Crisis control
The Clintons have a on their hands, of that there is no doubt. Historically, they are rather good at dealing with such crises - but they'll need all their resources of guile and backbone now. This is not a Paula Jones, this is a full Lewinsky.
On a conference call to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, the Clinton team - Penn et al - made clear their number one priority was to get Obama to debate Hillary long and often in the weeks ahead. This makes sense for all sorts of reasons but chief among them, it seems to me, is that she often seems shrill and strained when speaking to large crowds, whereas he looks measured and compelling.
On the small screen, though, he can look ponderous (I know many disagree and I know I only heard the last debate on the radio etc etc) and uncertain. "You are likeable enough, Hillary" has to be one of the worst lines of any of the 987 debates so far held.
I see, meanwhile, that Kenyans and lefty Brits are not the only foreigners to be excited about .
And for those who think of American election ads as bland and dire and depressing - is priceless...
Hello, I'm 
颁辞尘尘别苍迟蝉听听 Post your comment
Justin : You seem to have overlooked Ron Paul. Though Heaven only knows how this candidate attracted such apparent World enthusiasm. I can only presume it is a trick of some kind.
Oh, if only one were made using Obama's promises. But it would have to run for 25 minutes...
I think what is not spoken, about Hillary Clinton, is just how very widely she is deeply disliked.
I think what is not spoken, about Hillary Clinton, is how very widely she is deeply disliked.
Wow, this is beyond editorializing.
Drawing parallels between a political crisis such as this and the Lewinsky scandal? That is the definition of desperation. To attempt to lump the two 'crises' together to make it seem like just another challenge is pretty ludicrous.
And that out of nowhere comment about the "likable enough" quote which very few people seemed to care about or even take note of? Another pathetic attempt at taking focus off the reality of the situation. The reality is that the people of this country are lining up behind an alternative to the spinmeisters of the past 20 odd years. It simply will not work anymore.
And as for you Justin Webb, keep spinning away as well. But as I often ask of the Clintons as I watch them, I have to ask of you: aren't you a little dizzy by now?
As a Kenyan living in the UK I see no reason for your comments on Kenyan excitement for Obama. Obama exemplifies what every man's wishes was his, a dream so big that it sweeps the world before it. The notion that a political upstart can upstage a former President's wife and her political cohorts in the very political party that her husband led successfully for eight years is enough to excite anyone. Deep down every human being would love to see an underdog win, be it in football, athletics, you name it. Why not the same for politics? I think your excitement about Obama must at least double mine Justin, and I'm Kenyan...
For Hillary now, competency is not enough; she has to exhibit greatness: greatness of spirit; greatness of will; vision. One rather overlooked comment this week from the Economist described her as 'an inspiration free zone'; another suggestion, almost a year ago now by Chris Matthews, was that she would be a great leader of the senate. Hillary is a micro-manager, not a leader: she sees the leaves not the trees; the branches, not the forest.
Justin: I get what you've said about Obama in the debate setting, but only to the extent that, when contrasted with Clinton and her various talking points, he seems less rehearsed. That could be a good or a bad thing. There's more "ums," he uses broader strokes when explaining policy. He doesn't outline plans like Clinton so much as give the audience the general idea of his plans. Having said this, I came away from the last debate learning no more about Clinton's policies than his. For all her 3-point plans, there wasn't any more substance in the long run, just the illusion of detail. They have a different style of delivery. And watching the debate you realize he looks more thoughtful than uncertain in his answers. She is very good at pushing through an argument without so much as a pause. I give her that she can think on her feet. Ultimately, however, I don't think there's enough of a difference in their abilities in debate to move the pendulum back her way. I'm not surprised she's trying, though.
The Clinton camp is not alone in realising that Mr Obama's magic crumbles when--closer to the crowds he preaches to, and unshielded by his prepared monologue--he is made to
1 provide specifics of his oratory
2 answer questions
3 react at short notice to events on hand.
Are there any realistic expectations then that he would agree to another debate?
It is in Mr Obama's electoral interest to avoid being put at a disadvantage--for as long as he can get away with ... which is until his rallies are hounded by at least a few clucking people in chicken suits.
I think you're right Justin. The only way "back" for her now, would be to engage in a live TV debate on many subjects.
It would not just perhaps help Hillary, but it should be taken by Obama as an opportunity for him to spell out what his policies actually are and how he intends to achieve them. If he fails to convince, then it would just make the 'race' more open than it is now...
However, if he rebuts her and answers with logical sound policies and methods for paying and implimenting them...it will be game over!
Blogs are all very well -if the website is working.
Is it any surprise that so many foreigners who wish America well, and indeed much of America itself, are excited by the Obama campaign? America needs to renew itself in so many ways; renew its moral authority and world leadership, rejuvenate NATO, use more of its brain in peacemaking and less of its brawn in warmaking, perhaps even develop some form of 21st Century Marshall Plan, otherwise all the promise of the post Cold War world will finally and utterly be lost. This surely is just as important in preventing any further 9/11s as border security.
I am hoping for a return to a Roosevelt/Truman view of America's approach to the world. That was when America's world leadership was forged and it is striking that it was a period when Democrats were in the White House. To recapture any of this it is surely better to have as president a man who truly does seem to be an instinctive uniter not a divider, someone who sees beyond race and a shining example of man who aspires to make public service popular, even sexy, again. I agree with Justin that Senator Obama needs to mix in with his soaring hopes -(thanks to the 大象传媒 website for broadcasting them) - a few more concrete policy proposals otherwise there is a risk that the bubble of inspiration that currently surrounds him may simply burst but I hope he is simply biding his time for these. If he becomes President, to some degree he can learn on the job provided he selects able advisers. Every president has learnt on the job. Certainly Kennedy, Reagan and Clinton all did. If I was an American, I would be campaigning for a President Obama right now.
Richard, London.
鈥淗ope, my friends, is a powerful thing,鈥 McCain said, alluding to Barack Obama鈥檚 chief selling point. 鈥淚 can attest to that better than many, for I have seen men's hopes tested in hard and cruel ways that few will ever experience. And I stood astonished at the resilience of their hope in the darkest of hours because it did not reside in an exaggerated belief in their individual strength, but in the support of their comrades, and their faith in their country.鈥
But, McCain said, continuing to implicitly contrast his compelling POW story with Obama鈥檚 lofty language, 鈥渢o encourage a country with only rhetoric rather than sound and proven ideas that trust in the strength and courage of free people is not a promise of hope. It is a platitude.鈥
Mr Webb,
You seem obsessed with the Clintons, and, the 大象传媒 on the whole seems rather uncomfortable that a person of color (Obama) is on the verge of winning the race for US president. What's up with you folks in UK? Can't you come in terms with the fact the all men are created equal --- irrespective of color or origin? Give us a break, and get over your myopic & bigoted perception of this world.
Pk (Seattle).
I don't think American political campaign ads are bland or dire - certainly not compared to the British ones. I liked that anti-McCain ad. Why are political ads in Britain so boring yet the ones in America are interesting? Anyway, I think Barack Obama should use that ad when he gets the Democratic nomination.
I don't think Barack Obama seems ponderous on the small screen or the big screen either. If anything, I think he comes off better than Hillary Rodham Clinton. I think he looks the most presidential of all the candidates who've ran in this race bar maybe Mitt Romney - who looks like the sort of president you get in films.
I also think that despite the recession and all the other woes America is currently facing, I think this is a great period for America. The fact that an African-American has come this far in the presidential election is a very significant thing. This is a pivotal moment in American history. Of that there can be no doubt.
Barack Obama is the man of the moment. We may only be a small fraction of the way through the year but I reckon he is going to be Time Magazine's Person of the Year. He is already an icon across the world. Oh well, Hillary. Maybe you should have taken your chance in 2004.
The video clip was most delightful. Thank you very much, Mr Webb.
And like The Simpsons and Calvin & Hobbes, many of those who liked it most invariably miss a second message--the (possibly unintended) irony of the piece also being a caricature of the very people oblivious to the joke being on them, too. The louts like Homer, the brats like Calvin, the cult fanatics moved by the 'Yes we can' clip alike.
Welcome to the New Age--where
1 the capacity to pay attention to an unflattering examination of issues is at the brink of extinction,
2 "Cut to the chase: is (s)he a twat or is (s)he not?" intro-cum-body-cum-conclusion messages are the norm,
and
3 the medium needs to be entertaining to attract attention, albeit without comprehension.
Everything including the serious must be dumbed down.
It reminds me of Japan which at one point seriously considered re-educating university graduates on the fundamentals of Economics and Finance--with manga as the medium.
add the Canadians to the list. I even made phone calls for Barack !
the video is hilarious. thanks for sharing.
Rank-and-file Democrats are toppling the hollow Clinton statue. Rank-and-file Democrats are toppling the hollow Clinton statue. Superdelegates: Check your pedestals. Joe Lieberman lost his cape ... he's supporting McCain. He's ... disqualified. That's an OLD rule. There are limits.
Pat Schroeder, wit and former congresswoman from Colorado's first district (who coined the term "teflon-coated President" to describe Ronald Reagan) aptly (and presciently pre-Monica) summarized Bill Clinton's FIRST term:
"It's as if he took us to the dance and went home with someone else."
Who will the superdelegates go home with?
I can't wait to see Hillary and Barack go head to head in debate!
A good Politician knows what she is talking about and how best to impliment policies...
A good Showman is only as good as the script, or crib sheet.
No amount of media bias, twisted spin on the results, or election fraud can make Hillary Clinton liked or respected.
If she is crammed down the public's throat by Diebold and corruption call it a day for the USA.
Andrea :
That was the point!
It is in response to will.i.am's video
Go to www.yeswecansong.com to see it
The "No you can't" video is hilarious Justin. It is even funnier if you watch it after the video it is spoofing- Will.i.am singing (with support from others) "Yes We Can".
You may have already linked to it, but it is quite a thing. Pop made using the words of a politician (Obama). Now that's something you don't see very often, especially these days. I find it very moving and uplifting. I guess those who think Obama is all hot air will cringe.
Whether you like him or not, Obama is getting one of the least politicised generations interested in politics. That is quite an achievement on it's own.
It's not just "lefty" Brits that are supporting Obama in Britain. I've never considered voting for anyone other than the Tories in Britain but I want Obama to win because I believe he stands the best chance of healing some of the rifts in the international community. It's great to hear a potential president that doesn't advocate isolationism or contempt for the rest of the world (vs Mike Huckabee's ridiculous assertions that Europeans are immoral).
It's not just "lefty" Brits that are supporting Obama in Britain. I've never considered voting for anyone other than the Tories in Britain but I want Obama to win because I believe he stands the best chance of healing some of the rifts in the international community. It's great to hear a potential president that doesn't advocate isolationism or contempt for the rest of the world (vs Mike Huckabee's ridiculous assertions that Europeans are immoral).
You say priceless,
Are you saying this is funny.
What we have is all bar one of the presidential candidates calling for a least aggression towards Iran and at most all out war, as well as President Bush having already called for preemptive strikes.
Recently 6 of the massive internet routers that serve the middle east have been cut, nearly completely shutting Iran off from the Internet. To many this would be seen as the first aggressive action of a Campaign. That would be a bombing Campaign, which would result , in no doubt, in the death of thousands if in not millions.
You also seem keen to show candidate videos and not those made by Citizen Joe. When i think internet and US election another name also comes to mind.
You know the one, 'the Candidate with no Name' or the 'one the people loved most',
i see he has now announced he plans a mass rally in washington and he wants everyone there, Now his grassroots have managed to break all online records in terms of fundraising, i wonder how many feet on the ground they can turn that into and if it will be enough for the media to have to take notice.
Good luck ignoring this one is 5 million turn up on memorial day
Justin,
What is the chance of Al Gore taking up a significant position in a Democratic government?
Is Gore the "older white male" running mate Obama might need should he win the nomination?
Enjoying your coverage very much.
I would agree about Obama's poor showing when confronting HRC head-to-head.
Would another show of tears be all thats needed to destabilized Obama's increasing momentum?
your clear bias against the republican party , is shown by your biased choosing of a you tube video criticising Mccain , you have platitudes to say about both Clinton and Obama but you are heavily critical of any republican candidate. Surely this bias shouldn't be alowed. Your meant to be neutral not supporting the democrat party.
I suspect this is part of the Clinton grand plan as while all candidates have their flaws can anyone seriously picture McCain or Barrack sitting at a Cabinet meeting and being in control and understanding all the issues being raised and being able to run a Cabinet. We've had 8 years of Bush letting cabinet members run rings around him and the disaster that is Iraq and the economy is the result - are Americans really so stpud that they are going to vote for another 4 years of a poorly equipped President. Evne if McCain and Barrack are not as intellectually stupid and misinformed as Bush they will be just as weak and ineffectual as he was.
Here's my take. Clinton gets the nod, she will do well enough in the remaining primaries/caucuses to make it to the convention where the super-delegates will give her the nomination. This is going to irritate a lot of folks -- especially a lot of "independents" who have been Barak supporters.
McCain wins in November. Clinton's "bag and baggage" makes for a potentially ugly race. Won't hear much of this from John, but there are so many folks who will not accept a "witch in the whitehouse" there is just no way she can get there. But there is another reason why she can not and will not win in November -- and even if Obama gets the nod, still McCain wins, although the race will be closer.
Here's why -- it is not Democrats or Republicans who elect the president, it is Independents. And Independents are independents because they do not like either of the two parties, or the handful of "alternatives" -- they are suspicious of Washington politics and especially dislike having one party controlling both the legislative and executive branch -- its like giving a credit card to a teenager. So it is independents who will give the presidency to McCain, because we like the democrats in the house and senate -- and we like republicans (generally) in the executive.
The real battle between the two parties is to woo the independent vote to their side, what neither party ever seems to understand is the simple fact that independents dislike them both and prefer them bickering away at each other in washington rather than thinking that they can pretty much do what they want because they control two branches of government. The recent experience of having the republicans in "charge" for a spell only proves the point and is a message that we Independents can easily point to.
If you have a spare moment, check out my website and pass it on to someone at bbc that would find it interesting.
I am often up early and bbc is the only news worth listening to at the time so I have the chance to catch your reports. It will be a very interesting year, but I believe it will play out the way I see it, barring any really wierd unusual events.
How do you know only Kenyans & lefty Brits in the UK are excited about Obama. That is an unsupported and pointless comment. Much worse than any comment Obama may have said.
Dr A Y Ali
(An excited Brit following Obamas progress)
P.S most of the comments I have read about Obama (written by you) have been quite dismissive about Obama even when he is making great political victories against Clinton.
You seem apologetic for her losses.
Goodness the Ron Paul fan club is till in business. One has to wonder why he has done so poorly amongst actual voters when he has som many online supporters. Is it that perhaps they are too busy on the Net to vote or just possibly is this a case of 1 man 500 email addresses...
actually chris it was Romney who claimed that us Europeans are immoral, keep up! now that that's cleared up i'm off to worship false idols and listen to some ungodly rock music.
Lisa is bang on- great analysis. Altough I do think she comes across as snappier on the live debates, I think she is all bluff. Listen to the last debate. When she was asked about healthcare she rambled on for about 5 or 6 minutes. I remember consciously thinking that she gave the more detailed answer. When I watched it back what she said amounted to no more than "as Democrats we need Universal healthcare and this is why.....". She gave no explanation of how she would do that, at least Obama made some attempt at that.
But people also need to realise that Hilary isnt leaps and bounds ahead of Obama on live tv without the teleprompter. They have had a ridiculous amount of live tv debates and they dont seem to have affected the results. I mean by all accounts Hilary won the first one on one debate.......but look at the results that followed! I think the overly zealous Hilary supporters need to get real here. Obama went head to head with your gal......and it didnt make much of a difference.
I cant wait to the next debate on the 21st.......something tells me Hilary is going to let both barrels go.....and perhaps a few tears. If she does indeed cry one more time I might projectile vomit!
The debate which is available from the NY Times OP-ed you mentioned in the "Shopping" thread,
shows Obama using hesitancy in a way not unlike the way, um, which served our own, er, al Poodle very well. I felt he came out of it as well, or even better than she did. Audience reaction (volume of applause, etc) was certainly in his favour.
Salaam/Shalom/Shanthi/Dorood/Peace
Namaste -ed
Justin it's not about 'lefty' Brits but the wide spectrum of American Democrats/Independents. They will want to know more about Obama and Hillary in details of policy. Both are broadly supported as candidates.
I think either can beat McCain.
To commenter # 2, there is a *very* popular Obama version, also on YouTube by will.i.am of the Black-Eyed Peas. You can find it here:
It's had more than 3.8 million hits, compared to less than a million for the negatively-driven McCain video.
Jennifer
Senator Obama is all things to all people, home and even abroad, it seems. He is what people crave. He represents their hopes and dreams. Never has one person been so many things to so many people.
He is a leader and motivator, but is he also an executive who can manage an organization as big as the US? Has he implemented more than a wildly successful speech? If that's his greatest strength, we're fortunate. If that's his only strength, we have cause for concern.
A question for many Americans is whether we can trust him to adequately protect us. We know that terrorism is growing like a cancer with the US as one of its favored sites. We will need more than hope to deal with the world as it is (versus as we want it to be).
Your Webb-site is always broken, Justin. Can't post and doesn't show all posts (comments = 22 but can only read 12).
Can you help? Can you complain?
Much has been written about delegate counts,popular vote and number of states won. I have been wondering what the situation would be if, like the Republican party, the Democrats had 'winner takes all' states.
Would there be a nominee?
The doubts about Obama's substance and ability to do the job as President have been raised frequently about previous successful candidates...Kennedy, Carter, Reagan.
The US system is designed for campaigners and enduring ones at that, given the length of the races.
A strong campaign doesn't prove that you'd make a good President but voters feel they know the candidate better and are prepared to take the gamble, take the risk with their man. You never know how good or capable they are going to be until they've done the job for a while and dealt with a few crises.
Maybe voting for the President is really like voting for a MASCOT for the nation. And the mascot chosen comes to represent those times...Carter, post Watergate naivity...Reagan, new US global assertiveness and so on.
So, are Presidents mascots for the nation?
"Lefty Brit's" are excited about Obama??!! We do indeed have a political crisis on our hands. What kind of a "lefty' worthy of the name - foreign or otherwise - would get excited about Obama Copacabana (or any of the other remaining corporate candidates)? Consider for a moment, all you alleged 'lefty's', if you will, the implications of Obama's ominous speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, last April. In it Obama declaimed, "We have heard much over the last six years about how America's larger purpose in the world is to promote the spread of freedom...I agree". He went on to urge that we have the "strongest, best-equipped military in the world" [he wants to ADD more troops to the world's largest army] and advocated the American war machine "stay on the offense from Djibouti to Kandahar". He blithely averred, "no president should ever hesitate to use force...unilaterally if necessary"; not only "to protect ourselves" but to protect "our vital interests". From this pre-emptive imperialist position flows the familiar fig leaf, "when we use force in situations other than self-defense, we should make every effort [sincere or otherwise] to garner the clear support of and participation of others" [i.e. the UK]. Well, what did you expect after all, from someone advised by the 'lefty', Brookings Institution. Honestly, with 'lefty's' like this, who needs the neo-con's??
I thought "You are likeable enough, Hillary" was a great line - the truth, delivered with an ironic, but warm, drollness.
Justin et al. I have something that will help Clinton in preparing her debate with Barrack. His Economic Policy Address At Janesville General Motors Assembly Plant today. The Young generation is just proud of this kind of politician...YES WE CAN! STAND FOR CHANGE
I disagree with the assessment that "You are likeable enough, Hillary" was one of the worst lines yet in the debates. I remember the debate vivdly and with that quip Obama interjected humor into an otherwise awkward moment. It supplied a levity that made me feel that Obama thought the topic to be absurd, which it certainly was. It also dispelled an atmosphere of "poor Hillary" that Clinton was carefully cultivating.
Q: What is more revolting than listening to Justin Webb explain why he likes Obama and hates Clinton?
A: Enduring the sheer delight and utter joy with which he does it.
Hillary is in a crisis of choosing between politics as it is or politics as a new eager generation of Americans want it to be. Her style is 'old school' - comfortable but sometimes laughable.
Obama is the new rythm, suspect when you first hear it but beautiful when you listen carefully. I was skeptical about Obama but have been won over by the intelligence he and his team have displayed.
The new kid on the block has some guts taking on the juggernaut machine Hillary has built up. Hillary is ready to continue from where she left off. The world has moved on and Obama got its pulse...
'Change - yes we should'
in the first place i don't think its 'crisis ' per say .. why its not a ' crisis ' for Romney to be defeated by John McCain ? no one ever said its Crisis and thought of how Romney would win against john mccain .. i tell you why ! its alright ..cause its all WHITE , if Obama were John Edward , YOU as News Network wouldn't have said its Crisis.
you broadcast if obama won the election he would be the first Black American to become president while you say if Clinton won she will be the first female to become president, terminlogically , you don't say first WHITE female, so your view is clear , you are not neutral as News Co. but if you like it or not , obama is much more smart and being a president is less incentive for a person like him .. and wait for a BLACK British Prime Minister
The world is tired of U.S. intervention, They as much as most all
Americans want a real change at the top. And not a McCain or Hillary change. Most people can't tell who is the most Liberal of the two.
Obama represent a change, a change that will weaken Americas resourcefulness even more, you can't give everything away, people will just take advantage of the system, more so than they do now, why should they work for less than you can get from the government.
WE THE PEOPLE demand a change in the job market crisis, more money here at home to stimulate new job growth. Put American back to work, Less un-Constitutional taxation that keeps people struggling to stay afloat. Stop dividing our nation with labels, citizens of America are Americans first and foremost. America is falling apart because of mismanagement and disrespect for our Constitution Laws.
America need a president who will end the extortion by the IRS, freeze their assets, return what we can to legal taxpayers who have paid a bulk of there income to the IRS, some for decades. End The Central Banks un-Constitutional practices, Restore sound money, our civil rights, end all un-Constitutional policies that infringe on our rights. Reverse all un-Constitutional legislation passed by our puppet congress. Hold accountable all companies that assisted in Unlawful activities against The People of the United States. Hold accountable all government officials who rammed into law any un-Constitutional legislation passed in the 11th hour, or any time. Reverse all un-Constitutional laws enacted by the Supreme Court.
End pet projects snuck into bills that don't get read. No more special interest money for Presidential candidates who can't get enough money from those they serve to run for office. America is pissed, and we demand change NOW.
There is only one true America Patriot willing to take on these challenges to rebuild America and stabilize relations around the world. Dr. Ron Paul
RonPaul2008.com
part 1 of 2
The world is tired of U.S. intervention, They as much as most all
Americans want a real change at the top. And not a McCain or Hillary change. Most people can't tell who is the most Liberal of the two.
Obama represent a change, a change that will weaken Americas resourcefulness even more, you can't give everything away, people will just take advantage of the system, more so than they do now, why should they work for less than you can get from the government.
WE THE PEOPLE demand a change in the job market crisis, more money here at home to stimulate new job growth. Put American back to work, Less un-Constitutional taxation that keeps people struggling to stay afloat. Stop dividing our nation with labels, citizens of America are Americans first and foremost. America is falling apart because of mismanagement and disrespect for our Constitution Laws. (end of part 1)
The debate which is available from the NY Times OP-ed you mentioned in the "Shopping" thread,
shows Obama using hesitancy in a way not unlike the way, um, which served our own, er, al Poodle very well. I felt he came out of it as well, or even better than she did. Audience reaction (volume of applause, etc) was certainly in his favour.
Salaam/Shalom/Shanthi/Dorood/Peace
Namaste -ed
Latest polls out and it's bad news for Obama - blue collar America is not supporting him.
The polls show Clinton with 55 percent over Obama鈥檚 34 percent in Ohio, and 52 percent over Obama鈥檚 36 percent in Pennsylvania. She is also still leading in Texas by around 10 percent.
Obama can't seem to get the big states that matter - and in a presidential election they do matter.
I think Clinton will probably win Texas, and Ohio is promising for her ; *BUT* Obama is cutting deep into her support. Even if she racks up victories in these two states, when you look at how Obama has done in hispanic states like New Mexico, Clinton's victories won't be substancial enough.
She may win a big chunk of delegates, but so will Obama - unless she completely landslides both states, I have a feeling that she's finished; because with Obama's huge majority of number-of-states, broad support from cost-to-coast, and sheer momentum, the party Mandarins are likely to give their votes to him.
Clinton is not so much down as Obama is UP. He is the candidate that offers the brightest future for the US. I live in North Carolina, but as I'm British I can not vote. I can however give time and money.... and I am.
My sincere hope is that Barack Obama is the next President of the USA.
Justin, what chance Hillary's New Mexico victory 鈥 nine days after the caucus 鈥 will help her reverse this slide?
Hey Justin,
What makes you think "YOU ARE LIKEABLE ENOUGH, HILLARY" was the worst part of the debate. I thought it was the most apprporiate thing to have said in reply to Hillary's "YOU ARE HURTING MY FEELINGS" which she said to the host. I saw the debate 3 times and I think it was a good thing to have said under the circumstances.
In your support for Hillary, have you lost sense of what is right and what is wrong. Come on, you are spoiling the image of 大象传媒.
Just to note, after more than 48 hours of attempts to post a comment through a storm of 502 errors, that Obama won't be the first to succeed with a halting, reflective, faux thoughtful manner of responding.
Sadly, one is reminded of our Late Great leader, al Toady...
Salaam/Shalom/Shanthi/Dorood/Peace
Namaste -ed
Maybe Clinton should try a radical new approach. Honesty. Stop telling people how she will fix health care and change this and change that. Instead tell people how the next president will really spend the next four years. Undoing Bush's efforts to turn the last remaining superpower into a third world country. Dealing with a military that has no budget after 12/08, an economy that is tanking and has a deficit of several trillion dollars, how she will deal with mid east rulers who have no respect for the U.S. and less for women and then the 600 pound Gorilla Iraq. Change, maybe during the second term.
If Clinton wants to stop this crisis, maybe she should draw attention to Obama's unsubstantial platitudes, and constant contradictions. Was he a product of a father who abandoned his family, or the end result of a father who expected academic excellence? Does he relate to the aching mass of poverty because of his isolating and difficult experience in the ghettos of Hawaii? Does he realize that people fundamentally make practical choices, that when he offers a stipend to university students for volunteer work, these same students, who overwhelmingly support him because of his proximity to rock stars, will realize that they can make the same amount of money with a part time job, and in fewer hours? Senator Obama, I hope one day voters realize that your rhetoric is as empty as your ideas.
I most agree with the last comments by Peter. I long ago made peace with Hillary. I know of her problems. I'm more to the left of both her and Obama. For Obama to call himself a "change" agent is ridiculous. He voted for the reauthorization of the "Patriot Act." Despite saying that he "never supported the war" in Iraq, he continues to vote to fund the war itself. How is that not supporting the war? His health care recommendations don't cover nearly as many people as Hillary's would. How can one say he is the "change" candidate when we had Dennis Kucinich(having since left the race) and Ron Paul running for president. They would be real agents of change. Obama talks a good speech but that's it. I'm tired of him. He lacks the experience in Washington(See, that's a good thing, I feel. Only governors have the executive experience that would put into fruition what Obama says) to really change things. Not that he would win in November anyway. He has won mainly among two groups in the Democratic party that aren't even the majority of people there, upper-class whites and African-Americans. Also what has he actually done as a Senator?
Mr. Webb your view is biased in the extreme.
The USA has a crisis, the Clinton campaign is the problem.
If you remove the media spin and falsified primary results,
3/4 of the USA does not like or want Hillary Clinton for a candidate.
Your bias is unbelievable: can you be so blind or are there other considerations?
The worst thing on earth is having the BUSH/Clinton phony elections crammed down our throats.
Out of 300 million people, anyone, and that includes dog catchers, trash truck drivers, and fast food workers is better for the USA than more Bush/Clinton- Ever Again.
The only thing keeping the fake pretense of Clinton being a candidate from being blared on TV, Newspapers, the internet and the housetops is media spin and Diebold/Superdelegates subverting the electoral process.
Hillary Clinton is disliked, not just not voted for, disliked, power hungry, vicious, and unworthy of the position.
We did not have real election results for the last two elections. We had election fraud.
This abuse of the primaries by Hillary is for the same people, using the same techniques.
Reconsider, the people who put Bush in the White House did so illegally, and the nation has been robbed and harmed deeply, do not gloss over the crimes of election fraud, or pretend that Hillary Clinton is anything other than the exact same thing for the same people as Bush. They are peas in a pod.
The Problem with Obama is he runs his campaign on lofty promises he won't keep. He and his supporters virtually claim he is a saint and he even said before a crowd he will creat a Kingdom here on earth (How's that for a big ego not to mention the natural sexist undertones he exhibits.
Where would he be had not Oprah taken up his cause and a solid block of African American voters... who account for his string of wins... none of it which seems like a landslide.
Hillary is not a rock star but is a solid performer and is brilliant and capable. No one -- not Obama will make dramatic changes. For gosh sakes Obama's under the wing of the oldest Old Boy in DC -- Edward Kennedy.
He's gathered a big crownd and this won't be the first time in history a crowd has gotten behind a talented "Con" and gone terribly wrong.
This is a guy that says he takes no mnone from Special Interests, but does. He claims not to cheat but was fined in NH for Robocalling. He attacks Hillary in subtle ways because she is a woman, and runs a campaign of words then when it turns out few of the "famous words" were his sloughs it off arogantly, like not worth mentioning. Then attacks her for words like "we'll be OK". Frankly, I think that was her way of saying the double standard can go both ways, but really there is a big difference between "I have a Dream" and I'll be OK. He's a magician... Does that make him qualified to run the USA.
Hillary would make an Excellent President but Obamorama is raging and she may lose that chance. He won't hold up against McCain, so it's really a tragedy for Democrats.
OBAMA IN SOMALI ROBE
No matter how nastier the race is becoming, supporters of US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has no right to publicise negativity about pictures of rival Barack Obama dressed as a Kenyan Somali elder. Kenyans have rich cultural heritage and most pastoral communities dress in a turban and garb. In Kenya and Africa, a turban is necessary because of the hot sun and has nothing to do with muslims -which the clintons may have wanted to imply. The Clintons are not only offending Americans but the entire world, they are getting divisive everywhere.
If Clinton, McCain or Bush were to visit North Eastern Province in Kenya, they would also be dressed as elders (in a Turban)- if we think they're respectable enough. They therefore have no right to tarnish our image. Our Somalis are not extremists and do not have any grudges with the US. Many young people in Africa and the world over have been inspired by Obama, i dont think the clintons are helping us by saying hope is not real.
John,
Kenya