BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: freightdawg
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 10:30 PM

Bobert, you almost made me gag on my chocolate chip cookie. I'm glad I re-read your post and saw that you said the Richardson "may be" the smartest man to run for president in years.

Come, come. Richardson became governor of NM because he is a Hispanic and because he has a political machine that runs over people like steam rollers run over eggs. It's true he has some international experience, but it amounts to a lot less than most people imagine.

Richardson is not the dimmest bulb in the box by any stretch of the imagination. But he certainly is not the brightest, either. A person could argue that even entering the race knowing he was competing against the first female running for president and the first credible black running for president is proof that he's not the most intelligent of candidates. Unless, of course, he was running for VP all along, and if he gets the nod then he will be seen as a genius.

Richardson is what he is - an extremely powerful power broker in a very, very small pond. As has been noted above, he might deliver the hispanic vote for Obama, but the negatives against Clinton may make it impossible for him to help her very much. A large majority of Hispanics are Catholic, and if Clinton is viewed as being anti-church then Richardson could be seen as a sell-out as opposed to being a positive image on her ticket. Obama comes across as being far more pro-faith. Richardson is a far better fit with Obama.

Also, I don't see Richardson's ego meshing with Clinton. You can't have two sharks in the same wading pool.

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 10:34 PM

Not to mention he, like Kucinich, threw the rope to Obama.

I'm also still not convinced Richardson can deliver Latinos as a bloc to anybody, including himself.

Also, it is good to remember there is no shortage of philandering Latino Catholic men, no? Shit, they ain't THAT friggin' religiously inclined!

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 10:42 PM

Glad to see you get it Amos.

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Bobert
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 08:16 AM

Well, well, well...

Bill Richardson not the brightest bulb in the shop??? Or whatever???

I've heard him several times on NPR and it takes a lot to impress me but every time I've heard him my impression was "This is one smart guy"...

But that's my opinion and without opionions there would be no horse race...

B;)

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 08:42 AM

without opinions there would be no horse race... Why not?

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 08:52 AM

Because until they cross the finish line, opinions are just more horsehshit.

Including mine, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Bobert
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 09:14 AM

Exactly...

LOL...

Subject: RE: BS: Obama anointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 02:14 PM

The idea of a little over 9 more months of this agonizing blow-by-blow churlish behavior by all of the candidates makes me flip my radio over to classical music and skip reading the two front sections of the newspaper.

It's amazing how they all forget all of the nasty name-calling once the candidate is selected. But the way they get to that point--not pretty.

I wouldn't wish the job of president on anyone. Whoever is elected is liable to be a one-term president with chronically low ratings as they try to undo the vast amount of damage Bush II did to the U.S. economy, put the federal government back the way it was, put reasonable checks and balances and regulations on American financial institutions, reign in the FCC, and apologize for the carnage around the world done by American troops and diplomats.

The first act the of the new president should be to compel every idiot who ever voted for Dubya to take a mandatory civics class to learn the role of the various levels of government, the importance and necessity of the constitution and bill of rights, and the powers of the various federal branches. Just so they know why things went so horribly wrong.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 02:27 PM

IF we can get a majority in Congress of the same party as a new president elect, they could theoretically get a lot done, SRS. It's a just a metter of do we want that, esp. if it's GOP?!**bg**

Subject: RE: BS: Caroline Kennedy
From: Donuel
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 03:00 PM

Obama annointed by BB KIng might be more meaningful

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Peace
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 03:03 PM

And Donuel has indeed pointed to a problem in politics. The office filled by a President is meant to be the ultimate job in the country because that person takes final responsibility for the good of all citizens. Problem's been that the bastards THINK they've been annointed.

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Peace
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 03:05 PM

Then they look out for themselves alone--oh, yeah, and a few friends here and there.

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 03:16 PM

Remember how the Republican Senate was threatening the "nuclear option" to ban filibusters when they were the majority in the house? That threat has gone away now that it is a Democratic Senate, and the Republicans happily use, or threaten to use, it frequently. I think there might be some more civility and respect for the rules now in the Senate, but at the same time, when all three are in the hands of one party, things can go awry as power goes to ones' head (as we saw with Bush). Checks and balances are good. But like I said, a few more people need a good primer on how their form of government works and why "signing statements" and "warrantless wiretaps" are problematic in a Democracy.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Donuel
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 03:17 PM

Its always about whose Ox gets gored.
The Republicans Oxed our Gore 8 years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: oggie
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 03:37 PM

From this side of the pond I can see Obama and Clinton doing so much damage to each other, and being so divisive, that neither will win in October. Obama won big among the Black community but got less of the white vote than Clinton or Edwards.

The ammount of mud slinging will probably get worse and down the road there are the Republicans who sure as hell will be taking notes. Where is Al Gore when you need him most :)

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Ron Davies
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 10:06 PM

Steve--

Consider Iowa, however. Obama has no problem getting white votes.

And has huge popularity on college campuses.

Team Clinton, however has rather efficiently destroyed Bill Clinton's positive record in the black community. And in record time.

And they themselves have poisoned one of the wells Hillary planned to drink from in the fall.

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 08:28 AM

Oh, the one other victory among whites that Obama has counts, but not all the states with white voters that he already lost?

Sure, any of the candidates would pay the big bucks to have you as their campaign consultant, Ron.

Name one president who has been elected by the "college campus" vote? Considering most young people can't afford to go to college, and aren't on a college campus?

I also think it is far too early to predict a poisoning of the well by Bill Clinton. Or that Obama won't pull Latinos behind him.

Me personally, I'm still trying to figure out what Obama's positions are on the friggin' issues.

But this I'll give him--he has the America's Next Top Rock Star Politician vote all sewn up.

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 09:08 AM

Well, yeah, G,g.... His *stated* positions aren't that different than Billary's...

But it isn't really his "stated" positions that has gotten him this far... It's his "unstated" positions which are, at the very least, are suggested in body language and nuances...

Yeah, I know this is no way to elect a president... I'll be the first to admit that... But looking at the rest of the pack, he does stand out as being different... And I don't mean in regards to race... But demeanor...

It's kinda like going to the horse race... Most folks just pick numbers or pick from the stats in the racing guide but there are others, myself included, who walk into the paddock and check out the horses while they are being warmed up and you look for little things like the right combination fiestiness, lather (horse racing term--don't ask) and the looks in the horses eyes...

Obama, to me, has the right combination with the exception of the "lather, of which Bill Clinton has the market captured... Personally, I think the US has been a little lathered up with all of Bush's woofin' and could use a little less lather and just run to place or show... We ***don't*** have to win if winning means going bankrupt...

Jus' MO...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 09:10 AM

GG-

I do worry about Obama's new "celebrity" status. It's taken down many an experienced politician before, and the media loves a feeding frenzy.

Just how to become better known, demonstrate leadership but acknowledge mistakes, be non-arrogant but willing to question basic wrongs, no easy job. I'm surprised how well Obama does.

Michelle may need some additional coaching, watch her own video performance and think more before her next public performance.

Bill needs some "cellar time."

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Amos
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 09:58 AM

Good aynal-eesis, Bobe.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Big Mick
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 10:18 AM

I share your concern over his positions, GG, but this country has become so cynical (rightfully so, for the most part) that it is my opinion that we need someone to believe in, someone who is inspirational. Mix that up with a community organizer's desire to change and knowledge of life in the community and I think you have a leader with an eye on the right issues. Edwards is still my number 1 choice for Pres, but imagine an Obama Presidency with a cabinet that would include Edwards as Attorney General or Secretary of Labor, Richardson as either VP or Secretary of State, a strong environmental person, maybe Waxman or someone like that at EPA..... man, the possibilities are endless. Labor is obviously a post I am very interested in seeing who he would pick.

I would rather see Edwards, because I feel as though he would draw a line in the sand. But I must admit to feeling old feelings from my youth during the Kennedy years astirring with this young man. I wish him well, and applaud the Kennedy's for stepping up.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 10:39 AM

Yeah, Mick...Two of my good blues buds work for the EPA and are absolutely disgusted with their flat-earth bosses that Bush has appointed...

Yes, Waxman would be a great EPA appointment...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 09:37 PM

Sorry guys, I just ain't buyin' it. He doesn't inspire me, doesn't make me hopeful. He has that churchified preacher tone...nope.

I'm not to terrible crazy about Edwards either, as I've stated a number of times. I just see him as the underdog at this point, and if you don't care what the candidate says, his talk--as others have pointed out--is closest to Kucinich.

Obama and Clinton, to me, are saying pretty much the same thing on the issues (when you can figure out what the hell Obama is talking about besides "unity" and "new kind of politics" that is).

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Riginslinger
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 10:23 PM

Okay! Where would you go, GG?

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 10:30 PM

I think I've made it pretty clear I'm sittin' this one out--IMO it is a choice between no choices and no choices. I ain't votin' for none of these eejits.

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 12:00 AM

You sit it out, then. That's very helpful, fence sitting.

Kucinich had a lot of sound ideas, and if Edwards has adopted some, that's a good thing. Sometimes those front runners have to adopt those kinds of ideas to bring more people around to electing them.

Texas Democrats haven't had much say for years now, but we're watching, and wishing Molly Ivins was around to spread some truth-telling common sense and good humor over the field.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: oggie
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 11:04 AM

We had "new politics" and "the big tent" over here with one Tony Blair. Turned out he was less liberal that Maggie Thatcher and well to the right of her on many issues including civil liberties, surveillance and personal freedom. His "big tent" was well policed by the spin doctors and any sign of dissent was stamped on.

When Roy Hattersley managed to get painted as a leftover, reactionary, hard left stick in the mud I realised just how right-wing TB and his cohorts were.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Obama annointed by Caroline Kennedy
From: Amos
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 11:15 AM

Barack Obama is a different crittur than Tony Blair by very far.

HE is deeply internally civilized in ways Blair could only pretend to be.


IF the country veers off toward Hillary Clinton, they will be buying the TOny Blair equivalent version of the future.

It is time, IMHO, for someone who can Think Differently.

(Note to Steve Jobs: note adverbial construction).

Send him (Barack) in and watch him run -- I urge you.


A