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Top Clinton Adviser Wanted to Go After Obama as Lacking American Roots and Values
August 10, 2008 7:44 PM
Having obtained hundreds of internal emails and memos, Joshua Green of The Atlantic has a fascinating piece about the internal fighting at Hillary Clinton HQ.
Yes, they're still leaking to make each other look bad. Given the narrowness of Sen. Barack Obama's win over Sen. Hillary Clinton, one wonders what the outcome would have been had they channeled some of this energy into defeating Obama instead of one another.
But I digress.
Among the most striking findings are memos and emails from senior strategist Mark Penn suggesting that the Clinton campaign suggest that Obama is something "other" than American.
"All of these articles about his boyhood in Indonesia and his life in Hawaii are geared towards showing his background is diverse, multicultural and putting that in a new light," Penn writes. "Save it for 2050. It also exposes a very strong weakness for him – his roots to basic American values and culture are at best limited. I cannot imagine America electing a president during a time of war who is not at his center fundamentally American in his thinking and values...
"How we could give some life to this contrast without turning negative," Penn continued, "Every speech should contain the line you were born in the middle of America to the middle class in the middle of the last century. And talk about the basic bargain as about the deeply American values you grew up with, learned as a child and that drive you today. Values of fairness, compassion, responsibility, giving back.
"Let's explicitly own 'American' in our programs, the speeches, and the values. He doesn't...Lets use our logo to make some flags we can give out. Let's add flag symbols to the backgrounds."
Clinton did not appear to take this advice.
After Clinton’s crucial wins in Texas and Ohio, Penn continued to press the case that Obama needed to be attacked. “Does anyone believe that it is possible to win the nomination without, over these next two months, raising all these issues on him? A 'nice' campaign that wins the states along (sic) that can be won -- will that be enough or do serious issues have to be raised about him? If you believe that serious issues need to be raised then we have to raise the without continual hesitation and we should be pushing the envelope. Won’t a single tape of (the Reverend Jeremiah) Wright going off on America with Obama sitting there be a game ender?"
Not all of Penn's advice was so distasteful.
He wrote a memo in March 2007 laying out the demographic keys to Clinton's victory, pushing her to be the champion of “the Invisible Americans,” namely “WOMEN, LOWER AND MIDDLE CLASS VOTERS."
But that said, there seemed little strategy to directly pursue these voters until too late in the game.
Instead, in-fighting was the name of the game.
Superlawyer Bob Barnett wrote an email to roughly 20 Clintonistas on March 6, 2008, with the subject line: "STOP IT!!!!"
"I have held my tongue for weeks," Barnett wrote after yet another story was published of Clinton campaign officials blaming each other for this and that. "(N)o longer. This makes me sick. This circular firing squad that is occurring is unattractive, unprofessional, unconscionable and unacceptable...My message is simple -- STOP IT. Please."
It didn't.
- jpt
August 10, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (309)
Penn's assessment of Obama is correct. It's not just a "campaign tactic." Obama is basically a foreigner. Obama was raised in other countries, and he opposes the principles that made this country great. Obama has no chance of becoming president of the USA. And Biden won't help either. Joe Biden is a far-left Yankee who puts his own foot in his mouth every time he's on television. Obama supporters, enjoy the next couple of months because McCain will be our next president.
Posted by: liberty_1776 | Aug 23, 2008 2:04:04 PM
Rev Wright, Father plfeger, Jessie jackson
All were members of Obama campaign team.
All close personal friends of his.
You tell me they all said, sent memos, made phones calls, saying nice things about White people, Jewish people, Most elected officials, that was not racial, demeaning, hateful and down right wrong.
Obama himself used race against everyone.
Obama lied to the American people saying wright never said those things in church or in private and he did not know any of them. after being caught came back and said he did. with out an apology for lying or any remorse, he just turned around and called Americans racist with his slavery speech.
Were these people Rev Wright, Father plfeger, Jessie jackson,used to make Obama look like a good guy?
Obama and axelrod are Chicago boys and they play dirty that is where they learn politics and dirty tricks.
Let's see some of their memo's
They would probably would make the world irate.
Posted by: seah | Aug 12, 2008 4:14:37 AM
Mark Penn was right on the spot about B. Hussain Obama. In hindsights, he was great but it was pity that Hillary did not listen to him. Indeed, I do not know what American values Obama is representing today. All he tries to do are please do not attack me over my charater and values, and if you do and you are a racist! Hillary fell terribly into the trap of Obama. He is truly not one of us no matter what the media is trying to help him.
Posted by: RedAmerican1 | Aug 12, 2008 12:01:19 AM
TOO BAD Penn didn't resign a LONG time ago....Hillary may have had a chance!
Posted by: Dar | Aug 11, 2008 8:03:03 PM
America is part of the international community. I love that Obama has a unique background and upbringing. This reflects many Americans - including me. I'm a white republican Military Brat (sound like some other candidate?). I think Obama is better suited to represent us on the World Stage.
Posted by: Lydia | Aug 11, 2008 6:56:38 PM
I could not believe what I just heard on ABC News story that Mark Penn believes that Senator Obama is not American enough. Who is he to say who is American enough and who is not? If anything Senator Obama's life experiences of living in Indonesia is accent to his Presidency. My personal experiences of traveling abroad, if anything Sen. Obama would appreciate our FREEDOMSs we have here in the USA.
Posted by: Tara Golden | Aug 11, 2008 6:49:02 PM
I look forward to McCain gaining even more momentum after Labor Day. The Obamessiah is melting.
Posted by: Joanne600 | Aug 11, 2008 6:41:52 PM
Maybe, if you so-called hard ball democrats believe in that type of campaigning, you could have used it in California to help Grey davis over Arnold Scharwtzenneger
-----------
Most of us don't believe in it. Hence, Obama's victory in the primaries.
Posted by: nic | Aug 11, 2008 4:43:49 PM
Maybe, if you so-called hard ball democrats believe in that type of campaigning, you could have used it in California to help Grey davis over Arnold Scharwtzenneger.It behoves me how asinine and self destructive you democrats are.You destroy your own, and give the republicans whips and sticks to bruise your backs, and when Carl Rove and the swift boats come at you you have no defense or cover. Is that any way to win an election? Thankfully Mark Penn and his like are now on their way to the dinosuars house as political relics of the past.Have'nt you heard that the republicans were thinking about amending the constitution so that A.S the governor of california, a naturalised citizen could run for President? How wise are you democrats to attack a natural born Citizen? Fools!
Posted by: MichaelMerriman | Aug 11, 2008 3:28:42 PM
Traveling to Pakistan in 1981 on an Indonesian passport, i.e age 20 an adult, makes this moot! This is an utterly unfair con on the American people, this is unconscionable. We have something called a CONSTITUTION and millions of people have died to defend it and our freedoms, which the media thinks are up for grabs. It's so insulting to post inane questions about how many faeries can dance on the head of a pin to keep people distracted. This is pathetic.
Posted by: cajapie | Aug 11, 2008 3:16:13 PM
One thing that is becoming more than clear to me is that these PUMA nuts are probably really Rush Limbaugh puppets. I really believe these are the guys who he suggested such switch as registered republicans and register democrats to get Hillary elected as they felt she would not really have a good chance at beating McCain/McBush. Additionally, if they were truly Clinton loyalist, why haven't they gotten her out of debt? You know if all of the 18 million supporters would just donate .55 cents each they would get their "saviour" out of debt. So with all their noise making apparently they haven't even donated .55 Cents let alone a dollar to help her out. So it's apparent that they really weren't for Clinton, they were just against Obama. So who cares if they support Obama or not. I was told a long time ago that you can never miss what you never had. Obama never had their support so they are inconsequential. I think one thing they have done is given someone doing psychological research on people with political delusions an excellent pool of people to study. Additionally, some PUMA/AH suggested going to SNOPES.COM to prove that Obama has lied about a lot of things. I visited that site and it proved just the opposite. Obama has been truthful and upfront about everything that he's said through out the campaign. PUMA - What losers - LITERALLY!
Posted by: August | Aug 11, 2008 2:40:34 PM
In the rest of the world we call this sausage-making. You know the old expression - "Those who love the law or love sausage should never watch either being made." So there was contention between the staff on how to combat Obama. Big deal! The end result was what you actually saw in their press releases and her appearances, and that's all that really counts. All organizations (certainly every one I've been involved with) have this sort of messy dialogue underneath the smooth product you see at the end.
Posted by: Cap'n Dan | Aug 11, 2008 10:14:01 AM
So the tactic this week while Obama is in Hawaii is to dedicate the cycle to more deconstruction of Hillary Clinton and using that retrospective to outline strategies that appear to have failed as a means of ensuring those strategies can't be questioned when used by Obama and will be questioned if used against him?
That's backspin, folks. How does it help if Obama is still running against the Clintons? It keeps McCain off the front page while Obama wind surfs.
Posted by: len | Aug 11, 2008 10:04:02 AM
seah
are you really mark penn?
Posted by: dl | Aug 11, 2008 9:23:03 AM
Obama will be the Democratic Party's nominee, because he won more pledged delegates, those determined by the outcomes of primaries and caucuses, than Clinton did. It was NOT a tie. Obama won with super-delegates. Obama would have won had they're been NO super-delegates. He won fair and square, and all the whining in the world will not change that.
Posted by: LESD | Aug 11, 2008 9:16:55 AM
And for this kind of advice, she still owes this creep how many million?
Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | Aug 11, 2008 8:42:35 AM
Clinton's end strategy worked. The positive Hillary. JOB JOB JOB Hillary worked. The negative campaigning failed miserably and if John McCain watched the Democratic primary he would know so.
Negative campaigning doesn't work as good at it used to anymore. When people are losing their jobs and homes the last thing they want is a politician comparing his opponent to Paris Hilton or Britney Spears.
Posted by: Vanessa | Aug 11, 2008 7:55:29 AM
This is precisely why Hillary Clinton's campaign imploded. And to think, this would have been her Oval Office, and thereby adding yet another suitcase to the set Clinton baggage.
Posted by: Kate | Aug 11, 2008 7:30:42 AM
who is american?
Posted by: krist | Aug 11, 2008 6:53:10 AM
Real democrats? Me thinks some people need to retire their high horses and stop discounting the millions that voted for Obama.
Posted by: Brett | Aug 11, 2008 6:51:32 AM
"It's her clean and straight forward campaign that makes the choice of superdelegates so wrong. If two candidates tie, you select the best one. The candidate with most character. That candidate was Hillary Clinton."
That is a just an outright, blatant lie. It amazes me how truly delusional you people are. That 3am AD was one of many negative attacks from the Clinton campaign painting Obama as naive, was released without prompt from Obama. Once again, as I've seen thousands of times in this election, baseless claims come flying from Clinton and McCain supporters, with no facts to justify.
Posted by: Brett | Aug 11, 2008 6:49:21 AM
This makes me sick? want to throw out.what is american values? proud ignornace, killing people in the name of God,enslaving people in the name of God for personal enrichment? I believe that is what the penn is best at. God have mercy shame shame shame
Posted by: krist | Aug 11, 2008 6:48:33 AM
Obama's tactics and techniques were words used in repetitive motivational speeches, with high persuasion as mind conditioning and mind manipulation on the American people.
Along with slogans, catch phrases to be used as reinforcements in ads, and statements to keep it working.
That along with evil attacks and vile smear campaigns against his opponents. Appeasement and using peoples values, rights and feelings against them, in a high sales marketing and PR plan.
Using Peoples minds with marketing of the reinforcements is the winning combination Obama used. Uniting the Black community in Solidarity, Campaigning in Churches across the land, Getting volunteers and staff to take people to register, Doing everything needed to help people register. The churches outreach programs registered people and take them to vote. To insure the vote in the highest populated areas.
Hillary used good old Fashion Campaigning, with Presenting Her ideas, her strategies and how she was going to accomplish them, them with facts, data and having the background to show she could and would.
She received the majority of Democratic votes.
With out resorting to brainwashing, Campaigning in churches, and dragging people to register and vote.
____________
My most startling memory of Ohio Primaries is when obama, kept open polls, reopened polls in the highest populated areas of Black voters. In Cleveland actually picking 3 particular polling places to reopen. That was the biggest travesty of the election process I have ever seen in my life.
When every one in the area was affected by an ice storm. Not all were treated equal.
Posted by: seah | Aug 11, 2008 6:43:03 AM
These internal leaks from the Clinton campaign show that she ran on issues, even if many wanted her to pain Obama foreign. Same time he trashed her in a very unflattering way. When Clinton decided to fight back in Texas with the 3 A.M.-ad, even then did she run on the issue of experience.
It's her clean and straight forward campaign that makes the choice of superdelegates so wrong. If two candidates tie, you select the best one. The candidate with most character. That candidate was Hillary Clinton.
Posted by: S. Johnsen | Aug 11, 2008 6:00:06 AM
The Real Democrats are Hillary Clinton supporters. I don't don't where those "other ones" came from. I just hope they disappear after Hillary's name is put in nomination as it should be.
Posted by: priscilla | Aug 11, 2008 5:23:46 AM
Who, amongst us, believes Mark Penn knows ANYTHING about American values?
Maybe..Rick Davis.
Posted by: JB | Aug 11, 2008 5:20:29 AM
Hillary deserves a roll call vote says Eighteen Million Voters! That's the way it is supposed to go down but it's just one more thing Obama needs to CHANGE to get himself SELECTED. What makes him think he above anyone? This election process has been more contrived and controlled than 2004 and everyone is just letting him take over- The DNC move, His 747 all pimped out with his lazy-boy throne embroidered with "President" already embroidered on it and his very own ObamaStalin emblem painted on the tail minus the flag- thinks he's gonna be on a dollar bill- Rolling Stone wasn't good enough for him- Oh, No.
Posted by: priscilla | Aug 11, 2008 5:14:20 AM
I thought we were done hearing from Mark Penn..Hasn't he gone back to his day job?
Posted by: Jen, MI | Aug 11, 2008 4:58:51 AM
Since when is Hawaii not part of the United States?
Posted by: wlw100 | Aug 11, 2008 4:42:06 AM
Let's see. An American citizen who has lived all but 4 of his 47 years in the US, but lacks roots in America? That sounds stupid because it is.
Otherwise an army brat who spent even more years with his family abroad has no hope of having American values and roots.
Posted by: Dennis | Aug 11, 2008 3:21:05 AM
The reason I will not vote for Obama is because he said that he 1)would raise the capital gains tax even if ncreasing the tax rate did not result in any increased revenue for the federal government and that he 2) would raise the capital gains tax rate even if it stifled economic growth. Obama said that the current low capital gains tax rate is unfair. That means that Obama thinks Americans who sell their homes should pay higher taxes -- even though the housing market is in a huge decline. That means that Obama thinks retirees taking disbursements from their retirement accounts should pay higher taxes -- even though prices on food and gas are going through the roof. That means Obama thinks that businesses should give more of their profits to the government -- even though they are struggling to stay in business because consumer confidence is low -- and reinvest less money in their capital improvements. To me, that sounds like a recipe for economic disaster disguised as a fair tax policy.
Posted by: JustMy2Cents | Aug 11, 2008 2:54:12 AM
I care and I'm not a nobody (to me anyway). Article II of the constitution must be met.
I do know what you're saying though, some don't care what or who he is, let alone where he came from and where is allegiances lie.
Nobody can in any honesty state that Barry Soetero comes across as an American though.
Posted by: cajapie | Aug 11, 2008 2:53:25 AM
Hillary should have followed Penn's advice!
He was right..........and still is!
Obama is no American in terms of experience or values.
I voted for Hillary, because of these very concerns.
MCCAIN IS THE ONLY TRUE AMERICAN NOW IN THE RACE.
WE MUST CHOOSE A TRUE AMERICAN FOR OUR PRESIDENT... MCCAIN 08'
Posted by: j | Aug 11, 2008 2:49:00 AM
How much will sending US troops to Darfur cost us? Will it provoke a war with China? If so, how much will that cost us? I ask because Darfur is in the Democratic Party Platform this year. As much as people want to paint John McCain as the warmonger, Barack Obama is no better. He intends to increase the size of the US military -- and one issue on the table was reinstituting the draft so minorities were not overrepresented in the military. Thank God that one did not make it into the platform. If we want to talk about the evils of war -- if we want to talk about butter or guns -- fine; but rest assured there will be no peace dividend if Barack Obama is elected.
Posted by: JustMy2Cents | Aug 11, 2008 2:42:01 AM
The central problem with the americans is that they don't get the connection between "military might is right" ideology and its debilitating affects on domestic infra structure and economy.
This is apparently so by polls that show the number 1 issue for americans now is the economy and that the Iraq war is second. . . . as if the two are mutually exclusive.
But the current phony war has treaded on, or has now depleted over 1 trillion dollars of tax payer funded U.S. treasury; triggered disruption in oil markets ; has connections to the international food crisis and has directly caused inflation and economic constriction here this year, massive casualities notwithstanding.
Relax, the public intellectuals don't get it yet either or at least are not allowed to talk about it on the Belt Way shows.
Meanwhile, you people act as if saluting the flag and shutting up and never investigating what alternative meanings of patriotism might exist and that might be apparent in your own nation's history--that incidentally have been identified as "populist," not "aristocratic liberal left"--is all that is required of your civic duties.
Therefore, you will ride your military hero worship all the way down into the gutter of despotism along with the rest of the nation, and the Pentagon will be happy to let you do it because the harder work of realizing Constitutional principles and running an effective Republic have a nasty habit of being resilient to your guns and machismo if you ever woke up to realize the error of your ways and the true power that you, "the people" possess.
Posted by: reed | Aug 11, 2008 2:35:16 AM
First of all Obama has had a consistent lead in the polls. Second of all we knew the risks with Obama. We still want to take the risks because Obama could potentially become one of the best Presidents. All of these attacks on Obama were the same attacks leveled against Ronald Reagan. This idea that he's just a celebrity was leveled at Reagan. The attacks that he's just a good speaker was leveled at Reagan as well. If America can look past differences and seek a leader than Obama is the obvious choice.
=====================================
One more thing, people said Reagan did not have any foreign policy experience too. Same accusations leveled at Obama.
Posted by: Yep | Aug 11, 2008 2:15:56 AM
Yes, Harvard has changed the requirements for latin honors because their grade inflation was notorious. In 2001, 91% of the class received latin honors -- other Ivy league schools were complaining because it put their students at a disadvantage. It doesn't make a difference what it is today -- it matters what it was when Obama graduated. But that is besides the point -- what matters on law review is publishing and what matters as a professor is publishing. Look at almost any professor's CV. especially a law professor, and you will see article after article. That is curiously missing from Obama's resume.
Posted by: JustMy2Cents | Aug 11, 2008 2:14:23 AM
"I would expect a maverick to end up closer to the bottom of the class than the top."
Huh? Face it McCain is dumb and has proven it.
Posted by: JJ | Aug 11, 2008 2:12:35 AM
"When will the Democrats realize that Senator Obama will not win in November? "
First of all Obama has had a consistent lead in the polls. Second of all we knew the risks with Obama. We still want to take the risks because Obama could potentially become one of the best Presidents. All of these attacks on Obama were the same attacks leveled against Ronald Reagan. This idea that he's just a celebrity was leveled at Reagan. The attacks that he's just a good speaker was leveled at Reagan as well. If America can look past differences and seek a leader than Obama is the obvious choice.
Posted by: Yep | Aug 11, 2008 2:11:07 AM
When will the Democrats realize that Senator Obama will not win in November? After all of the corruption in the primaries and now with the crazy blocking of a roll call vote - something that EVERY CONVENTION for the last 100 years has had - it's the final straw. I mean, even Howard Dean was in nomination in 2004 and he only had 114 delegates! To somehow act like Hillary shouldn't get a vote is shameful, undemocratic and unacceptable.
But the cat's out of the bag - the voters know the rules and if Obama tries to make a sham out of this convention, the party will lose more than the presidency in November.
Posted by: Susan R. | Aug 11, 2008 2:05:55 AM
JJ,
I would expect a maverick to end up closer to the bottom of the class than the top. I would expect a) a book worm, or b) a brown noser, or c) an extremely poor person that has to pay their own way, and work twice as hard as the rest of us to end up at the top of their class. Obama was not the C case, he was either A, or B. In any case, this has exactly zero bearing on his capability to lead.
Posted by: WestestCoastMessenger | Aug 11, 2008 2:05:32 AM
"Each June, between 4% and 5% of the graduating class will be awarded the degree summa cum laude"
This is from Harvard's website. McCain was in the bottom .5%
Posted by: JJ | Aug 11, 2008 2:00:44 AM
Obama acting like the inevitable? He's trying to make history...this ain't going to be easy.
Hillary was up by 20 points...Obama does not have that luxury. He knows he's in for a dog fight.
Posted by: J | Aug 11, 2008 1:56:29 AM
Peter Jensen,
Good grief. If you don't think Obama and McCain are surrounded by Machiavellian staff then I have a bridge I'd like to sell you, please enter your credit card number, expiration date, and the three letter security code on the back in your next post.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Aug 11, 2008 1:55:42 AM
No Problem David in Texas. I am sleepy too so good night and take care. I do hope the DEMS unite in a very real way. Obama/Clinton '08-UNITY. I know people are going to lash out at me now, so perfect time to avoid the abuse. Good night....
Posted by: irma | Aug 11, 2008 1:55:25 AM
lowell, before bho can visit grandma, he will have to find the bus he threw her under
Posted by: pp | Aug 11, 2008 1:55:07 AM
Harvard was recently forced to change its honor system to reflect the practices at other colleges -- in 2001 a record 91% of Harvard students graduated cum laude, magna cume laude, or summa cum laude. Google it if you want to read more about the scandal. But, needless to say, honors at Harvard mean very little. The real test for a law student is getting published -- the real test for a professor is getting published. Unfortunately, though, Obama never published any academic articles.
Posted by: JustMy2Cents | Aug 11, 2008 1:54:42 AM
i remember a president not so long ago that made a virtue out of maintaining a "C" average in the Ivy league. . . something to the effect of "he's a good ol' boy; an average joe; one of us."
That worked on you dummies and and now we are in a disaster. So let's try voting on thinking this time. It can't hurt. And academic credentials might be valuable here.
Thank you for your time.
Now you are all free to go back to your American Idol and American Gladiator episodes.
Posted by: reed | Aug 11, 2008 1:53:22 AM
Hey J,
I'm no PUMA but I support LeeLee 100 per cent, she is one of the most dignified supporters of Democracy I've ever encountered on this blog. If she believes that PUMA is the right pursuit, she is definitely deserving.
That being said, the point about the "inevitable" Obama is exactly what it is, I agree with you in part, it was a Mark Penn mistake to create Hillary's aura of inevitability. Obama's campaign has done exactly the same thing for the general, and it will no doubt backfire.
=======================================
Obama cannot possibly lose, right?
=======================================
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Aug 11, 2008 1:52:50 AM
Obama just went through the longest primary ever. He's human you idiots. I guess seeing old relatives like great-grandmothers isn't important to some of you. But to a person with family values it is.
Posted by: Lowell | Aug 11, 2008 1:49:30 AM
I guess it IS important to Obama, especially after he threw her under the bus!
Posted by: david from texas | Aug 11, 2008 1:52:44 AM
Irma, you're right, I'm sorry. Its late.
Posted by: david from texas | Aug 11, 2008 1:51:34 AM
Cokie Roberts is on the This Week Round Table.
Posted by: irma | Aug 11, 2008 1:49:34 AM
Obama just went through the longest primary ever. He's human you idiots. I guess seeing old relatives like great-grandmothers isn't important to some of you. But to a person with family values it is.
Posted by: Lowell | Aug 11, 2008 1:49:30 AM
Again, I don't necessarily think Hillary cares whether or not she wins the nomination by a roll call vote. She has Obama by the b*lls and controls Obama's destiny. Now, the Obama supporters will say differently, but we all know this to be true. Why do you think the Obama camp has scheduled Hillary in prime time on Tuesday, and Bill in prime time on Wednesday? The Clintons NEVER give up, a lesson Obama, I'm afraid, has learned to late. You play with fire, Mr. Obama, and you're going to get burned!
Posted by: david from texas | Aug 11, 2008 1:49:04 AM
To many, Mark Penn may have seemed like an incompetent version of Carl Rove.
The selection of Mark Penn was poison for Clinton's presidential aspirations because it was seen by many Democrats as a sign of the kind of morally bankrupt and Machiavellian staff that she might choose to surround herself with if she became president.
Posted by: Peter Jensen | Aug 11, 2008 1:48:24 AM
it is not so much about hillary winning any more, it is about assuring bho looses.
Posted by: pp | Aug 11, 2008 1:47:58 AM
The # 1 priority for Democrats this year isn't the economy, it isn't gas prices, it isn't healthcare, it isn't even education. This is taken straight from the Democratic Party Platform -- "33 The Democratic Party believes that there is no more important priority than renewing
34 American leadership on the world stage. This will require diplomatic skill as capable as
35 our military might. Instead of refusing to confront our most pressing threats, we will use
36 all elements of American power to keep us safe, prosperous and free. Instead of
37 alienating our nation from the world, we will enable America –once again –to lead." I don't want my children to be saying -- boy, the Europeans sure do like us -- I want my children to be safe, well fed, well educated, and have a higher standard of living than me. America first -- even if that means country before party.
Posted by: JustMy2Cents | Aug 11, 2008 1:47:08 AM
Meanwhile, Obama can afford to go on vacation in Hawaii right now? Can the rest of America afford such a vacation, given the state of our economy? I thought we were about to get rid of the guy that takes costly vacations at inopportune times.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Aug 11, 2008 1:43:26 AM
Cokie Roberts, on Meet the Press, said almost the same thing. Obama could not afford to go to Hawaii on vacation this week. It's going to come back and hurt him in this election.
Posted by: david from texas | Aug 11, 2008 1:45:40 AM
"The inevitable Obama, think about it."
Bingo. That's why Hillary lost. She assumed she was the winner. That was an insult to the voters. When she was losing is when she did better but it was too late.
And now the PUMAs are making the same mistake. You think you're helping Hillary by acting the way you are but Democrats won't forget your pathetic attitudes and Hillary will never win.
Posted by: J | Aug 11, 2008 1:43:40 AM
Hey JJ,
Hillary Clinton is back in play. There will be a roll call vote, or Obama will lose ten points in the polls if he successfully shuts it down. If the VP candidate has not been announced and it makes to the roll call, then Hillary Clinton WILL be the VP candidate, mark my words. There are a few super delegates who could still seize the day and do the right thing.
Meanwhile, Obama can afford to go on vacation in Hawaii right now? Can the rest of America afford such a vacation, given the state of our economy? I thought we were about to get rid of the guy that takes costly vacations at inopportune times.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Aug 11, 2008 1:43:26 AM
"Navy Academy is very competitive McCain's son has a 3.3 GPA and is very low in his class."
So? So is Harvard. Excuses is all I ever hear from the GOP.
Posted by: JJ | Aug 11, 2008 1:40:06 AM
@ Leelee:
How do you see the impact of PUMA on the Convention? I'm with you, I don't want Obama to win, I wish Hillary was the nominee, but I'm curious how you see the effect PUMA will have on the Convention and going forward into the General Election in November?
Posted by: david from texas | Aug 11, 2008 1:40:03 AM
Not intending to brag, but I would have done a better job than Mark Penn. The fact is, Obama's values are a curious set of values that are not common to the middle or working class, but more in line with the "aristocratic left", which by and large has become quite arrogant as they tremble with the trappings of potential power, the MoveOn Mafia and the like. Perhaps an aristocratic, arrogant attitude represents American values, but I don't really think so.
========================================
The inevitable Obama, think about it.
========================================
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Aug 11, 2008 1:39:00 AM
Can you tell me how John McCain has any economic experience? Hillary Clinton doesn't matter anymore.
Posted by: JJ | Aug 11, 2008 1:38:25 AM
Navy Academy is very competitive McCain's son has a 3.3 GPA and is very low in his class.
They also don't grade on a curve like other schools. There is no grade inflation there.
Posted by: Dan | Aug 11, 2008 1:38:17 AM
@Richard D – I grew up black too, and if I felt that Obama was qualified to be president, then I would vote for him. But I, and many others, do not feel that he is qualified.
Obama is going to have a lot more going for him besides being black to get this woman’s vote. This country is in serious trouble and I do not think Obama is the one to lead us out of it.
When his supporters call those of us who do not want to vote for him racist, how do you think it makes the whites who are voting for him feel? They most likely have family members that are of different party affiliations or just like the other democratic candidate better. Calling people racist is not a winning strategy. It will not gain Obama any new supporters, especially since he is the candidate promising unity and change.
As a supporter of his, shouldn’t you be practicing what your candidate is preaching? You should be trying to minimize racial tensions instead of exacerbating it because people do not agree with you.
PUMA!
Posted by: LeeLee07 | Aug 11, 2008 1:37:17 AM
K yeah real important how someone does as a teenager at the navy academy.
McCain was able to pass flight school which is very hard.
I guarantee you Obama could never pass flight school he is illiterate when it comes to math.
Posted by: Dan | Aug 11, 2008 1:36:58 AM
JJ yeah Obama is a real genius.
Obama admits he is terrible with numbers.
Obama on foreign policy.
Obama said the leader of Canada is the president of Canada. Canada has no president. Their leader for the last 140 years has been the prime minister under a parliamentary system.
Obama also said Maliki was the president of Iraq.
Obama is terrible with economics.
Obama has no economic experience.
Never was on economic committees in the senate. Never was a governor dealing with the economy or being an executive. Never ran a business. He has said he is terrible with numbers.
What is Obama's qualifications running for president. That he was a community organizer?
Obama made fun of Clinton saying her foreign policy experience was having tea with world leaders.
Clinton never made Obama's gaffes calling the leader of Canada the president of Canada.
Obama said the claws were coming out referring to Clinton.
Obama said Clinton was partly responsible for Bhutto's assasination.
Obama campaign took Clinton out of context with the RFK remarks.
Obama said likable enough.
Posted by: Sam | Aug 11, 2008 1:34:46 AM
@ Sam:
Obama NOW wants to give Florida and Michigan FULL votes, not the half votes they got from the DNC. Now, this is going to be interesting to see how this plays out, because, Obama changed the rules. During the primaries, he wouldn't have even considered giving Florida and Michigan full votes because he would have lost the nomination. Now, that he is the presumptious nominee, he feels he can change the rules yet again. I still think this convention is going to be full of suprises and the greatest surprise will be on Obama. The division in the Democrats is to wide and deep this year, the GOP will win in November. Obama's popularity, flip=flopping, weak agenda and plans will not be enough for the Dems to take the White House.
Posted by: david from texas | Aug 11, 2008 1:34:03 AM
The media is making an issue of the NORMAL PROCEDURE roll call at the convention. It's fun and builds up enthusiasm. Once again, Hillary is being bashed, facts are being twisted to make her seem sinister. All the Republican pundits are pushing this one.
Posted by: irma | Aug 11, 2008 1:29:24 AM
Jock Obama wouldn't allow Michigan and Florida to hold revotes.
He knew Clinton would crush him there.
Obama is an illegitimate candidate.
Clinton won she got the most votes. She was robbed by the party bosses who didn't why to deny the african arab american candidate even though he got less votes.
Obama won the superdelegates while Clinton won the real voters by 300,000 votes.
Posted by: Sam | Aug 11, 2008 1:28:40 AM
david from texas
Hillary can have all the roll call votes she wants; she still isn't going to win. She isn't even trying to win.
Posted by: jock59801 | Aug 11, 2008 1:22:18 AM
I don't think her intention is to win, but to make sure that her supporters are known. I agree, even with a roll call vote I don't see her coming away as the nominee, but I think she will win in other respects. Hillary has Obama by the b*lls. If there is a roll call, she will give credence to her supporters. By doing so, she will contine to divide the Democratic party. I think that Obama supporters, and Obama himself, are fooling themselves if they think that Hillary supporters are coming over to the Obama camp in large numbers. I think the Convention will create an even greater divide in the Democratic party, thus preventing the Democrats from winning in November. This would be in line with Hillary's game plan. I think this is what Obama and his camp are worried about. It seems that the whole convention is being centered around Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Posted by: david from texas | Aug 11, 2008 1:27:45 AM
JJ McCain was a teenager in the Navy Academy.
Obama as a teenager did terrible in school.
Obama waited a decade to go into harvard law.
Obama was 31 at Harvard law competing against people a decade younger.
Easy to do well when you are 30 competing against kids.
Posted by: Jeff | Aug 11, 2008 1:26:31 AM
Sam
The Clintons could have contested the caucuses more. They all knew the rules. Don't blame Obama for the Clinton campaign's mistakes.
Posted by: jock59801 | Aug 11, 2008 1:25:05 AM
To JJ McCain sacrificed for his country.
McCain flew fighter pilots.
Obama is terrible with numbers.
Obama says 57 states.
Obama says 100 million died in Burma.
Obama says 10,000 died in a tornado in Kansas.
Obama did get affirmative action he got poor grades at Columbia and got into harvard.
Obama was 30 when he was in harvard law.
McCain was a teenager at the navy academy Obama as a teenager when to Occidental College and then was able to transfer to Columbia and got poor grades at Columbia.
McCain was tested at 130 IQ in the navy and flew planes. Obama is terrible with numbers and could never have flown planes.
Posted by: Jason | Aug 11, 2008 1:24:34 AM
david from texas
Hillary can have all the roll call votes she wants; she still isn't going to win. She isn't even trying to win.
Posted by: jock59801 | Aug 11, 2008 1:22:18 AM
Clinton won more primary delegates where all the people can vote. People in the military, people who work on shifts. Where the most people can vote. Obama won the contests that restrict the people voting who work on shifts or are in the military or are elderly and can't travel far. Obama won the caucuses where text messaging activists showed up. Clinton won the texas primary where everyone voted while Obama won the caucus.
Posted by: Sam | Aug 11, 2008 1:21:33 AM
Clinton got more votes than Obama. Clinton got 300,000 more votes. Obama wouldn't hold revotes in Florida and Michigan where Clinton was crushing him the polls.
Clinton won the primary in Texas and then lost the stupid caucus.
Clinton was elected by the people while the superdelegates and dean party cronies robbed Clinton.
Obama lost the election. Clinton got more votes.
Clinton was robbed by the superdelegates.
Also the system the DNC used gave more delegates per person for people in inner cities than for people outside of inner cities.
Obama benefited from affirmative action even in voting when it should be one person one vote. The DNC used a system where inner city votes could for 1 and a quater vote compared to 1 vote for other areas.
Affirmative action run amok.