Political Punch

Republicans really like Obama now...

Today Fox website has an article "Obama Attempts Damage Control, Fallout Over Pastor’s Sermons Unclear"

it says:

"Ari Fleischer, former press secretary for President Bush, suggested that the controversy and the timing of Obama’s disavowal show him to be little more than a shrewd politician.

“I think there’s a reason Republicans I talk to are increasingly looking forward to running against Barack Obama,” Fleischer said."

Wouldn't really use Paglia as an objective perspective on anyone, especially Hillary. CP is well-known critic of everyone who isn't in her sphere, which per Wikipedia, would be ...

" Her views on the legalization of recreational drugs and prostitution, and on the relaxation of sexual consent laws, are more libertarian. She is a strong critic of much of the feminism that began with Betty Friedan's 1962 The Feminine Mystique and compared feminists — whom she considered to be victim-centered — to the Unification Church. At the same time Paglia's embrace of fetishism, pornography, prostitution and, most prominently, male homosexuality, puts her at odds with the "family values" of American social conservatives.[5]

Her supporters (for different reasons) include Andrew Sullivan, Christina Hoff Sommers, Rush Limbaugh, Bill Maher, Matt Drudge and her Yale mentor Harold Bloom. Elise Sutton, a dominatrix advocating female domination of males, describes Paglia as a female supremacist and a friend.[6]"

Will, you wrote: "...but in terms of racists and idiots, I doubt people are calling you a racist or an idiot without some evidence."

If Sen. Obama is the Democratic Party's nominee, during the general election ANY comment that is made about Sen. Obama by Sen. McCain will be labeled (not by Sen. Obama, but by the Left Wing 527s) as a negative comment and ultimately labeled as a racist comment. Thus race will play a huge -- and very negative -- part in the general election. That is unless Sen. McCain and the Republican Party can convince either Dr. Condoleezza Rice or Gen. Colin Powell to join him on the Republican ticket. By both political parties having an African-American on their ticket the experience should be mostly positive and could become a giant step toward's fulfilling Dr. Martin Luther King's dream.

Thank goodness there is time for people in PA and around the country to finally learn who the real Obama is. The msm is in the tank for Obama, but the local media, National Enquirer, and concerned voters will be able to educate people about this fraud. Now someone is finally taking a look at the racist church he attends.

Lauren

With all of these comments...do you understand what adding Sen. Clinton to the mix does?

Doesn't this campaign alone show you that this is the tone no matter where they go?

Politics is rough yes...but shouldn't we be better people than this?

...and the traits of a "successful" President are not just about the qualities of efficiency, or fighting, or having seen the battles...

It is not only about judgement (although this really is pretty dang important obviously)

Inspiring the country is huge. You need the people behind you... and you can inspire through fear, through intimidation or you can inspire through telling people they are a good people...that all people are good in this nation.

You can belittle it all you want ...but the Lincolns, the FDR's, the JFK's all inspired...

I disagree with people (even comdediennes) saying anger and aggressiveness can "get things done". Anger and aggressiveness begets anger and aggressiveness.

as we have seen in the congress...as we have seen in this campaign... as we have seen in committees that are set up to accomplished things... "The my way or the highway and I will FIGHT to do this...has not worked.

There qualifications in administration and giving back are equivalent in the fact that she has the years and the prominence ...he has the depth and the proximity.

What this country needs is a change in direction and tone. Unfortunately, Sen Obama was the one who was heading in that direction...and we are losing that battle.

I don't believe that Javier Barden is a pageboy wearing murderous thug, he just played the part. And I don't think that Clinton or Ferraro are racists. Clinton is a ruthless pol with a war-room style of politics. She knows how to win the rural white vote in Pennsylvania at any cost. Her campaign wrote the ugly script and cast the part beautifully. Ferraro, a loyal pol willing to take one for the team, played the part...End of ugly story.
I think Senator Kenedy gives compelling reason to reject this war-room style of politics when he said, "With Barack Obama we will close the book on the old politics of race against race, gender against gender, ethnic group against ethnic group, and straight against gay,"

Ferraro went Kamikazi, she did't say what 'we were all thinking' she said what's her camp is thinking.. Geri Ferraro martyered herself in the name of Hillary Clinton. Clintonites a moment of silence.

I tend to not care that much about Obama's pastor nor did I care that much about what Geraldine said - people get worked up ...etc.

Yes, Obama's pastor is going too far with the race thing..but then I don't know what it's like to be black.

My interest is how the candidates react to challenges in their life...and what choices they make.

Hillary reacts too frequently by cheating and lying and trying to destroy those she sees as her opposition. She doesn't react well to dissent.

Not sure about Obama yet. He seems to be more reasonable. One thing for sure, he had to do a lot of self-reflection with his background and then got himself to be the editor of the Harvard Law Review. No small accomplishment. His campaign has been well run and so far has surprised everyone, especially Hillary.

McCain seems to want to work things out for
what's best for everyone - I say that because of all his bi-partisan bills he's sponsored, often with a political cost to him from his base. McCain is tough, he knows how to hang in there and has proven that over and over.

Forgot to mention, I am from Chicago, born and raised here. My whole family, kith and kin live all around the North West suburbs of Chicago. Most of us have a very positive opinion about Mr. Obama and his character and integrity. Same is not shared in our circles about Hillary. We think, Clintons belonged to another time. And I am not black. Don't minimize Obama's achievment or his candidacy by all these speculations and racial tones. He will be a great President.

Good Night Jay.

Cortez: I have to agree with you on this post. We all get heated up about our preferred candidate, but all we want is a stable and prosperous future for ourselves, our children and grand children. Is that too much to ask? I sincerely hope that who ever is elected President will try their best to fix all the wrongs in our country today. I am not expecting miracles just some honest progress.
Good night Will, SuzieQ & Cortez. It was great chatting with all of you.

Will: All I am suggesting is Obama did nothing when he could have stepped in an help those people in his district in the substandard housing bought by Rezko with grants Obama assisted in procuring. Maybe Mr.Obama was a little too busy getting ready to run for President. I lived on the south side, I know the area very well, and there are many bitter people when it comes to that Rezko/Obama building deal.

I have blogged a lot, written for Hillary a lot in the beginning, and then a lot for Obama now. Sometimes, I think, perhaps we are all wasting our precious time on endless arguing for nothing. Finally, it comes down to caring for our children and for our families no matter what happens to these candidates, great as Hillary or Obama may be. Lets take a step back from all these attacks and go back to the basics...So, Good night folks. nice talking to you all.

Jay,
You're not the only one I've talked to who is from Chicago says negative things about Obama and that he isn't what he seems. You sound like a reasonable and intelligent person and I appreciate your comments.

I am going look into Obama.

BTW, one candidate who has demonstrated a pretty good character is McCain. I understand there is a first in, first out rule in the military and the reason McCain refused to be released from the Hanoi Hilton when it was offered was because he wasn't the first in and refused to jump the line ahead of his buddies. That was amazing, actually. It doesn't make him perfect of course but that was a heck of a thing to do.

"You are correct Will, except for some darn reason, we are not allowed to scrutinize Obama's integrity."

You most certainly can. I would hope it's done fairly.

"Every time we do, we are called racists, and idiots, and nutjobs."

I don't know why Cortez keeps calling you a nut, but in terms of racists and idiots, I doubt people are calling you a racist or an idiot without some evidence.

"He answers 8 questions on Rezko and runs away from reporters."

Think you can get more then 8 questions answered from Hillary about all of the many scandals she has been apart of? How about the scandals that are coming up? And I don't mean that in a hypothetical. A few more scandals are going to be coming up that I'm sure she's not going to answer in great length. You want the candidates to be subjected to an extensive line of questions regarding scandals? It will take much longer to go through Hillary's.

"His integrity is one of the reasons I cannot ever vote for him."

And yet, you can vote for Hillary because...

"He is a Chicago politician, a wheeler-dealer and he is only out for himself. Why do I feel that way, because I was born and raised and lived in Chicago for 35 years. He did nothing to help the people of Illinois, the City of Chicago or his own district. He is not what he says he is. How is he going to change our country and the entire world in 4 years?"

OK, this I can't speak on because this is your own personal belief about him. I for one know there are some people that I harbor negative feelings to because I think they are not what they say or think they are. One being Hillary Clinton. So, I can respect that assessment from you.

"Google Obama/Rezko video.. see NBC' Carol Marin video."

Saw it, and you're saying you want to ask him questions over and over about this? Are you suggesting he did something wrong?

Its so funny and at the same time sad to see that we democrats will be fighting like this between Obama and Hillary. One or the other has to give in. Once upon a time when M. Jordan was in Chicago Bulls, we used to feel great for the team. But now, we accept the fact and have moved on, without much worrying about why Bulls are not the winners. So too, for Hillary supporters, you know your candidate, your campaign and your stock is not doing well. Don't join Hillary to go on the attack against other democrats. It will tear us apart. Who knows, if she can be pursuaded to give up gracefully, then she will keep the respect of the party and the Nation for the rest of her life. But if you all join her in tearing others out because of frustration, then we all will be the losers in November. Time to give up folks. Its not easy. Let the winner take it. And as it stands, don't cheat the voters and steal the nomination for her. That is not right and we should never do it.

SuziQ: You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I certainly hope you do an in-depth research on Mr.Obama in the same way as you have vetted Hillary.
I have done the exact same research regarding Mr.Obama, as is the case. I have written him off.

i have yet to look at Obama in depth - regarding my perception of his character. I do think character counts as much as anything in a President. The person in the oval office can get tons of advisor and reports but in the end we're trusting them to do the right thing. Hillary's history tells me that Hillary will do the politically expedient thing...what's best for her and the people who finance her. People who know her way better than I, plus a lot of research, confirms this.
I've written her off.

But Will , Mr. Obama will also have to rely on the super delegates to win this nomination. No matter how we see it, I do agree with you that this long, protracted fight will weaken both candidates and the party in the end, and everyone will be playing the blame game. Sad but so true.

Is there something special about 35 years? Hillary says she has 35 years of experience and this hillary nut (jay) also says he has 35 years of chicago experience. give me a break!!!!!!