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the Experience Straw Man
Recently, some folks in the McCain have been talking about “experience”, implying that McCain has more political experience than Barack Obama (should Hillary Clinton become the nominee, it’s reasonable to assume that the McCain report will launch a similar attack on her). The statement, on its face, is true. McCain has been in the Senate for several years more than Obama. Of course, that in no way guarantees that McCain would be a better president than Obama. Warren G. Harding had more experience in the federal government prior to his election than Woodrow Wilson had had before he was elected. No one would argue Harding was a better president than Wilson.
And then there is the audacity of Republican hypocrisy. Allow me to sketch two political careers. The first: failed bid for term in House of Representatives, followed by eventual election to the one of the (if not the) weakest governorships in the US where he served for six years; the second: eight years in the House of Representatives, eight years in the US Senate, eight years as Vice President of the United States. Of course, these two resumes, respectively, belong to George W. Bush and Al Gore, Jr. The Republican Party now touting “experience” as a qualification for president supported Bush over Gore.
Undoubtedly, the McCain camp will also bring patriotism and war service. I have no doubts about McCain’s patriotism or his heroism. Nor do I have any doubts about Gore’s. On the other hand, George W. Bush skipped Vietnam (Obama, having been born in 1961, would have been too young to serve, but I wouldn’t be surprised if someone tries to suggest he ducked his service by being only thirteen years old at the time of troop withdrawl).
Anyone who voted for Bush in 2000 and now touts McCain’s experience as the reason to support him over Obama (or Clinton, if she becomes the nominee) commits a grievous act of hypocrisy.
"Recently, some folks in the McCain camp have been talking about “experience”, implying that McCain has more political experience than Barack"
That attack-strategy hasn't been working for Hillary so I don't see it working for McCain either.
Hillary: thrashing and trashing
any reporter that does a straight faced report of over the top Obama crowd enthusiasm has never filed a sports report from after a big game
our girls team advanced to the State semi-final and our whole town is bonkers
Nancy Skinner is withdrawing from her race. I'm so disappointed.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2...
9:26 AM EST
the Experience Straw Man
looks like McCain (lots of experience there) wants to "stay the course" in Iraq and IMO stay soldier to the rest of the world:
(Sadly he couldn't defend himself and has been abducted by thieves. If anyone gets caught by a policeman with a speed gun, just go up to him and give him a poke...)
Part of the Powick Scarecrow Festival 2007 ...
Here is a thoughtful article about Obama. His words do matter and there is substance.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12039889...
And my right-wing brother in law in FL will be voting for him in November.
For Phil,
February
This is the dismal
time of year
the ground frozen
snow and ice
like shedding pelt
in shadows
gray-white
brown and black
stark and chill
the winter sun
still low
the air barely
hinting of warmth
of a possible spring.
Then love
seems most a failure
hardened, dutiful,
not entirely
honest,
taken for granted
enduring
out of habit.
If spring
should come
beginning to crack
and melt
a brittle world,
could I
withstand
the flood
of light?
Chris Dodd to endorse Barack Obama today!
Obama's Ohio Grassroots Advantage. Courtesy of Time mag
http://www.time.com/time/politics/articl...
It is a little disappointing that Chris Dodd waited until Obama all but has the nomination locked up to endorse him. Nevertheless, better late than never. I hope others will climb aboard now.
Thanks for the links mary.
bbl
Oh no...........my wife is probably going to vote for Obama.......................
10:03 AM EST
what Obama has done to help Sierra Leone:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080226/ap_on_el_pr/obama_foreign_policy_glance_1
Obama's Senate Foreign Relations work
By The Associated Press
Tue Feb 26, 3:34 AM ET
Some of the work done by Sen. Barack Obama since joining the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2005:
...
• In July 2005, the Senate passed legislation co-sponsored by Obama to provide $13 million for the Special Court for Sierra Leone to use in the prosecution of former Liberian President Charles Taylor.
It's my sense that the Obama organization is very much into timing the release of information for positive effect. There wasn't any question in my mind that Dodd was going to be supportive. Just as it was my sense that Dodd felt that after the Ohio results his job, and Biden's, was done. The meme of inevitability had been laid to rest.
STEVE FOURNIER ON THE NADER CANDIDACY
Neither Clinton nor McCain could ever get my vote, but Obama can claim it from Nader with just a few commitments. He has to commit to end the wars. All of them. He has to commit to undo the curtailment of civil liberties. He has to commit to national health insurance comparable to what citizens of other countries have. He has to commit to hold Bush and company accountable for the crimes they have committed and for the injury they have done to the country.
Don't hold your breath Steve.
10:12am
10:17 a.m. EST
"Neither Clinton nor McCain could ever get my vote, but Obama can claim it from Nader with just a few commitments..."
Let me get this straight... so what you're saying is Nader will accomplish all those commitments!?!
10:22 a.m. EST
STEVE FOURNIER ON THE NADER CANDIDACY
Neither Clinton nor McCain could ever get my vote, but Obama can claim it from Nader with just a few commitments...
After reading the article I see Nader claiming all those commitments. Commitments and achievements are too different things.
Nader is all talk, no action...
All Hat, No Cattle!
Rasmussen is about to release another OH poll showing Hillary slipping. They are now within the margin of error.
I'm hoping the grassroots (Rae, that's you) pull through.
Cheers - off for a bit of exercise.
Nice article, Mary.
We've gotten a couple calls from the Obama people, but neither Demetrius or myself can really do the phone bank or the door to door thing.
But I did just take advantage of early voting yesterday
10:27 AM EST
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dylan-loewe/a-new-generation-of-obama_b_88483.html
Dylan Loewe
A New Generation of Obama DemocratsPosted February 26, 2008 | 09:40 AM (EST)
...
Bill Clinton had fathered a kind of politics that could be mimicked, but not replicated, the kind that requires the perfect touch and tempo and tone.
For most who tried, third-way politics meant the dumping of bread-and-butter Democratic policies, opting instead for a small profile of issues, directly in the center. Democrats began to define themselves as Republicans, but competent and with pro-choice credentials. As contrasts became muddled, a common complaint was a lack of clear differences between parties.
The exodus to the political center meant a wholesale abandonment of message, leading to crushing victories in 2000, 2002, and 2004. But for a series of blunders, an explosive corruption scandal, and a horribly unpopular war, the New Democrats might have continued their losing trend into 2006. In the aftermath of that victory, however, there are, at least, the signs of change.
In 2007, none of the Democratic presidential candidates spoke at the DLC Convention, an unheard of notion only a few years before. And with Barack Obama inching ever closer to the White House, it may be that a new revolution is afoot.
Obama has built his candidacy on reaching voters in the center without moving his policy positions there. In general election match-ups, Obama consistently beats John McCain among Independents, a group long considered to be the fuel driving McCain's success. Instead, Obama has produced a political formula that advocates a strong progressive agenda, while laying the groundwork necessary to ensure its passage. The new majority Obama speaks of is not an empty platitude; it is the most compelling reason to vote for him. The product of Obama's innovative campaign and transcendent message will be a powerful governing coalition, come January. Obama will consolidate and increase the size of the Democratic base while attracting droves of Independents, providing him with larger margins in Congress and a mandate, part hope and part juggernaut. With substantial political capital, Obama will help further the core of the progressive agenda, allowing it to make strides forward that have seemed all but impossible for more than 25 years. Without a doubt, his model will be copied.
...
CHIMPY IS DELUSIONAL
http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/link.php?id=52969
President Bush predicted Monday that voters will replace him with a Republican president who will "keep up the fight" in Iraq. "I'm confident we'll hold the White House in 2008," Bush told donors at the Republican Governors Association annual dinner. "And that is why we got to take the House, retake the Senate, and make sure our states are governed by Republican governors."
10:27am
President Bush predicted Monday that voters will replace him with a Republican president who will "keep up the fight" in Iraq. "I'm confident we'll hold the White House in 2008," Bush told donors at the Republican Governors Association annual dinner. "And that is why we got to take the House, retake the Senate, and make sure our states are governed by Republican governors."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If it were anywhere else in the galaxy, Id say impossible................but.............
Thanks for the news about Nancy Skinner, vb. It is kind of puzzling because she has very wide-spread name recognition. The silver lining may be another odd circumstance, specifically, that her Democratic rival, Gary Peters, was also a Grassroots All-Star candidate. I'm sure he'll receive Nancy's full support.
Nader is all talk, no action... All Hat, No Cattle!
Just because you won't vote for him doesn't mean you have to smear him.
If it weren't for Nader running for president and giving a voice to the disillusionment of liberals with the Democratic Party, Howard Dean wouldn't have had a ready made platform to mount in 2004 -- and there would possibly be no DFA.
And Nader's entirelife has been one of public service. I find it appalling that so many liberals attack someone who has done so much for them and everyone else in this country when he isn't even affecting the electoral outcome, but is instead continuing to provide the voice of reform that is still so desperately needed.
Nice photo, Renee. I have the paper receipt for my 2004 Michigan Democratic Party on-line presidential caucus vote for Gov. Dean tucked inside my copy his book, Winning Back America.
Obama is now seen to be "electable". Any comments, Sitka?
Electability is a canard. The fact that he wasn't electable, but now is, demonstrates it well enough.
KUNSTLER ON THE NEXT PRESIDENT
I feel sorry for the next president. Even as he takes his oath of office, the nation will be flying apart like a seized-up engine. Since the fiasco in finance is happening in lock-step with Peak Oil (and very likely because of it at a fundamental level) we can expect one of the distortions to take the form of oil shortages. These shortages will come not just from demand bottlenecks in a stressed-out world oil allocation system, but because exporting nations will start demanding payment in Euros or something besides the depreciating currency that reflects our disintegration, and we'll have a problem coming up with payments that amount to at least fifty percent more than we're used to shelling out.
Once the US gets into serious difficulties with our oil supplies. every other sector of the economy wobbles, including especially the food-growing sector, which cannot function without copious amounts of diesel fuel and hydrocarbon-based soil "inputs." Americans will go hungry, and not just the "underclasses."
Along in this process somewhere, there is huge potential for armed conflict with other nations. If the unraveling gets traction while George W. Bush remains in charge, the US may answer bellicosity from oil-exporting nations, or energy-hungry rivals, with truculence of our own. Things can get out of control very fast in such a situation. Nations that were happily selling us salad shooters six months earlier may be targeting our naval vessels with a different sort of shooter, say a Sunburn missile. In any case, we will be acting with a bankrupt, exhausted, and over-extended military, and the best case outcome would leave us merely isolated and marooned geopolitically on our own continent, with dwindling energy and mineral resources and an angry, demoralized population.
10:40AM
Sitka wrote "I find it appalling that so many liberals attack someone who has done so much for them and everyone else in this country when he isn't even affecting the electoral outcome, but is instead continuing to provide the voice of reform that is still so desperately needed."
The attack is for one purpose: to minimize his chances of doing the damage he caused in 2000. With few exceptions here, from Dean on out, Nader's work for progressive causes has been lauded. He's doing what Dean wouldn't do, and what Kucinich won't do, namely, run for office at the risk of delivering the election to an otherwise unwortthy candidate. They recognize the threat of a majority faction swaying the vote away from the party they have pledged themselves to as that which most closely represents their political views.
The attack is for one purpose: to minimize his chances of doing the damage he caused in 2000.
That's a myth. Nader didn't steal the election. Bush did.
And while no one can say, it makes sense to me that the overwhelming majority who voted for Nader wouldn't have voted at all if he hadn't been on the ballot.
It's time to stop blaming Nader for the deficiencies of the Democratic Party and its candidates.
"I'm confident we'll hold the White House in 2008,"
He's right...
Inauguration Day isn't until January 20, 2009!
It was nice when Obama showed up to support Senator Dodd with his FISA legislation.
---
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Dodd
To: Susan Rowe
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 6:31 AM
Subject: Barack Obama for President
Dear Susan,
We have been through a lot in this past year and your friendship and support have meant so much to me. That is why I wanted to let you know of my decision to endorse a Democratic candidate for President - and that I have decided to support Barack Obama.
We all understand how much is at stake in this election and that it is more important than ever that we put a Democrat in the White House.
And while both of our Party's remaining candidates are extremely talented and would make excellent commanders-in-chief, I am throwing my support to the candidate who I believe will open the most eyes to our shared Democratic vision.
I'm deeply proud to be the first 2008 Democratic presidential candidate to endorse Barack Obama. He is ready to be President. And I am ready to support him - to work with him and for him and help elect him our 44th President.
Put simply, I believe Barack Obama is uniquely qualified to help us face this housing crisis, create good jobs, strengthen America's families in this 21st century global economy, unite the world against terrorism and end the war in Iraq - and perhaps most importantly, call the American people to shared service and sacrifice. In this campaign, he has drawn millions of voters into politics for the first time in their lives and shown us that we are united by so much more than that which divides us.
That is why I believe the time has come for Democrats to come together as a Party and focus on winning the general election. The stakes are too high not to.
The last seven years have been as difficult as any I can remember. More than ever, we need a President who will inspire us to take part in the political process and change our country's path.
Today, when we need it most, we are hearing a new call from Barack Obama. And I hope you, like me, will answer it in the affirmative.
Please get involved in Barack Obama's campaign now: http://action.barackobama.com/doddsuppor...
Sincerely,
Chris Dodd
Paid for by Chris Dodd for President, Inc., PO Box 51882, Washington, DC 20091, Info[at]ChrisDodd[dot]com
Sitka wrote "That's a myth. Nader didn't steal the election. Bush did."
We have a different view of what constitutes a myth. With the butterfly ballots, voter registration roll purging, voter intimidation, and Bush Secretary of State campaign manager, there would have been no disputed results, no recount, and no Supreme Court decision if Nader hadn't run and Gore cleared Bush's votes in Florida by something over 537 of the votes that otherwise went to Nader. That's just with regard to one state. Nader had a similar effect in others.
11:24 AM EST
fortunately, Corzine's flying this time (it's expensive for taxpayers to foot the bill for not wearing a seat-belt passenger neglience):
http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/UPDATES01/80226013
Corzine off to Ohio to support Clinton
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine is hitting the road again for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Corzine spokeswoman Lilo Stainton says that Corzine will fly to Ohio on Wednesday to campaign Clinton. Ohio's primary is on March 4.
...
11:23 AM EST
We have a different view of what constitutes a myth. With the butterfly ballots, voter registration roll purging, voter intimidation, and Bush Secretary of State campaign manager, there would have been no disputed results, no recount, and no Supreme Court decision if Nader hadn't run and Gore cleared Bush's votes in Florida by something over 537 of the votes that otherwise went to Nader. That's just with regard to one state. Nader had a similar effect in others.
Unfortunately for that point of view, it's based on the assumption that those who voted for Nader would have voted for Gore otherwise. But that assumption without basis of fact is enough for many to blame Nader for Bush's theft and their own party's deficiencies.
And while it makes people feel better to divert their anger toward Nader, it does nothing to address the real reasons for their discontent which are to be found party if not mostly in the Democratic Party itself.
11:36 a.m. EST
Karen-" Nader is all talk, no action... All Hat, No Cattle! "
Sitka-"Just because you won't vote for him doesn't mean you have to smear him."
Sitka~ I don't call that much of a smear. :o)
Different strokes for different folks!
Sitka~ I don't call that much of a smear. :o)
Different strokes for different folks!
I called it a smear because, "Nader is all talk, no action...All Hat, No Cattle!" simply isn't true.
If you don't believe it, read this....
Ralph Nader Biography -- Academy of Achievement
Sitka~ I'm not referring Nader's his past achievements, they stand alone as do all the other prez candidates. I'm referring to what he said his commitments are regarding Obama:
"He has to commit to end the wars. All of them. He has to commit to undo the curtailment of civil liberties. He has to commit to national health insurance comparable to what citizens of other countries have. He has to commit to hold Bush and company accountable for the crimes they have committed and for the injury they have done to the country."
And then he went on to say he, Nader, was committed to all of them. Being *committed* and actually accomplishing is too different things.
I haven't heard anything in Barack or Hillary's speeches saying they weren't *committed* to the above-mentioned.
12:02 p.m. EST
Sitka~ I'm not referring Nader's his past achievements,...
that was supposed to say: "I'm not referring to Nader's past achievements."
"JONES: Understand this: The Clinton campaign does not condone people putting out pictures that they seem to believe are inappropriate. But let me say this: I have no shame or no problem with people looking at Barack Obama in his native clothing, in the clothing of his country."
Funny, I thought THIS was his country. Tubbs went on to say,
"This is a diverse country and people across America recognize that. I would not personally have done it and we can't attribute it to anybody in our campaign, but the Clinton campaign does not condone the conduct and we would hope that America is going to have an opportunity or begin to see if we're supporting a woman or an African-American for President, we ought to be able to support their ability to wear the clothing of their nation"
How can the Clinton camp say they had nothing to do with the release and the exploitation of the photo of Obama in Somalia? They are liars.
For the full vomitalia, go to:
http://www.americablog.com/
Please get involved in Barack Obama's campaign now: http://action.barackobama.com/doddsuppor...
Sincerely,
Chris Dodd
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good place to put a contribution to Obama to point to the FISA fight.
I like Dodd's timing.
12:09 PM EST
http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=7926967
Three lead Vermont women for Obama
Associated Press - February 26, 2008 11:55 AM ET
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Three women with decades of experience in politics and community activism are heading up the Vermont Women for Barack Obama Leadership Committee.
Kathy Hoyt of Norwich, Martha O'Connor of Brattleboro and environmental advocate Sarah Muyskens (MEW-skins) of Burlington say they speak for several hundred Vermont women.
Hoyt served as chief of staff to former Governors Madeleine Kunin and Howard Dean. She says Obama is bringing people together in ways she hasn't seen since the 1960 campaign of the late President John F. Kennedy.
...
The attacks are backfiring on Clinton and her mudslingers. I say the more the better.
12:16 PM EST
http://www.examiner.com/a-1242636~Sen__Dodd_Endorses_Obama.html?cid=sec-promo
Sen. Dodd Endorses Obama
Feb 26, 2008 11:01 AM (1 hr 12 mins ago) By DAVID ESPO, APCLEVELAND -
...
He said Obama "has been poked and prodded, analyzed and criticized, called too green, too trusting and for all of that has already won" more than half the states and millions of votes.
...
Karen 40? -- I haven't heard anything in Barack or Hillary's speeches saying they weren't *committed* to the above-mentioned.
Differing with Nader's opinions is fine, but not the same as saying he's "all talk, no action."
All of the candidates talk, and all of them have public records. Nader's record happens to have as much or more achievement for good thanthan any of the others....
He played a key role in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Freedom of Information Act and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. He has continued to work for consumer safety and for the reform of the political system through his group Public Citizen.
So criticize his positions and proposals (if you dare), but don't criticize his record, and don't criticize his right to run for president and the demonstrable good that has come from from his past campaigns in the form of the growing reform movement within the Democratic Party.
And to go out on a limb, it may be that the success of Obama's candidacy owes a debt to Nader's stirring up the waters against the DLC Clinton Establishment.
12:17Pm EST
I'm pretty much in full agreement with sitka about Nader. DFA is supporting Ed Fallon against Leonard Boswell and Fallon backed Nader in 2000. Didn't stop Jim Dean from sending out an e-mail asking for contributions for Fallon.
"JONES: Understand this: The Clinton campaign does not condone people putting out pictures that they seem to believe are inappropriate. But let me say this: I have no shame or no problem with people looking at Barack Obama in his native clothing, in the clothing of his country."
And of course, Somalia, where the picture was taken, isn't even a country of ancestry for Obama.
This will be just another example of Hillary's campaign shooting her in the foot with bad intentions.
(btw - the all hat, no cattle framing is old and tired IMO)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
it has a specific meaning besides which is often misused, which has a class basis, besides the bastardized "all show, no boat" meaning, or the "show horse, not a work horse" shading, and even gets confused with "nothing under the hat"
(btw - the all hat, no cattle framing is old and tired IMO)
Not as old as pointless, and even harmful (to the reform movement), as Nader bashing.
"the all hat, no cattle framing is old and tired IMO)"
As far as I know, that saying started because of bush and for that reason, I agree, it is old and tired!
btw, one of my fav websites is All Hat, No Cattle!
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