Obama is the best candidate

[Onlooker]

Edwards is most liberal. Hillary is most qualified. But, I don't think they can win. Obama is an almost ideal candidate for the Presidency.

- He's been vague on the issues, giving him more latitude than the others in terms of positioning himself for the general election, depending on how the winds blow.
- Though he's pro-choice and pro-gay, he's managed the blur his views a little, making him more palatable to some religious types.
- He speaks like a preacher and brings up God, which will appeal to many religious types who are starting to get fed up with the Republicans.
- He has demonstrated an amazing ability to put together a campaign, and did well in two largely white states: Iowa and New Hampshire. Clinton, despite all her advantages, was lucky to win one.
- He's relatively young and has an enthusiastic following who will be a great volunteer corps in the general election.
- He doesn't have a lot of baggage on which he can be attacked.
- His lack of DC experience will allow him to argue that he's an outside-the-beltway candidate.
- The fact that he's black will likely lead to a much higher black turnout, which could allow the Democrats to make headway in some Southern states.
- He has one of the great orator voices and can stir up a crowd.
- He's not as polarizing a figure as Clinton, so his nomination will not inspire the right-wing like a Clinton nomination.
- He has demonstrated significant crossover appeal to independents, Republicans, and even religious types.
- He comes across as moderate, but he gets high marks from liberal groups.

No matter who the nominee is, it will be a tough race. Let's face it: The Republicans are better at this game than the Democrats. But, Obama has an awful lot going for him if we want to win the White House.

[AndyA]

1. You're overlooking the fact that Edwards, not Obama, is the only

Dem candidate that consistently beats every Republican.

Our nominee will need to be able to withstand the GOP attack machine, and I have no confidence that Barack will be able to do so. Clinton and Edwards, yes, but not Barack.

We need someone that's more left oriented, because we need to offset 8 years of extreme right wing damage. It will take someone less moderate to do that.

[Renew Deal]

2. If Edwards is so electable, why doesn't he ever win?

:shrug:

[AndyA]

14. He only lost once. And that was more Kerry's responsibility than Edwards'.

Kerry didn't defend himself against the swiftboaters, and that is a big part of it.

Edwards has been very successful, he's achieved great success on his own, without help of a trust fund.

You're being ridiculous saying he never wins. He seems like a winner to me.

[Occam Bandage]

18. He's doing a pretty poor job of winning at the moment.

[AndyA]

19. When you have two candidates running to the bank with donations

from big corporations and lobbyists like a whore with a new box of condoms, and when those same big corporations own all the media in the country, they tend to make sure one of the two (or both of them) are set up to win.

Only a fool would allow the media to elect another President. But then again, it's worked out so well for everyone during the Bush years, hasn't it? Why change? :eyes:

[Occam Bandage]

20. So, he can't compete against the moneyed? How does that make him competitive, especially

after the attack ads start?

(Did you complain about Edwards' adoring '04 coverage?)

[AndyA]

21. Money should not be electing Presidents in this country.

In case you haven't noticed, that doesn't work out so well for the population at large.

Those big bucks donors are going to want something in return for those donations - and it will be at the expense of the American people, again.

Follow the money, open your eyes. Do not let the monied interests and the media elect a President again. If you want change - truly want change - you need to do this!

[Occam Bandage]

26. Should ain't does.

[AndyA]

28. Money and ignorance does.

:eyes:

[Occam Bandage]

29. So then Edwards isn't actually electable?

[AndyA]

30. Someday perhaps you'll grow up and be serious.

Until then, I'm not going to play games with you. :eyes:

[Dawgs]

4. Wrong, we need someone that can get elected and also help to increase the majority in Congress.

Edwards/Obama - electable

Obama - helps add to existing majority by getting all Dem votes, indys, youth, and African-Americans.
Edwards - not so much.

[AndyA]

15. What about the people who will not vote for Obama?

The gays, for instance. Many will not vote for him because of his hypocritical stand on gay issues.

And, there are those of all parties who will not vote for him because he's black. They may all be wrong in doing so, but there's no denying people like this do exist still today.

[rateyes]

3. There are a lot of left-handed compliments in that post.

Who wants a candidate who is intentionally vague on the issues, and blurs his views?

That's exactly what turns me off to any candidate. Edwards is the most electable.

[jemsan]

6. Ditto!

[redqueen]

13. "Who wants a candidate who is intentionally vague on the issues, and blurs his views?"

I work with republicans... and they all say that's the surest way to win... cause no one can pin you down.

I'm with you, though. I don't like it at all.

[FrenchieCat]

22. Do you really believe that?

what about this?
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/VIDEO/80115026&oaso=news.rgj.com/breakingnews

[Colobo]

5. Excellent points!

[Cha]

7. Yeah, I don't think hillary is the

most qualified..just because she says so doesn't make it so. hillary's been known to lie. she's been my senator for the last 7 years and I don't think she deserves a promotion.

[ShortnFiery]

8. Yes. Edwards will make an OUTSTANDING Vice President.

If Obama and Edwards wish to BUST the smarmy political machinery that is known by some as The Clintonian DLC, they best join forces. Otherwise the American People will ONLY be able to choose between "the RNC's Darling" or "the DLC's Darling" for President. In other words, ENTRENCHED political power will continue the "political dynasties" within our Executive Branch.

BUSH-CLINTON-CLINTON-BUSH-BUSH-CLINTON-CLINTON-Jeb BUSH? :scared: :nuke:

[Proud2BAmurkin]

9. You think by November he wouldn't be "as polarizing" as Clinton?

Right

[ShortnFiery]

11. With respect, IMO, NO TWO PERSONS in American Politics are "as polarizing" as The Clintons.

And NO! It's not *all* the corporate Press's fault. They've enjoyed political power for so long they truly think of themselves as entitled royalty.

I voted for "a Clinton" twice, but it's time for a reality check that WILL stop the DLC from selecting our Presidential Candidates. :shrug:

[thereismore]

10. It's the independent appeal where he wins over Clinton. nt

[BenDavid]

12. I disagree. This is why I do not feel that Obama is ready to lead

the most important government in the world: “I’m not an operating officer. Some in this debate around experience seem to think the job of the president is to go in and run some bureaucracy. Well, that’s not my job. My job is to set a vision of ‘here’s where the bureaucracy needs to go.” - Barack Obama

I disagree. The job of President is to not only inspire the American people (and thus Congress) into following some grand agenda but to marshall all the forces of government to move in a coordinated direction. A President has human resource concerns that have direct impact on the day to day lives of all Americans. Not to mention herding the cats that are Congress, selecting qualified people to fill federal judgeships (and possible Supreme Court seats) and overseeing the largest economy in the world.

Sounds like a CEO, Operating Officer kind of job to me. Everyone would agree that it takes serious experience and skills to run a company. So why would it be different for the largest employer/organization in the free world? Even Obama himself seems to know he falls short and with the problems facing this country, we don’t need another President who admittedly was at best a sub-par CEO. We will need action to combat what lies ahead and we need someone whose experience can translate all the pretty words into real accomplishments.

[MercutioATC]

16. ...for me to POOP on!

...sorry, couldn't resist a little Triumph...

[Imagevision]

17. After Listening to Obama I too beleieve he's the only sensible candidate to vote for.

[Maven]

23. Just what I've been looking for

a candidate who can blur his views.

I'm so inspired!

[loveangelc]

24. Yes. It saddens me that people think HIllary can win.

she cant.

[polichick]

25. Sounds like you're saying Obama can snow the most people...

...which could very well be what's needed to get elected ~ sad as it is.

[ginchinchili]

27. LOL....it would be extremely hard for Obama to win the presidency

It's extremely worrisome that Democrats like you cling to chimeras regarding Obama and you can't even consider anything else. You're no better than the Republicans and the way they stuck with Bush. Let's cut to the chase. Obama has very little experience to prepare him to be president. We would be electing him on a wing and a prayer, and that ain't gonna cut it. This election will be decided by Independents and moderates, and they tend not to be risk takers. You're suggesting that Obama is the best candidate, a black Harvard graduate with very little experience and very little to point to back up any claims to his effectiveness as a leader. He has zero military experience and zero foreign policy experience at a time when we are at war and, as the Republicans will no doubt remind us, terrorists would like nothing more than to repeat 9/11, yet you assume that those Independents and moderates will flock to Obama because he's so cool. My god! You're in dire need of a course in stark reality.

If elected Obama would be the first African American president. If you don't think Americans would be anxious about that, you just haven't a clue. Look, I'm not one of those who thinks a black man (not an African American woman, and I'm just being honest here) can't get elected, but he does face significant hurtles and has a lot to prove. A man with, say, Colin Powell's experience could put America's mind at ease and possibly get elected. But consider how extreme these current times are there is no way on God's green earth that a black man with no foreign policy experience can get elected. I mean, you know this. You have to know this or you wouldn't have survived this long. This is America. Know your country. P.S. and I'm not a Clinton supporter. If Democrats were smart and were serious about winning this election, they would have nominated the candidate who brought the most to the table, Joe Biden.

[Perry Logan]

31. His followers have repeatedly impugned the moral character of Clinton supporters. What a plus!

That'll bring us all together come election time, huh?