Obama Goes On the Offense

No, Barack Obama did not land a knockout blow tonight. But he showed that he fully understands that the best defense is a good offense. After weeks of absorbing punishment from John McCain, Obama went on the attack.

Obama's decision to target McCain so closely was a risky strategy, but it paid off.

The contrast with past Democratic candidates such as John Kerry and Michael Dukakis could not have been starker. Obama showed that he does not conform to the image of the Democrat as wussbag by directly assailing McCain's foreign policy credentials -- specifically, his claim that he would "follow" Osama bin Laden to the "gates of hell." But why just follow? As Obama made clear, he needs to be taken out.

The Obama campaign should keep concentrating its firepower on the Bush-McCain foreign policy record. McCain isn't simply a cheerleader for the Iraq War; he helped dream it up. If McCain does select Tom Ridge as his running mate, Ridge's lamentable record running the Homeland Security Department will offer a target-rich environment. Obviously, Joe Biden will take the lead in examining the McCain record in coming weeks, while Obama takes as high a road as he can.

But his performance tonight should silence the doubters about his candidacy. Obama came out fighting tonight. His fluid, tough, and forcefully delivered speech indicates that he will be a formidable and potentially devastating opponent in the fall presidential debates. Anyone who can't see that just doesn't get it.

Comments

[BenjitheWolfdog]

I just got home from Mile High, the speech I heard tonight was beyond discription. I don't how it was on television but if it was half as compelling as it was live Cindy McCain will vote for Obama. What an amazing man Obama is.

[runswithscissors]

Funni how all Repugs claim to hate the federal government but then criticize Obama for not being associated with it for long enough. Their desperation is obvious

[kvass]

The problem seems to be (as usual) the media. They seen to be trying to make a close horse race out of this thing obviously to sell more ads, make more money etc etc. But really it is going to be a landslide for the democrats and so it should be with the performance of Bushco this past eight years. And don't go saying the polls say otherwise. The pollsters are polling only those registered last time around. There are now another group of young people - actually four years worth that will vote for the first time.

[RustyGranite]

These aren't even all young people...s­imply new, inspired voters.

Anyone paying attention to the new voter rolls knows...wi­th any mobilization on November 4th, this will be a slaughter.

[SurrealPumpkin]

And re-inspired voters.

[Cameronj]

I just registered a 31 year old who had never registered to vote before in his life -- He tivo'd the speech tonight.

[wbramh]

Mark Nickolas has a worthwhile read here on Huff about the MSM trying to make this into a horse race. The stark difference in estimated Electoral College between Obama & McCain as calculated by 3 different groups: Professional Pollsters, Independent Groups and The Media.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-nickolas/the-medias-problem-of-fal_b_118420.html

[stayathomedad]

And the polls don't include Bob Barr. I haven't seen a poll that includes him and Nader in the last couple of months, but the one I saw two months ago had Obama with a double digit lead, with many votes being siphoned from McBush to Barr. The media doesn't want to report this because a close race is a media boon. they did the same thing with the primary. Hillary was done in late February, but the media had it neck and neck until June, and some had it up in the air until she moved for a unanimous vote on Wednesday.

[JimR]

I hope you're right, but they can't afford to take anything for granted.

[GiannaX]

I don't know what you consider a "knockout punch"?!
Barack delivered a shooting star the lit up the Universe this evening!

PHENOMENAL­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!

[wbramh]

It wasn't a knockout punch.
Nor did the airplanes get him.
It was a 45 minute brutal pulverizing of McCain and the Republicans that left them with permanent vertigo.
Like Ali versus Liston,
Twas beauty killed the beast.

[delfinajones]

Cosign-

[DaveC19]

I am glad to see that he has finaly sprouted a pair.... NOW KEEP IT UP!

ATTACK!

[profoundimagery]

AWESOME COMMENT HA-HAA-AA!! I just hope that we realize that this battle and that attitude needs to be applied on many fronts but continue to display a lazer like precision of steadfast balance between offense and defensive postures. Its not the dollars, its the truth energized application of talents/ gifts/ commitments and love! Shalom, Hotep, Ah Salaam Aleikum. We have a choice of what kind of "globalization" and as they all said the choice is ours. I personally have experienced multiple rebirths this year. I thank God for the experience. But if we do not unleash whatever we consider to be power, in UNITY, we will not be able to stand. Obama's almost a savaat channeling his talents by the currents the masses feed him, although only a man, he's chosen to be nurtured by the righteous ones, thank God. And THAT will stagnate (if not convert) even gluttons. As implicated in the story of Lady Rothschilds, the dynamics of pride proven false, places them in an uncompromising position. We need to expose the nuances of the records now, just as they have begun to do - and the 26 year tally.

[rock2casbah]

I find that really strong men don't go around saber rattling in a cloud of bluster...­like Bush and McBush. If they are strong they just go out and do it.

We look like paper tigers to the world because of all Bush and McBush's rhetoric over the years. McBush wants to relive the Vietnam war and what he wish he could have done and Bush wanted to show off in front of his dad.

We don't ned any more schizoids running the government.

[delfinajones]

Amen

[wbramh]

Sometimes it's better to keep 'em in your pants until you really need to use them.

[DasBoot]

Tonight Obama drank McCain's milkshake!

[maxwellinformed]

Nice

[sirpatty79]

DRAINAGE!!

[RustyGranite]

I laughed.

:)

[anghiari]

I personally think Obama's offensive move came early in the primaries when he decided he wasn't going to show his opponents how really tough he could be. He knew as the first black candidate with a real chance of getting the nomination, he had to gain the confidence of a lot of people who may not normally have considered supporting a black man for President. Some in your face guy was not the way ,So he took the hits from his fellow democrats and McCain until it was time to take off the gloves.

I hope people understand what an extraordinary leader he is...and will become if we elect him to the office of President. He is smart, compassionate and his love for his wife and family are our best safeguards. Here is finally a man who when he looks at his family he thinks about yours. He knows that you to want the best for your family. I have never understood Hillary's women, this guy has been raised and nurtured by women. His mother and his grandmother who worked their butts off for him and as a result he married a strong woman and has two daughters. What is not to love about this guy?

And he has no problem telling the world, that his wife is the love of his life...aga­in what is not to love about this smart, tough, strategic family man?

[morefromLA]

Excellent points. I just read them to my wife (who agreed) as we watch his speech again.

[Cameronj]

Also, he couldn't get too tough. He was running against a fellow democrat and didn't want to make her look terrible. She didn't feel the same way, but, no one ever said integrity was a national pursuit.

[RustyGranite]

Absolutely.

The "Angry Black Man" doesn't play well in middle America, and anyone not dancing around race knows it. Barack played it cool...now the gloves are off.

[Darnamell]

Personally, that first time when he growled "Enough!" was the high point for me.

He's right. It is time to stop being civil with these anti-democratic beasts and remove them from power.

He can be as upbeat as he should be. He can avoid the "angry black man" label as he unfortunately needs to be with our electorate.

But for one moment, I saw that Barack Obama is as pissed off at how our nation has been sullied as I am.

He already had my vote and my best effort to convince folks to vote for him.. He also now has all my respect and, dare I say, adoration for his quest to conquer these vermin.

[ilcapo]

As a fellow Chicagoan from the South Side,I knew my man was one tough dude when he has to be...Obama isn t going to make the same mistakes that Dukakis,Gore and Kerry.We finally got a fighter on our side,and a White Sox fan to boot,anyone that knows baseball know that sox fans are a scrappy bunch that never back down,if he were a Cubs fan we d be in trouble..l­ol

[rock2casbah]

I never doubted that he was the scrappiest candidate. You simply don't get as far as he does with his "laibilities" from race to family background. All things he had nothing to do with, but had to pay for anyway, without being a serious fighter. You have to learn how to get a fool off your a!(*&^$.

[rinpochet]

When you hear Pat Buchanan just raving about it, you know it was good!!

[rock2casbah]

Don't fall for this. Buchanan will be back to his same old tricks. He had no choice but to rave about the speech. No one who want's to maintain even a smidgen of credibility would say something negative about a speech that perfect.

[stavros]

Smoke!

[THEhillbilly]

The sad thing is that you see that, and you just don't get it. All that talk that so enthralls you groupies is the sum total of what the magniloquent, done-nothing greenhorn does. We need a whole body in the White House (even if it's only John McCain), not just a mouth.

[RepugsOut08]

The talk gets to us because it has the ring of truth. It is backed up by a life of service to working and middle class families. John McCain's talk reeks of pandering and lies. Just the things the Repubs accused Kerry of in 2004.
John McCain has lost all credibility as he continues to abandon any claim to maverick he used to enjoy. In 2008, I want two strong men in the White House fighting for the little guy and the planet, not some fading panderer who has forgotten what his values are and which of his many houses he slept in last night.
Obama wants to lead us into the future. McCain just wants to be president. President of the US in the 1950s

[Rick K]

We need a BRAIN!

- One that can think multiple steps on a chessboard.
- One that sees and understands the growing interconnectedness of the world's nations
- One that understands the information age.
- One that understands and can harness the inevitable and exploding power of teh Internet as a social force.
- One that is willing to take on the task of inventing the post-petroleum economy before someone uses money we gave them to do it first.

Obama HAS ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED MORE on these fronts than any politician we've seen.

McCain's got tons of experience - so does the Maytag repairman. It's just that we don't have a broken washing machine, and we're not going to win fighting Vietnam or the Cold War.

Obama is the right leader at the right time. It's somehow poetic that he comes to us in a package that forces us to confront some of our deepest held fears and prejudices (a black guy named Hussein? couldn't have made that up). It is almost like we are being tested to see if we deserve another century of prosperity.

[tdpubs]

Come back when you have something of substance to contribute. I'll wait for you.

[Darnamell]

I won't.

If he wants to be a pro-oil, pro-nuke-only energy policy lover, so be it.

If he wants to turn women back into chattel, that's his call.

If he wants to fight wars without end for no apparent reason, he's welcome to grab a gun and follow McCain into the LZ.

As for the rest of us, we aren't waiting for Luddite warmongers like him to catch up with America. We're moving forward into the future.

[knighthowl]

I won't.

[maxwellinformed]

Can't win them all. Some people will take a 10% chance on change no matter what.

[RustyGranite]

Whats funny is...these talking points are "just talk".

McCain can't even use the f*cking internet for crying out loud.

[psweeii]

imagine trying to even get hired not knowing how to use the internet..­.and yet mccain is even considered­....the media is keeping him in it...this should be a blow out.....

[sleek]

Obama is the very definition of a leader. Case closed.

Get the vote out, it's critical this time.

[Freesia2]

One of the best lines in the speech. As you say, why just follow Bin Laden to the gates of hell?

But more importantly he pointed out that it never occurs to John McCain to actually just go get him in his cave in Afghanistan.

7 years we've wasted. And they have the gall to demand 4 more.

[Gma11]

Hallelujah!!

[zerotimes10]

As I write this I can hear Sarah Palin's voice on the boob tube and it is not a pleasant one. Fingernails on a blackboard come to mind. Thank you John for handing the election to Obama. I knew you were on our side all along. Now I get it. This is your ultimate revenge for being eviscerated by your buddy George Bush in the 2000 election. She will drive everyone away with the sound of her voice. I got to go turn her off. I have a headache.

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

His speech was right on target. I loved when he said that they don't get it - this election is not about me, it's about you! I want my president to think of "me" first. After all, he is there to "serve" not to plunder! Senator Obama is who we need at this time and I think he and Senator Biden will make a fantastic team - working for the people - working for the country.

[Trolmaster]

Who's saying Obama isn't ready to lead? The same GOP failures that were wrong about everything else these past 7 years. Who in their right mind would listen to them now?

[rock2casbah]

Went right along with that guy who was laid off after I don't know how many years who was on earlier this evening who said "I want a President who will put me Barney Smith first before Smith Barney" I Loved it!!!!

[optech007]

"But his performance tonight should silence the doubters about his candidacy.­"

But it won't. Talking tough will not erase his shortcomings. Voters know that Obama's not qualified be president, that's why all this week we've listened to speeches by the Clintons, Biden, Gore, etc telling people he's ready. Other than being nominated, he's done nothing significant in his political career, so these people have to vouch for him. Do you think next week the Republicans will have to assure voters that McCain ready to be president?

[mairs]

Yes they certainly will. They will have to convince Americans that an old man who contradicts himself from day to day, who his own people said, "doesn't speak for the campaign", who has been wrong on everything that has to do with foreign policy, who can't even keep his countries straight or which ones haven't been in existence for years, who has a nasty temper which is showing fissures at this point, and can't even remember questions unless he gets them in advance, to vote for him. I don't envy their task. Good luck!

[whatevertoo]

How many past presidents done something significant in there careers other than becoming governor of a state like any actor can do? Research, Research.

[optech007]

Adams and Jefferson were signers of the Declaration of Independence. Madison drafted much of the Constitution. The three of them were very significant to the founding of our country.

Washington, Jackson, William Harrison, Taylor, Pierce, Hayes, Grant, Garfield, Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, and Eisenhower were all Generals. Twenty-nine presidents in all had been officers in the armed forces.

Thirteen presidents had been vice-president before taking office.

Also, sixteen presidents had been a governor before becoming president. Taft was Governor-General in the Philippines. Jackson was the Military Governor of Florida and W.H. Harrison was Military Governor of the Indiana Territory but since any movie star can become a governor, you can discount them.

[Freesia2]

Oh hush. Just....hu­sh.

[azyuwish]

What voters are you talking about? "voters know Obama's not qualified"? Did you not see the 80k voters in the stadium tonight? What you think Republicans are the only voters? Do the math.

Additionally, I don't care if McCain is "ready' to be president or not. What he would do AS President is a 180 direction from where I personally want to go.

Give me a visionary leader any day. Do you think Steve Jobs was "ready" to start Apple? He was a young turk....in a garage...n­o experience running a company, but he had a vision.

As I said, give me a visionary; the smart ones always surround themselves with expertise so they don't have to be a jack of all trades. My brother, the successful CEO told me that.

[optech007]

Ignoring the fact that being an entrepreneur starting a new company and being the president are two totally different things, in a way Jobs wasn't ready. That's why Apple hired John Scully, they wanted someone with business experience to help them expand.

[rinpochet]

Yes. They will have to reassure them about McCain after this. Obama came out and challenged McCain and now they're running scared. Hear they're actually postponing their convention!!!!