Letters to the Editor
loper2008
Published Letters: 29 Editor's Choice: 5
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How he can win PA and white, rural voters
[Read the article: Barack Obama, working-class hero?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]When he is the general election candidate he can choose Sen. Jim Webb as his VP because he is strong on military and has a very steady persona. He is also more socially conservative to balance out the ticket, while still being against the war. Choosing him also guarantees he'll win Virginia.
I agree with a previous letter writer. I'm not sure why Madden is so snarky about Obama's educational background. Clinton is virtually the same. All pols these days seem to be overeducated and/OR super rich like John McCain. None of them can really claim working class hero status. At least Obama did work as a community organizer for many years. That is the hardest and worst-paying job around. I'd take a factory job any day of the week.
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Obama is playing this right
[Read the article: Obama: Clinton "deserves to be able to run"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Is he being gracious? Absolutely. Each candidate would prefer that their opponent quit. I don't see anything wrong with that.
I find it interesting as a feminist when I hear people saying Obama is condescending toward HRC. Who is the one while behind in pledged delegates and popular vote offered the other candidate her vice president slot? Talk about condescension. I have never perceived any hint of sexism in Obama's reactions to Clinton.
I think Clinton's latest strategy will fall flat. Obama got a ton of mileage and photo-ops out of bowling in PA and he has already said publicly that Clinton should remain in as long as she wants.
I know Clinton will not win and realizes this because all of her strategies are incredibly short-sighted. Attacking Obama over Wright when the media was doing the job was just dumb. Plus, she opened herself up to more questions about her relationship with Bill.
Likewise, in fighting for Florida delegates her and Bill have insulted by New Hampshire by pointing out that they were not punished for moving up their primary. NH is pissed because a few months ago the Clintons were behind their decision 100%. Stuff like this is going to backfire. Every gain they make is alienating another group. She cannot win the general. She cannot even win the primary.
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Oh, yeah, Republicans care about this stuff
[Read the article: FactCheck.org: Obama statement "a little too slick"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]No Republican will ever mention this in November. They don't like John McCain because of his campaign reform, remember?
I think it's great that the Dems have a candidate who has a bit of Teflon on him. His ad is "a little too slick" but, again, that is exactly what the Dems need in the fall.
It's funny to me how Obama detractors always want to bring up that he and his supporters think of Obama as a Messiah, when, in reality, nobody does. We want to win as much as the next person ... and, oh yeah, we are winning.
Obama is a better politician than Clinton and the only reason she is still in this is because the right-wing of the Republican party is propping her up. Richard Scaife, anyone? Rush Limbaugh? Ann Coulter? that old white anti-immigrant guy? yep, they all support HRC now so that in August they can destroy her and the party. If she wouldn't lose why would they support her?
So I will take "slick" over "loser" any day of the week.
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Selective Sight
[Read the article: Americans more ready for a black president than a woman?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Hey Joan,
I say this as a Berkeley-educated feminist. Your argument that Blacks have it easier achieving the highest levels is simply wrong. Look at the Senate. Obama is (I think) the third Black person to be in the Senate. On the other hand there are many women senators. We also have Nancy Pelosi who is our Speaker of the House. Also, if you look at CEO's in corporate America I don't think you'll find more Blacks than women either. As you should know, affirmative action benefited women more than any other group, yet most people don't even know that white women qualified for affirmative action.
If you have some studies or statistics to back up your claims I would be curious, but my understanding is that your wrong.
I do share your concerns that still many people don't think a woman or a black person would make a qualified president. There is no doubt that Clinton has been the subject of sexist attacks. I think it is less politically risky for her to raise this issue than for her him. Women are half the population whereas Blacks are truly a minority. Obama risks being portaryed as "angry" or "uppity" if he draws attention to remarks made against him. Indeed, many have already used these words to describe him. Indeed, I think there has been substantial subtle prejudice aimed in Obama's direction from Day One.
Think of how often people kept saying his middle name on cable news. Also, internet posters still write "B. Hussein Obama," instead of using his first and last name. All of this is an attempt to make him the Other. Also, the obsession with him not wearing a flag lapel pin, not having his hand over his heart during God Bless America. Then of course their was the obsession with getting Michelle's undergrad thesis and an intense focus on any comments she makes.
I haven't even gotten to Reverend Wright. Also, early in the campaign a Clinton supporter raised the question of if Obama had ever sold drugs under the guise that a Republican might bring that up ... I assure you I could go on but it is depressing.