Okay, Well. Obama Just Got Himself Scratched Off My List

[NashVegas]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3120460


"Obama: Gore, Kerry Alienated "Half the Country""

WTF is wrong with this guy that he thinks Little Green Footballs speaks for half the country?

[alteredstate]

1. Could you please provide a link

to a video of Senator Obama uttering those words?

[CherokeeDem]

2. Try this...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3120460

[alteredstate]

9. Thanks! You just proved my point.

Obama didn't say anything about Gore and Kerry.

[journalist3072]

16. You're not that naive, are you?

Obama stepped up his argument that he's a unifying figure, suggesting that he's not only more electable than Clinton - but John Kerry and Al Gore, too. "I don't want to go into the next election starting off with half the country already not wanting to vote for Democrats - we've done that in 2004, 2000," the Illinois senator said during a stop in central Iowa.

Source: http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-usobam015521937jan01,0,4073662.story

http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2007/12/obama_gore_kerry_alienated_hal.html

[alteredstate]

28. No, I'm not

That's why I won't buy some guy from Newsday's spin.

I'm surprised that you're buying it.

[journalist3072]

29. No, you just don't want to believe that your candidate would say such a thing. The quote is right

there for you.

I swear, the Obama apologists here on DU are just unreal. You guys will make any excuse in the book for your flawed candidate.

[alteredstate]

32. I haven't seen anything that indicates Senator Obama slammed Kerry and Gore.

You can spin it, but it's just spin.

[journalist3072]

40. Then you can't read...because it's right there.

[Little Star]

43. Maybe someone can read it to you. Wow, DENIAL!!!

[alteredstate]

55. LOL

There's nothing there.

[Yael]

68. LOL!!

Okay, then who ran in 2000 and 2004? Please do explain the deeper meaning.

[surfermaw]

73. Sounds like he is on the wrong ticket, he should try the republican party

[Ineedchange]

46. Need Real 1st Source

Please provide a real 1st source like a trasncript of the speech or a video. The source provided is suspect since I can't seem to find another source on the net confirming. Seems like a 1st source would be burning up the blogs with repeats on a story like this. The stakes are high. Don't enable DINOs.

[TeamJordan23]

3. I would like to see the video also. If you are talking about Obama talking about polarization

than that is a different issue. We have been a polorized country since the end of the Clinton era.

[dogishboy]

7. Was that when you woke up? 1/20/2001?

I guess you missed the "non-polarizing" reign of Gingrich's leadership in the House. What a Kumbaya time that was

[TeamJordan23]

19. I meant since the Clinton era.

I am not placing the blame on Dems or anything. But the country has been polarized for a long time.

[dogishboy]

23. "We have been a polorized country since the end of the Clinton era. "

I'm really glad to learn that we have been polarized "since the Clinton era...But the country has been polarized for a long time"

Im sure you think you're making sense

[H2O Man]

53. You are right.

Gingrich served as Speaker from 1995 to 1999. He helped to bring the polarization to a new level. Of course it didn't happen over night, but the Gingrich era was marked by an intensity that damaged the country.

I also think that Senator Obama was speaking about the process in 2000 and 2004. It does not seem to be an insult towards either Gore or Kerry. More, though I think that both won their elections and had them stolen, I do not think it is offensive to say that both campaigns were poorly run.

[NashVegas]

17. If That Is What's Required for You to Accept the Quote

I can't help you. FWIW, ABC's Sunlen Miller has the same quote

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2007/12/was-obama-slamm.html

[ecstatic]

4. If true, which its probably not, he was off the mark with that one

Gore and Kerry were not favorites of mine by a longshot, but other factors were at work, including an efficient RW hate machine, rigged machines, and disenfranchised voters.

[Adelante]

18. No, it's not true

He was talking about the country being divided, which it was in both elections.

[robinlynne]

31. And is even more so now, as it should be. If he plans to bend more to the right than

Gore and Kerry, he loses my vote too, no matter what. We need to move to the LEFT, not to he THE MIDDLE, which was moved a few thousand miles over to the right, in case you missed it.

[Adelante]

65. Vote for whoever you want

I don't care.

[mitchtv]

5. Obama will give away the store

But what do I know? Weak and naive, wrong on nuclear, wrong on seniors, wrong on Social Security. absent for important vote(Iran),Too willing to compromise, and just another treacherous politician to gay americans.

[truedelphi]

10. He looks so good, and so Kennedy-esque, but I'm afraid if we scratch below the surface

It would be a repulsive sight.

I am not sure exactly what lurks around in there.

[depakid]

48. Speaking of Kennedy, props to DU'er Benhuert for this chart:

[TheWraith]

35. Wow. I'm afraid you really don't know that much.

I suggest that you try researching the topics instead of listening to the lies coming out of the Clinton camp.

[mitchtv]

49. I'v heard him, and how his talking points change

Believe me he'll return to square one. Nuclear is a part of his energy paln and he is willing to raise the age for social security. He has insulted Gays with his pandering in SC. And, as a senior, I am not about to step aside.Hillary is not much better, and will not get my vote either in CA Feb 5.

[frazzled]

6. Given that he never said what's inside your quotes

he must never have been very far up your list anyway. So no great loss.

He's talking about polarization that has existed in this country--regardless of the candidates--which turns elections into team-sport events (my side, do or die versus your side, do or die) rather than thoughtful considerations.

So, to recap: he's not saying Gore or Kerry or whomever polarized the country ... but rather than that the country has been blindly polarized for a long time. That was the theme of his 2004 Democratic Convention speech ('there are no blue states and red states'), and it is consistent now. His whole campaign has been premised on breaking through this kind of obdurate polarization. It has nothing to do with Gore or Kerry. But that's the problem: Obama's arguments are sophisticated; the attackers don't quite understand what he is saying. That could be a problem for him, admittedly. But there will always be people not willing to listen or think.

[TeamJordan23]

12. Wow, someone with rationality. We need more of it on DU. nm

[alteredstate]

13. You're correct

[gaspee]

86. yeah

Cause we're all too stupid to understand.

Yeah, that's everyone except Obama supporters, stupid. Nice.

[eridani]

88. What is this bullshit passive voice "has been polarized"?

Fucking Rove, the neocons and the Federalist Society have polarized us. Not to mention Limpballs and O'Lielly et al. Why is he blaming Dems? Like Obama, most have been WAY too accommodating.

[sniffa]

8. oh, i thought it would be because of DK urging his delegates to go to Obama

that seemed to piss you off more. :boring:

[NashVegas]

20. I Thought That Was Pretty Amusing, Actually

Reading comprehension difficulties?

[sniffa]

41. no

transparency difficulties?

[alteredstate]

52. I love you.

I can't help myself.

[monmouth]

51. Obama could use ten more or so....geez eom

[JackORoses]

11. He didn't even use their names.

He said that in 2000 and 2004 the country was divided and the Democrats lost.

It will take someone who appeals to Independents as well as Democrats to get elected.

[ChiciB1]

22. Someone Here Is Either Very Dense Or Avoiding The Obvious...

I'll let you decide for yourselves, but for me what I'm getting from the quote is a bit of arrogance and denigration by Obama!

And I rarely say ANYTHING negative about Obama. I AM surprised!!

[mtnsnake]

50. Well duh! That makes it even worse.

Instead of having the courtesy/guts to name them by name, he instead refers to the candidates who ran in 2000 and 2004. Pathetic.

[JackORoses]

61. here is what he said:

"I don't want to go into the next election starting off with half the country already not wanting to vote for Democrats -- we've done that in 2004, 2000"

He doesn't refer to Presidential Candidates at all.

He refers to the Democratic Party in general and the policies that led to defeat in 2000 and 2004.

It wasn't the fault of any individual candidate, it was a Party problem.

Obama believes we must again become a Big-Tent Party to win the Presidency.

[gaiilonfong]

14. Old news and just a smear

But have a bash.
The young voters who will vote for Obama in 2 days, know that the MSM are liars and the don't buy into the Taylor MArsh DLC/Rove talking points

Nice try
NO SALE HERE

[NashVegas]

21. Heehee

From a speech given yesterday, it becomes old news?

loveit

[Bluebear]

26. "Old news" - 12/31/07

:silly:

[durrrty libby]

15. He's still wet behind the ears.

[TomClash]

24. HE SAID NO SUCH THING

Read the actual Newsday blog.

[NashVegas]

30. It's a Story Title

Read the line in big bold letters.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2007/12/obama_gore_kerry_alienated_hal.html

[alteredstate]

57. I think it's sad that you're agreeing with a right-wing spinmeister.

[NashVegas]

83. I Think It's Obama Who Agrees with the RW Spinmeisters

That's the point. For him to go in front of Democratic audiences and say that 1/2 the country doesn't want to vote Dem - and use previous election stats where they actually DID vote Dem OR 1/2 didn't want to vote Repuke, either - that's using RW spin!

[TomClash]

63. THAT'S NOT WHAT THE BODY OF THE ARTICLE SAYS

Who cares about the story title? This is the writer's interpretation. It's shoddy, bogus "journalism."

[zulchzulu]

25. Point to how half the country in 2000 and 2004 were NOT going to vote for a Democrat

It is a FACT that half the country in both 2000 and 2004 didn't vote for a Democrat. Are facts a little hard to handle?

[Ineedchange]

58. App. 1/3 of the population decides who is President

Unfortunately 100% of the voting poulation does not vote. 64% of U.S. citizens age 18 and over voted in the 2004 presidential election, up from 60% in 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau...

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/004986.html

[truedelphi]

59. Thank you for alerting people to the reality

If someone doesn't like the Third Party voters, they should look at the numbers and realize that over one third of all those eligible to vote do not bother to do so.

Those are the people who should get people's panties in a knot. The one third of all Americans who don't vote one way or another or another!

[BeatleBoot]

27. Barack Hussein Obama would make a great Mayor

of maybe Champagne or even a Chicago.

But, jumping this fast into the White House, it just isn't going to happen.

Rove and crew will be like a cat playing with a yarn ball if BHO is the nominee.

Sorry to say.

[Nailzberg]

36. Where exactly is Champagne?

[Bluebear]

76. U of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

[Nailzberg]

85. Champaign. I get it now.

I was trying to understand why someone thinks Obama should be the mayor of a province in France.

When people make leadership suggestions for the people of Illinois, they could make an effort on the spelling.

[SoxFan]

60. Just saying...

[Sulawesi]

62. Well, HRC can't seemt to handle him...

What makes you think she'd do better against the republicans, or that he would do worse.

[chascarrillo]

66. Nice racism, yaller

[earthlover]

33. You scratched it off for nothing...nothing!.....

For one thing, the story does not show Obama saying what the headline says he said so we have no evidence that he said it at all. Second, the source is not named....it is a "person at the event". Like who, a Hillary supporter?

Here's what Obama was quoted as saying: "I don't want to go into the next election starting off with half the country already not wanting to vote for Democrats -- we've done that in 2004, 2000," according to a person at the event....

Where does this say Kerry or Gore alienated half the country?...he didn't even mention their names, let alone give them personal blame for this.

Obama is criticising the whole strategy of just trying to squeak by in an election. He is saying we should shoot for a higher goal. And, in order to do this, we have to reach out to independents and cross over Republicans. If we can't motivate more people to vote for us than in 00 or 04, we lose. It is that simple. This is not an attack on the candidates but on the strategy.

Of course, the Obama pile-on-ers won't read the story with any skepticism or perspective. It reinforces what they want to believe in the first place. So much for objectivity! But if you read what the story actually said, it did not support its headline....at all.

Newsday...not exactly a left-leaning publication...

[babylonsister]

34. Please. Show me where he specifically mentioned either of them.

Did you ever consider he was talking about 1/2 the sheeple in this country who would rather have had a beer with the blivet? Read what you will into it, but that's how I read it.

[alteredstate]

38. That's how I read it, too

but I guess we're just "naive" because we don't embrace some guy from Newsday's twisted words.

[Diane R]

37. He didn't say that. Good try, Clinton supporters.

[tammywammy]

39. ...

[alteredstate]

42. Yep

and I can't believe Democrats are spreading this shit.

[Windy]

44. Aren't you Clintonites dizzy from all that spin yet?

Its certain effected your vision and ability to read and interpret...

[loveangelc]

45. he's right.

[alteredstate]

54. Yes

He's right.

[Skidmore]

47. Since when was he on your list?

I don't recall you doing any more than dissing the man.

[College Liberal]

56. Thank You

I rest my case

:eyes:

[NashVegas]

64. Oh Dear, Well

You've made me go back and look.

Overall, the worst things I've ever said about Obama were to express the belief that his presence in the campaign served the purpose of being a lightning rod to draw attacks away from Hillary.

And look! He just did.

[calteacherguy]

67. They did alienated half the country...look at the election results!

There certainly was no mandate!

Look, I like Kerry and I like Gore, but facts are facts. Even 49/51 is alienating half the country. It's not about the election count, it's about bringing more folks over to our side.

[College Liberal]

78. Good post and great point

:hi:

[Tejanocrat]

69. Is Obama TRYING to lose?

[BlueIris]

74. Yes. nt

[DemKR]

79. sure hope so lol

[DemKR]

70. amen!!!!

[Azathoth]

71. Did you hear? Al Gore said he invented the internet! Can you believe his arrogance?

Nice to see the Hillaryites once again borrowing tactics from the GOP.

[DemKR]

77. um, honey, OBAMA said this, not hillary. wAKE UP n/t

[Azathoth]

80. Yes, and Gore claimed he invented the internet

Of course it doesn't matter if he really said it or not, just as long as his fanatical opponents keep asserting that he did.

Hillaryites are once again borrowing tactics from the GOP.

[October]

81. Just like your candidate, all you can do is knock Dems

[Azathoth]

82. I freely knock Dems who borrow GOP tactics like fear-mongering, push-polling and fabricating quotes

Hence, I freely knock the Hillary campaign. It's amazing to see people who were once red-faced and frothing at the mouth over what the GOP did to Al Gore turn around and use the exact same tactics on Obama.

[surfermaw]

72. green as can be, wonder about republican money

[DemKR]

75. repubs love obama

[Czolgosz]

84. recommended

[OneBlueSky]

87. Obama's seeming acceptance of homophobia and homophobes as "okay" . . .

turned me off on him a long time ago . . . and since then, he has done nothing to improve his standing in my personal preference list of presidential candidates . . . he and Hillary are the two Democrats I would have immense difficulty voting for in the general election . . .