Barack Hussein Obama

[scribblet]

Bill-O, Hannity, and the like are idiots. It's hard to describe, but their simplistic rhetoric is so simplistic that it is counterintuitive. I have seen Bill-O bitch about certain things, that we are pandering to them by putting them on

Scriblett

You cannot force people to get insurance if they do not want it. If they did not want it before, they still don't want it now. I fail to see how this is an issue. Now those who want health care, and cannot afford it now, and may be able to under the new system, that is where it will make the difference.

also

I think this thing on Obama's wife is a distraction. Anything the talking heads can get their hands on to slander someone, to ridcule them.

Graduating from Princeton or any university is a personal pride, and has nothing to do with national pride.

Being American and in the U.S. enabled her to acquire that education...

Health care wouldn't be that much better under Obama, besides all of them need a majority house - right?

I haven't seen Bill O. or any of the use the word pinhead against Obama, in fact O'Reilly had a black liberal Professor and a black rep. on to discuss the issue, there was no name calling. You want name calling, check out moveon.org or democratic underground for starters.

The teamsters union (and others) have just endorsed Obama...

[Oleg Bach]

Being American and in the U.S. enabled her to acquire that education...

Health care wouldn't be that much better under Obama, besides all of them need a majority house - right?

I haven't seen Bill O. or any of the use the word pinhead against Obama, in fact O'Reilly had a black liberal Professor and a black rep. on to discuss the issue, there was no name calling. You want name calling, check out moveon.org or democratic underground for starters.

The teamsters union (and others) have just endorsed Obama...

All power is conducted in secret..these campaigners are but actors. Teamsters endorcing Obama are actaully bad boys endoursing the big bad boys who will pull Obamas strings when he dances as President - unless some lunitic under the guise of racist hate kills the poor fellow and causes chaos and a diversion by doing so..I really don't see an election going on in the states - This time around it seems like some silly game where even the players are not fully aware of what the office really entails. Much like Steven Harper not having a clue what being prime minister was about till after the election - till after he was taken aside and instructed by the big boys...America is finished..Hidden and dark gangsterism can not sustain a nation or empire that big. The ambitious crimminals have reached their limit. Surrogates are of low quality these days and if you thing that Bush was a pitiful actor..wait untill you see his replacement - then you will understand what a massive fraud and illusion we are living under - think Bush was dumb - wait for Hillary or Obama to show their colours....there folks will make George look like a genius.

[kimmy]

I think this thing on Obama's wife is a distraction. Anything the talking heads can get their hands on to slander someone, to ridcule them.

Mrs Obama has taken an active role in her husband's campaign, and a strategized one. As with Bill Clinton, the role the spouses play in the campaign is managed, focus-grouped, tweaked, and focus-grouped some more. As such, I think Mrs Obama's role is worthy of discussion.

In the opinion of some, Mrs Obama's role has been to appeal for non-white folks to get onboard her husband's campaign.

If Mr Obama himself makes some effort to package himself as the choice for non-white voters, it opens a whole can of worms that obviously runs the risk of scaring off the white supporters who have to this point been willing to look at race as a non-issue. But the campaign can't ignore these voters, because if they do nothing to address the issue of race, he runs the risk of looking like (to use the colloquialism) an "Oreo" or (well, worse perjoratives exist.) And, hey, like, free votes. They want these supporters, but they don't want Barack Obama to be the guy who asks for them. Enter Michelle Obama's high-profile role in the campaign.

The last racial breakdowns I'd seen showed Clinton and Obama virtually tied among white voters, but Obama with a massive edge among black voters and (pecular, to me at least), Clinton with an edge among hispanic and asian voters.

-k

[M.Dancer]

The last racial breakdowns I'd seen showed Clinton and Obama virtually tied among white voters, but Obama with a massive edge among black voters and (pecular, to me at least), Clinton with an edge among hispanic and asian voters.

-k

The big question will be can he turn black support into black votes. If I remember correctly, blacks are not big voters.

[August1991]

Mrs Obama has taken an active role in her husband's campaign, and a strategized one. As with Bill Clinton, the role the spouses play in the campaign is managed, focus-grouped, tweaked, and focus-grouped some more. As such, I think Mrs Obama's role is worthy of discussion.

In the opinion of some, Mrs Obama's role has been to appeal for non-white folks to get onboard her husband's campaign.

If Mr Obama himself makes some effort to package himself as the choice for non-white voters, it opens a whole can of worms that obviously runs the risk of scaring off the white supporters who have to this point been willing to look at race as a non-issue. But the campaign can't ignore these voters, because if they do nothing to address the issue of race, he runs the risk of looking like (to use the colloquialism) an "Oreo" or (well, worse perjoratives exist.) And, hey, like, free votes. They want these supporters, but they don't want Barack Obama to be the guy who asks for them. Enter Michelle Obama's high-profile role in the campaign.

The last racial breakdowns I'd seen showed Clinton and Obama virtually tied among white voters, but Obama with a massive edge among black voters and (pecular, to me at least), Clinton with an edge among hispanic and asian voters.

I don't know if you've ever worked on a political campaign or been close to political power. Things happen so fast that planning tomorrow's schedule can be daunting. (I think Kissinger said accurately that anyone in politics better have clear ideas in advance because once in the arena, it's impossible to reflect on anything at all.)

In the case of Obama, I have the impression that this is true but even moreso. He and his staff must feel that they just turned on the rocket thrusters. Focus group Mrs. Obama's event schedule? When? I'm sure they find it hard enough just to make sure that they are all playing on the same songsheet and preventing any dire catastrophe.

So, I frankly think that Mrs. Obama is what she says she is. A beautiful ambitious kid who grew up in a poor but honest family on the south side of Chicago. She cares about black people. She's not shy to say so. Her husband isn't all that different. They've both been around white people long enough to know how to behave. They have the advantage that the MSM is giving them both a wide berth.

Obama intrigues me because he was a kid with dark skin raised by white people. At some point, whatever he thought of himself, it was clear to him what the outside world thought of him. I think he has written about this in his books. When he speaks about uniting Americans, I'm sure he speaks from every fibre in his being. He himself is a product of a multiracial marriage and while whites consider him to be black, blacks could just as easily consider him to be white.

As to why Latinos support Clinton, IME, the relations between American blacks and Latinos has always been touchy. This may explain her support.

Lastly, the exit polls in Wisconsin showed that Obama beat Hillary across almost all demographics. Obama has shown that he can pull all manner of Democrats more than she can. She may win Ohio but I reckon she's toast now.

I don't buy it. You're grossly overstating the pull of ideas over image and rhetoric. Reagan was Reagan because of his folksy image, his Hollywood pedigree and down home demeanor. Trudeau was sexy, feisty and charismatic. What they stood for was far less important than what they looked like. Al Gore was a smarty-pants who lost to the guy folks thought they would feel comfortable having a beer with.

Style trumps substance. Image is king. No one gives a shit about ideas anymore.

I'm not denying that image matters. It certainly matters as a way to convey truths. But there is something called the real world where real people hold values.

Most Americans are not designer label people. That's why WalMart is successful.

Edited February 22, 2008 by August1991

[kimmy]

I don't know if you've ever worked on a political campaign or been close to political power. Things happen so fast that planning tomorrow's schedule can be daunting. (I think Kissinger said accurately that anyone in politics better have clear ideas in advance because once in the arena, it's impossible to reflect on anything at all.)

In the case of Obama, I have the impression that this is true but even moreso. He and his staff must feel that they just turned on the rocket thrusters. Focus group Mrs. Obama's event schedule? When? I'm sure they find it hard enough just to make sure that they are all playing on the same songsheet and preventing any dire catastrophe.

So, I frankly think that Mrs. Obama is what she says she is. A beautiful ambitious kid who grew up in a poor but honest family on the south side of Chicago. She cares about black people. She's not shy to say so. Her husband isn't all that different. They've both been around white people long enough to know how to behave. They have the advantage that the MSM is giving them both a wide berth.

She might be all of that, but you'd be astoundingly naive to not think that she's receiving a lot of coaching.

While she might not have the time to participate in focus groups and the like, rest assured that somebody is doing that. Some of the astoundingly large budgets these campaigns run is devoted to P.R. experts, polling, and yep, focus-grouping. You can put it in the bank that Barack has received advice along the lines of "steer clear of race issues, because it makes the white folks uncomfortable" and you can bet that Michelle has received coaching on how to pump up minority crowds in ways that'll be less likely to hurt whitey's feelings. You can't seriously think that they're just putting her in front of a microphone and letting her ad-lib.

Every aspect of a candidate's pitch is constantly assessed and reassessed, and that includes the role of the spouses. The reason Michelle Obama is out there in front of microphones is that the campaign people believe she's an asset. If they didn't believe she was helping the campaign, you'd see her in a much less prominent role... see Mrs McCain for comparison. (I suspect that Mrs Kerry got advice along the lines of "avoid speaking in public altogether.")

Lastly, the exit polls in Wisconsin showed that Obama beat Hillary across almost all demographics. Obama has shown that he can pull all manner of Democrats more than she can. She may win Ohio but I reckon she's toast now.

It seems like the Obama campaign has all the momentum now; I haven't heard any positive news for Hilary in weeks.

-k

[capricorn]

It seems like the Obama campaign has all the momentum now; I haven't heard any positive news for Hilary in weeks.-

k

Yes, it seems like all of America (and most of Canada) is in love with Obama. He dominates, no doubt there. It seems certain he'll win the Dems leadership race. Clinton is toast.

Although I admire Barack Obama, I don't think it is his time. Compared to McCain, he's a puppy. But give Obama a few more years experience he'll be a formidable force.

[Carinthia]

Yes, it seems like all of America (and most of Canada) is in love with Obama. He dominates, no doubt there. It seems certain he'll win the Dems leadership race. Clinton is toast.

Although I admire Barack Obama, I don't think it is his time. Compared to McCain, he's a puppy. But give Obama a few more years experience he'll be a formidable force.

Looks to me like he's on his way to becoming President this coming November. Are you saying that you think America will vote in the Republicans in November? Yeah, it 's a long way until November and a lot can happen between now and then but it's been an awfully long past 7 years, consisting of one disaster after another. Obama's most profound message is "change". No way the Republicans will be voted back in, doesn't matter who their leader is. Obama will be a formidable force against McCain, as he will have tons of amunition, simple as that.

Edited February 22, 2008 by Carinthia

[Guest American Woman]

Yes, it seems like all of America (and most of Canada) is in love with Obama. He dominates, no doubt there. It seems certain he'll win the Dems leadership race. Clinton is toast.

Although I admire Barack Obama, I don't think it is his time. Compared to McCain, he's a puppy. But give Obama a few more years experience he'll be a formidable force.

"All of America" isn't in love with Obama. Not sure where you're getting that from. As for Clinton being toast, that's not a given by any means.

Clinton still leads among superdelegates — 241 to 181, according to the AP survey.

It's true that some more to be jumping on the Obama bandwagon, but there are enough "undecideds" to keep the final outcome an unknown at this point.

I agree with you about Obama. He lacks the experience to give me confidence in his ability to carry out his platform. I don't think he comes across as forceful enough.

No way the Republicans will be voted back in, doesn't matter who their leader is. Obama will be a formidable force against McCain, as he will have tons of amunition, simple as that.

I think McCain, being a moderate Republican, stands a chance of winning the election. I don't think people associate him with Bush and his administration, and if too many people see Obama as inexperienced, they may go with McCain.

[capricorn]

"All of America" isn't in love with Obama. Not sure where you're getting that from.

OK so I exaggerated and not all Americans love Obama. Google "america loves obama", you'll get one and a half million entries. Google "everyone loves obama", you'll get over 200,000 entries. That's a lot of love. He's apparently also loved in other countries.

As for Clinton being toast, that's not a given by any means.

I was simply giving my prediction, that is, IMO Obama will win the Dem. nomination.

It's true that some more to be jumping on the Obama bandwagon, but there are enough "undecideds" to keep the final outcome an unknown at this point.

It makes for a longer contest to the delight of political junkies.

[Guest American Woman]

OK so I exaggerated and not all Americans love Obama. Google "america loves obama", you'll get one and a half million entries. Google "everyone loves obama", you'll get over 200,000 entries. That's a lot of love. He's apparently also loved in other countries.

Out of curiosity, I googled America loves Obama and also America loves Hillary:

Personalized Results 1 - 10 of about 193,000 for america loves obama

Personalized Results 1 - 10 of about 210,000 for america loves hillary

[bush_cheney2004]

Specific string search yields:

Results 1 - 10 of about 250 for "america loves obama".

Results 1 - 10 of about 390 for "america loves hillary".

Yea.... Hillary wins!

[August1991]

She might be all of that, but you'd be astoundingly naive to not think that she's receiving a lot of coaching.

While she might not have the time to participate in focus groups and the like, rest assured that somebody is doing that. Some of the astoundingly large budgets these campaigns run is devoted to P.R. experts, polling, and yep, focus-grouping. You can put it in the bank that Barack has received advice along the lines of "steer clear of race issues, because it makes the white folks uncomfortable" and you can bet that Michelle has received coaching on how to pump up minority crowds in ways that'll be less likely to hurt whitey's feelings. You can't seriously think that they're just putting her in front of a microphone and letting her ad-lib.

Every aspect of a candidate's pitch is constantly assessed and reassessed, and that includes the role of the spouses. The reason Michelle Obama is out there in front of microphones is that the campaign people believe she's an asset. If they didn't believe she was helping the campaign, you'd see her in a much less prominent role... see Mrs McCain for comparison. (I suspect that Mrs Kerry got advice along the lines of "avoid speaking in public altogether.")

It seems like the Obama campaign has all the momentum now; I haven't heard any positive news for Hilary in weeks.

Maybe I'm naive but I don't think so. There are campaigns that are well-organized and prepared in advance. Nixon in 1968 is a classic example and any sitting president. Even Hillary's campaign this time out (although the fact that she fired her campaign manager recently shows that she too now must make this up as she goes along.)

Obama is definitely in "make it up as you go along" mode. He is achieving now what he only imagined in his wildest dreams a few months ago. He doesn't know what direction this will go anymore than you or I do. [That observation is proof that America is a true democracy. Unlike Cuba and other dictatorships, no one knows now who will be the US president next year at this time.]

----

No one working in advance or logistics wants to hear about spontaneity. In a good campaign, spontaneity is planned in advance. Obama's campaign is spontaneous in the true sense of the term.

I heard one report that struck me concerning coaching of Obama (sorry can't find link). Obama apparently received advice in December that he shouldn't read his speeches - he should "feel" them. For a guy who is clearly cerebral, he seems to be able to do that well.

As to Mrs. Obama, she's a loose cannon. Her comment about being proud to be an American is an example. God knows what else she has said that hasn't been reported.

Kimmy, your idea that Mrs. Obama is following a plan to shore up the black vote is ridiculous. Obama doesn't have to shore up the black vote. 9 out of 10 black voters are his regardless of what he does. When Mrs. Obama appears in black communities, I think this is genuine. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that she does it because she believes this whole presidency thing won't work so she might as well do something positive in the process.

If Obama gets the nomination, then the fall campaign will be focus-grouped and well-advanced (or as well advanced as a presidential campaign can be advanced).

No doubt that Obama has smart people around him but first of all, this thing could go off the rails at any time. And second, this is as close to spontaneous as you'll ever see Obama (assuming he makes it to the White House.)

Kimmy, I'll take it as a compliment that I may be naive. Don't take it as an insult if I say that you're too cynical.

"All of America" isn't in love with Obama. Not sure where you're getting that from. As for Clinton being toast, that's not a given by any means.

...

I agree with you about Obama. He lacks the experience to give me confidence in his ability to carry out his platform. I don't think he comes across as forceful enough.

I think McCain, being a moderate Republican, stands a chance of winning the election. I don't think people associate him with Bush and his administration, and if too many people see Obama as inexperienced, they may go with McCain.

The MSM (NYT, Katie Couric, Newsweek) likes Obama. The frivoulous wing of the Democratic Party loves Obama.

"All of America" does not love or even like Obama. Most Americans don't know the hell he is. When they learn about him, they'll discover that he's very American liberal and very inexperienced. He has no track record. They won't vote for him.

And American Woman, Hillary is toast. She lost Wisconsin. She may win Ohio - barely. I think now that Texas will be a toss up only because of the Latino vote.

Why Hillary lost this nomination campaign deserves a thread if not a book or two. Hillary Clinton is not the Kim Campbell of American politics - but the end result is somehow similar. It's tough for a woman in modern democracies. Even Margaret Thatcher admitted that she went home some days and cried.

Edited February 23, 2008 by August1991

[bush_cheney2004]

...Kimmy, your idea that Mrs. Obama is following a plan to shore up the black vote is ridiculous. Obama doesn't have to shore up the black vote. 9 out of 10 black voters are his regardless of what he does. When Mrs. Obama appears in black communities, I think this is genuine. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that she does it because she believes this whole presidency thing won't work so she might as well do something positive in the process....

There is more at play here...Obama wants/needs to keep his broad appeal, transcending race, gender, and in the case of the "black" electorate, socio-economic class. Obama's "blackness" was challenged early on by those loyal to the traditional Democratic machinery. Now they find themselves supporting a losing candidate in Senator Clinton, thinking she would prevail for their usual interests. Mrs. Obama can help him cement his credentials as a "black" candidate, while he rises above race.

If Obama gets the nomination, then the fall campaign will be focus-grouped and well-advanced (or as well advanced as a presidential campaign can be advanced).

No doubt that Obama has smart people around him but first of all, this thing could go off the rails at any time. And second, this is as close to spontaneous as you'll ever see Obama (assuming he makes it to the White House.)

I think Mr. Obama is about to find out just how far "hope" can take a candidacy....it will be hard ball for months with dirt flying in both directions. We're in for quite the ride.

I'll take it as a compliment that I may be naive. Don't take it as an insult if I say that you're too cynical.

At the risk of patronizing, you're not naive at all. The best coaching cannot prevent the eventual gaffe or misstep. We learn more about a candidate when in damage control mode.

[bush_cheney2004]

...Why Hillary lost this nomination campaign deserves a thread if not a book or two. Hillary Clinton is not the Kim Campbell of American politics - but the end result is somehow similar. It's tough for a woman in modern democracies. Even Margaret Thatcher admitted that she went home some days and cried.

Hillary's biggest mistake was the presumption of nomination without respect for the grueling process of party process. You have to win in the playoffs before going to the Super Bowl. I think she is a qualified candidate, but that isn't good enough. The political process itself picks winners and losers, not the candidates. It has been said that the actual presidency is far easier.

Edited February 23, 2008 by bush_cheney2004

[August1991]

Hillary's biggest mistake was the presumption of nomination without respect for the grueling process of party process. You have to win in the playoffs before going to the Super Bowl. I think she is a qualified candidate, but that isn't good enough. The political process itself picks winners and losers, not the candidates. It has been said that the actual presidency is far easier.

Given the thread title, I suggest we discuss this elsewhere but I happen to think that Hillary would have been a far more formidable candidate (assuming she'd had full Democrat support) against any Republican - compared to how Obama will do against McCain.

When Democrats wake up from this one-night stand, they're going to be astonished to learn how the rest of America feels about hiring their latest lover and giving him a key position because, as Democrats will say, he's "such a cool guy".

There is more at play here...Obama wants/needs to keep his broad appeal, transcending race, gender, and in the case of the "black" electorate, socio-economic class. Obama's "blackness" was challenged early on by those loyal to the traditional Democratic machinery.

So what. Obama's "blackness" will not decide whether he becomes President or not. Edited February 23, 2008 by August1991

[bush_cheney2004]

....So what. Obama's "blackness" will not decide whether he becomes President or not.

Correct, it will not decide whether he becomes president, but it will have an impact on why/how he loses.

[Guest American Woman]

And American Woman, Hillary is toast. She lost Wisconsin. She may win Ohio - barely. I think now that Texas will be a toss up only because of the Latino vote.

It's your opinion that she is toast. It may appear as if she is toast. But it's not over til it's over. Our last POTUS elections have shown that our elections are not "predictable." We won't know the outcome until it's over. Now you may very well turn out to be right, but that still doesn't mean it was predictable. Our elections aren't necessarily predictable. That's my only point.

Why Hillary lost this nomination campaign deserves a thread if not a book or two. Hillary Clinton is not the Kim Campbell of American politics - but the end result is somehow similar. It's tough for a woman in modern democracies. Even Margaret Thatcher admitted that she went home some days and cried.

I agree that it is tough for a woman in modern democracies. It seems women are seen as either "too tough" or "too emotional," and since neither one is seen as good, it really puts them between a rock and a hard place. When Bush got emotional he was 'caring,' and when Hillary did she got headlines like 'can hillary cry her way to the White House.'

I think Hillary would have won if it weren't for Obama coming out of the woodwork, and I'm not so sure how I feel about that. I think we need experience now, not a 'novelty,' and in some ways I think that's what Obama is.

[margrace]

Interesting that in the Star Telegram from Texas I believe reports that an hour before Obama was to speak at a Dallas rally, the security guards were order to stand down and stop all searches for weapons

That newspaper goes on to report that " The security concerns come on the back of warnings last week of by British Nobel Prize winner Doris Lessing that caused a media storm. The 88 year old novelist predicted the assassinatin of Barak Obama if he becomes the first Black US president

http://www.infowars.net/articles/february2...220208Obama.htm

[BubberMiley]

As to Mrs. Obama, she's a loose cannon. Her comment about being proud to be an American is an example. God knows what else she has said that hasn't been reported.

If wives are going to be a factor in the campaign, McCain's wife, who has repeatedly stolen medication from charities to feed her habit, isn't going to help much.

[kimmy]

Maybe I'm naive but I don't think so. There are campaigns that are well-organized and prepared in advance. Nixon in 1968 is a classic example and any sitting president. Even Hillary's campaign this time out (although the fact that she fired her campaign manager recently shows that she too now must make this up as she goes along.)

Obama is definitely in "make it up as you go along" mode. He is achieving now what he only imagined in his wildest dreams a few months ago. He doesn't know what direction this will go anymore than you or I do. [That observation is proof that America is a true democracy. Unlike Cuba and other dictatorships, no one knows now who will be the US president next year at this time.]

Oh, come on. Obama's success during this campaign might be unprecidented, but it's certainly not unplanned or unanticipated. People have been talking about Obama as a strong contender for the 2008 Democratic nomination ever since his landslide win over that idiot in the 2004 election.

They did not get to this stage based on the belief that none of this was actually going to work. They've worked their tails off based on the belief that it could. A large number of people have invested their efforts and time and money in the belief that this was possible. He's faced only one opponent of any note, whose success would be just as unprecidented as his own. Hilary may have been the favorite at the start of this race, but I don't think anybody perceived her to be a shoe-in.

To suggest this is something Obama could have only imagined in his wildest dreams is ... I would say hype, more or less. It seems like the sort of thing a candidate might say about himself during a "humble victor" type speech, or a "we're still underdogs" type rally. They didn't just dream it, they knew this was possible.

A considerable amount of the campaign's considerable resources has been devoted to experts and to researching opinions and perceptions, people whose full time job has been to help plan out how to build this momentum and how to maintain it.

I don't know what else to say, August. You're too smart to think they're just "winging it" and seeing what happens next. You can't possibly doubt that there are strategists who are working full time on this. You can't possible imagine that they're just handing her a microphone and letting her say whatever pops into her head.

No one working in advance or logistics wants to hear about spontaneity. In a good campaign, spontaneity is planned in advance. Obama's campaign is spontaneous in the true sense of the term.

I heard one report that struck me concerning coaching of Obama (sorry can't find link). Obama apparently received advice in December that he shouldn't read his speeches - he should "feel" them. For a guy who is clearly cerebral, he seems to be able to do that well.

As to Mrs. Obama, she's a loose cannon. Her comment about being proud to be an American is an example. God knows what else she has said that hasn't been reported.

If it wasn't reported, it was because it was said well away from a microphone, or because it was completely uninteresting. Those are the only two ways anything she says will escape notice from now on.

Kimmy, your idea that Mrs. Obama is following a plan to shore up the black vote is ridiculous. Obama doesn't have to shore up the black vote. 9 out of 10 black voters are his regardless of what he does. When Mrs. Obama appears in black communities, I think this is genuine. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that she does it because she believes this whole presidency thing won't work so she might as well do something positive in the process.

I don't doubt her sincerity. I just doubt that she's going out and speaking off the cuff in the slightest.

And while they certainly don't need to win black voters to their side, they would certainly like to hang onto them. They will certainly wish to avoid the accusation that he is an "Oreo". She is there to "keep it real".

If Obama gets the nomination, then the fall campaign will be focus-grouped and well-advanced (or as well advanced as a presidential campaign can be advanced).

No doubt that Obama has smart people around him but first of all, this thing could go off the rails at any time. And second, this is as close to spontaneous as you'll ever see Obama (assuming he makes it to the White House.)

Perhaps, but I still don't think it's actually that close to spontaneous.

These smart people working for him will at present be doing their darnedest to keep it from going off the rails, primarily by providing the best possible information and by coaching them-- Barack, Michelle, and anybody else who speaks on behalf of this campaign-- about what to say and not to say anytime they're in public. If it does indeed go off the rails, he'll have exceptionally bright advisors around him to provide every possible guidance as to how to get it back on the rails, or at least minimize the damage.

Kimmy, I'll take it as a compliment that I may be naive. Don't take it as an insult if I say that you're too cynical.

I grew up in Canada during the Chretien regime. How could I be anything but cynical?

-k

[kimmy]

If wives are going to be a factor in the campaign, McCain's wife, who has repeatedly stolen medication from charities to feed her habit, isn't going to help much.

And how much speaking has she done during his campaign? Almost none. She's been seen and not heard, and that is as much by design as Michelle Obama's prominence.

As far as I'm aware, her only public comments during the campaign have been to scoff at the New York Times' innuendo that McCain had a sexual relationship with a female lobbyist; a situation where a statement from her was pretty much unavoidable.

-k

[Oleg Bach]

And how much speaking has she done during his campaign? Almost none. She's been seen and not heard, and that is as much by design as Michelle Obama's prominence.

As far as I'm aware, her only public comments during the campaign have been to scoff at the New York Times' innuendo that McCain had a sexual relationship with a female lobbyist; a situation where a statement from her was pretty much unavoidable.

-k

Seems no one is fit to rule..mission control we have a problem' - and Obama..no one really has a clue what his made of or what his idealogy is about - and whether those ideals are baked or half baked..You must remember that there is great hate in the black population. One day I sat on a film set and a pale black man and his blacker female friend leaned over to me and said - "My grandson will become your worst nightmare" - I retorted and said that my grandfather had white slaves and not black ones...well all joking aside...we forget that the black matriarchs of hate and they do exist - would like to see all of us pale eyed devils dead - Obama may have had such a grandmother...we don't know - or he could be a female Oprah Winfrey and just go to work for the white corporates - start a type of phoney feel good religion and sell out the black populace and slowly destroy it...If our white elite can sell out their white brothers as has happened in Canada - I assume that a black man can sell his own also - besides - the slave trade began with black nobility selling their own for weapons...Obama...? I don't know enough - but he is not a dynamic man - and is certainly NOT Martin Luther King - who was gifted and grand - Obama strikes me as a common little man - thus manipulatable.

[BubberMiley]

and Obama..no one really has a clue what his made of or what his idealogy is about

Actually, everyone who is paying attention knows. He's recently provided a tonne of policy statements.

[Oleg Bach]

Actually, everyone who is paying attention knows. He's recently provided a tonne of policy statements.

Not one to pay attention to the details - seeing the devil always causes confusion in them. Policy of social policing statements are a dime a tonne. What I was thinking was something of a more personal level. Who is he as a person? What are his real loves and what does he hate if he is hateful? How and who will tell him what to do...as we know the standing president is Richard Cheney who answers to a committee who in turn delegates to Mr. Bush...who will handle Obama - who is really backing him and why? Certainly getting the black vote and the white sympathy liberal vote must be a motivation of the backers...I just can't believe that this little man will be a force to be reckoned with...it's just not there - I don't see the word leader floating in the clouds above his head. BUT frankly - If I was Amercan I would go with him because he is black..for no other reason - it would be a kind of rebellion vote..but - Policy....is more opinion - and opinion is theory - will he remove the military parasitic complex from Iraq? I doubt it...money talks and Obama will listen because he is full of as much blind ambition as Hillary and personal glory is important to these types....and....who knows - they may be setting him up as a black martyr....I have lost faith in their system.