Politics 2008:The Caucuses and The Dem/Rep Conventions

[Little32]

^^Do you have a link?

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

Just watched Barack Obama's "race speech" on streaming video. As political stagecraft, he hit the right notes -- elevating it from a discussion on his former pastor's excerpted comments to a broader discussion on how both sides of the issue, Black and white, have arrived at this racial impasse.

Politically and contextually, , he moved the issue to more favorable ground, a smart move. Polling usually lags events by 7-21 days so the numbers may flutctuate for a while yet, but this speech, I think, will help him get past the issue.

Not for some/many. It's sad but there is still a great deal of ignorance surrounding the history and current state of race relations in this country. Many still have no clue as to how we arrived at this point and how the past continues to influence the present and future. And as we all know, if we do not understand the past...

[rhoyaltempest]

Obama's speech in video and text is on his website:

http://my.barackobama.com/hisownwords

[southernelle25]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

Funny thing is that even though Clinton is ahead in terms of committed Superdelegates, it is striking to note that Obama has the edge in those who have been elected by their constituencies (governors, congressman, representatives) and trails significantly by those whose loyalty is only to the party (DNC, distinguished party leaders). More than one third of total Superdelegates remain uncommitted. http://www.politico.com/superdelegates/


Of course, he has increased his lead by picking up more delegates in Iowa and California including some of Edwards' delegates. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/0...e_n_91719.html

Thanks for that info, I definately had not noticed.

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

REALLY?! So the issues don't matter? If Clinton ends up being the nominee (fair or unfair), since she and Obama's plans regarding the issues are close, wouldn't it make more sense to vote for her as opposed to McCain? There's too much at stake here to stay home or vote for one candidate to spite or prove something to the other.

I am actually quite conservative, more independent than Democratic, I guess I represent the ‘right wing’ of the Democratic Party, so there are a number of issues I don’t support that they do. I stay because our party is the most idealistic and optimistic, and with all its problems remains on the forefront of positive change. That is why, in this race, it is not about issues for me as much as it is about integrity, integrity of a party I’ve always belonged to. If Clinton is willing to act in such a selfish, dirty and derisive manner to win against this candidate, then she deserves to lose. I may be wrong, but I’m willing to throw the “new black” out with the bathwater.

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

Just watched Barack Obama's "race speech" on streaming video. As political stagecraft, he hit the right notes -- elevating it from a discussion on his former pastor's excerpted comments to a broader discussion on how both sides of the issue, Black and white, have arrived at this racial impasse.

Politically and contextually, , he moved the issue to more favorable ground, a smart move. Polling usually lags events by 7-21 days so the numbers may flutctuate for a while yet, but this speech, I think, will help him get past the issue.

I will be glad when the new polls come out. The current polls which were taken DURING the whole flack show his support has dropped. However, I am confident that his numbers will rise again.

I must say that they threw the kitchen sink at him. I am sure that there is nothing else they could possibly have to throw.

[Little32]

While I am still not entirely comfortable with the way that he characterized Rev. Wright, I am absolutely amazed at the commentary that has come out of this. I am amazed--and I try not to deal in hyperbole.

Somehow, the anger and resentment that blacks often feel is suddenly palatable and understandable to these non-black commentators--at least for now. I am absolutely amazed.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by Little32

While I am still not entirely comfortable with the way that he characterized Rev. Wright, I am absolutely amazed at the commentary that has come out of this. I am amazed--and I try not to deal in hyperbole.

Somehow, the anger and resentment that blacks often feel is suddenly palatable and understandable to these non-black commentators--at least for now. I am absolutely amazed.

Not according to everyone. Go to FOX News. They have taken 'selective hearing' to a whole different level.

[Little32]

Fox "News" Network doesn't count--no seriously, it doesn't count.

I can not recall such recognition and frank discussion about not race, per se, but about the anger and resentment that many blacks experience as a result of the social climate of this country (and it is more than the usual suspects chiming in to discuss it).

If Obama can give a speech that can engender this sort of response...


Just a sidebar...I am generally angry (I am not a victim, but I am often angry; and I am much younger than Wright's generation).

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Not according to everyone. Go to FOX News. They have taken 'selective hearing' to a whole different level.

Ever since Fox HANDED Bush the election in 2000, they have had no credibility in politics. In fact, they are protesting the fact that Obama has not appeared on O'Reilly's show even though he has appeared on all the other networks. If I were him, I wouldn't grace then with my presence either. They are the most biased and partisan of all news sources that I know of!

[southernelle25]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Not according to everyone. Go to FOX News. They have taken 'selective hearing' to a whole different level.

Indeed, willful ignorance at its best. They were even complaining that he read from a teleprompter.... if that is not reaching, I don't know what is.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by southernelle25

Indeed, willful ignorance at its best. They were even complaining that he read from a teleprompter.... if that is not reaching, I don't know what is.

And how can one read from a teleprompter while looking around the room into the faces of the audience? I'll have to try that trick.

[mccoyred]

The latest evidence of Fox News' lack of credibility http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3...728/841/480210

[SummerChild]

Some of the latest on the polls - http://www.reuters.com/article/lates.../idUSN26445755

Appears that Ms. Clinton's playing dirty may finally be catching up with her. Good for the American people ... for speaking out on this issue.

ETA: I am a little perplexed by the Clinton approach. On one hand, she appears to hit below the belt. Then on the other hand, now she's asking her supporters how they feel about DNC officials saying that she should drop out - like almost playing the victim role (imo). The two approaches appear to be very different.

SC

[TonyB06]

Originally Posted by SummerChild

Some of the latest on the polls - http://www.reuters.com/article/lates.../idUSN26445755

Appears that Ms. Clinton's playing dirty may finally be catching up with her. Good for the American people ... for speaking out on this issue.

ETA: I am a little perplexed by the Clinton approach. On one hand, she appears to hit below the belt. Then on the other hand, now she's asking her supporters how they feel about DNC officials saying that she should drop out - like almost playing the victim role (imo). The two approaches appear to be very different.

SC

...I thought about you over the weekend when someone from the Clinton campaign (according to the news report) tried to posit the notion that Obama was calling himself a professor in the law school in which he taught, when he might have only been an adjunct or visiting, or some such other terminology.

The law school subsequently came out and said that, indeed, Obama was a professor

I thought 'oh dayum, SC is going to feel 'some kinda way' when she hears/reads about this.'

[SummerChild]

Wow. I wish that the Clinton campaign people would give *me* a break ... and I'm not even running. Now there's a question as to whether or not he was really a professor at the lawschool? Why would he lie about that? What great glory comes from that?

I can see that they are clearly just trying to start an uproar b/c anyone can easily simply call the lawschool and ask. He taught at the lawschool for a number of years - while also being a full-time IL senator. He taught two classes a quarter...just like most other professors. In fact, many other professors only taught one class a quarter. I bet that all of the students who loved him and were trying to overload into his classes would think that it was very funny that the Clinton group is now positing that he wasn't actually a professor or that he was just visiting. That's an interesting idea.

When will it end? I was so excited about this election but the Clintons are just taking all of the excitement out of it. Not even McCain is playing dirty like the Clintons.

She does not do women justice in this campaign at all.

SC

Originally Posted by TonyB06

...I thought about you over the weekend when someone from the Clinton campaign (according to the news report) tried to posit the notion that Obama was calling himself a professor in the law school in which he taught, when he might have only been an adjunct or visiting, or some such other terminology.

The law school subsequently came out and said that, indeed, Obama was a professor

I thought 'oh dayum, SC is going to feel 'some kinda way' when she hears/reads about this.'