Letters to the Editor
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Speaking as a somewhat less old codger
this reminds me of Bush 2000; kissy face platatudes about as all getting along. Would that Obama hid a radical agenda from the other side of the fence!
Some of this could well have been lifted by celebrated Obama supporter (and probably Bush 2000 voter) Ophra; who really found some common ground with Judith Miller; snapping down all who dared to confront her on her Show.
I wish Obama well, but the Mr. Smith ceario of the no nonsense outsider who's going to put Washington in it's place is one of the oldest cliches in the book (though Edwards is running on a varation too); and you basicly get someone who takes a year and a half to figure out how Washington works; wasting our time in the process.
I'm offended by the notion that my "better Angels" want to make peace with a Republican Party that has brought needless war, looted the treasury, and is basicly selling off America piece by piece. If you are too wishy washy to tell this to the poliitcal idiot next store; don't vote.
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Substance is overrated.
Any candidate with specific micro-plans on how to address every issue will sound like and be as effective as Jimmy Carter. A President, is a leader. They steer the ship of state generally, not ply a big wrench on the turbines, change the light bulbs and such.
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After the bloodletting
After having our teeth kicked in for the past 10 years, the public is not so keen on the themes of Senator Obama. It is endlessly amusing to hear that we must be bipartisan as soon as the Republicans loose the Congress and are about to get their clock cleaned in a Presidential election. Where were the calls for bipartisanship before the 11/06 election?
We are headed for a bloodletting, and by that I mean a return to the rule of law. Until the war criminals, frauds, and thieves of the Republican party are identified, investigated and jailed, there can be no bipartisanship. If Senator Obama sincerely believes that he can work with these snakes he is very gullible. I tend to think that this is that with which his very expensive advisers from the DC establishment are filling his head thus using his inclination towards fair play. The current power elite cannot afford to let power fall into the hands of those they cannot control.
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He's the tailor making the Emporers new cloths
Statistics have proven that Clinton has been under attack by the press much more than any candidate combined. The Press has had a hands off policy on Obama. Now when someone questions "What is he saying?" People jump all over Salon. I'm not blindly following a man because he has charisma. He started the negative attacks and then acts the victim. He has done this twice, once with Clinton and more recently with Edwards.
He can read a great speech but when it comes to actually answering questions one on one in an interview he looks lost. I don't want empty promises of pie in the sky platitudes, I want someone who can lead and not just read.
Biden, Clinton, Dodd, any will do. I'd even vote for McCain over Obama because at least I know where McCain stands and I don't feel like I'm listening to a televangelist.
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Beware the unifiers!!
Good piece.
I get frustrated when I hear the constant calls for 'unity' and the charge that we need to be as 'one', often from the same people who gush at the thought of multiculturalism and diversity. Makes no sense.
Look, I want to elect politicians who think what I think and who will fight for our ideas. And I can respect those who disagree who are willing to fight for what they believe. It is in the conflict, debate, dissent that the best of our ideas and solutions are born.
And not everyone should get a seat at the table. After all, we are Christian nation. We are a constitutional republic (not a democracy). We are a nation of laws. We speak English. We do not interfere with religion or free political speech. We are founded on family (mommy, daddy and kids) and believe marriage is sacred. Etc. Etc. As long as you are willing to get on board with these basics, then there are an unlimited number of ways we can bring about these superior ideals. We ought to honorably fight among ourselves to effect them. Let's play ball.
Unity? Bah ! Humbug !
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Obama is largely a non-confrontational Political Rohrschach blot
As above. Some have called him an "empty suit" but I wouldn't quite go that far.
BUT the man is seriously confrontation-deprived, and will be eaten alive by the Repub attack machine if he does become the D-candidate. Then, after they devour his flesh, they will take his dregs and toss them into a blender and have them for dessert.
As I said months ago, Obama has a nice, positive and appealing shtick about getting over the "battles of the 60s" but it won't be enough to survive what the Rs have lined up for him. And in four or more debates I still haven't heard any serious solutions to this contry's health insurance or other serious problems.
He is too green around the gills, and needs to at least conclude his Senate committment before he seriously runs for prez. Yeah, JFK was hounded too by the immature and inexperienced bugbear - hell, Harry Truman even had the chutzpah to tell Jack to wait until he matured a bit more.
HOWEVER, at least JFK already spent 14 years in the U.S. Congress (House and Senate) by the time of the 1960 campaign. Not just farting around a few years in a STATE legislature to cast "present" votes, then getting elected to the Senate and not even completing a full term of 6 yrs.
Obama needs to learn and grow. When I see him become a serious SENATOR, I might later at some point consider him for President.
Re: Bush, comparisons are not applicable. We assuredly DO NOT want a guy who barely bests Bushie in creds, or experience. At least I don't.
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What exactly is Hillary Clinton's Message?
What I find fascinating about this is that this vagueness seems to be part of the nature of a political campaign in the modern era. That is the front runners make vague appeals not grounded in policy but on feeling or a theme. Hillary Clinton claims experience, John Edwards claims a fighter's spirit and Barack Obama pushes hope. Drilled down, they're all vague. The question for Mr. Shapiro is why this meme is directed at a single candidate?