Obama camp lays ground for negative attacks

Seeker_of_Truth, it's a little disconcerting that you can't even spell "America". I hope that is some sort of Ebonics you're speaking, because that (Ebonics) was at least considered a "language" for a time, due to the fact a lot of innercity youth were talking that way. You have maybe one good point, but I mean, how can anyone take what you say seriously if you can't even be articulate in relaying that message?

You see, I on the other hand am a little too smart for my own good, and that can be off-putting to people who feel insecure about their own intelligence or reasoning (since that can be compromised by a lacking cerebrum).

What's my point? Well one, that you should be able to type fluent english to make a valid point, and two, well two is not really a point, but a suggestion. That suggestion would be to explain that your English isn't very good before you go off on a rant. For example you could start off, "Before I make my point, forgive my English, it isn't the best". Then we'd assume, A.) it's your second language or B.) you were a victim of our current school system, either way you don't seem as incompetent.

Everyone keeps saying shit about how Nader doesn't fit the presidential mold, or how he doesn't know a thing about being a president. What the fuck does anyone running know about being president (besides maybe Hillary, because she's the only candidate that was sleeping [I mean literally sleeping not sex] with a president for 8 years)?

Maybe that's what makes Nader a prime candidate, he's not into playing politics.

P.S.
And in my opinion, since the other candidates (McCain and Obama) really don't want to or don't have the ability to make real change, then why not go with Hillary, since she has the experience of actually being in the White House and having had shared conversations with Bill about important decisions being made about our country. She has insider insight as far as the White House is concerned.

Excellent judgement now in hindsight. Most of these things were said very recently. And when given the chance to actually DO something, he didnt.

And that guy that all of you are putting all of you "hope" in, he didnt vote at all. He didnt have to make the tough decision or be held accountable for it. How's that for "change". You people keep saying that he has such great judgement, how do you know? What has he ever said or done to lead you to belive that? You havent learned a thing about getting some evidence before you jump on the bandwagon...

If I hear one more holier than thou person mention the fact that she voted to give the President the power to make an important decision on behalf of the safety of this country, I will barf! Has everyone besides the Dixies Chicks forgotten that nearly everyone at the time did the same thing? Those of us that were against it or dared to question it were run out of town! I felt the need to whisper my questions back then. But now in hindsight everybody wants to act like they knew it all along. I remember when she voted that way the media asked her about it and I remember her saying that she was against it and didnt want to see it happen, but that he was the President and that we have to have faith that the President regardless of what party he belongs to will have our country's best interest at heart and will do the right thing. She did do the right thing by doing that. It was him that abused the power that was intrusted to him so dont blame her, she didnt give him that job, all of you that didnt vote for Al Gore did.

propaganda in the sense of deliberately spreading information? yes, i'm guilty of that. and i'm waiting to hear a factual, educated argument by an obama supporter that isn't just about magical hope, the gamble for change, and the fact that there's no one else to vote for.

i think obama and clinton have both good and bad in their histories (although i voted for neither in the primary). but, as a woman, it disturbs me how common it is to see people slamming clinton and calling her a bitch and then acting like it's taboo to criticize obama. what if people started calling him names that reflected his physical attributes? not cool.

It never ceases to amaze me how certain posters have so much information at the ready to beat their points into the ground. It's like they have it all on stand-by. Links of convenience. Points repeated from other posts. It's like some kind of massive propaganda effort .
Wait. That can't be. Can it? Not in politics, surely.

Bill &; Hillary Clinton are nothing more than undercover Republican and there takening the demacrat's for a ride. Clinton's wants to take you down the same old durt slinging road. and Bill Clinton need's to tell the truth he's wife's not fit to be President and neither was he. February U.S.News mag said ( How Barack Obama is rewriting the rulers) it's not Mr Obama that's rewriting the rules it's white Amarica.and we all need to bring it to a stop Hillary did't win Ohio or Tx. Her Republican Friend's and Rush Limbaugh and haveing to show and I.D to vote. that turn a lots of entercity black's away. that's what won her super thuesday ( Mr Obama please don't lower your standers to there's) Right now im watching Lieberman' Lieberman whould like to get control USA military. buy eneymeans he can. right now i think he's trying to become McCain running mate. some one tell him amarica's son's are not for Sell.(do your own killing)

jakorpi, here's a link to an essay obama wrote called Renewing American Leadership:

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070701faessay86401/barack-obama/renewing-america...

you may be surprised to find that he begins by making us feel all warm and fearful inside. he also states his belief that increasing military strength will lead to peace, but you seem to think that 'there is no military solution to terrorism...and senator obama knows this.' are you sure you know what obama is about?

i don't like hillary either, and i just really hope mccain doesn't win it in the end. but, i think people are confused about what obama really represents.

Obama can still take the high road by focusing what Clinton is saying and doing now. Here's an example of how to negate her use of fear to get votes:

Hillary Clinton appears to be adopting the Republican strategy of using fear of terrorism to get votes. Senator Obama’s response must be more than to simply say it’s a cheap trick, because it’s worked very well for George Bush and appeared to work for her in Ohio and Texas.

If the American people want more war without end that will continue to undermine our economy and our status in the world, endanger our lives, and benefit nobody but defense contractors, they should want Hillary Clinton or John McCain to be the next president. There is no military solution to terrorism, as Israel has so clearly demonstrated over the past 50 years. Only by changing the way the US conducts itself in the world can the threat of terrorism be reduced, and Senator Obama knows this.

Hillary Clinton’s playing the fear card creates an opportunity to position her as an advocate of the same failed strategies that we have been suffering with for the past eight years. She cannot win the general election with that position because John McCain and the Republicans already own it! Therefore, our message should be that if you want a president who can lead us out of our current dire situation, then Barack Obama is the only one! If the likes of Rush Limbaugh are telling Republicans to vote for Hillary in the primaries, the right wingers know they can defeat her!

What does "political know how" actually translate into?

Is that code for, "Obama isn't tough enough to scream at Republicans until they back down and support his proposed legislation"? Because that seems to be the big advantage Hillary says she has over Obama. She's tough. She'll fight. She'll break legs.

Politics is about getting people who may not totally agree with your legislation (and may not even like you) to support you -- and threatening people in Congress really only goes so far. At some point you need a little social intelligence and charisma.

How has Hillary demonstrated that she has any of those skills?

Hillary is "tough" -- no doubt. Totally agree. But unfortunately being "tough" doesn't really amount to much if she's lacking the soft skills necessary (or is hamepred by her long bitter history with Republicans) to actually accomplish anything legislatively.

Tough is great -- and she'd make an excellent VP to Obama. But we need an overall leader that can interact with other politicans and world leaders in an effective way.

I really can't tolerate all of this Clinton Bashing, especially since a lot of bills that I cared deeply about Obama only voted "present" on. If that is his definition of change, he'll only attract the voters who like the status quo. Clinton, on the other hand, has made a real difference in the Senate since 9/11. Yes, she voted to give Dubya way too much power, but so did a lot of Congressmen who should have known better. She has avidly worked with her colleagues in the Senate to preserve the rights of individuals over corporations in spite of Dubyas buddies throwing their weight around. I feel that Obama could serve her quite well as VP, but he has not attained the political know how to lead this Congress and this Nation.

There are "Change Agents" and there are "Guardians". Change Agents aspire for change that will bring about the best in people. Guardians are there to keep things as is, the status quo. Obama is a change agent, and if weren't for 'changes' in history, he himself would still be fighting for his say in these elections. If it weren't for change, Hillary would be in the kitchen baking cookies watching a man run in her place for presidency. And today, If it weren't for 'change', Ellen wouldn't have one of the highest rated shows on television as an openly gay woman.

Obamamania is the hope that we will make yet another new wave in the history of America and if you don't get that, you're simply satisfied with more of the same.

The fact that Obama is black and Hillary is a woman can be set aside, and once you do that, Obama is still someone who inspires, and Hillary is essentially, the status quo.

What makes a good leader is judgement, as well as experience. Give me good judgement over bad experiences any day.

When I think of Hillary's "baggage" I think of the fact that the Republicans hate her and would obstruct any and all of her great "solutions" out of pettiness if nothing else.

Winning the White House is great, but the point of all of this is change.

Change as in legislation -- which Hillary will have an impossible time getting support for given the animosity between her and the vast right wing conspiracy.

What good does a Clinton presidency do any of us if it's just 4 years of bickering, fighting and gridlock?

Obama indisputably will come into a Presidency without all that built-in opposition to him. Republicans will obstruct Hillary out of spite and to pander to their base. Obama would not have that problem.

crob, Yes it is true. Google it. Apparently Bill didn't keep her entertained. Where there is smoke..........

paul262, There are many people that care. She has too much baggage and it is all packed ready to be drug out by the Republicans. That's why so many Republicans voted for her yesterday. They want her to be our candidate, because they can beat her. Did Vince Foster tell you why he killed himself? Obama can win and if for no other reason I'm supporting him. I'm sick to death of the Clinton Bush reign.

Sounds good to me:

- The Whitewater scandal
- The behind-the-scenes universal health coverage planning
- Her finances (and why she has been reluctant to release her tax returns)
- Why she won't apologize for voting for the war when she clearly didn't make the effort to get all of the information
etc
etc

It's really too bad, though. Obama almost got away with an "immaculate election".

Whoa, whoa. What is all this about Vince Foster grabbing Hillary's butt??? Is that true? Ha ha! Okay...I have to go Google that now.

paul262, Even after the Republicans drag out her affair with Vincent Foster? Yeah she's ready on day one. Google Vince foster grabbing Hillary's butt and squeezing it. What does Obama have to do with those freaky preachers? Trust me he doesn't have anything compared to Clinton or she would have dragged it out already a la Karl Rove.

A good way for Obama to negate Hillary's endless claims of experience and her ability to lead the nation "on day one!' is simply to compare her political resume (which only began on Jan 3rd 2001) with another Dem Presidential candidate, Bill Richardson:

After college in 1970, Richardson worked for Republican Congressman Bradford Morse from Massachusetts. He was later a staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Richardson worked on congressional relations for the Henry Kissinger State Department during the Nixon Administration. In 1978, he moved to Santa Fe and ran for Congress in 1980 as a Democrat, losing narrowly to longtime 1st District congressman and future United States Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan (R).

Two years later, Richardson was elected to New Mexico’s newly created third district, taking in most of the northern part of the state. Richardson spent a little more than 14 years (!) in Congress. As a congressman, he kept his interest in foreign relations. He visited Nicaragua, Guatemala, Cuba, Peru, India, North Korea, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Sudan to represent U.S. interests.

Richardson served as Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the 98th Congress (1983-1985) and as Chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Native American Affairs in the 103rd Congress (1993-1994).

Here's my favorite part:

In 1996, he traveled to Baghdad with Peter Bourne and engaged in lengthy one-on-one negotiations with Saddam Hussein to secure the release of two American aerospace workers who had been captured by the Iraqis after wandering over the Kuwaiti border. He became a member of the Democratic leadership, where he worked closely with Bill Clinton on several issues.

In 1997, Clinton appointed Richardson as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. As ambassador, he represented the United States in UN proceedings regarding the Palestinian National Authority and the State of Israel, the completion of negotiations that strengthened the role and mandate of the United Nations Environment Programme regarding ecologically sustainable development, as well as other duties of an ambassador to the UN. Richardson served there until 1998, when he was appointed U.S. Secretary of Energy, a post that he held for the remainder of the Clinton administration.
The Senate confirmed Richardson to be Clinton's Secretary of Energy on July 31, 1998.

With the end of the Clinton administration in January 2001, Richardson took on a number of different positions. He was an adjunct professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and a lecturer at the Armand Hammer United World College of the American West. In 2000, Bill Richardson was awarded a United States Institute of Peace Senior Fellowship. He spent the next year researching and writing on the negotiations with North Korea and the energy dimensions of U.S. relations.

Keep in mind that Hillary "Ms. Experience" Clinton's political career only began when she was sworn in as United States Senator on January 3, 2001.

And yet during the debates (at which Bill was present) she consistently said she had the best experience and was the most ready to "lead from day one!"

You're right and I'm sure he will. He's been good at responding immediately to attacks to diffusing them before they grow too many legs.

Obama did qualify that he would respond to charges "his way" -- which is encouraging. I don't think Obama will respond in the same hardball style as Hillary, but I do think he will be just as effective. He has a natural ability to address charges directly and deftly diffuse them -- and diffuse them in such a way that it doesn't feel mean-spirited. He has demonstrated this ability often in the debates (disagreeing with Hillary without demeaning her) and I hope he's able to translate that ability into a 30 sec sound bite.

I still don't get Obama Fever.

amirct3, I wish I could. Health problems restrict me. I hope others will go. Let's ask them what they need.

Let's get out and do our job team!!!!!! If any one wants to ban together and head to Pennsylvania to win this vote let's go. I got the hook- up on Rental Cars!!!!!!!!!

Yes, we can Chique. The ammunition is freely available on the Internet.

Alrighty then. Since Obama doesn't like going negative, we can just do it for him.