As a long-term registered Democrat who increasingly identifies as an independent and has weathered a torrid, post-9/11 love affair with conservatism, I am in a good position to judge Democratic prospects this nominating season. And I think we ought to listen to Mama and let Daddy-o go.
Fellow Democrats, there's something I've been meaning to tell you, but I've been a little uneasy bringing it up. Well, here goes. I don't think Barack Obama is for you. And I think we need to talk about it.
Wait, wait, before you get defensive--just hear me out. I know you love him. I know he's got a lot to offer. He's handsome, brainy, charming, passionate, and your love is brand spankin' new. Of course he wants you madly - who wouldn't? - and you're crazy about him.
But sweeties, listen to me: you don't really know this man.
And that's a big problem.
For starters--and please don't hate me for saying this--he's too young for you. Yes, I know JFK was young, too, but that was a long time ago, the world was simpler then, and anyway, Barack Obama--lovely as he is--is no Jack Kennedy.
When he pursued your nomination, JFK was a war hero. He had served six years in the U.S. House and--count em!--eight years in the U.S. Senate. Barack Obama has served seven years in the Illinois state legislature and three and a half in the U.S. Senate, one of those on the campaign trail. So please wake up and realize this man is not your first love. He may have JFK's charm, but he does not have his level of experience.
Next, you've been acting sort of like groupies lately, and it's getting embarrassing. I mean, crying and fainting when he speaks? What's that about? Are you nominating a President or the next American Idol?
Sure, Barack wants to help the disadvantaged, and students, and cares about energy independence. I hear you. Sure he gets you hot when he looks into your eyes and delivers his stirring speeches. But can he provide for and protect you and your children?
He wants to raise income taxes, social security taxes, and corporate taxes, straight across the board. That is no way to grow an economy.
And--I have to say it--the whole Jeremiah Wright incident really freaked me out.
"God damn America!?!"
Aren't you American? You can try to rationalize it away, sweeties, but that was a major dis--of YOU. And of me. And of every American, black or white, who doesn't believe that our country, for all its faults, is the Antichrist. Since when does a guy who loves you let his friends put you down?
Consider this: your sweetie Barack believes he can solve the world's problems by talking with our enemies. But over twenty years of friendship, he hasn't managed to influence his good friend and "spiritual mentor" Reverend Jeremiah Wright. How's he going to manage Iran's Mahmoud "The-Holocaust-is-a-Myth" Ahmadinejad, whom he has pledged to meet, without preconditions, in the first term of his administration?
He's already taking you for granted. He says he values you, but then he treats everyone who shlepped out to vote in Michigan and Florida like you're invisible. And forget about getting an autograph.
OK, I'm almost finished. Just let me put in a word about Hillary.
I know, I know, you've known her forever, and the newness has worn off. She's like that worn-in pantsuit you borrowed from your Mom, and what's sexy about that? But with her, you know exactly what you're getting.
She's got years of experience. Eight years in the White House advising the President. Trust me, she knows her way around.
She can talk policy till she's red, white, and blue in the face.
She cares about all of you, even those whose votes Howard Dean doesn't want to have count (Howard Dean--I warned you about that guy, too).
She would move heaven and earth to have you. You've got to admire her passion and determination! She cares about people in need around the world. But she also cares about you! She's brainy AND she's shrewd. And she gets the big picture.
She's no fan of war, but she understands that when you're dealing with terrorists like the ones targeting Iraqi civilians and our troops, kumbaya don't cut it. Back in August 2006, even before the surge, she was practically chanting, "Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Rumsfeld's got to go!" because she knew we needed a fresh approach to get our mojo back.
She understands not everyone loves you, and not everyone is nice, and sometimes having hope is not enough. This is important. Because I know you don't like to think about it, but you have enemies.
Lots of people are jealous of your beauty, freedom, and strength, and they are plotting every day to hurt you. She will protect you. Pre-9/11, Bill wasn't as vigilant as he should have been, what with all the philandering. But you don't need to worry about that with her--she's been dreaming about you her whole life, and she'll be faithful.
Wild sex appeal doesn't last. Dedication does.
Besides, from the right angle, I think she's very attractive.
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Your article was extremely poorly written. You had me at first, but then you got too lose with it and you had no facts at all. Try this again as a factually based comparison. You really could spread this message but you need to do it in a way that supports your opinion with indisputable facts.
Bush - Clinton, Clinton - Bush, Bush - Clinton or McCain? Sorry, that's just not going to fly.
Bleh. I for sure won't be buying her book. Find a better less demeaning way to get some publicity next time, chica. For those of us following the campaign you sound like a talking point memo written for Seventeen magazine.
Is this post real or something from the Onion? He's too young? Will he protect you from terrorits? How juvenile can you get. How about Hillary is a liar on a grand scale. She is a liars liar. She lies about other people lying. She is the worse kind pf liar inthat she actually believes her lies are truths. She is not qualified, and she is beginning to seem more and more mentally unstable every day. She is GW Bush, but without the Forrest Gump level intellignece. Sad....
Don't be dumb enough to be convinced by someone who let Sept. 11 completely change their core principles as a person....
It says more about you, Heather, than about any of us Obama supporters.
I agree with Sioen's comment about Sept 11, and as an Australia can I just offer one comment - this attitude (in the post) is the reason so many in the world turned off America. The shallow arguments represented in my country right or wrong, and even worse, my commander in chief right or wrong, got up our noses.
What is this supposed to do? Insult my intelligence? And don''t called me "sweetie", I'm not your damn child, I'm a grown azz adult!! I don't tolerate chronic liars and detest "say anything to win" politicians ergo Hillary Clinton is NOT getting my vote- period. So here's my advice to you - do a bit more reading on Barack Obama beyond the mind-numbing media spin and ease the hellz up off that Clinton koolaid, sweetie.
The problem is that I DO know what I'm getting with Hillary -- four more years of manipulating, prevaricating, lying, shading the truth, breaking promises, selling out progressives, shilling for corporations, creating circuses and scandals, and generally acting like a brainy white trash kid with an entitlement complex.
She can't be trusted, so: I don't know whether she cares about me or her corporate interests, I don't know whether she's actually progressive or is more in line with her longtime far-right bible study friends at The Family, I don't know whether she'll get us out of Iraq or not, I doubt she'll make much headway on health care -- and to top it off, the Clintons' bloodied-knuckle style of politics is the exact reason WHY this country has made no headway on important issues in 20 years.
No, she is NOT the right answer for Democrats, Republicans or any other Americans. Enough!
We need her the way we need a hole in the head.
What a waste of pixels. An analysis be a sixteen year old would have as much intellectual depth, but would be less grating because a sixteen year old probably wouldn't try to adopt a "hip" tone.
Every word of the column is condescending. Heather Robinson, haven't you caught on that to criticise this man you must come prepared to speak intelligently on specific issues where you feel the Obama candidacy lacks the qualities you seek? "Rock star" is not the reason for Obama's popularity. And "Freaking out" is now officially a worn-out expression...Boo!
Sure, Hillary will protect us. From keeping our sovereignty here in the good 'ol USA with NAFTA. From Russ Feingold who voted "no" to Iraq. From actuallu getting universal health care by vetoing the Moynihan bill in '94. Nice protection.
Howard Dean's fifty state strategy is the reason Hillary has any chance in hell to beat McCain because there are now Democratic organizations in all fifty states whereas during Clinton, the party organization was a skull orchard. Read up, now.
This has to be the WORST argument for Hillary I have read on this site. OK, maybe it's the only argument, but what a patronizing, vapid, simplistic and dishonest piece of clap-trap. A Bronx cheer for you, Heather.
The real problem is what we know about Hillary. (Not what we don't know about Barack.)
Yeah. like her whopper tonight, to match her Tuzla whopper and the rest. A hellacious liar like this is somehow good for America? Whaaat!?
Once there was an accused felon who knocked on the door of the Public Defender, for he could not afford his own attorney. The secretary ushered him into a large room full of desks and said, "We have seven lawyers, and, let me see, six of them are here. The other has gone to lunch. So you can interview anyone you like and let me know what you think." She left for her desk.
In twenty minutes, the accused was back at her desk.
"Which one can I put you down for?" asked the secretary.
"The one at lunch," replied the accused.
Hillary is all of the six rejects in the big room. We've seen all her faces, and like none of them.
You are so beyond insulting the intelligence of a vast group of people you'd expect to vote for your candidate if she somehow, by hook or by crook (more likely), gets the Nom. Keep it up because if that happens and she loses? It will be because Clinton supporters were so goddamn condescending and insulting of Obama supporters.
I'm done with these Clintonites. They've exhibited every reason why those younger than the Boomers have so much animosity towards that generation. Make a mess and expect us all to clean it up for you and then, not only that? Expect us to thank your ass for making it.
You want to know why I could never support another globalist DINO Clinton? Because I was one of those who as a young person out of college lived through the 90s and like many many of my friends back then, had to take jobs well below our education that we payed dearly for and are still paying off. I am a member of the first generation, Gen X, who will not do better than their parents. The millenials? So effing screwed there aren't even words. Bill Clinton took the Reagan deregulation/anti-worker ball and ran it to the 10 yard line. Then Dubya kicked it in for a field goal. And you expect us to believe another Clinton will make it all OK? With all due respect, bite me sister.
Well spoken!! You brilliantly express the sentiments of many!
- another Gen X'er who remembers those days vividly
As a lifelong Democrat who has been following national politics for 35 years I am done with intellectual featherweights telling me to wake up. I'm not sleepwalking, I'm not in a trance, I'm not a cult member, I don't care about fads and fashions. I have been following Senator Obama's campaign since he declared his candidacy over a year ago. I've read his policy positions and have concluded that he sees America's problems and potential much the same way I do. I am not a low-information voter who can be swayed by a lonely hearts columnist.
Ms. Robinson has all the depth of a sheet of paper.
GO TO HIS WEB SITE.....CLICK ON ISSUES.....READ......SUBSTANCE......DEPTH.
http://www.barackobama.com/
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