Obama's To Do List
41 comments on this postThroughout this campaign I have tried really hard to be pro-Clinton (only). Some of you say that I haven't made a good enough case for her election. I'm not that worried about it. Those of you on that side of the fence are not coming over to mine and I've accepted it. I've put most of my energies into reaching out to undecideds and GOTV.
But what I've tried to avoid is Obama-bashing. I've said on many occasions that I don't dislike him and will vote for him should he be the nominee. But if he wants my support, and the support of other Clinton voters, he has to make some changes.
Now many of you will say that he is perfect the way he is, inspiring hope in the minds of new voters: offering a new kind of politics. But the polls don't lie. 1/2 of Hillary's voters in Indiana yesterday said that they would not vote for Barack in November. If he wants to win the general election, he is going to have to change his tune.
Obama needs to make up his mind about the kind of campaign he wants to run. He could stay on his message of new-politics, determined to reform Washington-- which when going up against McCain may work, especially since he is Bush Jr's Jr. But this means that he will actually have to walk the talk. Don't say you don't take money from lobbyists, when you've accepted $134 million from individuals with special interests. $15 million from lawyers and law firms, $9 million from investment and banking professionals, and over $3 million from healthcare, pharmaceutical, and hospital employees. I don't want to get into a debate about the definition of "registered lobbyist" here, but the statement that he doesn't take special interest money is simply untrue. Everyone has an interest and that's why they donate to political campaigns.
Beyond the money issue, if he truly wants to run a new kind of campaign void of negative advertising and cheap shots, stop this silly crybaby campaign against the American Leadership PAC. They are not purposely going against the FEC by spending issue advocacy money for Hillary or against Barack-- if he wants to be mad at anyone, point fingers at the FEC for not being proactive enough in their rulings against 527 dollars or advocacy of any kind paid for outside the legal hard dollar limits. He is setting a precedent here, asking for trouble from McCain and the RNC the minute an issue advocacy group starts spending money on Obama's behalf for the general.
Please stop this oratory parade of rhetoric and pontification. To get the Hillary Clinton voter on his side, he needs to stop talking about hope and start talking about action. I've heard him talk endlessly about the economy and how people deserve to live the American dream-- sure Hillary's gas tax break is only a measly $30 or so for the summer, but hey-- I could use an extra $30 bucks. I can think of a lot that I'd rather do with it than sink it into my gas tank, and I think most of middle America would agree with me. They need to hear about real solutions, realistic programs, and we want logistics! And if Clinton's are not bold enough for him, than create some new plans. He doesn't have any real results or record, so people need to see a substantive, concrete plan.
And this elitist bullshit has got to stop. One reason I loved John Edwards is that he continually talked about the gap between the haves and the have nots and made me feel like he really understood the plight of the have nots-- even though he was a major have (this is of course, up til the $400 haircut episode, and such). For some reason, when Barack talks about his mother and father and his humble roots, it just doesn't sit well with me; it comes across as phony. Show me who Barry is.
I've never seen BHO speak in person, and usually I get wrapped up in the excitement in the room with a big timer, but watching him on tv is painful. He needs to look directly into the camera when he's making a speech-- every time he looks to the side like he's gazing off into the sunset, I feel like I'm watching a cheesy made for tv political movie. It also turns my stomach every time he points his finger to emphasize his points. Didn't his mother teach him that to do so is rude? He also goes for way too long. Get to the point, make it, emphasize it, motivate the masses, then go away. I can't bear to listen to the long list of anecdotals (from either candidate) any longer. One or two is more than sufficient. More is just excessive.
Please don't misread this message: I am still supporting Hillary Clinton and will until the end. I still believe that she is the right choice for president and the right choice for this nation. I believe in her, I trust her, and I think her plan is better. I also think she has a better shot of winning in November.
Which is why Obama should listen to some Hillary fans. Like me.
But what I've tried to avoid is Obama-bashing. I've said on many occasions that I don't dislike him and will vote for him should he be the nominee. But if he wants my support, and the support of other Clinton voters, he has to make some changes.
Now many of you will say that he is perfect the way he is, inspiring hope in the minds of new voters: offering a new kind of politics. But the polls don't lie. 1/2 of Hillary's voters in Indiana yesterday said that they would not vote for Barack in November. If he wants to win the general election, he is going to have to change his tune.Obama needs to make up his mind about the kind of campaign he wants to run. He could stay on his message of new-politics, determined to reform Washington-- which when going up against McCain may work, especially since he is Bush Jr's Jr. But this means that he will actually have to walk the talk. Don't say you don't take money from lobbyists, when you've accepted $134 million from individuals with special interests. $15 million from lawyers and law firms, $9 million from investment and banking professionals, and over $3 million from healthcare, pharmaceutical, and hospital employees. I don't want to get into a debate about the definition of "registered lobbyist" here, but the statement that he doesn't take special interest money is simply untrue. Everyone has an interest and that's why they donate to political campaigns.
Beyond the money issue, if he truly wants to run a new kind of campaign void of negative advertising and cheap shots, stop this silly crybaby campaign against the American Leadership PAC. They are not purposely going against the FEC by spending issue advocacy money for Hillary or against Barack-- if he wants to be mad at anyone, point fingers at the FEC for not being proactive enough in their rulings against 527 dollars or advocacy of any kind paid for outside the legal hard dollar limits. He is setting a precedent here, asking for trouble from McCain and the RNC the minute an issue advocacy group starts spending money on Obama's behalf for the general.
Please stop this oratory parade of rhetoric and pontification. To get the Hillary Clinton voter on his side, he needs to stop talking about hope and start talking about action. I've heard him talk endlessly about the economy and how people deserve to live the American dream-- sure Hillary's gas tax break is only a measly $30 or so for the summer, but hey-- I could use an extra $30 bucks. I can think of a lot that I'd rather do with it than sink it into my gas tank, and I think most of middle America would agree with me. They need to hear about real solutions, realistic programs, and we want logistics! And if Clinton's are not bold enough for him, than create some new plans. He doesn't have any real results or record, so people need to see a substantive, concrete plan.
And this elitist bullshit has got to stop. One reason I loved John Edwards is that he continually talked about the gap between the haves and the have nots and made me feel like he really understood the plight of the have nots-- even though he was a major have (this is of course, up til the $400 haircut episode, and such). For some reason, when Barack talks about his mother and father and his humble roots, it just doesn't sit well with me; it comes across as phony. Show me who Barry is.
I've never seen BHO speak in person, and usually I get wrapped up in the excitement in the room with a big timer, but watching him on tv is painful. He needs to look directly into the camera when he's making a speech-- every time he looks to the side like he's gazing off into the sunset, I feel like I'm watching a cheesy made for tv political movie. It also turns my stomach every time he points his finger to emphasize his points. Didn't his mother teach him that to do so is rude? He also goes for way too long. Get to the point, make it, emphasize it, motivate the masses, then go away. I can't bear to listen to the long list of anecdotals (from either candidate) any longer. One or two is more than sufficient. More is just excessive.
Please don't misread this message: I am still supporting Hillary Clinton and will until the end. I still believe that she is the right choice for president and the right choice for this nation. I believe in her, I trust her, and I think her plan is better. I also think she has a better shot of winning in November.
Which is why Obama should listen to some Hillary fans. Like me.
By Annie - 5/07/2008
41 Comments:
Annie, I completely agree that Senator Obama needs to reach out to the Hillary supporters once this is over. It is going to be a real challenge for him. The question in the coming weeks is how much harder Senator Clinton is going to try and make that process?
I understand that you think she has a better chance in November. That is a a fair point to debate. If I were in your shoes I'd say the same thing. It is an honest disagreement. What has become indisputable through the primary results is that Senator Clinton has a very slim chance of becoming the nominee of the Democratic Party and she is broke.
Who cares Hillary Clinton is the 2nd highest paid Senator by the insurance company lobbiest.
I'm outraged Barack Obama took money from lawyers, what a bunch of bull shit.
Please Hillary, you're too god damn cute to quit now. You loaned yourself 11.5 million, its too late to give up now! The insurance companies are counting on you!
Every donor has an "interest". Under the way Annie has improperly declared Obama takes money from lobbyists, I suppose anyone with a job is now a lobbyists. Because that is all that list shows, is what "industry" his donors come from. By that standard, I am a lobbyist for lawyers????
Annie,
all this being pro-Clinton only is really troubling to me. among many things, you have inhrently endorsed the swiftboat-style attacks on Obama, which you have called good strategy.
So you basically get to have it both ways. you endorse her below the belt tactics, which have certainly been on the higher end of mudslinging. But then you say, "i'm clean, i am only positive"
That passive endorsement of the horrible Clinton campaign tactics does not, in my opinion, allow an strong supporter such as yourself to claim you have taken the high ground.
Maybe it is just sour grapes, because I am constantly slammed on this website for being some crazy person, just because I have a strong way of talking about the Clinton supporters absolute failure to address or defend a majority of the absurd things to happen (most recent example: her fraudulent attacks on Obama for the gas tax holiday).
And I read over some information about the FEC complaint filed about the American Leadership PAC. Putting aside your pro-swiftboating view of politics, the argument has merit.
But it is clear the Hillary campaign does not believe any rules should apply, if those rules hurt them, so of course they will complain.
Further, it seems this sets a GOOD precendent against McCain. Now the McCain people will see Obama has no hesitation to attack their swiftboating attacks.
and this notion that he is all "oratory" and no substance is absurd. He has plenty of specifics on his website (as many as hillary).
and his refusal to give you $30 at the extreme detriment of our highway improvements, and in the face of all economists declaring it disasterous, is not a lack of substance. It is a BOLD SIGN OF HIS SUBSTANCE. He did not play some dumb game with the voters to buy votes. He did not play a political game. He stood by his principle.
Then you claim "this elitist bullshit has got to stop"
and you are not talking about how people need to quit saying he is elite!!! I can't believe my eyes.
then you go on to establish he is an "elitist" because you find him to be a phony because he doesn't sit well with you. Sounds like that is more your problem than any legitimate problem he needs to address.
and if you want to know more about Barry, read his books. he actually opens up and does not talk like a robot (SEE: "when bill told me about monica, i was upset"....that's so genuine!)
and barack is the one that grew up in a broken home, earned a bunch of scholarships to help for school, and just paid off his student loans with in the last few years....what an elitist!
Chuck, you're in that category that I'm not trying to influence. We agree to disagree.
But what I think we would agree on is that if you want Obama to win in November, he's going to need Hillary Clinton voters.
I'm merely trying to give my opinion on some ways to do it.
Annie - Nice piece.
Chuck - You always bring up the swiftboating of John Kerry. What the swiftboat vets said was,
"It is our collective judgment that, upon your return from Vietnam, you grossly and knowingly distorted the conduct of the American soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen of that war (including a betrayal of many of us, without regard for the danger your actions caused us). Further, we believe that you have withheld and/or distorted material facts as to your own conduct in this war."
What you need to understand is what Kerry did back then. This, and subsequent quotes, is from a website called WinterSolfier.com:
On January 31, 1971, members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) met in a Detroit hotel to discuss war crimes they claimed to have participated in or witnessed during their combat tours in Vietnam. During the next three days, more than 100 Vietnam veterans and 16 civilians gave anguished, emotional testimony describing hundreds of atrocities against innocent civilians in South Vietnam, including rape, arson, torture, murder, and the shelling or napalming of entire villages. The witnesses stated that these acts were being committed casually and routinely, under orders, as a matter of policy.
In April, the VVAW stormed Washington in a week-long protest. At its height, spokesman John Kerry went before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to accuse the United States military of committing massive numbers of war crimes in Vietnam. The appearance launched Kerry's political career. The charges he made shocked and sickened a nation, changed the course of a war and stained the reputation of the American military for decades.
But the mass murder of civilians was never American policy in Vietnam. War crimes were the exception, not the rule. And the Winter Soldier tribunal itself -- which John Kerry had helped moderate -- turned out to be "packed with pretenders and liars."
Please go poke around WinterSoldier.com and read about the lies John Kerry told upon his return from Vietnam before casually throwing around the inflamatory term "swiftboating" since many who read this blog probably do not know the whole story. Many of the lies Kerry and others told regarding the conduct of the American military have been refuted, and many of recanted their statements or refused to be interviewed by military investigators.
John Forbes Kerry and John Forbes Kerry's actions were responsible for John Forbes Kerry not getting elected president.
I am a recovering Republican and I don't agree with Chuck a lot, but I don't blame him for wanting to go postal.
Annie is pathetic. She is presents herself as a a bitchy feminist who is only supports Hillary for her gender. She sets this website back because she can never defend her positions. Chuck does make ignorant comments at times, but look at the points he makes. He always trumps her, or at least makes a good counterpoint. She never follows up with a real defense of her statements.
I have a love/hate relationship with this site. Annie is definitely worthy of the hate. F her and F the rest of the "staff" that puts up with her. I do hope this sign of support does lower Chuck's blood pressure. He has to know that most followers of this site were brought in for him and Bob, not this worthless bitch that cannot defend herself.
Don't listen to the hate Annie. People who are intellectually frustrated like anonymous always resort to name calling when they cannot put together a reasonable argument. This was a very good post.
Look, I find it hard to criticize Obama on taking money from some lawyers? 3 Million from insurance companies? What insurance companies? Why only 3 million? What are they influencing with that little amount of money?
The fact still remains, Hillary lost the battle in 92 against the insurance companies so if she couldnt beat them she joined them, and now shes the second highest paid senator on their lobbying pay roll. I don't see how a person like Hillary Clinton is going to fix our health care system if she has that much money coming in from lobbyist who are telling her not to mess things up for them.
Barack Obama is the better candidate and I see no merit in Hillary's tactics on attacking Obama. Hillary is too divisive and when it comes to campaigning she only cares about winning. What she has done with her negative campaign ads has split the party and turned away independents. She doesnt draw independents in, she stears them away. This negative campaigning steers Dems away. She's a bitch, and it amazes me that she said today she will not drop out.
Its mathematically impossible for her to win. Let Obama have what is rightfully his, he fought a clean fight and he won. Her fight was dirty and she used Republican fear tactics and it failed.
The Clinton style of campaigning is outdated. Intellectuals don't buy into her bull shit fear mongering. Thats why she will not be our nominee in 2008.
Chuck is correct on this one, Annie makes very few valid points and her response of agreeing to disagree was weak. Especially since Chuck posted like 4 times in a row. Clearly he wanted more than some bs "we agree to disagree"
Why the hell do you disagree? Why doesn't a black man sit well with you, Annie?
Uncannily drawn to the tactless, honest approach.
Thats from Annie's profile. Pretty much the definition of the Clinton Campaign tactic.
She could see the phone ringing in the white house at 3 am and Barack shitting himself because he's so young and naive he has no idea what to do, besides shit of course. A 46 year old man shitting himself, just imagine.
Anon...Annie has never (as far as I know) resulted to name calling on this blog. She has never attacked anyone because of their opinion. She has been anything short of respectful while presenting her views of politics and the world. For you to come in and call her a pathetic bitchy feminist is unforgivable, and indicative of your immaturity. How is it that someone who supports a man like Obama, who is touted as a uniter, can't even speak cordially to a woman of his own party?
So much for uniting.
Why the hell do you disagree? Why doesn't a black man sit well with you, Annie?
Careful throwing out the race card. Someone could easily ask you why you can't support a woman.
She's a bitch, and it amazes me that she said today she will not drop out.
As I said before, she could drop out today and she would still win W. Virginia. It would humiliate Obama. Believe me...you DON'T want her to drop out now.
I dont know what the best part of this post is, the part where she calls him BHO or the part where she says John Edwards is more sincere than Obama. By the hell did you use the H? Racist? I think so.
John Edwards is a political hack. He's had so many publicity stunts its incredible. I remember when his stupid wife got on TV and had an argument with Ann Coulter. Give me a break. Lets not forget the time when he did get his stupid $400 hair cut, yeah a real people's man I tell you.
Edwards is an average white politician. He lives in a massive mansion excluding himself from the real world, and takes little PR trips down to new orleans to wave a shovel around. This post lacked true substance and really raises question about Annie's intelligence.
I've never seen John Edwards or Hillary give a speech about race. I've never seen Hillary talk about how she struggled, all I hear from her is attacking Obama. Do hillary supporters even know her life story? DO they even care? Or do they just don't want a black man running our country so thye will settle for some heartless white bitch, or some old guy who is about to die.
Annie, you truly are horrible at writing blogs and this whole post is a disgrace to the website. I wonder if Kyle even read this. You made yourself look like a racist and a moron.
Its humorous when the worst thing you can bring up against a person is telling them to stop being so optimistic.
Its great when people turn positives into negatives.
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those last 2 comments were me, but under the wrong name. and all this other name calling, i am not a part of. but i don't "agree to disagree" in the sense that I don't agree there is any merit to half of the things Annie is saying.
either way, i want it clear that i don't endorse the name calling (probably because i am sick of lunatic anonymous people going off on me...its nice to have people defend me, but it should be without the stuff like the former republican).
But I don't endorse the idea that Annie should keep ignoring the legitimate points I have hammered for months.
And I certainly don't think it is a competent point that the candidate that has NO chance of winning her own nomination is somehow "most electable". that's like me saying the Suns have the best chance of beating the Celtics in the NBA Finals.
with all respect annie, the gas tax holiday idea isn't a plan of action and hardly a "real solution", it is a plan of pandering and a sugar pill.
"action" is more than tossing an idea out there whose main purpose is to garner votes.
why not propose that if ppl really wanted to save the gas tax equiv. per gallon of gas, that they slow down to the speed limit since every 5 mph over 60 slowed down saves an estimated 20 cents a gallon?
it would save ppl money. save LOTS of gas. reduce co2 emissions. and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. i think that most ppl would probably scoff at that, leading me to believe that most ppl aren't too concerned about saving 18.1 cents per gallon.
i agree with you on the pac money. i didn't see that he's taking any now, but he did take a bunch while running for senate. and then there is the pac he runs that pays out money to the super delgates, among others. clinton does the same, to be fair.
as i have said before, i don't really care one way or the other, but i don't like posturing.
elitist bullshit? because he dares to talk and inspire? bill clinton's campaign 92 campaign was FILLED with that. what is wrong with trying to inspire ppl? in the end, perhaps what is offered is a lot of vision, but what's so different from that and offering plan after plan after plan that may or may not get through congress? it's easy to be visionary, and it's easy to offer yummy tray of finger foods for the masses. i don't see much functional difference when all is said and done.
and here here, russ.
annie is fun and intelligent. she is a joy to talk with and tenatious in her views.
as far as defending herself on this site, it is hardly worth it beyond the initial exchanges. this is an obama site, and there isn't anything she is going to say that is going to change kyles or chucks or rob's (hi rob!) or sophie's minds.
once after repeated calls for a clinton defense over several weeks, she finally did post a list of her reasons, only to have her points soundly criticized. which is fine, but what's the point if you know that that is the result?
and here here, russ.
annie is fun and intelligent. she is a joy to talk with and tenatious in her views.
as far as defending herself on this site, it is hardly worth it beyond the initial exchanges. this is an obama site, and there isn't anything she is going to say that is going to change kyles or chucks or rob's (hi rob!) or sophie's minds.
once after repeated calls for a clinton defense over several weeks, she finally did post a list of her reasons, only to have her points soundly criticized. which is fine, but what's the point if you know that that is the result?
For the sake of brevity people use initials to identify the person of whom they speak. There is nothing wrong or racist with saying BHO. His middle name does begin with an H. Isn't it is better than calling him BO?
Both CNN and Fox News use the initials BHO and HRC when they put candidates on the electoral map.
How weak are you to suggest that someone is racist by using an initial?
Democrats to often play the race card in elections. This has always and will always turn off middle class white America.
Annie bashers, I cannot begin to tell you what a fantastic addition Annie has been to this site. As someone who has personally talked politics at length with Annie, I can assure she knows her shit and is the person you want running your campaign or the campaign of your preferred candidate. On politics, I agree with Annie 99% of the time. The Obama / Clinton split happens to be the 1% of disagreement. During this primary process, Annie was one of the only bloggers in the State of Ohio who came out for Senator Clinton. She knew that the majority of our staff supported Senator Obama, but she agreed to come on anyway and present her positions. That has made the site much better and I appreciate the fact that she continues to put up with the anonymous bashing from people that call her pathetic and then don't put their name on what they write. The anonymous personal attack is as pathetic as it gets.
Chuck, I disagree that you are constantly slammed for being a crazy person. You have recruited a small number of hecklers that show up every time you post something. I love what you write because I understand your jokes and appreciate your energy. Some people don't. Who cares? Once this Democratic Primary is over, it is going to be fun for all of us (and a relief for me) to focus on the Republicans.
Anon-
Really? This is how you choose to express your views? This is an adult exchange? Come on. Be a person worthy of your own respects.
Clinton is better served with no supporters than ones that cannot defend positions. Remember that Texas guy that sounded bumbling about Obama's accomplishments? Annie is the feminist version of that guy. Chuck rips apart her positions and Annie responds by saying the black makes her stomach turn and that Obama is an elitist. I don't know if Annie is a teacher and she must be a 1st grade teacher, because with all of her rhetoric she is as uneducated as the typical Clinton supporter.
Chuck, are you gay? That is not a joke or slam...just curious.
chuck is spanish for power bottom.
People start to question Annie's judgment when it comes to race and Chuck deletes the comments.
As far as Annie goes on this blog, I haven't seen much from her. I noticed the pro-hillary crap which no one reads, but I definitely had to read this one because I wanted to hear what her problems were with Obama. The end result? A bunch of horse crap that holds no merit.
I really don't see her as a productive member of this blog, hate to tell you. Bring Bob back, thanks.
You should also get Terra to come back. Her opinions actually made sense and she always seemed to back up what she said.
Annie in plain words, is ust too n00b.
For the record: I deleted comments that I typed accidentally under my wife's google account, because i was at her computer. i then just made the same points in my next point.
we don't censor here (isn't that obvious!)
and the mentioning of my wife should make it clear i am not gay....not that there is anything wrong with that
well, i guess we did censor that one time, which is kyle's absolute right, as he runs the show.
although being married allows me to troll for guys without being detected.
I love the cock
Annie,
Good points -- unfortunately, it may take a while for the Democratic Party to come together from the primary. But we're Democrats -- if either political party can unite come November, it'll be the Democrats!
But guys (and ladies too): please try to be respectful. The whole purpose of this blog is to allow people to express their ideas, opinions, and thoughts -- calling someone pathetic, bitchy, or horrible defeats the spirit of blogs.
You're free to disagree and express your opinions (it's actually encouraged), but please --show some class and be respectful in expressing your disagreements.
Annie, Kyle and Russ are keeping their eyes on the prize. Why everyone else wants to pick apart how it is that we're even at the point where someone like Annie is writing a post like this is beyond me. WASTE. OF. TIME.
And as Democrats, we have little time to waste.
I voted for Clinton when pushed came to shove, I didn't like doing it but she had only the slightest of an edge over Obama for me. (Interestingly, I believe the faisco in Marc Dann's office drives home why, however, entrenchment may be a bigger danger than the length of time it will take for Obama to build up what he needs in connections and relations to run a gov't, but that's another post. I will say that if what happened with Dann happened before the Ohio primary, I may have voted for Obama.)
All that aside - anything venomous that comes from supporters of any candidate at this point becomes a liability to that candidate in terms of gaining the voters he or she needs to WIN.
We want to WIN don't we?
So - again, kudos for Annie, Kyle and Russ.
PLEASE let it be August 29!
Dann=political entrenchement?!?! Jill surely you jest, his downfall had to do with poor judgement in the company he kept- his hiring practices were atrocious, and had it not been for the culture of corruption he brought in with hiring Guiterez and the rest he may have been able to be a functioning state official (extra-marital affair aside) In fact I would argue that his poor judgement in the company he kept more closely resembles a certain senator from the land of Lincoln who has made very poor choices in the company he keeps.
That being said, I still think that ushering in Carter 2.0 is bad for this country. His supporters are in love with an unrealistic vision, that isn't dissuaded because he is enough of a neophyte to have nothing in his history to counter their views. What is unfortunate is for yet another election I must choose between the lesser of two evils, and the real problem solver of the bunch loses because she didn't appeal enough to the extremes in her party.
t-dawg - no jest at all. Cronyism at its absolute worst. Entrenched with those who'd done him favors or who he thought he owed favors and so on. Long-time connections. All of it.
he hasn't been a career pol though-he was very much a private citizen--I see your point though
Well - wait a second - Dann HAS been a pol for a while - in the Ohio legislature since 2002 but had run unsuccessfully in 2000. Maybe not "career" the way others are but still - not fresh out of a law firm or private practice either.
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