A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
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A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
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January 16, 2007Obama ExploresBarack Obama filed papers to explore a run for the Presidency this morning. The decisions that have been made in Washington these past six years, and the problems that have been ignored, have put our country in a precarious place. Our economy is changing rapidly, and that means profound changes for working people. Many of you have shared with me your stories about skyrocketing health care bills, the pensions you've lost and your struggles to pay for college for your kids. Our continued dependence on oil has put our security and our very planet at risk. And we're still mired in a tragic and costly war that should have never been waged.Posted by Starbucks Republican at January 16, 2007 11:48 AM Comments
He says the right words and in today's society that seems to count more than someone's actualy qualifications. The fact is, he has no executive experience and very little experience dealing with national issues. He seems to be running for president more because the timing seems right than because of any particular qualifications for the job, although I realize anyone running has a huge ego and assumes they can do the job. From what I see, he has a nice resume, is photogenic and speaks well. How will that translate to dealing with China or North Korea or Iran? Posted by: Marc at January 16, 2007 12:03 PMI Like Obama. A lot. He strikes me as intelligent, thoughtful, and honest. He seems like a guy who people will rally around. But he doesn't have my vote, and he won't get it with platitudes either. He has to start earning it by giving me one thing, one specific policy that he supports as a good way to solve a serious problem. And at this point, saying that we need to put aside small-mindedness and partisan politics doesn't do it. He's right. It's a good idea, it makes sense. Democracy is all about reaching a fair consensus. So few folks disagree. Soto this wonderful idea Obama is putting forth, one I agree with, the question is "can you do it?" Why ought I to believe that Obama can deliver this? So that's the deal...give me one good concrete idea that we can use to fix a specific problem like social security or healthcare costs, or else show me that ther's good reason to belive you ca deliver the goods by leading a freactious bunch to a fair consensus. Is this bar too high? I don't care. Anyone who wants my vote best be prepared to jump over it. Posted by: bk at January 16, 2007 12:29 PMBut he doesn't have my vote, and he won't get it with platitudes either. He has to start earning it by giving me one thing, one specific policy that he supports as a good way to solve a serious problem. I think I am on that same page. If the choice were between Obama/Giuliani or Obama/McCain, I would have to go with the latter on both for the time being. However, I think Obama's message is extremely important and am looking forward to learning more about what it is he hopes to accomplish in regards to public policy. I will say that his recent stance in regards to Congressional action that will constrain the President from implementing the troop surge plan, is not a step in the right direction. Is this bar too high? No, it's not. In fact, most Americans should be raising their bar. Posted by: Starbucks Republican at January 16, 2007 02:07 PMI tried raising the bar but they told me all the drinks would spill. Posted by: Tully at January 16, 2007 02:52 PMObama will be an interesting study. He has a good polish and looks sleek(photos not withstanding) when compared to the other candidates. He handles the media well. I am sure he will be able to raise funds. He does not "suffer" a long voting record as other senators do. Is that going to be enough for the voters? I would not likely vote for him because of my perceptions of his position on the issues. Granted, if the GOP puts up a Tancredo, I could change my mind. He does have a lot going for him. He is also smart to get the ball rolling. I will be curious to see if he participates in the early CNN debate in April. Posted by: Jim M at January 16, 2007 03:12 PMWhat does it say about our politics that a LACK of credentials is a plus? Posted by: Tully at January 16, 2007 03:45 PMWhat does it say about our politics that a LACK of credentials is a plus? That credentials are half bullshit, especially when you get to spin them. Doctor House says "everybody lies." In politics, everybody spins. Posted by: bk at January 16, 2007 04:11 PMObama running? YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! O8ama! What a great day! Posted by: vwcat at January 16, 2007 05:47 PMWhat BK said. I have a feeling that the words candidates say today will shadow them as world events unwind. I don't know how a plan for victory can possible be called redeployment back home and wishful musings about negotiating with Iran and Syria. Obama is playing with the polls or he has fallen victim to the more dovish members at the Counsel of Foreign Relations. Just compare what Gates said today about Iran with Obama's comments. Compare what the best known authors of the Algerian War thinks about the Democratic plan. Some amazing parallels between French mistakes and ours. You know, history doesn’t have to repeat itself.. Obama might be thinking about knocking off Hillary by veering Left, but I think McCain and Hillary can well imagine where events are leading. I don't think it will work unless our position in Iraq collapses soon. The Sunni stupidity today in killing women students will allow Maliki to attack their militias first. This is why Sadr is not the top target at the moment. For a Party that excels at nuanced thinking, I am astonished that Democrats ignore the subtleties of Iraq, and terror in general. Just ask the head of the Intelligence Committee,. Wait until the Moore crowd starts rattling the candidates. It won’t matter that LA was flattened on 24 last night by terrorists. We will see where Obama falls and whether he can keep me from voting McCain/Lieberman.....LOL. I suggest we make it clear to Democrats that superficial thinking won’t cut it. Either will letting China and Iran get US military supplies.
Oh, and if humor is the measure, our officials are the greatest. 'Asked why the Pentagon would sell any F-14 parts, given their value to Iran, Baillie said: "Our first priority truly is national security, and we take that very seriously. However, we have to balance that with our other requirement to be good stewards of the taxpayers' money." ' Posted by: Maxtrue at January 16, 2007 06:09 PMCurrently the equation is experience =Katrina=Iraq=Dept of Interior=Dept of Homeland Security=can't run the federal government if Miss Nancy from Romper Room was holding their hands=total clusterf**k So much for experience. I recall that Obama does have a lot of state legislative experience to go along with his resume and unlike the current president, is very knowledgable about the Constitution(he taught the subject). We haven't heard from NM's Richardson yet. McCain is too attached to administration policies in the public's mind. He won't go all the way the same reason that Jeb Bush has a 62% negative rating as of last summer.
It's their smallness of our politicsThe tradtional conservatives like the politics/government small. Barack will need to be careful to not suggest a "Big Government" solution to healthcare. It may be what is needed but it probably won't "sell" Posted by: c3 at January 16, 2007 07:48 PM Obama is a blank slate and that appeals to the average American. But he still has to go through the hazing process; that is, primaries and caucases before the anointing takes place in the summer of '08. He will not be anointed. Barack Obama will be a fast burn similiar to John Edwards. He has no resume and his experiences are very swallow. Everyone loves you until the day you announce your candidacy. Then just watch Barack Obama poll numbers drop like a meteorite. Sen. Obama only danger will be sucking campaign money and staff away from other Democrat candidates that could have been looked upon as bona-fided presidential material. If you work for the RNC you have to love Obama because he will make their jobs alot easier down the road. Danny L. McDaniel Anyone who thinks they can predict the outcome of Presidential race at this point in time is selling something. That there's people convinced that Obama will win (or lose) or that McCain will lose (or win) speaks volume about their preconceived ideas, and says a lot more about the person's perspective than the value of their predictions. There needs to be a lot more "coulds," "shoulds," and "maybes" in people's posts, and a lot less "wills" and "won'ts" right now. Posted by: Bobby at January 17, 2007 07:31 AM"Anyone who thinks they can predict the outcome of Presidential race at this point in time is selling something." That's the problem, everyone is trying to sell something and most of it stinks. Obama did write a book and it seems far from audacious. Hillary just came back from Iraq and she opposes Bush's military build up. The political pandering is nothing surprising, but it is sad. Richardson sounded foolish yesterday and Hillary seemed shrill this morning. Bobby, when a candidate calls their plan to stabilize Iraq and make Iraqi lives better, admitting defeat and leaving is a bit outrageous. Even Levin says he will not cut money. I have little patience at this point for politicians with little experiance prescribing how to get us in deeper crap. I have even less respect for Iraqis neighbors. Stephen Colbert for President. Posted by: Maxtrue at January 17, 2007 08:32 AMJohn Stuart Mill: War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and One more about pulling the plug. Posted by: Maxtrue at January 17, 2007 09:36 AMObama for President! You should wakeup and apologize for that dream. I actually like the guy and some of the things he says are refreshing, and it would be nice not to have a Bush or Clinton running for President. But the same thing that happened to Harold Ford in Tennessee last year will happen to Obama nationwide in '08 if he decides to run. Everybody is for him and not enough will vote for him. Do you think Barack Obama can carry the South? Midwest? West? You have to be a realist about his chances. But then again Democrats have a way of romantizing to the point of defeat on the Presidential level. Go ahead and run the guy and you will see the America nobody wants to talk about. Posted by: DannyLMcDaniel at January 17, 2007 10:27 AM |
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