| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 10/26/2006 8:46:39 AM | Wow, I suppose many posters here are rather young. To me Barack Obama is simply the flavor of the moment in a sea of discontent.
Things to remember...
#1. He is a democrat. He is part of the big ugly political machine. He's not going to run, win, and keep all his promises...not under the current system.
#2. You and I can go on Oprah and speak flowery about how we're going to change the world. In this snap-shot of history it really is meaningless.
Historically many figures played the same role...John Anderson, Jerry Brown, Ross Perot,
John Anderson, Ralph Nader...all of which actually HAD accomplishments and actually walked the walk instead of just talking the talk. All were better men than those who ultimately won.
Also consider the reality of politics which many accept and just moan about. Parties do NOT pick who they think will win, they pick people who rose up in the ranks and are part of the political machine...a machine controlled by the lobbiests of big business....
...like KERRY who lost against Bush...(Kerry was a ridiculous choice)PeeWee Herman could have beat Bush.
...like Dole who lost against Clinton.(Dole was weak and anemic...it didn't even look like he tried)
I look at politics like I do investments. I don't vote on passion, I proceed on my knowledge of how the system works. The BEST we can hope for from Obama is that he influences the controlled and limited topics that both parties parly and control during a presidential election. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 10/26/2006 10:28:10 AM | shamrock,
Some of us are not so young and take offense at the condescending tone of your posts(which seem to be all the same....Nader good....anyone else bad). How much do you actually know about Obama? Very little I suspect. Not that your skepticism isn't warranted. The major parties have presented us with very little to get excited about in recent memory. That doesn't automatically make Obama another mindless flunky to ideology and party line.
"He's not going to run, win, and keep all his promises...not under the current system."
Name any candidate ever who has done this. Independants included.
"Historically many figures played the same role...John Anderson, Jerry Brown, Ross Perot,
John Anderson, Ralph Nader...all of which actually HAD accomplishments and actually walked the walk instead of just talking the talk. All were better men than those who ultimately won."
Aside from Anderson your list of alternative candidates are a bunch of cartoon characters....Governor Moonbeam(Brown), total lunatic Ross Perot, and Nader, consumer advocate, who was perhaps the only candidate in the past 50 years less qualified to be President than W. I'll agree that the major parties choice of candidate is often the wrong one but I must remind you that had Nader not run in 2000, we likely would not have ever had to endure W as President. Nader took votes from Gore and I believe it cost him the election. Gore wasn't my favorite but he at least had SOME government experience.
"I look at politics like I do investments. I don't vote on passion, I proceed on my knowledge of how the system works"
Really?......if that were the case your astute investors mind would tell you that a vote for a third party candidate is a wasted one in today's system. That same system you claim to be so knowledgable about. Passion is what's missing from American politics. Fear, ignorance, and apathy have ruled the day too long. Maybe Obama is just like all the rest.....perhaps we'll see one day. If you are so cynical that you no longer believe it's possible for a man of integrity to become President, why bother voting at all? Obama gives people hope. Something we've been sorely lacking in this country for some time.
If you have such a thoughtful and practical approach to politics as you claim, you do yourself a disservice to not even consider the possibility tha Obama may be the real deal. If you simply dismiss him because of his party affiliation without educating yourself on his views, voting record, or whether or not he kept his campaign promises, then you are no better than the blindly loyal Dems and Reps who vote for someone just because of the letter next to their name on the ballot. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 10/26/2006 12:23:04 PM | Cavalier1968
Name any candidate ever who has done this. Independants included.
Thanks for reinforcing my point.
Aside from Anderson your list of alternative candidates are a bunch of cartoon characters....Governor Moonbeam(Brown), total lunatic Ross Perot, and Nader, consumer advocate, who was perhaps the only candidate in the past 50 years less qualified to be President than W. I'll agree that the major parties choice of candidate is often the wrong one but I must remind you that had Nader not run in 2000, we likely would not have ever had to endure W as President. Nader took votes from Gore and I believe it cost him the election. Gore wasn't my favorite but he at least had SOME government experience.
At the time Brown was at least able to get issues into the presidential platforms...couldn't do that today.
I was against the rich (Perot) running the country like a business, but Mayor Bloomberg has changed my opinion on that issue.
Keep in mind I am inherently a conservative republican. My support for the VERY liberal Nader begs for true honesty...lack of corruption in government.
Gore was a party loyalist. He blatantly changed his own beliefs to exist of the Clinton platform...ya know...the typical smoke and mirrors.
NAder had valid, credible, and important issues to bring into the debate, but the dems and republicans blocked him and were selectively deaf to acknowledging how government is bought and paid for by big business. Many of the issues that were danced around for public scrutiny were rediculous...diversions from bigger problems.
This is why I mention Nader soooo often. His honesty and conviction and history of public service accents what is so drastically wrong with our present system by and for the corporations.
Really?......if that were the case your astute investors mind would tell you that a vote for a third party candidate is a wasted one in today's system.
No rather I see everybody loosing their shirts trying to pick the least of 2 evils.
Obama talks a good game...I trully hope he is what he portrays. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 10/27/2006 8:55:58 PM | "Lets put this guy in the White House."
I'm sure that is what he is hoping for. I don't have an opinion one way or another but he is new to Washington DC, and has done quite a bit of traveling during his first term (even to Africa) and has written two books. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 10/29/2006 8:06:27 AM | Well... what we could do is wait until we find a good African American woman to run for president and we could kill two birds with one stone and wouldn't have to do it again for at least a couple of centuries.
I think that's what the repubs had in mind with Rice. I could see it now... Rice up against Obama in 2008. The CIA and the FBI would be working overtime! | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 10/29/2006 8:21:14 AM | Hopefully, as a Country, we can move beyond race and gender in our electorate. Clearly the status quo is not working. Perhaps a black man such as Obama or a similarly qualified woman ( NOT Hillary Clinton) will reach the forefront.
I am tired of having to vote for the lesser of two evils when it comes to voting for President. Over the last several elections I have not so much voted for someone as I have voted against the other candidates. This election I am hoping to find candidates that whether black, white, male or female are quality candidates, willing to stand up for what is best for America as a country, and not what is best for them personally or the lobbyists that support their election. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 10/29/2006 10:13:18 AM | "NAder had valid, credible, and important issues to bring into the debate,..."
But, unfortunately, he went about it all wrong and, as a result, was instrumental in letting Bush hijack the 2000 "election."
"This is why I mention Nader soooo often. His honesty and conviction and history of public service accents what is so drastically wrong with our present system by and for the corporations."
Yes, Nader did do an incredible amount of good work for consumer affairs, public safety and the like. BUT...he tainted all that with his ill-advised adventure in 2000
As for the rather condescending rant against Obama supporters, it seems painfully obvious that he's a much better choice than remaining with the status quo, which is simply a "hold your nose and vote" scenario. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 10/29/2006 5:17:51 PM | | Why are we calling Obama black? He is as much white as he is black. I guess for the same reason that no one considers Tiger Wood an Asian. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/6/2006 2:16:33 PM | If he becomes president, we can have a new slogan other than the "war on terror."
It could be (barak) OBAMA vs OSAMA (bin laden).
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/6/2006 5:53:03 PM | I still will have to do my research on this guy. I normally do not like either R or D not much difference in my eyes. If a person stands out of the party I would consider them IF they are not bought out by corporate interests. IF they look out for the common man above all else I will consider them. This is where this man sits for me at this time.
I think he is 400% improvement over Bush on the way he carries himself. He knows how to speak English to start. His abilities to speak intelligent sentences is refreshing after 6 years of kindergarten speak like "Evil doers" (people who were once our ally that we don't like anymore) and "trrrrrrrssts" (terrorists) This kind of thing might sound like nit picking but, aside from the warmongering and insane politics the way our president speaks to people reflects on the nation as a whole. If I were a person from another country who has never met a person from the USA and only seen the president speak I would think they are a bunch of IDIOTS who cant even speak their own language or watched one too many western shoot em ups! If I was from Texas I would HATE Bush for making me sound like an idiot! Bush is not even from Texas he was born and raised in Boston massachusetts yet he tries to fake the funk with his HORRIBLE attempt at a Texas accent.
Only in the USA would Obama be considered black! I don't see why it matters what color he is as long as he is not green with reptilian skin! I will be doing my homework on him and if he is not a sell out like most democrats and republicans I will consider a vote for him. If not, I may have to vote for John Lennon again! (little joke there but there are sadly so few choices to begin with and even less that would be any good for representing me or anyone I know and love much less the nation.) | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/7/2006 6:09:56 AM | Kabiosile,
You are not alone, many people hate to vote for the lesser of two evils. Consider this, your theory of skull and bones not withstanding, would the Iraq war have happend had Dubya not gotten elected? That simple choice of the lesser of two evils, Gore and Bush would have made a huge difference where we are today. We could pick the crash and burn tactic of voting for Nadar or someone else who does not stand a chance in hell of winning or we could just look at who will cause the least damage to us. Until and if we have reform, we have to deal with the situation as it exists. I am not looking at Obama as a perfect man but if he would be better than our other choices. He seems to be practical and he refuses corporate money. He appeared on Oprah and even refused to let her pay for his flight.
Btw, Bush was born in Conneticut, not Mass. and while his family moved to Texas, the kids were all sent out of state to school. He has that accent but he is hardly a Texan having spent nothing but his summers in Texas and even most of those in Maine. He has lived here most of his adult life, but he is the kind of cowboy that I refer to as all hat and no cattle. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/7/2006 4:49:33 PM | Here are some quotes I scrounged up for MG once.....I can't credit them, didn't save that information....sorry.....
Luckily, one of Obama's gifts is that he is meticulously self-aware, and he knows that the frenzy that surrounds him doesn't entirely make sense. Shortly before his victory, we met at his campaign headquarters in Chicago—sandwiched between his appointments with Charles Barkley and celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz. "What's going on? I'm not entirely sure," he said, looking tired but steady. "I think what people are most hungry for in politics right now is authenticity."
Then, with his humility established, Obama began to describe his vision for the Democratic Party. "There is another tradition in politics that says we're all connected," he said. "I don't just have to worry about my own child. I have to worry about the child that cannot read. It's not enough that I am part of the African-American community. I've got to worry about the Arab-American family that John Ashcroft is rounding up, because I might be next."
But he disarms critics by talking early and often about the limits of government. "When you've traveled across the state, what you consistently find is a common set of values: hard work, self-respect, delayed gratification," he says. "We all have to acknowledge that government cannot transmit those values. They come from the bottom up."
Obama said, "in a generous America you don't have to be rich to achieve your potential". But he charged that "we have more work to do" for people who are not able to realize the American Dream, maintaining that self responsibility is an important component and people "don't expect government to solve all their problems".
Education: “Most importantly, No Child Left Behind did not speak to what I think is a critical issue in education, that is how do we encourage our best and brightest to continue teaching, and how do we substantially upgrade the pay and performance of the teaching profession.”
Ways to Decrease the Deficit: “If we don’t get a hold of our healthcare costs over the private and government sector, I do not think we can solve our structural deficit problem.”
We need to steer clear of this poverty of ambition, where people want to drive fancy cars and wear nice clothes and live in nice apartments but don't want to work hard to accomplish these things. Everyone should try to realize their full potential.
Wow, RWGG, cool that you're not voting party......wouldn't it be nice if the running mate didn't have to be of the same party? Just think of all the possibilities.... | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/10/2006 9:42:50 PM | | Sen. Obama will no doubt be the breath of fresh air America (and the world) needs after having a dunce running our country for far too long. I hope that he does run, and that he wins all 50 states! | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/11/2006 4:43:18 AM | I saw an interview with him a couple of days ago and he was talking about what is wrong in politics and about how we run races. He was in some campaign and he and his contingent had stopped at an Applebee's for lunch. When the waitress asked him what he wanted he asked for a burger with dijon mustard. One of his "handlers" went bonkers saying he had to eat yellow mustard to show his connection with the common man. He went ahead and had the dijon and I suspect that handlers is doing something else now. That is how stupid we have become. We micro manage what a politician says while running for office but rarely concentrate on the depth of their beliefs.
In every interview I have seen so far, this man has handled himself with substance and common sense. I am impressed so far and hope he continues to capture the publics attention. I think he might just make an excellent president. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/11/2006 3:40:41 PM | I believe Obama has been overhyped by the press. He is a good speaker and represents himself well but what has he done?I am also bothered by what he did in the congressional primary between Christine Cegelis and Tammy Duckworth when he intervened in support of
Duckworth who was the pick of the party machine despite what Cegelis had accomplished.
He also voted for Condaleeza Rice for secretary of state, despite his supposedly antiwar stance. Its goog to see that Dennis Kucinich has just entered the 2008 race. He will at least force Obama or anyone else who runs to talk about Iraq!! | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/11/2006 4:28:15 PM | Obama can and should win. Hillary can't.
As you can see from this thread, even the republicans like him, some of them anyway.
The only thing that can go wrong is Hillary winning the primary... | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/11/2006 8:30:15 PM | | I think Hillary would have a hard time of it getting elected President because she is so reviled by conservatives. I think Barack Obama stands a chance of capturing most of the nation by touching our hearts with his goodness and integrity. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/15/2006 4:02:58 PM | I am pleased that a right-winger is looking at Obama. We need others, both parties to get off the couch and get involved in poitics, help our nation once again be respected world-wide as a Superpower. I like him and hope he doesn't sell out like Hilary. He is a leader. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/16/2006 8:42:53 AM | Obama has the potential to be a good president. He needs to become more outspoken about his true convictions on issues that mean the most to all of us. Then we'll see if he appeals to all Americans.
(/We need others, both parties to get off the couch and get involved in poitics, help our nation once again be respected world-wide as a Superpower.)
We became a SuperPower because of our democratic beliefs, and our determined will. We have lost that, and the only way to get that back is to become united as Americans. However, as the recent elections proved, America is split 51/49 on every issue! And both sides are passionate. Obama, is most likley not capable of bringing all of us together. I believe it is possible, and think he would be an exceptional leader. But, people of his own party, stand in his way............ especially if he leans to far right. They will ensure he NEVER gets past the primarys. Too bad, because I believe he could make a difference.
I would love to see the USA elect a President from one Party, and the loser be the VP?
How would that look in 08? President McCain & Vice President Obama, or President Obama and Vice President MCain. republicans & democrats would sure be careful who they chose to run then?
Hillary wouldn't stand a chance! I'm sorry, America could stand to have a tough a** woman in the President seat or VP seat, but Hillary isn't it. Too much baggage. I am all for standing by your husband, but when your husband cheats on you repeatedly, leave him. Bill Clinton was a decent president, except for his deception. If you'll cheat on your wife multiple times & lie about it, than you have no integrity or morals in any aspect of your life. And Hillary, should have more respect for herself.
Interesting idea having a republican/democrat Pres & Vice Pres. isn't it?........ | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/16/2006 2:41:47 PM | One interesting thing about the Obama candidacy is the possibility that it may take Hillary out the race entirely.
Stay with me here. Back in '95 Colin Powell looked like the great hope of the Republican party. The nomination was his for the asking. Insiders were saying that Bill might not run for reelection because he could not in good conscience oppose the first serious black Presidential candidate. Assuming Bill and Hillary share many of the same values, Hillary might not want to stand between a serious black candidate and the Oval Office. | |
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| Barack Obama The Audacity of Hope
Posted: 12/16/2006 8:08:53 PM | Obama seems to set off my 'caution radar"... thats all. certainly he is an articulate much softer spoken (change from the usual dem. contestents) who radiates a charm and charisma that is appealing...(shall we say...bill clinton?) Hes pretty much a black clinton as far as I can see. I have my own term for politicians like clinton....'benign sociopaths'. that means, they are sociopaths... but their desire to be liked and adulated pushes them to really try to do something good. Unfortunately, their self centeredness always gets in the way... and kind of moots everything.
As for all the people who are buying into the white guilt...politically correct voting....well, I think you should start actually thinking authentically. I can tell you... if I vote for a black or a woman... it damn well be because I firmly believe they are the best person for the job... not because of their minority status. Thats ridiculous.
As of now. I am not an Obama lover. And I predict he won't get far in the presidential races. And.... that should he somehow achieve the miraculous, he wouldn't be any better than anyone else...and perhaps far worse.
Now.... if history should prove me actually wrong. I will be happy to acknowledge so. | |
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