Barak Obama?

[RandFan]

Ok, it's early and the guy is relativly new on the scene but I think the he has something. I think he has a charisma and confidence that I've not seen in awhile. Who knows? I'd like to know more about his solutions.

Obama Draws Crowds in New Hampshire (http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061210/D8LU7C500.html)

ZyW7X4isOEo

[TheChadd]

I've heard he's quite the conservative really, like a democratic Mccain?

[hammegk]

I've heard he's Clinton with a tan.

[hgc]

I've heard he's Clinton with a tan.
I've heard you're a toad with a computer.

[ponderingturtle]

I've heard he's quite the conservative really, like a democratic Mccain?

Wouldn't that really mean just someone who is good at getting the other side to think that he agrees with them sometimes, but doesn't actualy hold anything in common with them?

[Bill Thompson]

Why do people like him? Is it because he is thin and good looking? Is that why most Americans follow a leader?

[hgc]

Why do people like him? Is it because he is thin and good looking? Is that why most Americans follow a leader?
Yeah, it's that. I sense that he makes people feel all warm and fuzzy when he speaks, too.

[Rob Lister]

I've heard he's quite the conservative really, like a democratic Mccain?

Unless he's doing some serious pandering to a very left crowd, that video proves he is conservative polar opposite

[RandFan]

Yeah, it's that. I sense that he makes people feel all warm and fuzzy when he speaks, too.It seems to be the hallmark of politicians. It would be nice if voters would focus on more substantive things but as AUP points out we have gotten to the point where politicians are most competent at getting elected.

[corplinx]

OBMAMA OBAMAMA OBAMA AHHHHHHHHH


Obama hype is hysterical and funny. He should make a go at it before he becomes an ex-phenomenon from too much Senate record.

[hgc]

It seems to be the hallmark of politicians. It would be nice if voters would focus on more substantive things but as AUP points out we have gotten to the point where politicians are most competent at getting elected.
And as I asked AUP in the other thread, when was this not the case?

[joe1347]

Great. Another Northern Liberal. The perfect pick for Democrats in order to win in 2008 - and he's even Black. That will really help score even more votes from the rednecks.

Sorry, but the Democrats need more of a Murtha type. Only younger and without the ABSCAM baggage. Even better would be a non-Northeastern progressive tough guy that breathes a little fire instead of a namby pamby touchy feely Senate blowhard. As for who that is - I haven't a clue.

As an alternative, too bad the Democrats haven't been able to recruit George Clooney - who would get the vote of every single woman in America.

[hgc]

As an alternative, too bad the Democrats haven't been able to recruit George Clooney - who would get the vote of every single woman in America.
The chatterers are talking him up for senate in Kentucky against McConnell in 2008.

[BPSCG]

Wouldn't that really mean just someone who is good at getting the other side to think that he agrees with them sometimes, but doesn't actualy hold anything in common with them?Mario Cuomo was a master at that, much to my late father's fury.

Obama had a 100% perfect voting record in 2005 (http://www.adaction.org/ADATodayVR2005.pdf), according to Americans for Democratic Action.

McCain scored 5%. That's five point oh.

Yeah, Obama is about as conservative as McCain is liberal.

[corplinx]

Obmama 08!!1!!!!! Hes Just Sooooo Iduno, Awesome

[davefoc]

As an alternative, too bad the Democrats haven't been able to recruit George Clooney - who would get the vote of every single woman in America.

I was in a barber shop when he came on the TV. There were three women in the room and if he'd been willing and able it was pretty clear that he could have had sex three times right there. I am not quite sure I had ever observed such genuine lust for somebody on the TV. If these women were any example I'd say being single wasn't a requirement for Clooney to get women's votes.

I noticed that there were some people lamenting the idea that the electorate is so gullible as to go for a well spoken, good looking guy without any other basis. I am not so sure this is such a bad thing. The electorate went for a marginally attractive, poorly spoken guy last time and the results don't seem to have been that good.

[RandFan]

I noticed that there were some people lamenting the idea that the electorate is so gullible as to go for a well spoken, good looking guy without any other basis. I am not so sure this is such a bad thing. The electorate went for a marginally attractive, poorly spoken guy last time and the results don't seem to have been that good. There's a point there somewhere. :D

[joe1347]

I was in a barber shop when he came on the TV. There were three women in the room and if he'd been willing and able it was pretty clear that he could have had sex three times right there. I am not quite sure I had ever observed such genuine lust for somebody on the TV. If these women were any example I'd say being single wasn't a requirement for Clooney to get women's votes.

I noticed that there were some people lamenting the idea that the electorate is so gullible as to go for a well spoken, good looking guy without any other basis. I am not so sure this is such a bad thing. The electorate went for a marginally attractive, poorly spoken guy last time and the results don't seem to have been that good.

Actually Clooney seems pretty sharp and surprisingly intelligent whenever I've seen him in 'unscripted' interviews. I believe that he even has a degree in Journalism. America could certainly do a lot worse than Clooney. Well I guess that we actually have. :( What's funny is that whenever Clooney is scheduled to be on the air - the word seems to goes out from some sort of chick worldwide 'Clooney tracking system' and almost every woman in America is tuning in. Imagine the impact on a 'traditional' political campaign.

For another 'media type' of Presidential candidate - How about Ron Reagan Jr.? He's certainly has a very likeable on-the-air personality, seems very sharp, and will drive the conservatives nuts since how can they trash the son of their revered Icon (Ron Sr.).

[steverino]

Maybe Hillary spies are out there trying to dig up some dirt on Mr. Squeeky Clean Obama. I wonder if she is jealous.;)...and I wonder what her peeps might find, true or trumped up.

[RandFan]

Actually Clooney seems pretty sharp and surprisingly intelligent whenever I've seen him in 'unscripted' interviews. I believe that he even has a degree in Journalism. America could certainly do a lot worse than Clooney. Well I guess that we actually have. :( What's funny is that whenever Clooney is scheduled to be on the air - the word seems to goes out from some sort of chick worldwide 'Clooney tracking system' and almost every woman in America is tuning in. Imagine the impact on a 'traditional' political campaign.

For another 'media type' of Presidential candidate - How about Ron Reagan Jr.? He's certainly has a very likeable on-the-air personality, seems very sharp, and will drive the conservatives nuts since how can they trash the son of their revered Icon (Ron Sr.). Interesting, my son likes Ron Reagan Jr. I don't see anything particularly interesting. I think he's honest and smart which in and of itself is very good but not the stuff of winning national elections.

[steverino]

I think he's honest and smart which in and of itself is very good but not the stuff of winning national elections.

Honest? Smart? Gently explain to your son that these two characteristics automatically rule out anyone voting for such a candidate.

[Dave1001]

The perfect pick for Democrats in order to win in 2008 - and he's even Black.

He's also white. :D

[Dancing David]

Ok, it's early and the guy is relativly new on the scene but I think the he has something. I think he has a charisma and confidence that I've not seen in awhile. Who knows? I'd like to know more about his solutions.

Obama Draws Crowds in New Hampshire (http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061210/D8LU7C500.html)

ZyW7X4isOEo


I would say he is mostly a centrist democrat, of the old school, but he has a bent towards social justice and civil liberty.

I hope he does NOT run for president, i voted for him to be a Senator and I hope he serves his full term before trying to run.

[Dancing David]

Great. Another Northern Liberal. The perfect pick for Democrats in order to win in 2008 - and he's even Black. That will really help score even more votes from the rednecks.

Sorry, but the Democrats need more of a Murtha type. Only younger and without the ABSCAM baggage. Even better would be a non-Northeastern progressive tough guy that breathes a little fire instead of a namby pamby touchy feely Senate blowhard. As for who that is - I haven't a clue.

As an alternative, too bad the Democrats haven't been able to recruit George Clooney - who would get the vote of every single woman in America.

But then George wouldn't direct anymore :(

I think that Edwards and some other Southern Democrat are going to win the nomination, especialy a Blue Dog.

[ponderingturtle]

Mario Cuomo was a master at that, much to my late father's fury.

Obama had a 100% perfect voting record in 2005 (http://www.adaction.org/ADATodayVR2005.pdf), according to Americans for Democratic Action.

McCain scored 5%. That's five point oh.

Yeah, Obama is about as conservative as McCain is liberal.

But has he convinced the other party that he is a middle of the road type like McCain has been so effective in doing?

[ponderingturtle]

Interesting, my son likes Ron Reagan Jr. I don't see anything particularly interesting. I think he's honest and smart which in and of itself is very good but not the stuff of winning national elections.

Being Honnest and Smart would seem to be two strikes against you in terms of getting elected.

[Upchurch]

Unless he's doing some serious pandering to a very left crowd, that video proves he is conservative polar opposite
I listened to it again and wrote down the issues he mentioned and whether he was pro or con. I ignored the purely Bush attacks as non-issues (every politician talks down his opponent).

Here's what I got on one pass:

against tax cuts for wealthy while none for middle to lower class
for health care
against No Child Left Behind (and funding thereof)
for catching OBL
for securing homeland and ports
for sticking to Geneva Convention
for minimum wage
for not forcing people who get sick into bankrupcy (I think that is reformed credit rules?)
for funding schools and college scholarships
for social security for the elderly

Some of those are definitely liberal, but a few are conservative positions

[RandFan]

I'll tell you who could get my vote. Someone who I thought would not put lackeys into important positions (See Browne). Damn that pisses me off.

[ponderingturtle]

I'll tell you who could get my vote. Someone who I thought would not put lackeys into important positions (See Browne). Damn that pisses me off.

How can you not? You think we should abolish political appointees in the government?

So they need to appoint people to run various government institutions, how do we determine if someone is a lackey or not?

[BPSCG]

for health careAs opposed to ... what? Letting sick people die?
for catching OBLAs opposed to what? Killing him outright?
for securing homeland and portsGee, I'm against that... :boggled:
for minimum wageUm, is he for the minimum wage, or is he for raising it?
for social security for the elderlyAs opposed to what? Social Security for youth?
Some of those are definitely liberal, but a few are conservative positionsNo, it's more accurate to say that some of those are definitely liberal, but most of them are the equivalent of coming out in favor of mom and apple pie, and against puppy strangling. If there's a genuinely conservative position in there, I'd like to know what it is.

[casebro]

Sort of like the relationship of skirt height to the stock market, My theory is that the winner of all the recent (30 years?) elections has been the best looking one. Carter over ?, Reagan over ?, Bush 42 over Dukakis, Clinton over Bush 42, Bush 44 over Kerry. Obama over Hillary? slam dunk! Edwards? McCain? Condi is a shoe in, if Conservative Americans are not too racist.

Perot, or Nader? No chance!

[RandFan]

How can you not? You think we should abolish political appointees in the government? I don't know what the answer is. I wish leaders wouldn't appoint lackeys. I wish lots of stuff. It's my god given right.

So they need to appoint people to run various government institutions, how do we determine if someone is a lackey or not? If the person appointed has no track record for doing what he or she was appointed to do and or can't answer basic questions central to their post then the person is likely a lackey. There should be SOME basis. I seen no reason whatsoever that Browne should have been given that appointment. It stinks of cronyism. Now Pelosi has chosen someone to chair the House Intelligence Committee who can't even answer basic questions about foreign intelligence (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=70255). Helloooo....

Is this thing on?

[senorpogo]

His name sounds like he could be a Star Wars character, an old crony of Han's or something. If Billy Dee Williams saw Barak he may very well greet him by saying, "You old smuggler!"

[corplinx]

I tuned in to the Sultan of Vicodin (Rush Limbaugh) today while I was out at lunch. He seemed to have the same sense of this mindless Obama fever that I have. Is that a good thing or a bad thing when Rush Limbaugh agrees with your assessment of something?

[LawnOven]

You people crack me up.

[corplinx]

Obama seems:
fresh and untainted
young and exciting
a natural winner

I think that about sums up Obama fever, a mind virus born out of hope and emotion.

[LawnOven]

Also he has a 10 inch penis.

[Trantor]

I can see him as Hillary's VP running mate. It would make an interesting team. They are both from Chicago, but I'll take Chicago over Texas any day. Obama is an excellent speaker and he seems to be smart. Give him a few more years of experience(especially as VP) and he may be on his way toward being the first black President. 2008 should be very interesting indeed.

[ponderingturtle]

Also he has a 10 inch penis.

And what did you measure it with?

[Upchurch]

As opposed to ... what? Letting sick people die?
You either didn't watch the video or you have a bone to pick. I was summarizing with key words rather than writing out a transcript. If you didn't understand what he was saying, watch the vid.

As opposed to what? Killing him outright?
As opposed, I imagine from the context, to letting him run around free for the last five years.

Gee, I'm against that... :boggled:
("that" being securing the homeland/ports)

Again, I took it to mean as opposed to merely giving it lip service and not actually doing anything about it.

[BPSCG]

You either didn't watch the video Well, no, I didn't. I figured you were giving me an accurate summary.

Are you saying you weren't? :boggled:

[LawnOven]

And what did you measure it with?

It was decided through compairison.



...
Upchurch, if BPSCG thinks your post is such a no-brainer, perhaps he should just vote for Obama in 08.

[LawnOven]

So I guess he can count on your vote, since you like his proposed policies so much.

[Upchurch]

Well, no, I didn't. I figured you were giving me an accurate summary.

Are you saying you weren't? :boggled:
It was an accurate summary, not a detailed accurate summary. What would have been the point since the source material is right there and rather short?

Perhaps in the future it would behoove you to familiarize yourself with what is being discussed before jumping in rather silly questions about other people's reactions to it.

[davefoc]

I listened to it again and wrote down the issues he mentioned and whether he was pro or con. I ignored the purely Bush attacks as non-issues (every politician talks down his opponent).

Here's what I got on one pass:
against tax cuts for wealthy while none for middle to lower class
for health care
against No Child Left Behind (and funding thereof)
for catching OBL
for securing homeland and ports
for sticking to Geneva Convention
for minimum wage
for not forcing people who get sick into bankrupcy (I think that is reformed credit rules?)
for funding schools and college scholarships
for social security for the elderlySome of those are definitely liberal, but a few are conservative positions

Thanks for the post upchurch.

This sounds like a pretty well thought out list of positions for a Democrat to take. There is nothing here significantly out of the mainstream. Every position has the potential to gain more votes than it loses. There are no issues here that will result in the loss of many one issue voters. Even though Iraq wasn't directly on the list he might throw that in because I think the mainstream view is now not all that controversial (stay there for awhile and see if we can't make things better and then get the hell out if stuff doesn't get better).

But his lack of experience would concern me greatly. I would tend to vote for somebody that had some combination of business, political and/or military leadership experience before I would vote for somebody like this. Even Hilary has some of what I would call leadership experience given her role in her husband's administration and the leadership that she seems to exhibit in the senate. But maybe that's not important?

[Grammatron]

As opposed, I imagine from the context, to letting him run around free for the last five years.

Never picked you for a CT'er.

[fishbob]

Interesting, my son likes Ron Reagan Jr. I don't see anything particularly interesting. I think he's honest and smart which in and of itself is very good but not the stuff of winning national elections.

Conservative, liberal, dem, rep, independent, libertarian, greenie, commie, whatever. Honest and smart is all it would take to get my vote.

Although - the honest and smart part would rule out members of most of these organizations.

[Upchurch]

Never picked you for a CT'er.
I'm not saying it was entirely by choice. More like a lack of focus and resources.

[Upchurch]

Although - the honest and smart part would rule out members of most of these organizations.
You might squeeze out one or the other, but both are rare and usually short-lived.

[RandFan]

Conservative, liberal, dem, rep, independent, libertarian, greenie, commie, whatever. Honest and smart is all it would take to get my vote.Yeah, but that's just because you are reasonable. It would be a great strategy if that was the way the majority voted.

"The race isn't always to the swift or the fight to the strong. But that's the way to bet." --Damon Runyon

In this case the race is to the one with style. Give me someone who has style and substance.

Barring that fact I can't argue with you.

[fishbob]

Style with substance is about as hard to find as smart and honest.

[Beth]

Why do people like him? Is it because he is thin and good looking? Is that why most Americans follow a leader?

I can't speak for anyone else, but I like him because when I've seen him on interviews or heard him speak, he comes across as honest, intelligent, and thoughtful. All relatively rare charactoristics in politicians here.

[Upchurch]

I can't speak for anyone else, but I like him because when I've seen him on interviews or heard him speak, he comes across as honest, intelligent, and thoughtful. All relatively rare charactoristics in politicians here.
He also has a good sense of humor, which most politicians don't seem to develop until after they lose an election (see Bob Dole and Al Gore).

Although some never do (see John Kerry).

[steverino]

Also he has a 10 inch penis.

WOW! That's almost as big as Hillary's.:D