The Debate

Posted by admin on Friday, February 22nd 2008

22
Feb

Austin is the center of the American political world right now. Last night the debates raged on and Hilary decided to let the world know again and again about her leadership skills and experience. I wonder why her campaign went bankrupt, she fired staff (spin spin spin) and she lost 10 straight states? She needs a fresh message-last night was not fresh.

Obama played it smoothly last night. He did not screw up and give the Clinton machine an in-road to pounce. Well done. He has a fresh voice that resonates with those of us who have given up on politics. I want to believe in Obama, even though I do have issues that I don’t agree with all of his policies.

Hilary seems to thank hope is overrated… I think she forgot what it’s like to be a struggling middle class person who is not rich and well connected. The lower and middle class needs hope, and Obama seems to have hit a nerve with those people.

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amy Said,

February 22nd, 2008 @10:44 am

I think that’s a pretty fair assessment.

scott Said,

February 22nd, 2008 @12:40 pm

True, Obama does seem to kind of “ooze” hope. My concern is that his politics will not (what’s his track record?). I feel lost in this campaign and the presidential hopefuls, none I really latch onto. Hillary = Bad gut feel. McCain = shiFty. Obama = smoke and mirrors.

kyle Said,

February 22nd, 2008 @12:54 pm

i hope you don’t plan on voting for obama chris, because, as you know, christian = republican.

scott Said,

February 22nd, 2008 @1:50 pm

Totally agree with Kyle, why would a christian ever vote Democrat!! EwwWW.

chrismarlow Said,

February 22nd, 2008 @4:25 pm

Oh crap, I forgot about that. I thought Barak was a Republican.

Scott,

I think he has better track record then we give in credit for. He was one of the few who actually voted no on the war. He’s ran a flawless campaign who has shown great leadership.

So I don’t think Obama is “smoke & mirror’s” I think we just don’t know him as well. It would have been nice if he could have been in the spotlight a bit more. Tough tension for sure.

Amy,

Thanks for stopping by. Your blog rocks.

tbgc Said,

February 22nd, 2008 @6:45 pm

Chris Matthews of Hardball (who earlier this year confessed to being moved to tears at an Obama rally) asked an Obama supporter (a senator from Texas) to name one thing that Obama had done while in office and he could not name even one. Smoke and mirrors does not even come close to the cloud behind which Obama is hiding. He is a great speaker, a very charismatic individual but I don’t see him as a great leader.
If this link works it will take you to the clip.

http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=d1766447-d990-4b3a-8baa-81c276111c30

amy Said,

February 22nd, 2008 @10:09 pm

tbqc, you’ve got it completely wrong. The problem with the Chris Matthews exchange was that this guy was unprepared to hang with the big dogs. Obama has done a lot. Chris asked another Obama staffer the same question, and the guy reeled off five or six things right away. Where’s THAT link?!?

Scott Said,

February 23rd, 2008 @12:02 am

I don’t know – I guess I’m just worn out with “slick politicians” and I hope if Obama does become Prez, that he actually backs up his words: CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE, we’ll see

I’m a “for less Gov” guy, so the only CHANGE I’m hoping is LESS LESS LESS

tbgc Said,

February 23rd, 2008 @12:25 am

It was a CNN feed that the original clip came from, CNN generally supports Obama, so I don’t have an answer for the lack of that clip. Just did a google search and did not find it yet. Will keep looking. As for being unprepared, a supporter on national TV who is a senator himself should have been prepared.

amy Said,

February 23rd, 2008 @2:07 am

I agree with you, but if I may make one correction? The guy was a STATE senator…

chrismarlow Said,

February 23rd, 2008 @9:29 am

Tbgc,

I heard some Clinton supporters on CNN discuss this issue. They thought it was overblown for sure. It’s one incident. Although not a good one.

I would disagree about Obama not being a great leader. Does it not take great leadership to win 10 states, to get support from the Kennedy’s, to raise more money then the Clinton machine, to have proper discernment to stay out of Iraq. Sure he has charisma, but charisma alone does not get that kind of results.

I would say Obama has a ton of potential…Yet he still needs to prove himself to the general population. He’s not a Washington insider, but I think that is good.

tbgc Said,

February 23rd, 2008 @1:01 pm

As far as being a great leader because he has filled stadiums and venues, won 11 straight contests; well these are not indicators of leadership. As you know, many TV evangelists can fill a stadium with frantic “fans” who faint and fawn over them. But a close look at their cred’s reveal false doctrine and dangerous ideas. Maybe not a fair comparison to Obama but I still am waiting for a explanation of what “Change” is. From what I can gather so far it means higher taxes and a huge portion of the national economy being taken over by the government.

As far as Amy’s point about the senator from Texas being a state legislature, my point is still valid. Before you are going to speak for some one, look into the information about him. What he has done, is doing and is going to do. All the man could say was that Obama was inspiring. Very true but have we forgot that Bush was likable too. Not an insider. Not a good speaker but people chose him because he offered change. It hasn’t been that great, this change we have found ourself involved with. All of the candidates want to end the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have different ideas on how to do it but it is the goal of all of them to bring the troops home. John is often misquoted about wanting to keep them there for 100 years but the full quote was more along the lines of a comparison to other bases around the world. If we continue to see the success of the government and the Iraqi’s themselves then a peaceful presence would not even be an issue. (Like it has been in Germany, Okinawa, and other long term bases)

Nick Said,

February 24th, 2008 @7:48 am

SI, SE PUEDE!

blake Said,

February 24th, 2008 @11:10 pm

the experience issue on obama was brought up by hillary at the debate. he smoothly rattled out all the things he has done, but he made them personal as to the people it effected. verbal ninja. after the exchange hillarys attack was seen as moot as well as her xerox change comments.

as for all the stuff today, how could one not see that as completely calculated. i think shes desperate. how does obama respond to an irate hilary? calmly. once again.

going through obamas book i appreciate the tension that he reveals about wanting to bring about change while struggling to stay relevant in a profession where you must compromise to stay in the game at all.

chris, i think you assessment is dead on.

Ryan Said,

March 4th, 2008 @10:07 am

“Most of the major ills of the world have been caused by well-meaning people who ignored the principle of individual freedom, except as applied to themselves, and who were obsessed with fanatical zeal to improve the lot of mankind-in-the-mass through some pet formula of their own. The harm done by ordinary criminals, murderers, gangsters, and thieves is negligible in comparison with the agony inflicted upon human beings by the professional do-gooders, who attempt to set themselves up as gods on earth and who would ruthlessly force their views on all others–with the abiding assurance that the end justifies the means. This message is one we should all ponder.” -Dr. Ron Paul

I’m with the “less government” guy!