Bill Clinton/Ted Kennedy Face off Is a Fight for the Democratic Party Soul

[propol]

While they may appear to differ only slightly in their positions on most issues, the contrast between Obama and Clinton nonetheless reaches far beyond matters of style, hype, or rhetoric. What these two candidates offer is two vastly different visions of what it means - and will mean - to be a Democrat In endorsing Obama last week, the 1960s student activist-turned-California politician Tom Hayden argued that the movement Obama has created is more important than the man himself. He "is giving voice and space to an awakening beyond his wildest expectations, a social force that may lead him far beyond his modest policy agenda", Hayden wrote. "Such movements in the past led the Kennedys and Franklin Roosevelt to achievements they never contemplated. As Gandhi once said of India's liberation movement: "There go my people. I must follow them, for I am their leader."

Whether Obama proves worthy of the idealism that has coalesced around him is something that remains to be seen. But the finale to Kennedy's speech also emphasised the movement his campaign has created. Obama, he said, is inspiring a generation that "said they were not interested in the public life of the nation", and we need to have them involved to meet the challenges of our time. "We can't afford to have people young or old, black or white, straight or gay, any individuals left out. We need to have all of that together to bring about the change. There is one person, there is one individual, there is one candidate who has the ability to bring about that enthusiasm, that idealism, that commitment, that kind of spirit, that kind of vision for our country and the world, and his name is Barack Obama. And I'm here to ask, are you gonna help, can you stand change, are you gonna be with us for change." http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/usa/2008/02/cat_fight_bill_and_ted_face_of.html

[BeyondGeography]

1. "There go my people. I must follow them, for I am their leader."

Gandhi.

[propol]

5. freakin brilliant

I got misty eyed

[Whisp]

25. same here.

That man was so wise.
another one I really like is:

Become the change you seek in this world.

[OHdem10]

2. No disrespect but time may tell us --we chose the wrong vessel

I cannot remeber who said this, I do remember hearing it on
Charlie Rose show. They were referencing Obama.

[blm]

19. We chose the wrong vessel in 92. How many of us voted to CONTINUE the coverups BushInc

needed throughout the 90s to regroup and return to the WH instead of spending time in jail where they belonged?


http://consortiumnews.com/2006/111106.html

I didn't. I thought at the time that Clinton would open the books and facilitate access to documents to the many investigations going on and that Poppy Bush had been stonewalling for years.

But that's not what we got, is it?

[frylock]

29. i wish i could rec your post..

as usual, the party loyalists breeze right over such topics, unwilling to address how their GOD, Bill Clinton, is responsible in some part for the mess we're in today. it's so much easier to just blame Nader.

[blm]

31. Really - they AVOID it because they know it's true while they fret about 'tears'

being analyzed.

Ever see them get exercised about ANALYSIS in the National Security Archives?

[Tarheel_Dem]

30. which probably accounts for the reason that WJC & Bush I are as

thick as thieves....:puke:

[BootinUp]

3. Media attampts to create additional drama. As if the Obama v Hillary

story line is not enough.

[TexasObserver]

4. Kennedy is the heart and soul of the Democratic Party

Clinton is the heart and soul of the DLC.

Big difference.

[MoJoWorkin]

7. Bingo!!!

[TexasObserver]

10. I favor the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party

Been a fan of Teddy since 1968, when he gave Bobby's eulogy.

[AtomicKitten]

14. Yahtzee.

[Iceburg]

6. Well we know Bill loves women ... Ted, on the otherhand has been known to .../nt

[mrreowwr_kittty]

11. Rush, what brings you here? nt

[Hoof Hearted]

8. What a bunch of paternalistic crap. Obama and Hillary are in this election not

Bill and Ted.



This isn't the Wyld Stallyns at the battle of the bands.

Obama does not need white man Ted Kennedy to be his daddy and Hillary does not need Bill to capture the soul of the Democratic party.

Boo on both counts.

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. Well, if Ted wanted to take the party to the LEFT, he chose the least PROGRESSIVE Candidate

Does it give NO ONE pause that so many freakin' REPUKES are voting for Barack? It does me! They will tear him to shreds in the GE and the repukes know that.

If Obama wins, the Progressive wing of the Democratic Party is DEAD. Thank, Ted.

[SteppingRazor]

12. If the most liberal senator in the U.S. Senate becomes president, progressivism dies?

That doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Obama: Most Liberal Senator In 2007:
http://nj.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. What a crock. He's no Progressive. Anyone who wants to play nice with the people who

destroyed our country is no Progressive....after everything they have done to my country?!@#$#@!

Anyone who wants repukes in his administration (OMG), is no Progressive.

Anyone that take money from Exelon Nuclear Corporation to line his campaign coffers, $227,000 to be exact, at the expense of his TRITIUM POISONED constituents, is no Progressive.

Anyone that supports dumping Nuclear TOXIC waste at Yucca Mountain is no Progressive. Of course he flip-flopped on that in October 2007 when he decide it was a bad idea when running for President.:eyes:

Barack Obama is no Progressive...he just plays one on teevee and his rhetoric is empty.

[GoldieAZ49]

15. It is not YOUR country

It is OUR country, Democrats, Republicans, Independents

It is PROGRESSIVE to bring all parties together and make the changes that are in the best interest of ALL Americans.

Stay in your bitter little self centered box if you want to, that is your choice, don't expect this country to go there with you, we are bigger and better than that.

[in_cog_ni_to]

17. No it's not. Bringing hatemongers into the Democratic Party will destroy it

from within. How naive can you be? Do you honestly expect the repuke to play nice just because Barack wants to play nice? Are you kidding me? The Democrats have been TRYING to play nice with these THUGS since they won the 2006 election. Where has THAT gotten them? NOWHERE! Wake the hell up and smell the coffee! These people destroyed this country and Barack wants to embrace them. Fucking CRAZY!

[GoldieAZ49]

20. This country is not DESTROYED

the climate is DC is hostile with the current administration and will remain hostile with another Clinton administration

This country has a two party system, the check and balance, for a reason. Having a POTUS that can listen and work with both is what we need right now.

Your demonization of all Republicans in this country and in Washington shows what is wrong the ugly politics of the past. I am glad Kennedy spoke against it, he would know, he has worked in DC far longer than any of us.

[in_cog_ni_to]

22. Oh, REALLY? We're illegally occupying another country which has DRAINED our National Treasure. We're

9 Freakin' TRILLION dollars in debt. The Chinese, Japanese, and Saudis OWN us. Our infrastructure is crumbling and we have no money to fix it because they've spent it all on wars. We have 50 million people without health insurance. Gas prices are over $3.00 a gallon. Milk costs over $4.00 a gallon. Groceries are more expensive than they've EVER been. Our schools are crumbling and we have no money to fix them or to build new ones. The housing market is crashing and will only get worse.. MILLIONS of people will be HOMELESS soon. We have 200,000 VETERANS living on the fucking street because our Veteran's programs are underfunded because we have no money. Our elderly have to choose to either EAT or buy their MEDICATIONS. Jobs have been lost. Unemployment is up to 5%. People can hardly afford to pay their bills, but our country is not destroyed?????

TAKE OFF THOSE ROSE COLORED GLASSES AND GET A FUCKING GRIP.

YES! Repuke have DESTROYED THIS COUNTRY! Whether you want to accept it or not, it's a FACT and these are the very people Barack wants to play nice with! It's fucking INSANE!

[GoldieAZ49]

26. ok Chicken Little, You have made it clear, it sucks to be you

[in_cog_ni_to]

27. And you've made it clear you have no fucking clue what you're talking about. n/t

[SteppingRazor]

16. Hey, it's not like it's just my opinion.

The link I posted bases its assessment on each senator's 2007 voting record. Numbers don't lie.

[OzarkDem]

24. Obama's team is loaded with right wing consultants and donors

His health care policy was written by some guy from the American Enterprise Institute, one of those DC think tanks that would like to get rid of welfare and Medicaid.

Obama is not a progressive, not even close.

[Tarheel_Dem]

32. You're making the argument that NO Repubs can be trusted, and

that they somehow can't come to a different reality? Many people have been converted, even Hillary herself, was a "GOLDWATER GIRL". So if we don't want Repubs to join us in moving this country forward, maybe we should expel Hillary?

[OzarkDem]

34. Check the AEI web site, they're "proud conservatives"

They think Medicaid serves people who aren't poor, among other backwards ideas. Newt Gingrich is one of their "visiting scholars". Newt probably helped write Obama's plan, it looks very similar.

Here's a look at their board of trustees:

Bruce Kovner, Chairman
Chairman
Caxton Associates, LLC

Kevin B. Rollins, Vice Chairman
Senior Advisor
TPG Capital

Tully M. Friedman, Treasurer
Chairman and CEO
Friedman Fleischer & Lowe, LLC

Gordon M. Binder
Managing Director
Coastview Capital, LLC

Harlan Crow
Chairman and CEO
Crow Holdings

Christopher DeMuth
President
American Enterprise Institute

John V. Faraci
Chairman and CEO
International Paper Company

Christopher B. Galvin
Chairman
Harrison Street Capital, LLC

Raymond V. Gilmartin
Chairman and CEO, Retired
Merck & Co., Inc.

Harvey Golub
Chairman and CEO, Retired
American Express Company

Robert F. Greenhill
Chairman
Greenhill & Co. Inc.

Roger Hertog

Alan Howard
CEO
Brevan Howard Asset Management LLP

Martin M. Koffel
Chairman and CEO
URS Corporation

Marc S. Lipschultz
Partner
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.


John A. Luke Jr.
Chairman and CEO
MeadWestvaco Corporation

Robert A. Pritzker
President and CEO
Colson Associates, Inc.

Lee R. Raymond
Chairman and CEO, Retired
Exxon Mobil Corporation

J. Peter Ricketts
President and Director
Platte Institute for Economic Research, Inc.

Edward B. Rust Jr.
Chairman and CEO
State Farm Insurance Companies

D. Gideon Searle
Managing Partner
The Serafin Group, LLC

Mel Sembler
Founder and Chairman
The Sembler Company

William S. Stavropoulos
Chairman Emeritus
The Dow Chemical Company

Wilson H. Taylor
Chairman Emeritus
CIGNA Corporation

William H. Walton
Managing Member
Rockpoint Group, Inc.

James Q. Wilson
Pepperdine University

[suston96]

18. Bill and Hillary Clinton are closer to the "soul of the Democratic Party" than Ted Kennedy....

Obama has no movement. He has Hollywood glitter that is as skin deep as Oprah Winfrey's makeup. "...Enthusiasm, idealism, commitment, spirit..."? Fuzzy words not facts.

Sorry, but talk to me about the soul of the party based on facts and not on what an aging dinosaur screeches as he revives his Camelot fairy tale for one last public showing standing next to a multi billionaire TV showperson.

Yeah, quite a movement indeed. The Clintons offer facts and tangible programs and not sermons and speeches based on fairy tales.

[GoldieAZ49]

21. Obama is older and has more experience than Clinton did in 92 with none of the baggage

Kennedy is the head of the party, as he showed the Clintons with his endorsement of Obama, the tide turned in response. He showed the Clintons they did not have the political capital they thought they did. The super delegates stopped going with Clinton, despite their strong armed tactics.

You can believe what you want, but the truth of the matter is being played out all across this country.

[suston96]

35. Where did you get that "Kennedy is the head of the party" ? nt

[Political Heretic]

28. ..And that's what's wrong with my party.

[OzarkDem]

23. I'm the Democratic Party (and so can you)

Seriously, recall it was the grassroots Dems who hung in there after Kerry's fiasco and helped get Dean elected head of DNC.

The DC Dems can battle it out, but after the sluggish perfomance of Terry Mac and others, grassroots Dems have more power than ever over the future direction of the party and its leaders.


Clinton and Kennedy know this in their hearts but would like to think otherwise. There's no difference between the idelogically, its simply egos.

[bvar22]

33. K&R

I KNOW where I line up.

"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone