November 12, 2007 10:05 PM
Barack Obama's Saturday Night Speech In Iowa - Fired Up In The JJ
(20:49 - h/t Scarce)
This speech by Senator Barack Obama last Saturday night at a Democratic fund raiser in Iowa brought the house down. Full of passion and renewed energy, Obama is in his element as he lays out his vision of the future, taking his shot at his opponents and railed against the failed policies of George W. Bush -- Iraq, social security, health care -- you name it, the Senator nailed it. It's nice to see a candidate go full throttle, unlike the sound bytes we've been getting from the debates.
...-
Logan, did you post this just 'cause a few people were screamin' fer it on today's Edwards thread?
Obama:
Which begs the question: why didn't Obama vote against Mukasey?
By the way, Obama, you are not our leaders. You are our representatives. We lead you. And in the case of our president, our employee. Get the right attitude, unlike the Nancy Pelosi attitude.
Tom Haden's memo to Oboma:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/11/10/5140/
Sorry -
couldn't get past the World Wrestling Federation type of intro.
God help you people!
Still have trouble with the Donnie problem. Until he provides a good answer, he WON'T get my vote, period.
Otay @ 3:
Because like the rest of them, he either didn't have the fortitude not to, or he's just another self-interested pol.
Heard excerpts of his fired up antics on Stephanie Miller's show earlier today - I'm more of an Edwards guy, but Obama's fired up speech truly rallied that Iowa crowd. Will be interesting to see who has the lead come primary voting time.
Thank You Logan.
This speech was so awesome......
It is a sad day when as an open minded progressive I feel like the 'angry left' has lost their partisan minds. As to all the 'accusations' against this man as being too this or that, all things being equal he is no more or less 'corporate' or whatever the charge than Hillary.
Why not vote for inspiration. This speech comes from the heart.
I hear a lot of words... which contradict how Obama voted or did not even bother to vote.
All I am looking for now is honesty, integrity and standing by principle. I am sick and tired of the demagogues.
What an inspirational speech, it blew me away!
Otay @ 3:
Because none of the Democratic Senators could get to Washington in time, thanks to the deal making expertise of one Harry Reid.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/11/10/harry-reid-allowed-mukasey-vote...
...so Obama, Clinton, Dodd, and Biden didn't get to vote because they didn't know there would be a vote in time to get back to DC.
Great orator, but other than that, to me he's just Barack Oblahma, as in blah-blah-blah rhetoric.
Disclosure: I support Chris Dodd.
It was a pretty good speech, but I thought he played the race card too, and that'll turn off swing voters (although it probably will play well in the primary).
Now people need to start asking, if you thnk Hillary is unelectable, then what about him? A black liberal with two years in the senate. The republicans must be salivating. He's already taking hits for being for raising taxes... and something else I cant think of. I doubt this boomlet for him lasts very long once people start thinking seriously about how well he'd do in a general election. Hillary looks much better in comparison imo.
The Senator (which is different from a Representative) sure can be inspirational.
Straight Shooter @ 14:
I hear you. Dodd has stood strong on principle. I have been supporting someone else, but that may well change - I respect and admire principle.
Jonesy -
> ... I thought he played the race card ...
If he played it, he played it well. Because it was really the ol' '*STAND UP*' card.
Obama is the best leader in the group of democratic candidates. I challenge those who disparage him to call karl for further instructions.
GO OBAMA!
Obama was just spouting more election year bull shit, he is a bum along with most of the other contenders, including slippery Chris Dodd. The only straight shooter in the bunch is Dennis Kucinich, who has been practicing what he preaches from the very start. He is an honest, intelligent person who the bagel munchin news media hates because those assholes can buy him off. Tell the media bagel bums to f*ck off and vote for Dennis Kucinish. He will stop the illegal war and all the criminal profit making that goes along with the killings.
[Tag edited. Please don't post in all bold. Thanks-Sitemonitor]
I suggest that liberals do not become seduced by Obama's mellifluous oratory and start to examine his positions on the issues. He is against the immediate withdrawal of the troops from that abattoir in Iraq. He is against cutting off the funding for the occupation. He has not ruled out the nuclear option vis a vis Iran. He is against impeachment. His stance on health care means that the insurance companies will continue to remain involved in the equation which effectively negates the idea of universal health care in this country. The devil is in the details. One would think that the only candidate that would appeal to the interests of progressives, as well as with the rest of the country, should be, hands down, Dennis Kucinich. Apparently not being tall and not being as charismatic as Obama is making many people, including liberals, choose style over substance.
Wrestling intro? C'mon...you totally missed the Michael Jordan-ness of it all.
Loved the speech and the intro.
I signed on to Obama's campaign over a year ago. It's because, when he speaks, it's all inside, not on a teleprompter. That's a really good start.
Ramrod @ 19:
Oh please, if Obama isn't first on our list, we're neocons?
I'd vote for Senator Obama over Clinton any day but he's not my first choice. I was positively overwhelmed by his Democratic Convention speech but he really disappointed when he refused to filibuster Alito saying that we needed to vote Dems in next election and maybe they could do something then. I vote hoping that the person I vote for will be courageous enough to make a stand even when it may, eventually, be a losing battle.
James Jefferies @ 23:
Which only proves, there's no accounting for taste.
I can only hope we can avoid the plunge to the bottom of intellectual discourse in this country, that you have embraced in yours.
Ramrod @ 19:
Why do you think he is the best? Are you leaving room for difference in opinion on the issues? Are you leaving room for value of voting record over rhetoric?
I fully support your decision to choose Obama. But I don't appreciate being told who is "best".
i choose my choice not the dncs i choose dennis kucinich!
For Obama and those who allow themselves to be carried away by a few well chosen well spoken words-without checking for substance and action behind the words....
Living Colour Cult Of Personality
Andy K @ 2:
No, we hadn't received it when we posted Edwards. When we received it, we posted it.
tyree @ 28:
I'll give you that. I like Kucinich too. But I don't think he has a lot of chance with the American people. Could he be VP with Obama?? (I don't know your system too well.) That would be pretty cool.
rock star status
If he would've done this the last 6 months then he'd be ahead right now!
Otay, you won't read me smearing your candidate. Therefore I don't appreciate your BS on Obama.
It appears you don't appreciate the truth either.
I actually found his speech boring. I felt as if I was watching a tele-preacher. And as far as I am concerned the two biggest threats to America and the world in the 21st century are global warming and disease-both which should be at the top of his list not terrorism and nuclear weapons.
Ramrod @ 34:
What are you coming to a blog for? If you want "All hail Obama!!!" go to his site.
i dont settle for pretty spoken words obama doesnt speak from the heart he speaks from a well reherst diolog , kucinich is a working mans man, hes been to the zoo and seen the elephant , been poor been beaten down by the man , i wont except nothing less then kucinich !
Cynicism is clearly alive and well in the left blogosphrere.
It's like which color -->hate<-- do you choose? Democrats demand purity, eat their own flesh. Republicans demand power, eat democratic flesh.
Here is a trick question. Why did the constitution create checks and balances, and the legislative process? To avoid the hysteria of mob rule.
Lets not forget that from before Iraq Dennis Kucinich has been a strong voice who has not backed down. He has and continues to be the only one who consistently tells it like it is and is a strong enough individual that he can lead this country. IF you listen to the media you will say he hasn't a chance. Vote in your primary, get him up there and he will take the white house. He is what people have been screaming for, the media has already chosen another Clinton. We have had our fill of Bush's and Clinton's. We want CHANGE! The people don't have to go along with what the media says, we should all know that they are lying pieces of crap that says what they are told to say. Vote for Dennis if you really want change!
bunch of bullshit. I cant believe you pander to this guy.
Ramrod @ 34:
How is asking questions like this:
BS on Obama?
And why do you say I don't appreciate the "truth"? Do you have the "truth" on which candidate best matches me?
Slocum @ 13:
and I wondered until now, honestly, what the fuck is wrong with reid. he and pelosi are true saboteurs! I am absolutely floored! I hate him now! I really do. I hate rahm and chuck and joe and the whole list of pretend dems. I really hate them now. I can't type the word hate in strong enough terms. I'm glad I registered democratic. I'm going to enjoy voting the dlc, dscc, dccc scum out. I'm really going to enjoy the disappearance of these scum from DC.
Nicole Belle @ 30:
thank you.
I like a man who can speak from the heart. www.BarackObama.com
> If he would’ve done this the last 6 months then he’d be ahead right now!
Agreed.
Erroll @ 22:
I'm just gonna go with: "what Erroll said" because it's enough.
Erroll @ 22:
I agree. His stance on Social Security is pretty ridiculous, too. Apparently he has bought into the sky-is-falling rhetoric on SS.
How many votes has Obama missed while campaigning, all the while collecting his salary and benefits?
I like Kuchinich, but I think he does lack charisma. I'm not too familiar with Dodd, but he comes of as kind of an asshole. People respond too it. I think charisma is an important aspect to a leader. He came from almost no money, he got his start in politics working for poor African American worker's rights. In Illinois he was a key player in actually getting things done in this state. He did it through reason and talking to people. He understands that change is taken by conservatives best in small doses. For those people who think just because the war is unpopular that people who have been conservative for decades are going to suddenly say "yes" to any liberal idea put on the table, simply because a candidate stands for it need to come down to earth. We all share most of the same ideas, and so does Obama, but it comes down to who can actually get us going in the right direction, and that takes a special kind of person who can rally and convince people. It takes charisma. I mean, haven't the last 7 years of a leader who cannot compromise any of his and his rich buddies strict convictions and beliefs taught us that these approaches won't work? People are just starting to wake up to the greed and corruption that has been running the country since the late 70's, mainly because these corporations and bureaucrat's have gotten too greedy. So Obama might not promise us everything we expect as liberals, but he promises change in the right direction. He believes that even the 1% wants to do good in their hearts. I'm not too sure about that though.
Obama said he will STOP THE WAR!.....................................................in 16 month.
Which is in equal with 3 times the Tom Friedman's unit.
Obama why such a rush?
CoIntelPro @ 46:
If E could just speak plain English...... all those big words made me dizzy.
Check out Hillary's Health Care Plan. It is basically embraces some privatization. She uses the word choice a thousand times to discuss it. Why? Because she, like Obama know that there aint no way it is gonna pass unless it has bipartisan support.
Or you could ask that the Democrats do it Dick Cheney style. All under the desk and behind closed doors. Or we could act like this really is a democracy....... which I think is Obama's main point.
I don't know how anyone could listen to that speech and not be moved, whether you support Obama or not. The speech was awesome and inspiring.
Apparently some are so jaded that even inspiration goes over their heads these days. Sad.
who was that that introduced the priveledged resolution to impeach a member of the boosh crime family? just asking.
paranoia @ 50:
How do you move 150,000 men out of a battle zone in a day or a week? These things take time. Why the haste?
April @ 51:
I'm jaded by facts! yeah, ok! what are you jaded by?
YAWN!!!Bombastic manifestation.Talk is cheap.Nothing of substance.Just another politician with...loaded (empty) promises.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0X4HAIwJBEU
"Don't let
Fire rush to your head"
April @ 53:
simple !you put them on trucks and move them thru kuwait and fly them home!
April @ 53:
they got put there in thirty days. we have three carrier groups in the vicinity. we have allies with their own airforces. If we can pay $700,000,000 for blackwater to be better equipped than our soldiers, we ought to be able to hail a cab for 150,000 people to return home and pay the fare for them.
i expected him to come out in a pink cape and green mask, given that WWF intro. why is that sort of crap required in the good ole USA?
tyree @ 57:
How long would this take, and do you think the troops might be open targets?
Realistically it is more dangerous getting out than going in. So it might not be quite as simple and easy as you suggest.
CoIntelPro @ 54:
I'm jaded by facts! yeah, ok! what are you jaded by?
Negativity. It seems that all too often that is all that is offered up.
It took the settler in the 1850 to reach the west coast through the Oregon trail from New York in less than 6 month by horses, and I think we have improve travel since then. That travel was base on 2-3 miles per day, and today we have carrier, airplane (the big thing with wings, and spit jet fuel) and locomotive on rail. We are not as backward as you seem to think on removing troops from a rhetorical war. This war would be easiest to get out of since we are not at war with the Iraqi.
canuknotusa @ 26:
Sheesh. You sure are inferring a lot about my level of "intellectual discourse" from that one little post. I dug the introduction and the speech. In an age where the GOP candidates are free to throw red meat to their cross-toting foot soldiers, I like it when a Democrat recalls that we are the party of FDR, Kennedy and MLK. I like it when our man stresses the importance of being the party of the future vs. the party of fear.
Did I go into his policy stands on health care, ending the war or anything else? Nope.
You whiffed where it came from, I corrected you. Get over it.
I could go on for days about why I think he's a superior candidate, but I won't because
much like the Special Olympics, when you argue about these things on the internet, even
when you win...you're still retarded.
Grow a sense of humor sir.
Note- For the last time, it had NOTHING to do with the WWF. Did no one else here watch the NBA at all during the 90s?
well he definitely is 'in this race' I wonder why he thinks it necessary to keep reminding us does he think we'll forget?
Honestly, he has my vote right now since he appears to be the only candidate that comes off as honest to dialogue.
For me, it's either Kucinich or Paul. Unfortunately, Kucinich isn't getting the attention he deserves from the Democratic voters.
Slocum @ 13:
Ironically, I thought that a senator job was to work as our representative in the final stages of the legislative process and to keep in check the executive and, via confirmation, the judicial branches of the government. I guess I must be wrong, because according to the list of missing senators they seem to be under the impression that their job is campaigning.
So it begs the question, would anyone at a real job with the absentism rate of people in either house manage to keep their jobs for more than six months?
And more importantly, if plenty of us mere peons were aware of the AG confirmation, how come these maroons in the senate were not aware of it? Is it that hard to get that information?
So basically our country is depending on people who can't even locate a fucking confirmation date on a calendar as their decision makers?
Fuck the lot of them, either GOP or Dem... both have something in common: they are equally useless.
So, Mr. Obama; besides talk talk talk... are you guys going to do anything? I mean if you are doing jack squat right now, and are charging us a pretty penny for the "honor" of having you as a public servant with the rest of your useless party mates, why would you assume that we believe that you will all of the sudden start doing anything if elected.
Hillary, Obama, and the rest of the senate bums: earn your fucking salaries or shut the hell up.
April @ 60:
Where there is a will there is a way. Trust me, the issue for the troops having to stay is not the logistics of a pull out, at all...
I still plan on voting Kucinich in the primary, but it's not something that couldn't change. Dodd, Edwards or Obama (in that order) could still change my mind. Other than those, I've pretty much ruled them out.
Haven't heard anything like that in 8 years.
It was nice.
Because he is black I think some won't vote for him, but I would, Obama, Edwards or Edwards Obama.
April @ 61:
Negativity. It seems that all too often that is all that is offered up.
the facts about Obie have their own negativity.
stay the course
corporate health plan
ss is gonna die
give me a break!
how am I supposed to take this 'more of the sameoldcrap' platform? positively?
ok! for you I'll do just that.
I'll positively vote for Kooch in the primary and in the general election.
Dimples @ 66:
seriously... do you know what either of those two believe in? or are you just voting for the little guy? because those are like polar opposites...
yea yea yeah i know they both seem very honest... but honesty isn't everything (it sure is nice). The only way you can agree with both of these men is with some sort of split personality complex.
April @ 60:
why have you bought into the republicant meme on this?
Fuck Obama. I used to support him. Then I realized his talk about "change" was just that: talk.
Obama makes pretty speeches. But his policies are not as detailed and thorough as Edwards (forget Hillary).
That isn't such a BAD thing! Obama is a thinker, a ponderer rather than an executive.
He will make a fantastic (and long lasting) addition to the Supreme Court when John Edwards is elected...
;)
Is it just me or does anybody else think these Poll numbers are 100% bullshit?!? Think about it, who gets polled? People with land lines that are home during the day, which are primarily older women, who ALL support Hillary!! Obama is going to shock people when he runs away with the Iowa and NH Primary. And he'll bring the moderate Republicans around for the general, get on board people!! This is your next president!!!
> Is it just me or does anybody else think these Poll numbers are 100% bullshit?!?
You are not alone.
Otay @ 17:
I like all of them but they all folded like cards when bush pushed their backs to the wall with Iraq. I think most of you miss Baracks point which is that we don't have t play counter point to he republicans. You are all asking to be lied to if you think Edwards can take anyones health care for ransom or if you think someone would vote for a Clinton but not for a black man. Our best bet is not someone with a built in hate base, has anyone looked at the head to head match ups lately even McCain beats her. He isn't a good orator he's not smooth like bill or graceful like Martin, he is smart and loud, and that's exactly what I want our next nominee to be. We can show the world what it means to be democratic. Big 'D' and little 'd'.
Erroll @ 22:
Us progressives have got that. Liberals...what's that and who the hell cares.
Stanley Rosenthal @ 78:
Indeed!
How did they get Zoogz Rift to do the entrance announcement?
mo_dems @ 75:
Wow, you don't say? someone on the campaign trail talking about change? and now your pointing out that someone whom has not been elected into said office isn't doing anything? AMAZING!!! and now you say your intent on keeping him that way by not voting for him? Wow, just WOW! Don't look now, but your carriage is leading your horse.
It would seem that not a lot of you are capable of actually entering a comment about the video. I don't know what your trolling for, but if you have no intent of actually commenting on the speech Obama gave then you most likely have stop thinking years ago and should just join the GOP and do as your told. You'll like it much better that way. No need to think, just sit back and wait to be instructed on your world view. You'll like it and when your done, there will be cake! :)
abarts @ 48:
He chose to skip the Kyl-Lieberman vote which he keeps saying was so important.....to everyone else but him apparently. He's missed alot of votes but nobody in the MSM ever brings that up.
If he couldn't use the word "look," his speeches & nonanswers would be half as long. His uncreative use of monotonous sound-byte repetition has the opposite effect he intends. It's annoying. Really annoying. Throw in "Now look (pause)....." every third sentence and his speeches are pedestrian at best.
Maybe he can get Michelle to talk about how he throws his dirty stinky socks everywhere at home some more, or ramble on about him passing gas. (What was up with THAT?) Those two are a very odd couple. I guess I should thank both of my parents for not being perfectionist lawyers. That would be a weird upbringing... anyway...
Less speeches, less charisma, more truth, more hard plans and policy. I don't want a cute president that I could have a beer with, I want one to run the damn country.
For example, you should NEVER like your accountant. I mean that. You should trust them, of course, but never like them. If they smile a lot, and always shake your hand or butter you up -- you're being ripped off.
There is far more to competence than glowing personality. (Though I realize some of the presidency will be diplomatic. Here, as in all things, there must be a balance.)
Good speech, as far as rah-rah goes, however.
Obama is Hillary lite.
I'm sick of the media ganging up on Hillary and pretending that Obama is somehow different. They are both DLC appeaser types. We will get one of them, and I'll be forced to vote for whoever it is, but Obama isn't inspirational, isn't a maverick, isn't anything other than a corporatist appeaser.
If you like his position on handful handful of issues that he differs from Hillary on, or you think that Hillary's negatives are too high, fine - but don't pretend he's something other than what he is. Lefties are almost as gullible as wingnuts sometimes.
I've seen/heard Obama speak very inspirationally on more than one occasion (through the TV machine.) Unfortunately his voting in Congress since he became a Senator hasn't been so inspirational.
FedUp2 @ 84:
Uh oh: Obama's got the Gore Bug of screaming and saying "I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU!". When will these guys learn that phrase is a big turnoff. We don't want a *fighter* we want a *good man*. There's a huge difference. The fighter metaphor suggests "we", who he fights for, are weak and need a protector.
The shouting also totally blows the elegance, grace, and smarts that impressed the hell out of everyone at the 2004 Democratic Convention in Boston when Obama spoke there. It gets all hot and messy and un-subtle.
“Ladies and gentlemen the next President of the United States”?????????
Woah, uh…let’s let “Democracy” decide that Miss. Introducer.
I really gave this Obama guy a chance with this speech, considering how much people are gushing over it, I mean I really gave him a chance.
But…..he sounds like a big ol bag of hammers. He sounds more like a preacher, and he doesn’t LEVEL with people, he talks DOWN to people.
Second, his whole speech was directed towards democrats only. He says “if we are going to win this election, democrats…[sic]”, as if this country needs another DIVISIVE President. He should NOT be running to satisfy only democrats, that’s the job for Monday morning pundits on Fox News. No, as President, he is supposed to lead the WHOLE country, i.e. he is supposed to be the representative of the AMERICAN PEOPLE, not just one party affiliation.
If Obama wins, and he only does what one party wants, won’t he be committing the very same error Bush made by only considering what conservatives want? Do we REALLY need to make that same mistake AGAIN? Look what happened over the last 7 years, I mean does he think people are blind? The President is supposed to UNITE people, NOT divide people. Look at what division has done.
Third, he makes one of the most ridiculous claims of all candidates by saying that ONLY democrats “made a difference” in the history of the United States. A sphinkter says what? I mean, PARDON? What bologna.
Fourth, he says that America “needs” to have a democratic party in charge. Why is he telling us what we should need? How about freedom? How about individual rights and not another “party” in charge doing what we don’t want?
Fifth, he is a complete tool in economics. He wants to raise the minimum wage more often. That will only raise unemployment. Look at what the latest series of raises did. Unemployment went way up because of it.
Sixth (man this is only the 13th minute of the video), he is totally in the pockets of the military industrial complex, because he says “I will lead the world in facing common threats”. WHat other “common threat” is there for the whole world other than terrorism which is completely bogus?
Seventh, he NEVER SAID ANYTHING IN HIS WHOLE SPEECH. His whole speech was vacuus of any concrete ideas on what to do exactly. Sure he mentioned all the “hot button” topics of the American people, but that’s just it. He only mentioned them. He simply stated what everyone already agrees with. He is an empty man, unfortunately. He has no ideas in how to fix this country, all he wants is for the democrats to get elected, that’s it.
I’ve heard many people say this before, and I agree with them, Obama has absolutely no credentials, no drive, no ideas, no goals, nothing. He is nothing. Listening to him is like listening to every single politician you ever heard rolled up into one. He is a mismash of unfinished thoughts, incomplete sentences, incomplete ideas, and clearly is corrupted. The reason why he is popular is because he is a minority.
A smart, intelligent, driven, logical, and benefical politician is one who is ignored, who drives the establishment crazy, who makes people THINK for crying out loud. Obama is an establishment hack who has no business leading this country.
But that’s just my opinion.
delete if you want, but at least say why [deleted--nice jumping to conclusions. You got caught in our spam filters]
Wag @ 91:
Spam filters? What words could I possibly have used such that a spam filter would erase the post? Please let me know so I don't use them anymore. Also, if you have spam filters why do you need monitors?
[Actually, you go into moderation. Then a sitemonitor decides whether your post will be viewed. I told you on an earlier post I edited for length, "Brevity is the soul of wit." Learn it, and take it to heart when posting on this site. And quit wasting our time. Thank you-Sitemonitor]
CM @ 89: Are you serious? Being a fighter and a good man (or woman) is hardly mutually exclusive. Since when is passion bad? Ever hear FDR, JFK or MLK speak? Hell, Gore and Clinton on a good day? Hell, did you hear Obama in 2004? Apparently not the same speech I heard, though you're employing "we" rather than speaking for yourself. Did you happen to notice the reaction Obama got here, and how every write-up has commented on the raves he received? Plus, it's sure great being a "good man" or woman because we all know, from the press' treatment of Gore and Kerry, that the press will crush all those GOP lies and not spread any themselves (check out the Daily Howler), and no candidate ever has to "fight" for him or herself. Let's have another bland Bob Shrum strategy running from the core values of the party to maximize the chance of losing. Who exactly is turned off by Obama here, or "I will fight for you," as you claim? Feel free to speak for yourself, and you're entitled to your opinions, but boy, do you read like a pearl-clutching concern troll. BTW, Obama's not in my top three for the Dems, and I share some of the concerns about his voting record and positions, but it was a good speech, well-delivered.
Dr. Who @ 68:
Correct. The whole idea of an "army" is to move from A to B at moments notice. There is no other complex organisation so well prepared to do so.
"On the devil! Move! Move!!"
Too little, too late, Obama. Two good speeches in four years? Sorry, doesn't qualify you for the job.
Ramrod @ 19:
I challenge Barack Obama to stand up for the Constitution instead of expecting us to swallow the mere lip service he pays to it.
Senators have a job. They swore an oath. Yet they do nothing. Their complicity with Mukasey's gutless denial of knowledge of waterboarding and of the law is tantamount to treason.
Mukasey's performance was analogous to Peter denying Christ three times. Yet we have no filibuster, and no filibuster on that or on habeas corpus or on anything.
Obama's written statement to dailykos on 'Advise and Consent' is, Constitutionally, dead wrong. Never has it meant fealty to an imagined Prznl prerogative. "Advise and consent" is not a rubber stamp.
And it degrades Sen. Obama to say it is. That's not the stance of a Senator or the mark of a leader---that's a eunuch.
Obama COULD have been the best thing to happen to this country, but ever since he's been elected to the senate he's turned into typical washington. Obama didn't change the system, it was the system that changed him.
Paul/Kucinich!
I have some concerns about Obama, and he wouldn't be my first choice, (I'm still holding out for Gore and would also prefer Edwards) but he's certainly well spoken, no doubt about that.
In any case, I agree... the cheezy professional sports-style intro, ie: crazed, over-the-top announcer exhorting the crowd over an "exciting" musical build-up (in this case the kitschy sounds of "Sirius" by Alan Parsons) is cool I guess if you're introducing the home team players before NBA games, but in the context of introducing a man running for President of the United States, it's pretty asinine. The only thing missing is laser lights and fireworks. Very corny and undignified, IMO.
"Obama is the best leader in the group of democratic candidates. I challenge those who disparage him to call karl for further instructions."
How presumptuous of us to have our own thoughts and support other candidates. And how very "Rovian" of you attack anyone that doesn't support YOUR choice.
I support John Edwards, then Dodd, then Biden. Obama voted for an expansion of NAFTA as did Hillary Clinton and that is a deal breaker for me. Not disparaging at all, just an decision based on an issue. Like grownups do.
lewisnclark @ 97:
That was the intro made famous by the Chicago Bulls during the Jordan years. Perhaps they were making the geographic connection. At least it's not a song with lyrics like the fleetwood mac song or "don't stop believing". It could have been a lot worse.
Jonesy @ 15:
Here's a clue. The next president of the US is going to be the democratic parties nominee. I'm not going to ruin all the fun for you, but HE will absolutely crush Rudy. I've said enough.
But getting back to the point. The dems could run a mule in '08 and then we would have the first mule president of the US. Get it? The repugs aren't even really trying. They are letting Rudy have it because he's a buffoon. The sooner he/she burns through his/her 15 minutes of 9/11 fame, the better for the repugs. The only other repug that was known by more than 1000 people was Johny McPuffyface. He's running this time because he'll be dead by the time the repugs have a real shot at winning the white house again.
I'm not a great Obama fan. I wouldn't gripe if he won, but he won't. He needs to dig down and find his soul. I don't think he's sold his yet. Once he can give a speech from the heart, from his soul, then he will be a real contender. I'd say in 8 years he will be a great president. But you didn't hear that from me.
CoIntelPro @ 42:
True, and Reid did this to keep Obama from the Kyle/Lieberman Amendment vote too, so Hillary and her surrogate in Nevada, Reid's son, can say Obama "didn't bother" to vote.
I'm on Alice Walker's path. She (and I) strongly supported Kucinich in 04; she did a great fundraiser in SF. She and I strongly support Obama now. Kucinich can't take on the complexities of national politics effectively, unfortunately.
Obama is willfully taught and self-taught to be effective in national, local and international politics. He's learned what's needed organizationally, he's got the temperament to deal with strident single-issue voters and politicians (and pundits). And to the hater who said his speech was "boring", puh-lease! That speech sent shivers through any of us who listened to Dr. King closely.
And to another who said Dennis isn't DNC, he is, all Democrats are. If he means DLC, only Dennis, Gravel and Obama are not and haven't been members of the Clinton/Lieberman/Feinstein/Harold Ford hateful sellout corporate DLC.
And for those who say what's wrong with the "progressive" "left"? Willfully distrustful of an educated black man with foreign names (Barack - Swahili for "Blessed by God", Hussein - common Muslim name, Obama's middle name, like Barack's father's, who was an atheist in his adult life). Also an inherent prejudice that's as subconscious as any other, that ignores that Kucinich is also a politician - silent, voting "Present" on abortion issues until he ran for Pres. in 04, absent from reparations for black Americans until a visit with black activists in SF then agreeing to it on the spot. And Edwards has pitifully little experience, a 32% rating from environmentalists when he was US Sen., voted for Iraq, NAFTA, had a voting record closer to moderate Repubs than to either Clinton or Obama http://www.govtrack.us/congress/spectrum.xpd
Maybe if we'd quit ignoring facts, verifiable info more readily available than ever, and our own prejudices, we'd get the government we want, but haven't deserved up until now. I think Obama will win. People are tired of arguing for the sake of hearing themselves, and ready for real change. Only 1 in 4 eligible voters usually get off their butts to vote in primaries, less than 2% are black or Latino, about 2% are 18-24, the vast majority are older, white, own property and/or businesses. This year will be truly different. And lots of great white people, of all ages, religions, women and men, straight and GLBT, including Independents and Republicans (since-Reagan), are working hard for Obama.
For those arguing the hallowness of style over substance, I have news for you - symbolism matters. Since when does being a great technocrat make a great leader? If George Bush represents everything about America at its worse (elitism, nepotism, crassness, etc.) Obama, of the candidates running, best embodies what is great about America (meritocracy, public service, racial harmony, etc.). For those of us who live most of our time overseas, it can't be overemphasized how important it is to make sure the next U.S. President is the polar opposite (symbolically) of the current one. A charismatic leader can change the world by being, well, simply charismatic. In the 1980's, though the USSR was a roting carcass for years, it was not until a charismatic guy named Gorbachev charmed the west and gave western governments the cover they needed to bring the cold war to its peaceful conclusion. I could see a major breakthrough in middle east relations in an Obama Presidency simply by what he represents through foreign eyes. I mean seriously, do you think in an Edwards Presidency, during overseas trips, will include large mobs of people hoping to get a glimpse of him? I'm not quite as sure about Hillary, but since she is a wife of a former President, that probably isn't much cause for inspiration.
canuknotusa @ 6:
sigh... my thoughts exactly.
Can someone help:
I havent been to a hockey game for a while ...
was his intro music "Eye of the Tiger" or "Final Countdown"?
Thanks C&L !!
I think it is gonna be an exciting campaign ! As far as those who are complaining about Barack missing votes in the senate. True, But ALL the candidates that are in te senate have missed votes. It is common when they run for President, Kerry, Edwards (in 2003), Mccain, Clinton, Dodd and Biden. So lets me fair people.. Barack spoke out AGAINST his nomination ! True, I would have preferred he and ALL the others have voted against but unfortunately it would have not changed the outcome.
Earl,
I am not sure, I think it is mix of both of them !!
>106
MsCiara, Paris Says:
Earl,
I am not sure, I think it is mix of both of them !!
Kind of reminds me of some of the Amway gigs I used to tech for.
28 tyree Says: i choose my choice not the dncs i choose dennis kucinich!
me 2
God...... You have got a good ear ! My first boyfriend was an Amway salesman in California ! I think he must be doing something else now !
Go Obama!
wonderful - let's shamelessly fawn over mainstream sell out BS politicians! more of the same! Obama is a moron and a phony. I couldn't get past the idiotic intro, thanks.
If Obama lacks some of Kucinich's Peter Pan idealism and "I saw a UFO" honesty, it is because he is running for President of the United States, not President of progressive blogs. Romney and Giuliani are psychopaths possibly more dangerous than Bush and will need to be stopped by Hillary (the most conservative Dem running) or Obama. Go Obama.
Well--there is a tendency to look at this from my perspective as someone who has been witness to 11 presidencies and think, we won't get fooled again. It's dangerous, if not suicidal, to put faith in any politician. It appears either Clinton or Obama will be the Democratic nominee. Of the heavy hitters, the best person, Al Gore, is not running. I like Dodd and Kucinich, but who is kidding whom. I have reservations about Clinton and Obama, in many ways prefer Edwards, though I don't see him as having much of a chance for the nomination, and after his debate performance against Cheney in the previous election, seriously worry about his lack of powder to deflect the Republican slime muster. I want to like Obama more, and I hope he gives more speeches like this despite my cynicism because when I go to the voting booth next year in November I want to be voting for the next President, who will be a Democrat, and will do so whether it be Obama or Clinton, even though neither are my first choice. Yes, there is something persuasive about this come to Jesus approach he is pitching, and the message is one that is in line with our ideals. And we do need a President for the entire country, not just one half of the population.
109
MsCiara, Paris Says:
God…… You have got a good ear ! My first boyfriend was an Amway salesman in California ! I think he must be doing something else now !
I just worked the occasional big gig as sound tech, found them kind of sad/amusing --- Yikes, I sure wasn't a Salesman!!
He supported Joe Liarberman against Ned.
He's a fraud.
'Nuff said.
Otay @ 47:
I'm for Kucinich at this point too. But I think it is of the utmost importance to listen to what ALL the canidates have to say, call me crazy if you'd like. I have issues with Obama, most of which have been pointed out already in this thread. But to say that Obama's support of raising the income cap on the SS tax is "the sky-is-falling rhetoric" is BS. He's not saying that there is a problem other then the filthy dirty rich getting richer yet off bushs illegal wars maybe ought to pay a fair share into the system of SS. WTF is wrong with that? I've been saying the same thing since 1997 when I did some work in a tax office and first found out the rich were getting away with paying less in taxes then I had previously imagined. Personaly I don't think there should be ANY income cap on the SS tax! Why should I pay 6.2% and Bill Gates pay less then 1%???? And I don't consider the fact that he doesn't need it to be a viable argument really since that has nothing to do with the reason and ideals behind the program. There's a lot of reasons to be wary of Obama but that ain't one of them.
...don't fall into the stupid "he's likeable" trap.
Obama at his core is a politician who can speak well, but seems slippery to me overall.
As far as Clinton being a centrist, her "liberal" rating is pretty damn high..LOOK AT HER VOTING RECORD. It is identical to Obama's, excluding 4 minor votes..I've said it a hundred times.
The DIFFERENCE is that I do not think Obama is up to the challenge to right ALLLLL of the wrong done by this joke of a President in power now. I'm telling you people...just as I told everyone about Bush...Clintons need to be back in office. Obama overall is a lightweight (as of right now).
..and oh yeah, he's wayyy too cozy with the religious nuts, and that Donnie I'm an ex-gay, but I'm not really- thing is disgusting.
MsCiara, Paris @ 105:
It just seems like too much of a coincidence that he missed his chance to put his real thoughts on war when he missed the Iran resolution; yet he aims at Clinton every chance he gets for voting for it.
Whatever.
Stanley Rosenthal @ 69:
That's pretty much where I am right now also.
I don't know why I read these comments when I know the same windbags who attack Obama will be there with their same comments and prejudices time after time after time..... GO OBAMA!
Nailed what?
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He lost me at...
"The nation is at war."
No it's not. Your nation is occupying a sovereign country -- illegally. And the thing about Cheney and Bush not being on the ballet. We should be fucking happy about that?! 2008, as he said, is a year away. IMPEACH NOW!!
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#123-Stop George
Well said.
canuknotusa @ 6:
Seriously. Reminds me of the introduction of the President in the film Idiocracy.
CoIntelPro @ 46:
Indeed.
Not that style-over-substance voting is anything new. It began with the very first televised debate between Nixon and Kennedy, in fact!
I do agree heartily with these positions on Obama. I am not so cynical as to believe he doesn't have faith that he is doing, or will do, what is best for America. But he's young and and the nation cannot afford a man, no matter how good his intentions, to learn via error. He has his whole career ahead of him to refine his skills, gain valuable experience, and so forth, before running again. I have faith that in four-to-eight years, Obama is only going to get better. And at that time, I think I'll have a little more faith in him.
I do disagree about Kucinich, though he's probably my second-favourite pick (a position the underrated John Edwards tends to vie for) next to Hillary. When it comes to being President of both red and blue states, Hillary is the most moderate - love her or hate her. At least, that's how I look at it. Kucinich would unfortunately be divisive himself, since he is very liberal and almost seemingly uninterested in the concerns of conservative voters.
James Jefferies @ 63:
It has nothing to do with the WWF?
The WWF (now known as WWE, of course) has used 'exciting,' pounding music for decades. And lighting effects. And guess what? That tune that was playing during Obama's introduction used to be Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat's entrance music when he was wrestling in the WWF in the eighties. Just sayin'.
Obama is cool, the posters here need to lighten up.
> And the thing about Cheney and Bush not being on the ballet. We should be fucking happy about that?!
Kind of like being thankful someone isnt still beating you -- as much.
You know what sadddens me the most, compare the negativity here (e.g. the racial comments, the focus on the loud introduction, the strange skewing of obama's voting records) with the general posititvity of comments under the Edward's commercial yesterday (detailed strategies for him to beat Hilary, a proposal that he run with an unelectable Kucinich, wonderful praises of his health care plan). The contrast is striking, what does this say about us so called progressives?
And yes Kucinich is 100% unelectable, just as a Huckabee and Brownback are on the Repulican side. Yes DK espouses pure progressive ideals, but the reality is to win a national campaign, you have to appeal to people outside the narrow ideological perspective of your base. And don't throw Bush back at me, if he hadn't scared a large portion of independents (and a small portion of progressives) into voting for him, then he never would have been "elected".
There's my two cents.
My 2 cents is that all these democratic candidates platforms are all pretty much the same. Alot of this talk about how one candidate's platform is so much different then the others doesn't strike me as genuine.
Was that Nancy Pelosi giving the introduction?
Has she endorsed Barack?
It was a great speech, and I do like Obama over Clinton, but the truth is that Kucinich walks the walk. It's not just what they say, it is what they do that counts.
Sorry, unless C&L can explain away Obama's anti-gay pastor support in recent weeks, I'm really surprised at the at the positive attention. Obama blatantly supports the anti-gay agenda... myself as a straight person, I simply do not support any candidate that shows any signs of intolerance toward any race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other redneck-sponsored ignorance.
He will never have my vote.
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Shawnmeat @ 127:
Holy Shit! How did you know that was "The Dragon's" intro music? Fitting, seeing as this extra year of campaigning (to distract from impeachment) follows a script just like the WWE. Only this show is being put on by the Corporate media, not Vince McMan.
BO lost me at the "6 foot 2 Force for Change!" part.
Kucinich may not be 6'2'', but that's just 'cause he's concentrated, packed with integrity. :-)
I don't like Obama. I am very good at pegging politicians and to me he is all about his career and not our nation.
He is a smooth talking LeRoy Brown.
sombrerofallout @ 95:
Wow. The pols do not realize that constitutionally Congress is meant to have more power than the president? Just wow. They have everything backward. They think the pres is highest ranked, the congress second, and the voters last.
Best speech he has given so far.
Still not who I will support, I am going to support Senator Clinton all the way.
I think Obama has a future as a leader in the Senate. Maybe president some day, after he gets more experience in national politics.
Good speech, wrong candidate for right now though in my opinion.
Almost seemingly uninterested in the concerns of conservative voters? How so? Please, please, please explain that one? Dennis Kucinich proposes policies for ALL Americans: singlepayer health care for ALL americans (even for people with money, who "probably" tend to vote conservatively), the end of NAFTA and the WTO, which would benefit the American working class who, without a doubt, tend to be very conservative and vote so (despite not realizing that it's usually against their best interstes, FREE pre-Kindergarten, FREE day care, FREE publuc Universities (ALL for ALL Americans, even the conservative ones), and of course the immediate end to the Iraq war, benefitting our proud armed forces and bringing them home—and you can pretty much bet that the majority of them vot conservatively!
It was kind of energetic, but did anyone notice that all of a sudden he has an accent from the deep south? wtf And do you recognize those inflections? Obama has been studying MLK's speeches so much that he sounds embarrassingly like him. I can hardly listen it is so icky. I have to say he just doesn't seem genuine at all. I will vote for him if I have to, but I don't want to be manipulated by a chimeric chameleon. Just be yourself, kid. You're not from Mississippi or Alabama. While I'm at it, Mick Jagger, you can stop trying to sound like you're from the south, too.
Maybe I'm stupid....
Hilary: Uber electable(MAYBE) not trustworthy, Calculating to anal degree. Before the war sounded more like an republican than republicans. Hated by so many they will take anything over her like many of us voting for Carey to get Bush out. And if by some chance she is elected we will spend the next four plus year defending the Hilary bashing that's already been written. She plays the repugnecants role better than they do when it comes to running for government. I DON'T WANT TO ACT LIKE REPUGNECANTS TO BEAT THEM. I want a better process.
Edwards: A good man gone too far. The problem with change is that it is change and people don't like it. When you want people to go somewhere with them you can lead them or you can push them and he's a pusher. Everyone of us forget that most people aren't political junkies like us so they we only get the 5 second clips of this guy "telling" people what to do and it doesn't sell.
Biden: Vice President material every day of the week. Strong knows the issues shoots straight and doesn't back down. He's the kind of guy I'd love to work with but not for.
Dodd: ditto of the statement for Biden and that's the problem.
Dennis Kucinich: All of you short funny looking guys can stop saying the same thing.... Its not because he's short and funny looking. It is because he is before his time. His ideas are the perfect culmination of a sustained democratic majority, but we can not and will not get to there from here through him. What do we do with the 1.2 million people in the insurance industry once we shut them down. Will we freeze all of there stocks and give every one there money back. And with Iraq: stop the funding for Iraq only, well the only problem with that is that Iraq is only part of the funding and who here really thinks that Bush will bring the troops home if we stop the funding, he's a sociopath who would leave them there until that pussy Reid gave in. First we get of Reid then we get rid of Bush and Vader.
Obamo: For me is not a compromise until we're ready for Dennis, he is the right man at the right time. He is willing to fight not just for the sake of the fight but because it is time to fight. I'm not in the least bit confused about him being perfect, HE'S NOT, but I do believe he is a good man. IMHO
Andy K @ 2:
wow, your education IS really impressive. maybe you can google a clever response? dick.
Ok...Obama.well lets see.he is better than most...He is younger than the rest,which to me is a good thing.Maybe he can make a change.I liked the speech and I think he might be able to do some good.Hell anyone can do better than what we have right now.Way better than HC,Biden or Dodd.Edwards is still looking good.Richardson has more experience than all of them in foreign policy.DK is (to me anyway)is the better option...but I don't see him winning the General election.I see some people say this and that about Obama in a less than positive way.I don't know...maybe it's time to take a chance and try someone different.I've said it before...I like his civil rights work.That to me is a huge.....
SaneGuy @ 143:
saneguy......is that all you got....new around here aren't you...You picked on the wrong person there sport....why don't you give it some time,that way you might be able to think of something smart to say.cause that was stoooopid..............
Interesting article on Obama and Hillary:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/obama-clinton-the-naft_b_7262...
Jonesy @ 15:
Why do all of you guys dismiss the fact that this man is black and white?. His mother was as white as any of you and his dad was as black as many of us so deal with it.
Otay @ 17:
Did Dodd vote for the war?
Ramrod @ 19:
You are on the right track and hopefully those who doubt it, will hurry up and get on board for the sake of this country.
We have some really wonderful candidates running for President, but we can only choose one of them and I believe this guy has something to offer every Americans taste in leadership and I also think that he can go into the countries that we have simply pissed off and make a difference, because he is willing to work with them for change.
We need to get behind this man and give him a chance to lead this country to the greatness we once knew, otherwise we are going to end up with a mess.
I don't doubt that many of the others are also good, especially Kuccinich and Edwards, but as we can see, they are just not cutting it with so many people, so we have to move on and understand that this race is going to come down to Clinton and Obama and that should automatically shake the foundation warn all of us to make the right decision to go with this man who refused to allow big business to run his business and he is true to that fact.
He is the only one of all of them including the republicans who has presented the American people with his TAX Statements. I wounder why that is not promoted as it should because we really need to know what the hell we are getting before these people take office again.
My first choice would have always been the Great Al Gore, but he has decided he is not interested anymore, so again we have to move on folks. We have to save this country for our kids and picking a person that is not tied to this corporatist republican mess is a very good step for our kids.
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