Terrific point. I think part of this sadly stems from the fact that the Obama campaign is fueled by the grass roots that when they disagree, they feel the need to say so. Which in general is a good thing but not in this case. a) The first rule of support - do no harm. b) the only people who have a right to harangue Obama over FISA right now are people who live in IL. He isn't the president yet, he is a senator. c) I don't recall people getting this up-in-arms over things they disagree with in the primary or other Dem candidates for that matter. I think the expectations and standards we are holding Obama to are a bit high and unrealistic. d)People need to look at the candidate as a whole. If you begin to disagree - alot then I can see the uproar but on one or two points, it is a bit of over reaction.
I strongly disagree with Obama over FISA and as an IL resident, I have told him so. I will also continue to point out in my own commentary that I disagree, But I will not give the opposition ammunition and I will not jepordize his chances of winning based on one, albeit important issue.

Posted at July 4, 2008 1:36 PM in response to Election Central July 4th Roundup

I actually see the pauses in his speech as a sign of cautiousness. I live in IL so my familiarity with him goes back to before '04. He hasn't always talked like that. I think he has gotten burned so many times with gotchas and sound bites that he feels the need to consider everything that comes out of his mouth.

For all of HRC's complaining about the press (and she did have a point on occasion) they have been far more brutal to Obama especially lately. Between public-financing-gate, Clark-gate and now Iraq-gate it has been absolutely ridiculous. Nothing the MSM likes more than to build you up and then tear you down.

It isn't going to get any better between now & Nov. Not only is the press stupid, but they are self-important and mean.

Posted at July 4, 2008 12:28 PM in response to Election Central July 4th Roundup

Ready to lead on DAY ONE!

Meh, this was inevitable but I had hoped for another month or so before they got their act together. I had also hoped that Obama would be farther ahead at this point, but he has gotten a good start at least.

Fortunately I suspect Obama will get sharper if McCain does and no amount of campaign finesse will be able to change the fact that McCain is a bad candidate. Although so was Bush and look at how that turned out. Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people.

Donate. Volunteer. Speak Out.

Posted at July 3, 2008 12:39 PM in response to McCain's New Campaign Boss Begins Tightening Grip On Operation

Excellent point. As far as we know right now the 'Obama ATM' is a work of fiction because as of June 1, McCain had more $$ to spend. Obama & McCain were even and the RNC had $50Mil more than the DNC. We are assuming that Obama's $$ increased after he clinched the nom, but we don't know. And with 527s & all of the Repub dirty tricks, he will need every penny he can get.

$ can't buy you an election, but the lack of it can sure lose you one.

Posted at July 2, 2008 11:23 PM in response to McCain Campaign Buys Ad Time In Historically Red Virginia

Would the fact that McCain hasn't led in a VA poll for over a month be a clue that maybe he needs to take this seriously?? Not only *might* he lose it, he is losing it.

As much as the MSM likes to paint some of these states as head-fakes, I don't really think there are any in the Obama 18. Some - like GA are a bit of a long shot but completely possible should Obama get a bit of wind at his back so why not. If he had chosen AZ or TX those would be head-fakes. Possible but really unlikely. I think people are surprised because of CW - but when was the last time a candidate had this much $ to spend. If you have to choose between Ohio & Virgina - you pick Ohio. If you can advertise in both Ohio & Virgina, then why not?

This is really good news for Obama because McCain doesn't have the fund-raising potental that he does so he does have to choose between VA & OH. Every ad that McCain puts out in VA is one less he puts out somewhere else.

Also, Obama will be in Fargo on Thurs & Butte MT on Friday. He is serious.

That said though - 'The Obama fund-raising machine' is only as good as its donors. So give give give. If you can't donate $, then donate time. If you are mad at Obama over FISA or whatever, think about how mad you will be at McCain when he starts a war in Iran and when you have no job or health care.
*steps off soap box*

Posted at July 2, 2008 9:53 PM in response to McCain Campaign Buys Ad Time In Historically Red Virginia

I disagree that Clark should be quiet.

Yes, we need to talk about other issues and this isn't a strength for Obama necessarily BUT there are 4 months to the election. This will go away as a controversy, it might gin up some sympathy for McCain in the short term but in the long run...the seed has been planted and whenever they have conversations about CIC and Nat'l security that Obama will be on much better footing.

Additionally polls show Obama beating McCain on almost every issue except for Nat'l security. By going after McCains one strength, you take away a big reason to vote for him.

Besides, the MSM will never expose this myth about McCain - in this case the emporer has no clothes. IMO McCain's military experience makes him LESS qualified not more. He may have a better understanding of the nuts & bolts but it shapes his point of view that everything has a military component.

Posted at June 30, 2008 11:36 PM in response to Clark Stands By Comments About McCain

Good for you Gen Clark!

Posted at June 30, 2008 11:16 PM in response to Clark Stands By Comments About McCain

The MSM is going to be brutal to Obama until November unless McCain manages to catch him in the polls and even then it will probably continue to some extent. A) Horseraces are good for ratings and ratings =$ B) Obama is more interesting than McCain C) GE, Disney, Fox, Clear Channel, etc etc are all big republican enterprises. They want to keep the races close until the very end and then have McCain win in a dramatic fashion. I am not a big conspiracy theorist but this I believe is absolutely true.

On the subject of Clark, I think if he hadn't said the 'getting shot down' comment, this might be a different conversation today. However, that said - I watched the interview and didn't see anything wrong with it, in fact I was very excited to see if the MSM would actually pick it up because he makes some very valid points that cut against CW and McC's supposed strength.
I am a little disappointed in Obama for the 2nd week in a row but he has enough problems with his own comments, much less defending Clarks and from what I can tell, Clark is doing just fine on his own.

Posted at June 30, 2008 9:40 PM in response to NY Times: McCain On Offense, Obama On Defense

I can't wait until friggin January when this POS will be reduced to the sniveling irrelevant hack that he is. Unfortuntely we only have 49 democratic sentators so in order to keep majority we have to put up with Traitor Joe's crap until then.

Posted at June 26, 2008 9:52 PM in response to Lieberman Plays The Wright Card

Edit. Function. Please?!?!

"He also was seemed to think the thought that Bush put out Red terror alerts to help the election"...was laughable.

grrr. must fix fingers.

Posted at June 25, 2008 6:04 PM in response to Obama Spokesperson: Nader's Comment Is "Reprehensible And Delusional"