetx.com/orwell-rolls-in-his-grave

[MrXfromplanetX]

A large number of Republicans are turning into Nationalist Fascists. I would never vote for McCain. John McCain did a good job of scrutinizing the Military Industrial complex in "Why We Fight" but that was some other John McCain. Not the pod person we are seeing now--"Why We Fight" is a great film to give a reality check to your conservative friends, if you have any.

It saddens me Democrats are not offering a much better option. I believe Dennis Kucinich is a good man, which is why he probably didn't get much coverage--even from NPR. Huffpo probably covered him more than any other news outlet.

One problem is I believe Democrats are so goo goo eyed over their top players, they are not holding them accountable for their actions. Instead they are overlooking really big faults like the relative of an alcoholic.

Why did Hillary vote for the Iraq War, the Patriot Act, and The Reauthorization of the Patriot Act? Obama voted for the Reauthorization as well. Check it out on govetrack.us.

Don't you suspect something is wrong here? They may say different things than the Republicans, but why are they voting like them?

Kucinich wanted to introduce real socialized medicine just as Michael Moore had recommended.

[sagopalm]

People!
What is more important? Splitting hairs over Hillary and Barack? Or bringing the disastrous republican reign to an end?
So. Instead of voting to HOPEFULLY end the war in Iraq by installing a democratic president and congress...you'd rather the killing of our young people and theirs continue while the bushes and their ilk continue to benefit. We as a people are all expendable as far as they're concerned.

[monique]

Gee, I don't know what editor was on duty early this morning, but my comment got nixed -- why, because I said it was disheartening and depressing for me to hear so many hateful remarks by blacks and Obama supporters about the Clintons?! Is that considered racist?! Compared to everything else that is allowed on this site?!

I just read a post where Hillary was called a witch, and much worse, and I can read how Spike Lee made racially hateful and inflammatory remarks that make me sick and cringe -- but I can't voice how depressing I find all that racism?

I will say it again. I find it disgusting how so many -- not all -- Obama supporters can not find a way to support their candidate without outright attacking his opponent. If they love Obama, they feel compelled to hate Hillary and spew damaging venomous statements constantly.

I find that sad and depressing. And damaging. And flat out wrong.

And Alec, as I said in my previous post that was edited out, this is a nice, respectful, thoughtful and honest piece. Thank you.

[obamagramma]

I don't love or hate Hillary because she is a woman, I think she is a GOOD candidate being beaten by a BETTER candidate. It happens.

[surfergirl]

Mr. Baldwin you sure got that right. Hard to beleive but even a lot of women beleive that
a man is better for the job. Reminds me of the old days when layoffs were usually the
women first.
Didn't the black man have the vote before women?
Women still may work the same job as a man and still they get paid less and are
accepting of it.

I often wonder how it would have been reported if for example the guy that held up the sign at a
Hillary rally that read something about ironing his cotton shirts.
If that same guy had held up a sign telling Obama to pick his cotton.

Personally after having read so many comments from the Obama worshippers and the filthy
and digusting messages about Hillary. I have decided to vote for her.
At least I am not blinded by her. I know she is human and a tough cookie.
I beleive Obama is nothing more than a twinkie compared to her.

And yes if she does not get the democratic nomination I will not vote for Obama and I thought
I would be a democrat all my life. My only hope will be a good independent otherwise it will
not be a government for and by me.

[obamagramma]

Even though she failed the Washington DC bar exam, I actually agree that she would be a great Supreme Court Justice. Of course, being a great, long term, powerful Senator is also an option.

[IntelligentDesign]

I think it noble of you to go easy on Hillary, but she has not showed well at all during the primary season, and if that portends what will be in her presidency, then we are very fortunate that she will come up short in her bid for the Dem nod - given a choice between the two, Barack Obama wins going away - How do I know that? Why the people have told me.

[surfergirl]

Excuse me intelligentDesign (what a joke) she won Florida and all the big states.
You must be hearing voices; better go see the shrink!!

[rage]

Alec Baldwin. What a tool this has-been is. The only good movie he was in was "The Hunt for Red October" and it was only watchable because Connery kept us awake during Baldwin's scenes. Now you want to spread your incompetence all over the political stage. Still a stinker.

[MElmore1965]

...what?...where have you been...the Juror?...Suburban Girl?...Glen?...the Getaway?...I could go on and on....

[arosa]

Mr. Baldwin completely rocks as 30 Rock's Jack Donahey! Brilliant series showcasing his fantastic comedic timing, and which also parodies many important political issues of the day.

I always appreciate your posts Mr. Baldwin -- thanks for tuning into and contributing to Huffpo. Nothing wrong with trying to keep the peace and reminding us to keep the end game in sight.

[rage]

Wow. Your dvd collection must suck Baldwin ©0©K. Enjoy, though.

[obamagramma]

Yo! Blog Warrior! Respond to ideas not person.

[rage]

No.

[Bilbo983]

You've got your facts wrong. Baldwin has not only won a few awards, but had also received several Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. His role performance in "The Cooler" is astounding and very memorable. Check this out at imdb.

[rage]

wow. You mean the left-leaning Academy actually gave this punk an award. Of course they did. Oscar means dick to anyone but lefties. Just Hollywood patting itself on the back. The more liberal you are in your extra-curricular activities the more exposure you have to the leftist Academy. Pffft! Oscar and Golden Globes. Hahahahahahaha! Imdb!?! Hahahahahaha! What about "The Shadow". Woohoo! Btw, you're wrong. His role performance in "The Simpsons" is astounding and very memorable. Hahahahahaha! [wipes tear from eye]

[DebofMD]

Alec Baldwin rocks. Don't be mad because he knows what he's talking about.

Obama '08

[rage]

He rocks? My bad. I was not aware that he knew what he was talking about. I was under the impression that he was a delusional, know-it-all @$$hole who needed a boost to his failing career

McCain '08

[MElmore1965]

As a life long democrat...registered as such since my 18th birthday...I have been betrayed by my party...two stupid liars...stupid liars...and, the latest hillary "mispeak" comes out of my back yard...how stupid of her to repeat that story without verifying facts...stupid, lying %itch...

[Susan1968]

Are you talking about teh April 5th Hospital story that has now been shown was TRUE:


Clinton Told True Tale of Woe, Says Kin

By Anne E. Kornblut

The aunt of a young pregnant woman who died after a hospital told her she needed to pay $100 up front for care said in an interview on Monday that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has been telling the story accurately on the campaign trail.

... Clinton's claim that Bechtel did not get care at another hospital that wanted a $100 pre-payment before seeing her, according to the young woman's aunt, Lisa Casto. "It's a true story," said Casto, 53.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/04/07/clinton_told_true_tale_of_woe.html

[LeoMarvin]

The problem with choosing the candidate most likely to beat John McCain is the paradox created by Democrats threatening to vote for McCain if their candidate isn't nominated. If one candidate has enough such supporters to form McCain's margin of victory, the blackmail works. Taking the blackmailers at their word, the super delegates are put to the ironic choice of backing the candidate with more supporters committed to electing McCain in a vendetta against other Democrats, or backing the candidate less likely to win. For anyone who understands how much the well-being of millions of people depends on changing the course of the last seven years, these threats aren't just childish or self-indulgent. They're contemptible. And that some of the blackmailers actually brag about their treachery should make us all sick. Of course, we can't know how many will follow through on their threats. But that uncertainty is hardly comforting, with the 2000 elections so recent and so catastrophic.

[accountability]

I agree with you in principle but I understand people not wanting to vote for the opposition

In fact I am often tempted. The last few days I have been seriously considering writing Clinton's name in. because ... well several reasons. I think on the whole the Obama supporters are so rotten and hateful to anyone who supports Clinton not to mention their attacks and far right wingnut tactics of smearing with old neocon rumors and buying into everything negative that has been said about Clinton. I was an avid Obama supporter. Several things about his campaign so disturbed me that eventually the cumulative effect caused me to become "agnostic" ;-)
"As long as its a Democrat" my motto. But it is very hard to read this hatred every day, to watch the media, particularly MSNBC, kneecap her every step of the way, distorting and misrepresenting her. Then to have O supporters pretend it isn't happening as if somehow its is a slur on Obama. Could they really be that nonobjective? So yeah, I'm tempted to write Hillary in. (Or Bob Dylan LOL) I guess it depends on the DNC and how they finish handling this primary. I'm pretty sure I will vote for O if I have to but I really do not trust him at this point. The feeling in the pit of my stomach is unhappy about him as President. My gut is seldom wrong.

[surfergirl]

accountability; I fully agree with you some thing is rotten in Denmark.
I had the same feeling with Bush and it was definitely right. And so many
people told me I was wrong now it is a whole different story. I will go with
my feelings not my party.

[Siryn]

Justice Hillary Clinton? You've gone way too far, there. She has no experience as a jurist, and besides, she has never met a conflict of interest she didn't like.

[AlieNation]

The problem with the ‘I don’t care who wins as long as it’s a Democrat’ thinking is that it ignores the Clinton campaign strategy over the past two months. Hillary isn’t simply running against Obama, she is trying to make him unelectable regardless of the outcome of the primary.

The Clinton campaign is a microcosm of what a Hillary Clinton presidency will look like.
Just in the past few days Mark Penn, the Clinton campaign’s Communications Chief has been exposed as a two-faced, double dealing, political mercenary. Hillary’s speeches often include distortions, fabrications, or outright lies. She is willing to “throw the kitchen sink” at fellow Democrats who oppose her. These are not aberrations. This is the Clinton style of politics.

Many of us refuse to vote for Hillary not because of gender, but because she is part and parcel of the Clinton political machine. While we can look back fondly on the many good years America enjoyed under the Bill Clinton Presidency, we also cannot ignore the Clinton’s complicity in propagating the divisive political atmosphere which made the George W. Bush Presidency possible.

If we keep electing the same type of people over and over again but somehow expect different results then we are by definition…insane. I will not vote for John McCain but I cannot, in good conscience, put a check mark by Hillary’s name either.

[LeoMarvin]

Then you'll share responsibility for McCain's Presidency if he wins. If you can live with that, you're entitled to your choice. I'm also for Obama, and I also have major grievances with how Hillary has conducted this campaign. But to help McCain get elected because I'm angry at Hillary for helping McCain get elected -- that's what's insane. It's called cutting your nose off to spite your face. No thank you. I'll find a less insane way to get back at my face.

[accountability]

www.writehillaryin.com

I've had it.
Good, don't vote for Hillary clinton. Prove what a unifying effect Senator Obama has on you, prove how you will now become the government you have been waiting for, prove how you will bring civility back, prove what a force he is for change. Change? I just see more of the same... only worse.

My God, don't you people do any research? Just keep repeating the same tired old lies that have been fed to you.
BTW

I was an Obama supporter since he gave the Dem campaign speech till maybe 2 months ago when I just had enough and couldn't make any more excuses for my perceptions and what I found on researching BOTH candidates. PLUS the hatefulness of his so called Progressive supporters is so sickening I just didn't want to be associated with it any more.
I've had enough
www.writehillaryin.com

[accountability]

If his supporters are any kind of reflection of the new tone being set God help us. This is the most divisive group of people I have ever seen.
Along with being unable to see the difference between the actual truth/reality and far right wingnut and neocon rumors that have been spread about Clinton for years and so they continue using the neocon/wingnut tactics to continue spreading them. Good Conscience? Why what delicate sensibilities you have, except when it comes to Axelrod's tricks and the medias obvious bias... all of that is fine.
What conscience? the unmitigated hatred that is hurled around here shows no conscience, it shows an out of control mass hysteria and scapegoating who has done more good in her life than those who scream at her. divisive? I'm sorry my dear but most of the divisiveness in this campaign has come from Obama supporters and some very nasty tricks by Axelrod's nastiness. He is very good. After all he has been a longtime strategist for the Chicago/ Daly dirty politicking machine as well as running Elliot Spitzer's and Deval patricks campaigns. He calls himself a specialist in urban politics... that should tell you something.

[surfergirl]

Hey Alien Mr. Clinton was not complicit nor did he propagate the divisive political atmosphere.
You are an idiot!!
And if you think it will be any different with Obama; you had better rethink things. The republicans will chew his ass to shreds!!

Mr. Clinton was a centrist and did a hell of a job. Yes he was not perfect.

You had better really look at everything and get the kleig lights out of your eyes.

[skipwild]

Hillary Clinton would never be approved as a "Supreme Court Justice. She was at the bottom of her Yale Law School class, flunked the Washington D.C. bar exam (yes she did . . . Google it) and has had virtually no experience as a sitting jurist. There are men and women with far more brilliant minds with lots
more legal experience than HRC who deserve it more than she does. And they would be infinitely better at it than she would be.

Do your homework, Alec.

[eggman]

Either one of them will beat McCain. Only three ways McCain can win 1) Dem superdelegates overturn the will of both the popular vote and state delegate count; 2) Repeat of 2004 strategy: GOP slime machine, backed by mainstream media, and topped off with massive election fraud.

[trinity29]

Mr. Baldwin:

I am not sure how you only got that lotta folks here are hating or loving Hillary because she is a woman to the detriment of her positions, policies, and voting record. There are plenty of well-informed posters here who speak very directly to issues and argue very convincingly about not supporting Hillary. None of it has to do with Hillary being a woman or seeing a woman in a position of being Commander in Chief. I am curious how you missed so many of those remarks by both bloggers and posters here. This kind of argument may have been effective before the primaries started or even at the start of the primaries. You do not give credit to the many who visit this site who can cite strong reasons to oppose Hillary without having to use gender as a cause or a trigger.

[accountability]

Trinity29:
I agree with you that people don't hate Hillary because she is a woman... most of them anyway.

They hate her because its the current cause dejour.
They hate her because she is the scapegoat for a culture that actually has the government they deserve for not rising up en masse to get rid of these lying, corrupt scoundrels we have ruining our country. We have lots and lots of people who post their ugly hatred on Huffington Post and other blogs but very few who actually go out and do something serious, very few who show up at marches and demonstrations, or at congressional hearings as we had today, very few who practice acts of civil disobedience or passive resistance. Instead we have primarily the middle aged and older over 50 crowd, the same people who have been showing up for years yet have been disrespected, demeaned, belittled and marginalized by Obama supporters and Obama himself. (Many of us were and/or are Obama supporters)

[LeoMarvin]

I've got news for you. The internet has become a relevant venue for participatory democracy. We'd be a lot more persuasive if fewer people used to it to dump their animosity, their vulgarity and the rest of their psychodramas, but that's no different than any in-person demonstration I've ever attended. So wake up and smell the coffee. I hear Starbucks is lowering their prices. In fact, the next time you pass a Starbucks, look inside, and guess what you'll see. You'll see people on laptops, some of them on blogs like this one, some petitioning their representatives (and yes, some probably just looking for pictures of the ex-governor of New York's ex-prostitute). Time marches on. Get on board.

[accountability]

Trinity29

"There are plenty of well-informed posters here who speak very directly to issues and argue very convincingly about not supporting Hillary."

Could you point them out for me please?

I mainly see ugly and finger pointing and a fast spreading malignant hatred from Obama supporters toward Hillary Clinton and anyone who supporters her.
Well, that isn't exactly true, I also see ridicule, belittlement, venomous attacks, and just plain ugly.
Not only do I not see any well reasoned and objective reasoning without any vituperative commentary on how evil Clinton is in stating disagreement with her policies and positions, I don't see any well reasoned, objective analysis of why Barack Obama is the person to vote for. There is no thought out advocacy for voting for Obama, just lots of neocon rumors and far right wingnut tactics in an attempt to destroy Clinton.

"You do not give credit to the many who visit this site who can cite strong reasons to oppose Hillary..."

If Mr. Baldwin gives no credit it is because there are so few to see. Perhaps they visit but if so they are not visible.

Yes, many people on this site may not have a problem with seeing a woman as President but, and this may come as a surprise to you, Huffington Post does not represent a slice of America. I assure you there are many people out there, men and women who are uncomfortable with a woman as President.