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Obama Brings up Controversies to Prove Toughness & Electability

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May 05, 2008 5:03 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: The last question at Sen. Barack Obama's Durham town hall on Monday was one that has plagued him since the start of his campaign - a woman asked how he will win the election in November.

A simple question solicited nearly a seven minute answer from the candidate, in which he brought up his weathering of the most recent controversies as evidence of his toughness and ability to take on the Republicans -including that of William Ayers and his former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

"You know when folks are reaching when the big attack on me is I’m not wearing a flag pin or that I served on a board with a guy who was a member of the weather man back in the 1960's, they're reaching, you know that was the best they could do."

While Obama regularly brings up his former pastor Rev Wright on the campaign trail -he has never brought up his relationship to Ayers unsolicited.

He then turned the tables on Clinton's past, walking a fine line with a comment that prompted some murmured giggled from the crowd, "I would just suggest that you know Sen Clinton, despite what she says about being vetted, she hasn’t gone though what I’ve been doing through over the last couple of months because she’s not the front runner. She says she has but she went though it 10 years ago. I promise you - folks are happy to recycle here."

Obama claimed that despite all the recent controversies, which have "exhausted his problems" he is still tied with McCain in polls, and blamed his front runner status prompting the criticisms that he’s received.

"Once you're a frontrunner, then it is, I think, the obligation of the candidates who are behind to try to whack you over the head and the press is happy to oblige, and so there was a kitchen sink strategy employed that was throwing a whole bunch of stuff at me."

Obama said the fact that he's still standing over the last controversies is proof of his toughness, "There's been this furor over remarks of my former pastor which there's no doubt we took a hit on. But, if you think about it, as tough a pressed month as we've had and as many attempts to knock us off stride as there have been, the fact that we're still standing here and still moving forward towards the nomination, I think, indicates the degree to which the core message of this campaign is the right one."

Obama also addressed the electability issue by a state argument, refuting the charges that he has a problem big states and key states for Democrats, "The question then on your mind is 'well that's all good but you know Barack didn’t win OH, and he didn’t win PA, and I’m worried about FL'," Obama said, continuing that if he runs against John McCain that will not matter, " and countered that with an argument saying that if he is the nominee the differences with McCain will be stark, "I think I’m the best messenger for that debate."

Obama concluded with a simple message, "Don't buy into this electability argument."

May 5, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (72)

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"Don't buy into this electability argument."

Code for: I can't win the general election.

Posted by: LOM | May 5, 2008 5:09:41 PM

Hillary is too much of a politician for me. She, like Republican McCain, support the suspension of the Gas tax which is completely a gimmick to get more votes to her side. She'll say anything to get a vote, even "sip" beer to pretend like she's like "one of the locals".

An educated voter would know that the suspension of the tax does not mean it will be eliminated...just suspended. All the while, our roads and other government projects will suffer because money is being pulled away from those important projects.

The real solution is to conserve gas, enforce higher MPG standards in vehicles, look for alternative energy sources, and so forth. Saving $28/year on gas from this tax break is not going to make a real difference except hurt our roads and make them less safe to drive on.

Posted by: Kenneth | May 5, 2008 5:22:30 PM

'dont buy into the electablity argumet' is actually code for 'Clinton is the stronger nominee' .

Obama wants to just look at the delegate count. Never mind EVERY other measure of who the best candidate is.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 5, 2008 5:23:50 PM

I have a university degree Ken.

I know for a fact the gas tax holliday is 80% pandering and 20% reality.

However, the bottom line is that Obama chooses to MOCK Clinton over the tax and himself SUGGEST NOTHING in return.

Except long term balony, which Clinton also has too.

Voters apprecaite that Hillary actaully TRIED to do something. Obama did nothing.

So apparently your education doesnt mean too much if you cant figure that out.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 5, 2008 5:25:54 PM

Why doesn't he do what's best for the Party and GET OUT!!!!

Posted by: CD | May 5, 2008 5:27:49 PM

what's the 20% reality?

There is no basis in reality with Hillary's gas tax holiday! She cannot get it through Congress because they all say it is stupid! She new this as well, but just wanted to SHOW that she would do something. Well, don't know about you, but where I come from 100% of nothing is nothing!! Talk about drinking the kool aid!! Swallow this bottle of pander and you deserve what you get!

Posted by: sheri | May 5, 2008 5:32:10 PM

OBAMA 2008 YES WE CAN BECAUSE WE ALREADY DID. Stop bickering because this will not help us at the gas pump, bring troops home, buy groceries, pay for health care, education, or the economy as a whole. Vote for change!!
OBAMA MANIA IS HERE TO STAY 2008

Posted by: hottie1 | May 5, 2008 5:33:06 PM

Obama will win and rightly so.
The Clinton tactics lately are enough to make just about anyone turn away from politics for a lifetime.

Posted by: Bud | May 5, 2008 5:34:14 PM

LOM

Don't buy into this electability argument...

code for...because it is false.

Hillary has never once answered a question about ANY of the pages of controversies she has had during this entire primary...not one. You think that is because they have been "vetted" or because Fox news and the Republicans don't want to waste their nuclear ammo for her...and they want to make sure it is her they face in the general.

Hillary had a low ceiling to begin with...she ahd to have everything go right in this primary to have a chance...and instead she has watched not only half of her positive numbers plummet ...she had to bring down the party just to have a chance in the primary.

When this is all said and done out side of her being the first woman to seriously run for the office from being first lady... ...Hillary will be looked back at in history...about a point over George W. as far as a positive legacy.

The Clintons have quite quickly rendered their "legacy" as on the bad side of mixed.

Lets hope she doesn't do to much more damage to what they have left... ...as it is she has now become a bigger recruiting tool for the terrorists than George W. ...with her "obliterate" and Massive retaliation" with nuclear weapons comments.

So "don't buy into the electability argument"
code for: "hillary is the only one running that is below her original floor"...which they didn't think was possible.

Posted by: dl | May 5, 2008 5:42:34 PM

The bottom line is that Hillary is more electable now than she was a month ago due to Sen. Obama's weaknesses finally coming to the surface. If you take away the fact that many just want him to be elected because he would be the first black President, he is just a weak candidate. Very little national experience, obviously bad judgment in regards to hanging out with such anti-American associates, aloofness toward middle America (despite his picnicing with Hoosiers this weekend) and an inability to give a concise or coherent answer when asked a tough question just to name a few problems. He may be a very nice and well intentioned person, but he just isn't qualified for the hardest job in the world yet, and the press is going to be largely responsible as they did not do their job when they should have.

Posted by: dwc | May 5, 2008 5:43:21 PM

"Don't buy into this electability argument."
What he actually is trying to tell you is that there is no basis for saying he is not electable. By reapting the term so many times in reference to Obama, Hillary is trying to arouse a doubt in white America. By saying it so many times but not actually defining it, she gets away with the implicit message it is trying to relay to us that it is impossible for a half black man to become a president in the US. The funny thing is no one want to go out and say it for what it is.

Posted by: Mulu | May 5, 2008 5:44:14 PM

Hillary Clinton is an ELITIST. She has become like The Pied Piper of Hamelin...where uneducated voters follower her without question...not realizing that she's driving them towards the abyss.

By the way…Rev. Wright and his body guards are on Hillary’s payroll. Months ago, Hillary was looking for a few hired guns and she found them. Two weeks ago, witnesses shared that James Carville was seen passing an envelope filled with $100 bills to Rev. Wright. The meeting was held in a local diner a couple of days before Rev. Wright was to meet with Bill Moyer.

Bill Clinton, while campaigning in North Carolina, sent Rev. Wright a check for $10,000.00. I was told that this was just a little hush money just to keep Rev. Wright quiet. Notice we haven't heard from him lately?

Now that the hired guns of yesterday have done Hillary's dirty work. Obama looks pretty bad, and Hillary’s coming out smelling like roses.

Posted by: Jam | May 5, 2008 5:48:07 PM

Nicholas- raised in Texas and a white. Plenty of folks will vote for a black man- and those who think "no one" will, is usually because they are surrounded by and are themselves racist. Otherwise, I'm a white and I'm telling you that I'd take a black man over an OLD man, and certainly over a woman who changes the rules and lies about sniper fire. The latter two are a little to "Bush" like for me and the folks I know.

Posted by: Bud | May 5, 2008 5:48:37 PM

Actually, Obama has become electable more so now than anytime before because now we know he can handled the kitchen sink that can be thrown at him at light speed with grace and diginity. He has showed statemanship and intelligence.
He has shown himself to be the most qualified, dignified and genuine person.
Obama for president 08!!!

Posted by: Sandy | May 5, 2008 5:49:56 PM

He is tough alright! He is afraid to debate, because he does not know enough about the issues to discuss extemporaneosly. He likes speeches with lots of soundbites. The only reason he has the most delegates at this time is the caucus delegates. The caucuses do not clearly represent the will of the people. How rediculous was the Texas caucus? You can intimidate some people some of the time, but not all of the time. Furthermore, what about Michigan and Florida? Their votes do not count. He could have worked for new votes, but he wanted the caucus format. He really feared both revotes because he knew he couldn't win.

He is not tough, he is just bitter. Did he get that from his 20-year spiritual mentor? Why did he cling to his religion so long? Why did he cling to his minister so long? Your religion is personal, except when it seeks to tear down others. Spare us the grief and how tough it is to explain your relationship with your spiritual mentor.

Posted by: georgia | May 5, 2008 5:52:55 PM

Actually, Obama has become electable more so now than anytime before because now we know he can handled the kitchen sink that can be thrown at him at light speed with grace and diginity. He has showed statemanship and intelligence.
He has shown himself to be the most qualified, dignified and genuine person.
Obama for president 08!!!

Posted by: Sandy | May 5, 2008 5:54:17 PM

The truth is, the Clintons were responsible for NAFTA, and while Hill can say "I was secretly against it back then," the reality is, it was the signature of the Clinton years. And it was her own campaign head, Harold Ickes, who as part of the DNC rules committee, stripped FL and MI of their seats. She agreed with him until she started losing. Now, she's trying to spin the fact that she wouldn't allow people who had voted GOP in the first MI vote to vote Dem in the revote as promoting a legitimate revote, when it's not - clearly, a lot of people knowing the original wouldn't count had switched over. And when people talk baggage, it's funny- Bill was almost impeached, Hill is being arraigned in a few months (not someone she knows but she herself)in the Paul v Clinton case, objects were stolen by the Clintons from the White House when they left, documents went missing, Hill obtained a criminal pardon for her brother's criminal friends, Vince Foster was murdered, Monica, Jennifer- the list goes on. THE GOP WILL TEAR HER APART.
It's just that Obama wanted to keep it clean so he didn't mention any of these, but the reality is nobody has more baggage and shadiness than the Clintons. The Clintons had even bombed Iraq, if anybody cares to remember. It was not a rainbow and unicorns peaceful time. Even Hill's claim to be active in the administration was proven false by the records; she started out strong, but when her health care efforts failed, she became another tea and tourist first lady. People even forget her outrageous lies and her constant smearing with the absurd excuse of preparing Obama for Republicans, as if that were her job. A former governor's wife and then the president's wife, Hill has 100 million dollars in her pocket and grew up well-off, to become a member of the head board of anti-Union Walmart- yet she pretends now to have any semblance of connection to grassroots America. From moving to NY, a state she never lived in, to take advantage of an easy election that would put a big state in her hand come 08, to her episodes of tears, to her whining about speaking first in debates and her willingness to put McCain above Obama, Hill has shown that she has been planning a long time for the throne that was her birthright.
The only reason that the 90s was prosperous was because there was a computer, internet and technology boom which is now over. Even the concept of a president's wife now becoming president is inherently ridiculous- it smacks of royalty. Now, her campaign, badly managed, is in debt, and she's had to fire 3 top campaign strategists. She didn't even bother to read the Iraq intelligence reports when she voted to send our boys to war. There is simply, absolutely nothing that would make her qualified.

Posted by: Sally | May 5, 2008 5:55:32 PM

It's a shame that whether or not you wear a pin on your lapel is paramount to your perceived electability.

I'm glad we've moved on from true patriotism to this sham patriotism represented by baubles and trinkets.

Posted by: fuzzy | May 5, 2008 5:57:06 PM

That Guy Ayers, who planned to bomb the US capitol and in 2001 siad he was sorry he didn't set more bombs, launched Obama's senate bid at a PArty at his home.

That's a lot more than a 60's radical and that's a lot more than a neighbor or a co board member.

How many US Presidents have launched their poitical careers at the home of a terrorist who bombed the US capitol???

The answer is none and still will be none after Nov 2008.

Obama is unelectable and is the ultra fringe left of the Demcratic Party, not just the left.

Totally unelectable.

Posted by: s.b. | May 5, 2008 5:58:22 PM

Without Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, he will win in the electoral college?

C'mon. Who needs math lessons now?

You are submarining the Democrats for the braggin' rights in your country clubs.

Clue, folks: no one can win without those states. Party nominations and elections are two very different sets of voting constituencies. You don't know how to win. You know how to make the other Democratic candidate lose.

Posted by: len | May 5, 2008 5:59:06 PM

Hillary's campaign is full of spin and lies. How can anyone let her get away with the "misspoke" b.s. She didn't have to lie... or did she? Is Hillary so insecure that she has to lie about the petty stuff, in addition to, the big stuff (her years of support for NAFTA, hello!). Is Hillary so brazen as to think people are too dumb to notice? Hillary is not a good presidential candidate vs. McCain. There's so much crapola on her (that she is responsible for) it'll be like an early Christmas present for the GOP!!! So, get a clue. The whole electibility issue was fabricated by the Clintonistas.

Posted by: ekena | May 5, 2008 5:59:44 PM

Obama stated for the RECORD he HAD to win Indiana. He stated conclusively that it was the TIE BREAKER.

The media needs to hold him accountable for this. 25% of indiana voters get chicago news remember?

He has no exuse for losing Indiana.

Today survey usa has clinton up by TWELVE points.

How does obama make up 12 points in one day?

If he loses Indiana and wins North Carolina by less than 10 he needs to DROP OUT.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 5, 2008 5:59:53 PM

The "electability" thing is nothing but code for the doubt seeded by the Clinton campaign that a black man cannot win the election.

Posted by: Sara | May 5, 2008 6:00:10 PM

Good points.

Nobody in the history of us politics has ever lost every major primary (except his default home state) then gone onto win the general election.

In fact, nobody has ever given the nomination to the guy who LOST all the major primaries.

Its a historical fact.

Obama cant win blue collar whites, which is the heartland of america

Besides, the american public will NEVER elect a guy who has been practicing Black Liberation Theology for the last 20 years.

The guys resume is PAPER thin to boot. He has based his whole campaign on FAVORABLE media coverage.

Once the media turns on him, he has nothing behind hit. He is an empty suit.

A left wing liberal who is tried to CON US AND PANDER to anyone who feels desperate for change. He has no record of wholesale change, nor working together with republicans.

He has the most liberal voting record in the united state senate.

People have no idea how much Obama will TANK if the media turns against him.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 5, 2008 6:04:36 PM

Didn't the democrats also tote John Kerry as being "electable"? We should be very careful when using that criteria....

Posted by: chris | May 5, 2008 6:05:22 PM

The main reason why superdelegates are endorsing Obama over Clinton is that the blue states will stay blue no matter who the runner is, but Obama has a much better change to change the political map in many of the swing states. Everything else is just smoke screens.

Posted by: Agi | May 5, 2008 6:08:18 PM

In Hillary's defense over her "Obliterate Iran" remark-don't you people know she was just lying?

Posted by: jr | May 5, 2008 6:09:18 PM

People have no idea how much Obama will TANK if the media turns against him.

***************************************

Are you kidding?

Posted by: Thinking | May 5, 2008 6:14:17 PM

Obama 08!

Don't fall for the gas tax gimmick! It will not pass Congress!

Posted by: catherine lao | May 5, 2008 6:17:46 PM

After a year of listening to both candidates I am more convinced than ever that Obama is the one to lead this country. He is a person of integrity and character and he will do what's best for America. Clinton tells only what she wants people to hear. And I do not believe the woman is capable of speaking the truth. She didn't misspeak about Bosnia for instance, she outright lied to make herself look better. Do we really want another president we can't take at his or her word?? We've had that for the past 7 years.

Posted by: linda | May 5, 2008 6:17:53 PM

If I ever needed someone to baby sit or play with a kitten, i'd give Obama first choice.

But For leadership and getting things accomplished?
No freaking way.

Posted by: trettin | May 5, 2008 6:24:41 PM

Yes, she will try ANYTHING to get the nod on this ticket she tells the people what they want to hear and she CAN"T deliver 95% and again with out Congress what the hey does she think she can do.Wise up America before it is to late.
Her followers are not to swift if they were they could figure this out for themselves,Durrrrrr,I hope that IND and NC send her packing......

Posted by: older wh lady | May 5, 2008 6:27:25 PM

Yea Clinton got it done. Got us into a war we should havve never been in and now she tries and tell me she is the best one to get us out.

How does that figure? She didn't have the spine then she doesn't now. She has twisted with the wind so much, she sways when she walks.

Posted by: Thinking | May 5, 2008 6:28:03 PM

I have a dream: that people who think Obama can't win in November, put down their fears and stop voting for the lesser of two evils (Clinton) and embrace Obama for the chance of a lifetime. Think about how you will be able to tell your grandkids "I was there when Obama won the presidency". I've been waiting for someone as inspiring as Obama my entire life and now that the possibility of change is within reach, it would be a pity to see it destroyed by fear, cynicism, and pessimism.

Posted by: Agi | May 5, 2008 6:32:51 PM

Blue states who voted for Hillary will still vote for Obama....Okay.

But what about the purple states? Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas and others still to come?

Do you really think that Colorado, Alaska, Utah, Montana, et al, are going to come through for Obama as he likes to infer?

Fuzzy math indeed.

Posted by: sherr | May 5, 2008 6:38:43 PM

How many times did he vote Present? When the going gets tough, you can count on Obama to be present.

Posted by: Mack | May 5, 2008 6:44:05 PM

Wow, it is interesting to see that Obama is attacking Hillary for not being Vetted and giving hints that others may want to recycle her baggage of the past 10 years.

This sounds like OLD POLITICS to me. Obama you are nothing new. You just lack experience. You don't inspire me at all and you are just all rectoric.

Posted by: Jacob | May 5, 2008 6:44:07 PM


Obama won in february. He is clearly not the same candidate now. His speeches no longer have the same effect.

Nobody is freaking out over him. Independents are no longer in his favor. He simply isnt the same candidate.

When we hear him speak now, we dont see a shiny new uniter with great hope of a new country.

We see a left wing liberal with some pretty drastic associations , who is PANDERING to anyone who is desperate for wholesale change.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 5, 2008 6:44:21 PM

"It's a false choice, as my opponents and others are trying to say: 'Oh, we can't do anything in the short run to help people; we can only worry about what we do in the long run,'" Clinton said. "People live in the short run. People get up every day and have to fill up their tanks. They have to go to the grocery store."

**************************************

Exactly why Clinton is not Prtesidnetial material. She refuses to see the future

Posted by: Thinking | May 5, 2008 6:45:18 PM

There are now 100 arguments against Obama.

He isnt the same candidate now. You can tell by independants and intellectuals. They are NOT breaking for him the way they were when he had his media shield.

Anyone here who thinks the american public is going to elect a man who practiced Black Liberation Theology for 20 years is literally DREAMING.

He is unelectable. He is only still in the race because he got a delegate lead in february.

Obama hasnt won a real contest in almost 2 months. He won they Wyoming 'caucus' (WHOPPIE!!!) and the african american rigged Mississippi.

I would be VERY interested to see the black vote tomorrow.

Lets see if it goes below 80%.

Posted by: tomdavie | May 5, 2008 6:48:07 PM

Hillary.,

Pls thank you, we don't need your 30cents a day when Chelsea spends thousands a day.

Pls go back to NY with your proposal, we are tired of old faces.

Posted by: Cole | May 5, 2008 6:51:35 PM

Obama needs only one swing state to go in his favor, and he'll get more than one for sure.

All this attacks on Obama's character simply continue to prove that the Clinton camp has no ammunition when it comes to the issues.

Posted by: Agi | May 5, 2008 6:54:30 PM

It's amazing how the anonymity of the internet brings the worst out of people.

If the Obama camp has done anything positive to this campaign is to show how many closet racists still hover under the flag of the democratic party.

Posted by: Agi | May 5, 2008 6:56:40 PM

How can anyone say Obama is a bad leader? He has led a VERY successful underdog campaign. They are prosperous, they have maintained the high road. Clinton is in terrible debt (don't we already have a president that spends too much money we don't have), has a staff in constant turmoil (don't we already have a president that can't appoint good people? Harriet Meyers, Alberto Gonzalez?), voted for the war in Iraq and wants to obliterate Iran (don't we already have a president that rushed us into war?), and worst of all, she does not wear a flag pin (which I have recently learned is the measure of a good leader).

Hillary Clinton is just plain corrupt. It is hard to run against Obama because he is not easily shaken, but to say he "flubbed" the ABC debate is ridiculous. He was on Meet the Press this weekend and all Russert wanted to talk about was Reverend Wright. I'm sick of Reverend Wright. If Clinton wants to hammer on the dishonesty of Wright and Ayres, then I hope we bring up her lying husband (I did not have sexual relations with that woman) and Whitewater.

If Obama is elitist, what do we call the $100 million dollar Clintons with their new vacation home in the Dominican Republic?

I guess Americans aren't as smart as they want to be.

Posted by: voracious | May 5, 2008 7:01:43 PM

Barack is good for USA. What do I know, I was for JFK as a kid. Barack has a freshness and integrity to him. I voted Bill Clinton, but I don't like the Clinton's current, Republican like, tactics.
I would have never expected that from the Clintons.

Posted by: Greg | May 5, 2008 7:05:07 PM

I agree, Hillary started out as a Republican, and now she sounds more and more like a Republican. The unstoppable ticket is MCCAIN-CLINTON in 08. Please leave the Democratic Party, do us all a favor.

Posted by: latinovoter1 | May 5, 2008 7:14:00 PM

Another wuss who will be run by Kery ,Dodd, Lehay, Pelosi he has had it easy wait until they really want to do im in it won't take much.

Posted by: Bishop | May 5, 2008 7:17:00 PM

You go, Bud. I'm with you.... I am white and old (67), and I will (and have) vote for a black man. Also, I know plenty of other people like me that feel the same way.

Anyone who is as polarizing as Hillary will for sure NOT get my vote. I get the sense that she couldn't tell the truth if it slapped her in the face.

Gas Tax Holiday??? I submit that a person could save enough gas to make up the 18.4 cents/gal just by properly inflating their tires. That idea just seems so phony to me. I sure hope the good folks in Indiana (my birth state) and North Carolina won't be fooled by all the double-speak about a Gas Tax Holiday.

Posted by: Chuck-in-Wichita | May 5, 2008 7:23:33 PM

Barack Obama superdelegates keep rolling in.......

The chairman and vice-chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party are throwing their support behind Sen. Barack Obama on the eve of Tuesday's primaries in Indiana and North Carolina, giving the Illinois senator at least two additional superdelegates.

Kalyn Free, an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee, today announced that she supports Illinois Senator Barack Obama for the party’s presidential nomination. As a DNC member, Free will serve as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention. Free is also founder and President of INDN’s List, an organization dedicated to recruiting and training American Indian candidates.

Senator Clinton needs over 77% of the remaining votes and super delegates to win.

Game over, the fat lady has sung, it's time to unite behind the winner and fight together against the Republican nominee.

Obama in 08....there is no debate....

Posted by: ApostasyUSA | May 5, 2008 7:30:32 PM

The most revolting thing about the gas tax travesty is that regardless of whether it's a good idea or a bad idea, it's just not going to happen. The House Democrats are against it, the Senate Democrats are against it, and Bush would NEVER sign a windfall profits tax.

And yet Hillary talks about it as though passing it within a few weeks is just a matter of choice, not an impossibility.

So Obama is going to be hurt because an honest person, playing by the rules can never beat a liar and a crook.

Unfortunately, as H.L. Mencken said,

"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public."

Posted by: hmpierson | May 5, 2008 7:36:39 PM

It is amazing how people can't agree that Obama is the best for the job. Talk to any young person around they will tell you. Its sad that the old people of America are the ones who spend the time to vote.

Posted by: zeplin | May 5, 2008 7:37:11 PM

While bickering continues who should be the next presidents! Chinese are strategically positioning themselves in the world. They are exploring oil in almost every country in Africa! and also taking advantage of other minerals! cutting down indigenous trees. And yet here we are offering 18 cents aday as a gas tax!. When are gonna get it! the world is not standing still waiting for CNN and ABC to annoint Hillary. These media stations are pathetic! they are worse than tabloids!

Posted by: Pedeen! | May 5, 2008 7:37:17 PM

Obama electable? It scares me to think it's even a possibility. I think most Obama supporters have been blinded by his rhetoric and charisma making it impossible to see his political immaturity and waffling. His prepared speeches are great, but when put on the spot he searches for words and seems insecure and as if he is trying to please the listener (politics as usual, nothing new there). As I've said here and elsewhere--why is it he is in such a hurry to take on the enormous task and responsibility of President of this country? He is inexperienced and dependent on words that sound good without a real plan of action to back them up. Someone is going to take advantage of that very seriously if he gets the job. What's wrong with getting some experience under your belt first? Isn't that usually the way someone is hired to top positions? Why doesn't he run in 2012 or 2016 instead??

Posted by: ALM | May 5, 2008 7:40:11 PM

to hmpierson, you must be one of the educated voters for obama, what a joke. you say young people vote for obama, that is because they dont know squat about real life. like do i fill up my car so i can go to work, or buy bread so my kids can take a lunch to school. the young people in this country have been spoiled my mom and dad and voting for obama is the "cool thing to do". if the young are our future, we had all better start learning chineese.

Posted by: jimt | May 5, 2008 7:40:37 PM

The Democratic Party is committing suicide. They are now two parties, one destined to become Republicans, and the other equivalent to a European-style coalition of far left-to-center socialists.

This will be reflected in the General Election. Whether it's Hillary or B. Hussein, you haven't seen the rhetorical big guns yet. It will be very entertaining.

Posted by: Alaskan sourdough | May 5, 2008 7:44:33 PM

zeplin----with age comes wisdom and the ability to see past the rhetoric and be resistant to the charm. I'm 50 this year (middle-aged!) and look back at my 20's wishing I had the energy and youth I had then, with the wisdom and insight I have now. What a perfect match that would be! I can guarantee you'll say the same thing one day.

Posted by: ALM | May 5, 2008 7:46:46 PM

I've made the observation that, when you read the headlines to the left of this page, there seems to be a negative tone when it comes to headlines covering Clinton. Supports my other observation that some of the major networks support Obama.

That said, be it understood that I'm a conservative, not a liberal or even a moderate anything. Neither candidate is pleasing to me.

Posted by: ALM | May 5, 2008 7:52:42 PM

I hear ya zeplin. "Obama hasnt won a real contest in almost 2 months. He won they Wyoming 'caucus' (WHOPPIE!!!) and the african american rigged Mississippi."
Without the black vote dude Hillary wont win anything. You have to realize this is the first African American candidate who has a real chance of becoming president, and someone who share similar views to African Americans in this country. The bottom line is a lot of African Americans in this country love Bill Clinton, but the campaign that they have ran so far have been like so dirty and deceptive that it turns off the Blakc population

-Black Man's Point of View

Posted by: wikkkidinsane | May 5, 2008 7:55:21 PM

All this rhetoric is diverting attention from the most important fact relating to the 2008 election... the Republican Party has wrecked the US economy and left America buried in generations of international and domestic debt. The US Energy Policy is an environmental and economic disaster, thanks to Bush/Cheney. And America's investment is science and education has suffered because of Republican obstruction.

No meaningful forward progress is going to happen until the Republicans responsible for this train-wreck are gone and Big Oil, The War Industry, and Big Pharma no longer run our government.

Posted by: Think | May 5, 2008 8:14:56 PM

Obama's toughness consists only of an uncanny ability to find a lot of room under buses to throw excess baggage.

Posted by: Robert V | May 5, 2008 10:00:58 PM

I love it when Obama says "That's a debate I'm happy to have".

Funny, he doesn't say that anymore. Wonder why?

Posted by: s. valenti | May 5, 2008 10:03:33 PM

So Obama believes that Clinton's past hasn't been smeared all over the place? He obviously hasn't been visiting the message boards where his supporters have been having a field day maligning and slandering our next President.

Posted by: s. valenti | May 5, 2008 10:05:56 PM

One thing is clear. Most cannot get over ne calling and playground antics. Even the edumucated cannot leave grade school.

Posted by: conrruption | May 5, 2008 10:21:03 PM

No on ehas even brought up Obama's other pastor -Meeks You can bet that and Obama's drug history are on the table for the General election. The GOP is not stupid. They are saving ammo.

Posted by: geevill | May 5, 2008 10:29:55 PM

the states that went for hillary in the prime will absolutely go for barack in the final two faceoff. let's not kid ourselves. just as many states that backed hillary are having buyer's remorse, barack will easily sweep those up.

even if hillary runs as mccain's veep, the new speculation.

Posted by: kravitz | May 5, 2008 11:33:07 PM

It is up to the superdelegates. Hopefully the rest of them will show some courage, do what is right and not be taken in by the Clinton "electability" argument (code for "race should influence your decision") and support the leader Barack Obama- soon. The younger generation who are the future of the Democratic party and this country are open minded. They support Barack Obama by a huge margin. Listen to the younger generation. They are the ones inheriting the massive problems created by the old politics. They are the ones who will need to solve the problems created by past generations.

Also, Hillary Clinton should not be rewarded for misleading the American people. We do not believe that she is fighting for us when she offers a gas tax gimmick that no economist will support. We do not believe her when she said she was simply tired when she told a story over and over about running from gunfire. We do not believe that she never supported NAFTA when it was her husband that brought it into being as President. We cannot afford another president who does not tell the truth.

Now is the opportunity for the Democratic party to show that they are the party of a new positive politics- the kind that Barack Obama is trying to re-introduce to us. This is the chance for the democratic party to expand their base of support, to include new Democrats, Independents, and even Republlicans who support Barack Obama. While the Republicans continue to try and use fear to push their agenda and divide the country, the Democratic party could become the party that truly represents and works for the good of all Americans.

Posted by: carolyn | May 6, 2008 5:36:31 AM

The fix is in, Dems, Obama will be the nominee. I saw a professor on TV last night comparing Obama to George McGovern in 72. The situations were similar, unpopular war, economy stunk, etc... yet the democrats felt the need to nominate a guy who had a fanatical college crowd/elite liberal following (as well as the 90% AA vote) and you know what, it was a crushing defeat. That's just not a big enough coalition. Obama has waned with working class white folks for weeks now.. can't win elections without them, or the older voters, or these days, the hispanics. Without these core groups, Obama will go the way of McGovern. The grandest irony of all is, the SDs were put in place to AVOID a situation like this in the future. Now that they have the chance, they don't have the guts to do it. Pathetic.

Posted by: A reader in Georgia | May 6, 2008 8:30:13 AM

When will people stop to listen to the pundits and realize that the future is not set in stone? Obama is not McGovern. We are not in 1972. If one wants to look at the past, how about this for a statistic:

All seven times a recession has hit in the election season since the Civil War, the incumbent party has been ousted.

Posted by: Agi | May 6, 2008 9:15:31 AM

Hillary supporters, keep in mind it is not the democratic elite forcing Obama on you. About half of democrats support Obama. It is a really close contest. Those trying to demonize the DNC are only trying to get you to react out of fear, not out of reasoning. Hillary is a smart person and there are many reasons to support her. Looking at those reasons, I continue to support Obama. That doesn't make me foolish. That doesn't make Hillary a demon.

Posted by: X marks the spot | May 6, 2008 11:07:43 AM

Landslide losses? Dream on my friend. And who is the real snob? Someone who took out loans to pay for his education or someone who has made 100+ million dollars?

Sorry, but the new rebranding of Clinton as a woman of the people doesn't quite pan out. As a matter of fact, she is the elitist who thinks she can buy votes by giving people 30 cents a day (at best). To think that working people will fall for that is not only elitist but insulting.

Posted by: Agi | May 6, 2008 11:09:26 AM

The media is giving Hillary the easy ride, real easy questions like do explain what makes you so great Hillary? Msnbc! and constantly letting her off the hook when she is in a pickle. How pathetic. its proof that the media want it go all the way "the penalty shootout" Well Obama knows how to beat the republicans is by playing a whole different 2008 ballgame." composure and assertiveness. Whereby Hillary would enter the election Bruised and battered and hanging on to her punch drunk politics. So even Hillary voters wished they threw in the towel earlier so too avoid the cold war part 2 revisited

Posted by: beyond hope | May 6, 2008 4:40:20 PM

"Hillary does not Believe in Math. It is for pointy head elitist"

Hmmm.....sounds like GWB to me? Does she also not believe in science and history like GWB?

Posted by: indy_voter | May 7, 2008 10:09:59 AM

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