- Top Features:
- War Room
- Glenn Greenwald
- Broadsheet
- Joan Walsh
- Camille Paglia
- Since You Asked
- Follow Salon:
Read other letters about this article
In my relief to see the one thing I hoped Obama would do, I did forget to mention a highlight for me was the alien immigration issue, and Obama clearly stating that he thinks blaming immigrants for inner-city job losses et. all was "scapegoating". It garnered a great response, but I also think it highlighted for him a core personality strength: he'll say what he means and not what is politic. This is versus Clinton's answer, which was calculated in the extreme.
Another example of this is when he didn't shy away from confronting the industry regarding violence right to their faces, with them sitting in the audience. This reinforces the narrative (an accurate one I believe) that he doesn't alter is positions for his audience -- it's he "I preached the need to stop fighting fuel economy standards... IN DETROIT to the automakers" story.
Also, on Iraq I think he's clearly made his case regarding his chances in the general vs. McCain or Romney and forced Clinton into a much worse response and sent a signal by tough-talking aimed at Republicans that "unity" and "hope" doesn't mean a pushover and Republican punching bag.
In fairness, I do think Clinton did get in a good moment with the "Clinton to clean up a Bush's mess again" line -- although I don't think it erased the dynasty question.
I can't judge the healthcare plans objectively, because I've always thought Obama's points about making it required and enforcement were always better, and we should focus on making it affordable and available to everyone rather than punishing those who can't get it.
