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Yes, He Can? (Be Commander in Chief)

August 27, 2008 9:52 AM

BILLINGS, MONT. -- At a convention-watching party at the home of Eran and Carlee Thompson in Billings, Mont., last night, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., watched the speech of his rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., intently, often clapping.

He perked up during the jabs at Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. He shouted "Yeah!" when Clinton mentioned his wife Michelle and his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.

After Clinton mentioned that McCain opposed equal pay for women, Obama said, "Oh, that doesn't work."

When she concluded, Obama, and the family with whom he was watching the show, applauded. "That was excellent," Obama said, "that was a very strong speech -- laid out the case -- you heard her -- we gotta keep going."

After leaving the house party, Obama called Clinton and said how grateful he was for her support, telling her she gave a terrific speech.

He also told her that he loved her line "No way, no how, no McCain."

But what Clinton did not say last night -- that Obama would be a great commander in chief, fully prepared to take that 3 a.m. call (as opposed to a 3 a.m. text message) -- did not escape the notice of his critics.

“Sen. Clinton ran her presidential campaign making clear that Barack Obama is not prepared to lead as commander in chief," says McCain spox Tucker Bounds. "Nowhere tonight did she alter that assessment. Nowhere tonight did she say that Barack Obama is ready to lead. Millions of Hillary Clinton supporters and millions of Americans remain concerned about whether Barack Obama is ready to be president.”

It's a concern shared by voters, less than 50 percent of whom say Obama is prepared to be commander in chief. When she withdrew from the race in June, Clinton was criticized for making a similar omission. She had to have known people were looking for her to say that he's up for the job. She didn't.

Obama has tried to shore up this perceived weakness with his international tour, and his selection of Biden as his running mate.

To little avail, as yet.

Today, Obama will focus on this issue, meeting with a local veteran and his family and then holding a town hall discussion on “Securing America’s Future” with veterans and military families in Billings, Mont. His convention, miles away in Denver, will also be focusing on the same subject.

Will it work?

- jpt

August 27, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (358)

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PLEASE CALL UP THR MILITIAS NUMBERS TO PROTECT THE US, IT'S TIME TO MOVE TO TEXAS. WE NEED A SAFE BORDER.

Posted by: mIKE b | Nov 11, 2008 1:49:20 AM

I don't believe for a minute that only 5% of Hillary backers will vote for John MCCain. I think that is just wishful thinking for the Obama supporters and campaign. They are pulling a George Bush. If you keep saying something enough times it will be so. Idiots! Last night after Hillary's speech Rasmussen and CNN said that 50% of the Hillary supporters said they will be voting for John MCCain. The problem is that Obama and his group don't know how to say the words, I'm sorry, to the women they offended. Instead, they are angry at us, for being angry about being treated so poorly. You are all insane. I encourage you to read the Rasmussen report, which is one of the most recognized sites for correct political reporting, and read the article that says, "Hillary Can't Fix What Her Party Broke." It puts it all in a nutshell as to why the women are so angry with Obama and his supporters and the Democratic party. The Democrats clearly have a hooligan problem. It was as though their left-wingers suffered a kind of Karl Rove envy. They wanted to go on the attack, demonize a Clinton and hurl abuse at the Clinton's friends. Only a year ago, Vanity Fair ran a cover story on how Clinton hatred had infected much of the right wing. The left seems to have grabbed the baton. And it apparently did not dawn on the Obama shock troops that they were offending the very people their man might someday need.
So bye-bye Obama. This will be a fight to the finish with those of us so dedicated that we are taking out second mortgages to run commercials so that Obama loses in November. You don't realized the fire you ignited in us! Good luck with all of that!

Posted by: Mary Anne | Aug 28, 2008 3:59:26 PM

Yes he can. He can walk on water. he can turn water to wine. He can muliply fish and bread. He can be laid to rest in a cave and arise in three days, just in time for the start of the republican convention and prove to the world that he really is the closest person to God, just as he believes he is. Yes he really can do something, he can turn millions of Democrats into republicans. That is the biggest political record he has ever set. Great job Emperor Obama.Best damn Republican I ever met, They don`t even need a recruiting drive with Obama on their side. YES HE CAN !!!!

Posted by: Paul | Aug 28, 2008 6:03:51 AM

How can anyone say Obama is not qualified to be Commander in Chief? For crying out loud, his first name is where soldiers sleep.

Posted by: Lt. Fudge | Aug 27, 2008 11:51:04 PM

If people actually buy the BS that Obama is prepared to be President and is elected, we are all screwed.

Posted by: Tim | Aug 27, 2008 10:47:18 PM

This whole Dem convention has been like the village of the damned.

They are all mindless robots perpetually whining and I am a victim and government run by Obama fiat will fix everything.

Posted by: sara | Aug 27, 2008 10:40:44 PM

Clinton says Obama is ready to lead? If you believe that let me sell you a bridge in Brooklyn, I am sure you will buy that to. Sucker.

Posted by: gary | Aug 27, 2008 10:31:53 PM

Hey, they said Abraham Lincoln wasn't ready either, right? Another junior congressman from Illinois with the gift of oratory and the desire to unify warring factions in a time of deep national crisis - who was also ridiculed, defamed and largely misunderstood for his efforts - someone wanna tell me how this is different?

Posted by: EricR11 | Aug 27, 2008 8:26:15 PM

last night the audio went out on CNN about just before 10:00 pm for 20 min. perfect timing and back on for Hillary to be heard that's all that mattered was speech and the real issues she never forgets what to say

Posted by: GG | Aug 27, 2008 8:16:24 PM

Well I'll tell you James, if Fox isn't showing the Convention, it's because no one is watching it. It's BORING. Who wants to listen to Pelosi and Dean. I'll tell you, Pelosi and Dean. Hillary's speech was the highlight of the convention, and I'm not even a Hillary supporter.

Posted by: S Adams | Aug 27, 2008 7:17:19 PM

John - I think you need to worry about Obama's poll numbers. I am sending in my donation to Senator McCain tonight.

PUMA!

Posted by: LeeLee07 | Aug 27, 2008 7:12:07 PM

For all you Repub's that say FOX is fair and balanced, I say they are very bias in their reporting. That's why their the only network that doesn't have the Democratic convention on tonight. ABC,NBC,CBS,and even PBS are airing it tonight. But where's the fair and balanced FOX channel ???

Posted by: James | Aug 27, 2008 7:11:40 PM

There are truly some stupid people out there who would turn their vote from Hillary to McCain simply because she lost. Obviously they're not listening to McCain's message - that women do not deserve equal pay to men doing the same job. Sure, if you're that dumb to vote for this guy, go ahead. But as a woman who supported Hillary, I'm now voting for Obama. He represents the women of today and is moving forward with the 21st century, not sliding back in history. While it seems that some women would disagree with me, those that do are those that truly believe we are deserving of less. I suppose those men and women are the ones who think the kitchen, hovering over a sinkful of dishes is the best place for us. Those are McCain supporters.

Posted by: Loretta | Aug 27, 2008 6:46:40 PM

nice try, LeeLee07 the PUMA

don't get me wrong. i like McCain, but didn't he already run for prez and lost to Bush? and didn't he have to come from way behind to get the nod this time? what people want is some kind of change from what has been, and what better signal of fresh change than Obama? as an independent, i agree and disagree with candidates on both sides, but its time to mix things up and show the world that the U.S. can be progressive in its thinking. Obama will be in capable hands when he is in office...

Posted by: John of Dallas | Aug 27, 2008 6:46:26 PM

I find it interesting that Hillary supporters refer to Obama as "the messiah". But he's just a man in the democratic party who happens to be running for president. Unlike Hillary supporters, Obama supporters vote on the issues and policies of the canidates.

Posted by: annie | Aug 27, 2008 6:44:43 PM

Why would Hillary sacrifice her integrity and lie to the American public that Obama is ready to lead? I'm certainly not voting for him...I care about this country, not Obama's grandstanding and ego.

Posted by: Amentel | Aug 27, 2008 6:40:35 PM

"Latest Gallup poll just came across: only 5% left of former Hillary supporters who say they will vote for McCain. Bye bye PUMAS. You are irrelevant."

Ok. ROFLMAO!!!!! :D

PUMA!

Posted by: LeeLee07 | Aug 27, 2008 6:14:52 PM

Hoo-ah -

I do. I also served in the military for 4 years and my husband served 28 years.

Thank you.

PUMA!

Posted by: LeeLee07 | Aug 27, 2008 6:12:22 PM

Latest Gallup poll just came across: only 5% left of former Hillary supporters who say they will vote for McCain. Bye bye PUMAS. You are irrelevant.

Posted by: Hoo-Ahh! | Aug 27, 2008 6:11:58 PM

Well, Leon in Canada - I sent Obama 2 shiny Canadian pennies the other week in response to his request for a donation.

Maybe he will take them and run for president in your country.

Now, please take your arse back over the border and keep your mouth out of our (the U.S.) business.

PUMA!

Posted by: LeeLee07 | Aug 27, 2008 6:11:10 PM

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