My Take on the Obama Speech...

[Bullet1987]

I've become a casual here at DU the last few months, and as some of you may or may not know...I'm a supporter of Barack Obama. I don't overplay the experience argument because outside of 2 or 3 ALTHOGETHER out of ALL of the potentials...everyone else has shaky experience at best. If you're a John Edwards supporter, there's no reason you should be criticizing Obama for his "lack of experience."

Anyway, that's not what this topic is about. After watching Obama's speech at the Winter conference, I have to say I think he's going to be relatively honest about a lot. What do I mean by that? Well, let's compare him to Hillary. Most people agree that she is hands down going to be the most calculating and precise out of everybody running Dem and Repug. But with that precision comes the "typical politician." The politician who just says what you want to hear and not how they really feel. Kerry can say whatever he wants to now because he knows 2008 was his last shot at the Presidency.

Everything we've seen so far from Obama shows that even though he probably won't be as blunt as Kucinich...he's going to "keep it real" with the America people. He's going to come from the heart, and I really think his speech Friday showed that. This is why Obama has so much support, because people feel that he's not BS'ing them. He's going to run as a moderate (simply because I don't think he wants to hurt the potential of getting crossover votes), but you can see what he's written in the past and the speeches he's given and you'd know he's very much a Reformist. THIS is what this country needs right now. Kucinich and others may also be reformists, but their road to the White House is much harder (aside from John Edwards who has a legitimate shot). Clinton is not a Reformist by any means of the word. I truly believe if Obama was President he'd...

1. Abolish the Military Commissions Act (which he not only voted against, but damn near protested against it too)!
2. Abolish the Real ID Act!
3. Put more stipulations on the Patriot Act (he voted against it the first time, but was for it the second time...I don't know if he's abolish it though. But most Dems voted for it the second time too).

I'm personally against the Federal Reserve, but I don't know Obama's feelings towards it.

If Obama became President, our entire foreign policy would shift!!

[illinoisprogressive]

1. Excellent rundown. I am a supporter and I feel like you do. I also

have thought about his effect on foreign policy. I really believe he would do well in that. I feel he has the natural respect for other cultures coming from his background. He has seen how other cultures are personally. I feel he would bring that take and unique understanding and do much to repair our rift with allies and soothe things with our enemies. And with his natural ease and class he would not embarass us abroad like Jr. I also think he would deal rather hard nosed with China.
I think NOLA would be dealt with. He also testified at a hearing on the environment (the one Gore will be at) on Global Warming so this will be a priority.
I feel Edwards, though he seems okay, deals like a typical politician in saying what he thinks people want to hear.
Hillary is so controlling and consultant driven you do know she will never let us know her real views on issues.
Obama I feel is the most up front on his ideas and feeling on issues.

[stevebreeze]

2. Obama's people are asking for phone bankers next week

One can only assume this means he is announcing he is in. You don't phone bank to explain to people you are not running.

[illinoisprogressive]

3. this is true. I'm am going to Springfield Saturday.

[Imagevision]

4. Kucinich & Obama voted against the war, however, Obama voted for funding it, Kucinich didn't

[mike_c]

5. is it too much to ask that anyone seeking my vote not varnish themselves...

...to the point where others have to parse their positions for me? If Obama is a reformer why can't he be direct about it? Kucinich impresses me because he doesn't triangulate-- he says exactly what he means and what he says resonates with me. So far Barak Obama has HINTED that he might be an unabashed liberal, but I'm looking for leadership that won't rely on hints to get their real message across. So far Obama has been too difficult to attach to any particular viewpoints with any certainty. That might be good politics, but it doesn't impress me. I want a candidate who is forthright and unrepentant about their liberal politics.

[Imagevision]

6. Kucinich wants out of iraq NOW! - how many retired generals said Iraq was a mistake from the get-go!

Why do so many paint Kucinich as being too far out in left field??

[illinoisprogressive]

7. Funding means equipment and food.

[Clarkie1]

8. I'm impressed with Obama for some of the same reasons I'm impressed with Clark.

"He's going to come from the heart, and I really think his speech Friday showed that. This is why Obama has so much support, because people feel that he's not BS'ing them."


The only thing that would concern me with Obama as our nominee is lack of real world experience in international relations, which I believe is especially needed at this time in history.

[Bullet1987]

9. I dont...

Why do so many paint Kucinich as being too far out in left field??

I don't...but as a realist, I know for a fact that Kucinich isn't getting the nomination. And I'd rather have a candidate with a damn good shot at getting the nomination bite his tongue so he won't shot himself in the foot...rather than someone who can't get the nom because he's SEEN as too much of a maverick.

[earthlover]

10. Clark, Obama, Gore....any combination!

Simple solution....take any two of the three above names. Arrange the ticket in either order. In each combination, an assured winner in NOvember.

If Gore runs and gets the nomination, either Clark or Obama would be fine running mates.

If Clark runs and gets the nomination....Obama and Gore would be fine running mates, although I can't see Gore taking VP for anyone.

If Obama gets the nomination.....Clark gives foreign policy experience and gravitas and Gore would also give experience.

Best thing about the above three....each of them has a heart in the right place and neither of them is overly packaged/triangulated.

[Apollo11]

11. I am in the same place

Gore is the best qualified, if he is ready to run again, with Clark or Obama as his VP.

If Gore refuses to run, then a Clark-Obama ticket might be the next best thing.

Obama comes across well, but I don't think he is ready to be President yet.

He would make a fine running mate for either Al Gore or Wes Clark.


Let's all find ways to show our support for Al Gore! :)

Read Rolling Stone magazine: WHY GORE SHOULD RUN -- AND HOW HE CAN WIN
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/13248532/why_gore_should_run__and_how_he_can_win

Get ready for Al Gore's next book - The Assault on Reason - out in May!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/16/AR2006091600877.html

Visit the following pro-Gore websites:
www.algore.com
www.algore.org
www.draftgore.com - Sign the petition! :)
www.draftgore2008.org
www.patriotsforgore.com

:kick: