Thread: Obama's priorities...let's take a look

Originally Posted by stroller

anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

Well Jettie he's finally filled your request. Something the Latinos can identify with I would say.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Obama, knowing he's busted, is spinning furiously.

Yes, he is spinning trying to escape the attacks by Clinton and McCain, and it looks as if he will pay for this by being further punished by the working class whites. Then again, he always had an uphill battle with these beer-drinking working class heros. Most of them are uneducated Archie Bunkers who would never vote for an upstart educated "colored boy" anyway.

I think Clinton will stage a comeback in the rust belt with these sweatshirt-wearing, metal lunchbox-toting backbones of America, and this battle will give her campaign enough life to take the fight all the way to the convention.

here's an interesting analysis by the post's chris cillizza.

Scoring "Bitter-gate" (So Far)

It's easy, amid the conference calls and surrogate statements that have flown back and forth over the last 48 hours, to lose sight of what is truly at stake in the battle over Sen. Barack Obama's (Ill.) comments about small town voters.
The Fix aims to provide some clarity on the issue even as the frenzy continues. So, below you'll find the pluses (yes, there are some) and minuses for Obama's political future. There are of course many unknowns -- the biggest being how long this hubbub lasts -- but here's our attempt to wrap our arms around one of the biggest events in the campaign to date.
What did we miss? Offer your own pluses and minuses in the comments section below.

PLUSES
* Friday Night Firestorm: The news of Obama's remarks at the fundraiser broke on Friday afternoon when many people were paying a lot more attention to their weekend plans than to the state of the presidential race (not, of course, the ever-vigilant Fix). That's not to suggest average voters won't become aware of the controversy, but the fact that it first unfolded on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday may lessen the damage. Of course, the Sunday talk shows are sure to be dominated by talk of Obama's gaffe -- a focus that will drive a series of stories Monday.

* No YouTube Yet: The fact that no video of Obama's remarks has emerged, yet, is a blessing for the Illinois Senator's campaign. (This clip, uncovered by Politico's Ben Smith, suggests that someone was videotaping the event and, if so, that the actual remarks are likely to emerge on video at some point.) Scoff if you will but video is FAR more powerful than audio in the political arena. And, the only extant audio we have heard -- captured by Huffington Post -- is scratchy and not of the best quality. That amounts to a blessing for the Obama campaign.

* Rapid Response: Sensing a potential problem, the Obama campaign responded swiftly to the growing controversy -- making sure reporters had transcripts and video of Obama's response to the flood of criticism that started Friday evening. Smart move. Some things are too big to effectively squelch within 48 hours but the Obama campaign apparatus again proved its mettle.

* General Election Practice?: Obama drew kudos for the way in which he handled the controversy over comments made by Rev. Jeremiah Wright -- bolstering the confidence of worried party strategists who wondered if he was ready for the big time. Should Obama successfully navigate this stormy sea (and that remains an "if"), he may well emerge stronger and better prepared for what promises to be a rough and tumble general election. Every crisis -- even this one -- provides opportunity.

MINUSES
* Double Barreled Assault: The "elitism" charge leveled at Obama fits nicely into the messaging of BOTH Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) in the primary battle and Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), who is already waging a general election campaign. For every statement Obama puts out on the issue, two come in response. For every conference call his campaign holds, that number is doubled by Clinton and McCain. Fighting two-on-one makes for tough odds and is usually a recipe for a loss.

* Geography is Destiny: There couldn't have been a worse place for Obama to make these remarks. San Francisco is widely seen by those who live in so-called "fly over" country as an example of liberalism run rampant. Even Obama, who touts his willingness to speak truth to power, appears to have gotten caught playing to his audience.

* Republican Red Meat: Branding the Democratic nominee as an out-of-step elitist is something Republican strategists have some experience with. One needs only think back to 2004 when Sen. John Kerry's ordering of a cheesesteak with swiss cheese, expensive haircuts came to define him as someone unable to empathize with the average voter. Can Obama avoid a similar fate?
* Sorry is the Hardest Word: On Friday, Obama said that his political opponents were twisting his words out of context. On Saturday Obama said he regretted the words he chose but didn't back away from the sentiment. Will tomorrow bring a full-fledged apology? If so, Obama dragged out the inevitable apology for three days -- ensuring that the story will survive into the early part of next week (if not longer).

* The States to Come: Obama appeared to be on the rise in Pennsylvania in advance of the state's April 22 primary. It's hard to see how these comments (and the furor they have caused) don't slow that momentum considerably. And, both Indiana and North Carolina have a high number of small towns where religious faith and gun ownership are close to ubiquitous. It's hard to see Obama losing in North Carolina given the significant black vote, but could these comments cost him a win in the Hoosier State -- the last true battleground in the nomination fight? Could they also impact Montana and South Dakota, small-town heavy states set to vote on June 3?

i agree with him on the positive aspect of this happening on a friday, but disagree with him on the youtube effect. i think if we were to see the comments in context (and via video it would be clear what he said, was stated without malice) it would deflate the entire controversy.

and btw, i'm think that many of the people in question would prefer to be referred to as 'bitter' about how they've been manipulated rather than be labeled as 'uneducated'.

Scoring "Bitter-gate" (So Far) - The Fix

The point is, Obama is belittling small town people and using a sociological basis to do so (sniffs of Michelle strategy methinks). These people are "clinging" to cultural things they know (guns and church) and showing fear against what they do not (immigration, world trade).
There are many small town folks in the US. They do not like having their values trashed. The closure or population losses from towns are as old as the gold rush days. The economy changes, the mines dry up, demand for widgets declines. This does not mean the values of the people there change and they are the least likely to demand welfare. Manipulated? No, that's how things change. Or maybe they are manipulated coz the govt has to send the social aid to big city ghetto folk or else they'd have riots to quell.
And why keep the press out of a private fundraising event? This probably happens with all candidates, but that's weird in my book.
Bama is also being espoused for his speech-making and elocution and ability to keep the facts straight. This string of speeches is not helping.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

The economy changes, the mines dry up, demand for widgets declines. This does not mean the values of the people there change and they are the least likely to demand welfare. Manipulated? No, that's how things change.

Circumstances change but the people don't. That's not the way to achieve the American dream of riches beyond imagination. Makes one bitter, I suppose. Obama's assessment is correct.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Or maybe they are manipulated coz the govt has to send the social aid to big city ghetto folk or else they'd have riots to quell.

What is the point of speculating?

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Bama is also being espoused for his speech-making and elocution and ability to keep the facts straight. This string of speeches is not helping.

What's wrong with his "speech-making"? Which facts has he failed to keep straight?

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Not All Hateful Rhetoric Is Equal

Of course not.

Video: Reaching out to bitter, Bible-thumping small town gun-packing folks!

Ben Smith's Blog - Politico.com

Given the very real possibility that Barak Obama will be the next President of the USA, I would like to take this opportunity to assure you good ole' folks back home that the sun will still rise in the morning.

for an insight into how frightened the radical right is of an obama nomination, one need only note the frequency with which boon mee cut and pastes tirades from bloggers.

i count at least three on this page...

pajamasmedia blog
powerline blog
commentary media blog

^
Yeah...so what. Address the issue(s) not the messenger, eh?

Does Ray C think that what he has to say is any more factual than what anyone else has to say or that he has anymore right to say it?? and that includes Bloggers too.

Originally Posted by blackgang

Does Ray C think that what he has to say is any more factual than what anyone else has to say or that he has anymore right to say it?? and that includes Bloggers too.

Heh...Greens on the way!

Originally Posted by blackgang

Does Ray C think that what he has to say is any more factual than what anyone else has to say or that he has anymore right to say it?? and that includes Bloggers too.

apparently the old drunk has me off ignore again...but just for this one post, right?

anyway, everyone here has a right to post whatever they like. but (and i hope i'm not going to fast for you) what's the point of cutting and pasting the opinions of someone else? i don't see anyone here posting editorials from respected media outlets...because that too would be absurd. can't boon mee come up with his own opinions? as ant often pointed out, boon mee apparently doesn't have an opinion until the bloggers tell him what it should be.
it's kind of like texpat fancying himself as some sort of media clearing house...as if he's the drudgereport or something. what's the point?
disagree and say whatever you like about what i post on this forum, but my opinions are my own. they're not plagiarized from someone else.

Originally Posted by blackgang

Does Ray C think that what he has to say is any more factual than what anyone else has to say or that he has anymore right to say it?? and that includes Bloggers too.

What makes a forum a fruitful personalised experience is people sharing and expressing their views and questioning those of others, IMO.

I do not wish to spend much of my time refuting the 'factual' basis and false conclusions quoted from a blog, when the author is not present to communicate with, specially if the copy/pasting poster hasn't done his homework to assess what is quoted for its validity and relevance.
When this debating 'style' becomes the preferred modus, instead of presenting one's own reasoning - the effort is one-sided and becomes a waste of time.

Not to mention that some can't be bothered to spend an extra few seconds to post a link so one can check the source.
Know what I mean, bg? - oh, I forgot, I am on ignore just as most other Issues regulars.

Originally Posted by raycarey

i don't see anyone here posting editorials from respected media outlets...because that too would be absurd.

I sometimes do, can't see anything wrong with this, it may add a new perspective or express something I do not have the background knowledge to comment on, or simply makes the case much better than I could in my own words - emphasis being on 'I sometimes do'.

I get bored quickly roaming through blogs and editorials to find something suitable, but others seem to thrive on this.

Damage control that ain't working...heh

"Even Wolf (Strisand) Blitzer asked: "What did he mean when he said, they become bitter, and then he said, they cling to guns or religion. What did he mean by that?"

Political Punch

Yes Ray, I do open one of your posts once in awhile just to see if you make any sense yet, which I should know better as you never have anything worthwhile to read and your breath also smells like cum..

Originally Posted by blackgang

Yes Ray, I do open one of your posts once in awhile just to see if you make any sense yet,

He's trying, but just like that other so-called 'over-educated' ambulance-chaser K. Ant, he still can't spell worth a darn.

And, for being a teacher no less... " hope i'm not going to [sic] fast for you"

Originally Posted by blackgang

Yes Ray, I do open one of your posts once in awhile just to see if you make any sense yet, which I should know better as you never have anything worthwhile to read and your breath also smells like cum..

Sometimes I wish the demented coffindodger would be spammed with more chain-mails and kept himself busy copy/pasting them here, instead of hitting the keyboard with the mental diarrhea produced by the alcohol ravaged remnants of what might once have been a brain.

Well, back on topic. One of the main reasons middle America will not vote for Obama in the fall is his arrogance and sense of entitlement. He believes that "Americans are fearful, bitter, dumb, and need to be led around by their betters AKA liberals"

Here's a good analysis written by Thomas Sowell in his book "Vision of The Anointed"

"In their haste to be wiser and nobler than others, the anointed have misconceived two basic issues. They seem to assume (1) that they have more knowledge than the average member of the benighted and (2) that this is the relevant comparison. The real comparison, however, is not between the knowledge possessed by the average member of the educated elite versus the average member of the general public, but rather the total direct knowledge brought to bear though social processes (the competition of the marketplace, social sorting, etc.), involving millions of people, versus the secondhand knowledge of generalities possessed by a smaller elite group." -- P. 114

My favorite though - and there are many...

"This (liberal) vision so permeates the media and academia, and has made such major inroads into the religious community, that many grow into adulthood unaware that there is any other way of looking at things, or that evidence might be relevant to checking out the sweeping assumptions of so-called "thinking people". Many of these "thinking people" could more accurately be characterized as articulate people, as people whose verbal nimbleness can elude both evidence and logic. This can be a fatal talent, when it supplies the crucial insulation from reality behind may historic catastrophes." -- P. 6

Amazon.com: The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation As a Basis for Social Policy: Thomas Sowell: Books

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

^ Grassroots info, Ray. Nothing wrong with that, especially as he sites three, not just one. Better than relying on say CNN for all the news.

Nothing wrong with it?
Damn right there ain't nothin' wrong as it's straight-up common sense!

Apart from being a presidential nominee, Obama has a job to do as a senator. So heres Obama in action:-

Petraeus hearing proves Bush got what he wanted

"It was Petraeus who, during the invasion, looked around at the chaos and said, rhetorically: "Tell me how this ends."

That was the question on Capitol Hill this week, but neither Petraeus nor Crocker could provide an answer. Both Democratic presidential candidates made valiant attempts to engage the officials in a reality-based dialogue....

Barack Obama conducted a polite but precise cross-examination, the aim of which was to get Crocker or Petraeus or somebody to define what an acceptable Iraq would look like. If violence were at current levels but without a large presence of U.S. troops, would that be good enough? He got another plate of mush."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/13/ED68103E0K.DTL

"Obama may well have turned the tables on Hillary on this Pennsylvania thing:-

Obama reiterated his regret for his choice of words at the fundraiser but suggested they had been twisted and mischaracterized. He said he'd expected blowback from GOP nominee-in-waiting John McCain, but had been "a little disappointed" to be criticized by Clinton.

Then, laughing along with the union audience, Obama noted that Clinton seemed much more interested in guns since he made his comments than she had in the past.

"She is running around talking about how this is an insult to sportsmen, how she values the Second Amendment. She's talking like she's Annie Oakley," Obama said, invoking the famed female sharpshooter immortalized in the musical "Annie Get Your Gun."...........

"I just have to remind people of the track record," Obama said, noting Clinton accepted campaign contributions from PACs and drug and insurance industry lobbyists, which he does not.

"This is the same person who took money from financial folks on Wall Street and then voted for bankruptcy bill that makes it harder for folks right here in Pennsylvania to get a fair shake. Who do you think is out of touch?" Obama said.

"This is the same person who spent a decade with her husband campaigning for NAFTA, and now goes around saying she's opposed to NAFTA," Obama said, referring to the North American Free Trade Agreement that is widely unpopular in blue collar communities."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/04/13/politics/p170627D03.DTL

Obama is a gifted Orator, I must say. In that respect, he reminds me of Tony Blair- only less phoney.