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How is the pandering to the right on the patriotism issue any different from what Clinton did vis-a-vis the flag burning amendment?
- Clinton cosponsered the flag burning legislation She used it as a cynical ploy to manouver herself. Admittedly, other Democrats including Obama jumped under the umbrella but she put it up. By the way, is Obama pandering on the patriotism issue? I am not sure he is.
You say he has good judgement, so how do you explain his support for FISA and corn-based ethanol?
- I said I trust his judgement. I cannot explain his support to extend warrantless wiretapping, if I understand all the issues correctly and I admitted I do not so I do not have my mind made up on this. As for corn-based ethanol, that works for farm country.
Or his daily policy shifts on Iran and Israel?
- He is reiterating support for Isreal but making clear there will be increased diplomatic activities and that includes talking. You can do both.
And what exactly in this inspires you? What about it do you think will inspire anyone else?
- Obama's appeal has been well documented.
Seems to me his cynicism will just make things worse for the American political system. And even if he still is inspirational (as I'm positive he is to the poorly informed), is that all America needs right now?
- "Is that all?" Obviously not but it is something he has that the opponents don't. But does American need inspiration? Absolutely. We can't stay in this muck. Obama might end up sucking. I thought Bill Clinton would suck in '92 but he turned out OK. If Obama becomes just a DLC empty suit I will be very dissapointed. I do beleive he needs to be careful now.
Tell you what kids. You thought you were getting a political revolution. What you've got instead, is another neophyte (who himself admits to having poor organisational skills) to steer the country through recession, permanently high oil prices, Iraq, environmental degradation, an imploding Pakistan, etc., etc., etc.
- Tell you what, I am no kid and I never thought I was getting a revolution but a moderate liberal who talked sense. As for poor organizational skills, Clinton's campaign spoke for itself. She couldn't steer herself through her own coronation and she hires badly.
Hillary was, if nothing else, competent, dilligent, and well-informed, even if she was a rubbish salesperson.
- See above. I will give her well informed. What she did with it is what was appalling. Moreover, Hillary Clinton walked in with boatloads of baggage. I'll take inspiration over an uncessary mop-up job for a career politician. It's going to be hard enough justifying Obama's missteps. It was already double with Hillary Clinton.
It appears that now the two candidates will say and do anything to win and we the people have no clue what they will actually do as President.
As of today, there are troubled waters ahead for the probable Democratic Party Nominee for President. Obama could lose. BUT, the addition of Hillary Clinton could make a difference. Please read on.
From www.realclearpolitics.com for July 2nd, they are showing for a November General Election for "Gallup Tracking" nationwide only a plus 2% margin for Obama over McCain.
Continuing, please read an article written by a Harry Siegel posted on www.Politico.com dated June 19th titled: "Obama Could Win Vote, and Lose Election".
Then let me add Charles Krauthammer from the Washington Post, with his brilliant article dated June 27th titled: "The Ever-Malleable Mr. Obama".
Then go to one more, “The Two Obamas” by David Brooks in the New York Times for June 20th, 2008.
We have now exposed what many of us knew for a long time, Mr. Obama is an absolute "flip-flopper", and thinks we don't see it. And this is a person who when he was a State Legislator in Illinois, voted "Present" 130 times only to avoid taking a position. And now he wants to be our President.
That being said, I say let's move ahead now with Mr. Obama out front as the Presidential nominee. However, I believe if Hillary Clinton were invited to be on the ticket as the Vice Presidential candidate, and offered to head up some new important task force in a new administration, I am sure our chances of electing a Democratic Party President in November would be very strong, and I believe there are 18 Million other voters who also agree. These are the 18 million voters who just recently stood with Hillary Clinton in this primary contest we just concluded.
I fear too many pundits have failed to actually read Obama's books. If you did, you wouldn't write what you write. He's not being inconsistent at all. He's acting just like he said he would. Imagine a candidate who campaigns in the same manner as he governs? That's what Obama is trying to do. Like any good lawyer, he can well state the case for both (all?) sides of a public policy issue. He's not blind to what's at stake. But, like any good politician, he understands that to govern well in our democracy, you MUST compromise. As president, he will be constantly recalibrating the location of the main channel of public interest. So, here's the point: (1) we've been poorly served by President Bush who has consistently refused to tack to the main channel and Obama will not be that kind of president; and (2) you can count on Obama to, thankfully, hew to the left of the main channel but not leave it.
1. Obama gave one speech, from a very anti-war district, against the war and went to Washington and voted with the Dems, including Hillary on the war every time.
2. Both Clinton's spoke in interviews around half a dozen times saying they were against invading Iraq and Bush should not invade
1 speech vs. 5 or 6 interviews speaking against the war
3. Obama voted FOR the flag burning bill, as did Clinton, and both voted for it to cover their asses for voting against (both of them) a constitutional amendment banning flag burning.
4. Obama voted against legistration that would have capped interest rates at 30. Hillary voted to cap the interest rates. Obama gets lots of money from Goldman-Sachs.
5.Obama voted for Cheney's energy bill, Hillary agbainst it. Obama got lots of money from Exelon, an energy company, and oil company executives.
6. Hillary's health care plan, backed by Elizabeth Edwards, covers everyon. Obama's does not.
So, who's the progressive?