Election Central Saturday Roundup
Report: Hillary's Biggest VP Impediment Is Bill
Jill Iscol, a donor to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, told the Los Angeles Times that Barack Obama personally told her that Hillary Clinton was under consideration for vice president, but Bill Clinton's presence makes things "complicated." He said once you're a president, even if you're a former president, you're always a president," Iscol said.
Report: Hagel, Reed To Join Obama For Iraq Trip
Multiple news outlets have now reported that Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, the Nebraska conservative who has turned vocally against the Iraq War, will be accompanying Barack Obama on his upcoming trip to Iraq. Also along for the trip will be Sen. Jack Reed, a Dem point man on foreign policy, but Hagel's presence is far more interesting -- might he become a mirror image of Joe Liebemran, crossing party lines to support the Dem for president?
Both Nominees Taking The Day Off
Both presidential candidates are taking the day off today. Neither Barack Obama nor John McCain have any public events scheduled.
Sebelius Not Denying VP Talk
In an interview with CQ, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius said that was not ever vetted for the vice presidency by John Kerry's team in 2004 -- but did not make the same statement about the Obama campaign this year. "Any discussion about this process is being done by the campaign itself," Sebelius said.
German Pol: Obama Shouldn't Speak At Brandenburg Gate
The leader of Bavaria's conservative party says Barack Obama shouldn't speak at the Brandenburg Gate, and accused the leftist foreign minister of pandering to the candidate. "Obama didn't do anything for German unification," Erwin Huber told the newspaper Welt am Sonntag. "That's not a criticism, but as a result there is no reason to grant him such a privilege."
Poll: Obama Leads In Missouri
A new Research 2000 poll in Missouri gives Barack Obama a 48%-43% lead in this swing state, with a ±3.5% margin of error. Most recent polls have given McCain the lead here, but the pollster's analysis in this case indicates that economic insecurity is increasingly driving voters into the Democratic column.
Possible Spoiler Candidate Files In Louisiana District
Some bad news for House Dems: Louisiana state Sen. Michael Jackson, who lost the special election Democratic primary to Rep. Don Cazayoux in a conservative district this spring, has filed to run in November as an independent. Jackson could potentially pick up African-American voters who might otherwise go for Cazayoux, thus splitting the vote in favor of the Republican in a district that Democrats just picked up.
Comments (133)
Damn. Why do people in Missouri hate the Constitution so much?
July 12, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
They don't all hate it ... only 43% of them.
July 12, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Leading in Missouri says the new poll, after so much pandimonium over the latest newsweek poll.
It's apparent he's running close in MO, and while MSM will lead McCain's agenda, Obama's ground operation will take him over the top.
July 12, 2008 2:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
But, but, Karl Rove says the Republicans have a much better ground organization, and Obama won't possibly be able to compete with that!!!!!
Oh noes!!! The sky is falling! Karl Rove said so!!!
July 12, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whatever we may think about Rove, he knows
what he is talking about.
July 13, 2008 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can someone check whether Louisiana state Sen. Michael Jackson has recently received a bunch of GOP donor support? That is often the case when a politician files to run as a third party in order to siphon off votes and help the GOP candidate against the Dem.
July 14, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
But the biggest poll related story this week was the respected Pew poll which shows Obama leading in Kerry states by a wide margin AND leading in the battleground states but a near 10 point margin too.
These horse-race national polls are close to useless since the president is chosen by the electoral college. Who cares if McCain gets 45% nationally if most of his support is coming from the deep red states and he won't come close in the electoral college.
It seems as though this race is being reported as if it is a lot closer than the "reality on the ground".
July 12, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't understand. Why would journalists do a thing like that?
July 12, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
The evangelicals must be happy about the
polls. They'll want George Bush's
programs to continue and expand.
July 13, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who are you, Ralph Nader? Still can't tell the difference between the Dems and the GOP after 8 years of Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Ashcroft/Rice/Gonzalez/Brownie at FEMA/Johnson at EPA/etc. ???
July 14, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
And that 43% really only hates the Fourth Amendement.
July 12, 2008 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Those whiners in Missouri don't realize that it's all in their heads.
Losers.
July 12, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
An obvious outlier that doesn't take into account the Newsweek poll, the FISA vote, Bernie Mac's comments or Mark Halperin's Page which says we will look back at this week and it will mark the predicted downfall of Obama so that we can all rejoice in a McCain victory and four more years of GOP rule!
Phil Gramm's comments mean nothing because, after all, McCain saidf he doesn't agree with them.
My friends, that's change we can believe in...hee-hee-hee.
July 12, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
especially those older and disabled missourians, who enable the disgrace that is social security.
July 12, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who else has spoken at the Brandenberg Gate? Have they all had a role in German unification? If not, did Erwin Huber object?
July 12, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
On the morning of Monday November the 24th 2003, several hundred Falun Gong practitioners from countries all over Europe gathered in front of the famous Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. The morning was dark and overcast to begin with, and the air felt a little thick and heavy. Practitioners began to practise the Falun Gong exercises and hold banners and placards, whilst many others handed out materials to passing tourists and locals. Many Chinese tour groups arrived during the course of the morning. Their original intention was of course to see the Brandenburg Gate. But the sight of several hundred Falun Gong practitioners moving in harmony as they practised the gentle and beautiful movements, or sitting peacefully in meditation, surrounded by banners which condemned the persecution of Falun Gong, was the true attraction. Many people from the Chinese tour groups were clearly very surprised to find this additional tourist attraction. Many accepted materials from the practitioners.
--------------
The lengthy milk strike in Germany was brought to an end Thursday afternoon after more than 7,000 people demonstrated at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate for higher milk prices.
After hosting a number of speakers from across the Europe, Romuald Schaber, head of the BDM association of German dairy farmers, ended the 10-day-long milk strikes by calling farmers to start up deliveries again that evening.
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The real issue here is that the right wing does not want Obama to displace Reagan on the list for 'greatest' Brandenburg Gate speeches.
Which is why they frame it as a unification issue as that was the topic for Reagan.
Obama's speech will obliterate any record of Reagan who was not known for great speeches to begin with but the bar is so low and Reagan is all that the right has.
July 12, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now I really want to see Obama at the Brandenburg Gate. Mostly because I detest Bavarian conservatives.
July 12, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not exactly a region where conservatism has a lot to be proud of.
July 12, 2008 8:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really hope Obama makes his VP Chuck Hagel, Bill Richardson or Kathleen Sebelius.
and I can't wait to see the footage of Obama with Hagel and Reed touring Iraq and maybe Germany.
This will provide a nice balance to the McCain and Lieberman connection we've seen in recent weeks.
July 12, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not Hagel for Veep; any other defense/foreign policy role, but not Veep.
What about Tim Kaine?
July 12, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bill Clinton always being a President is only part of the problem for Hillary to be in consideration for the VP.
Bill has basically been a global lobbyist since leaving office and vetting him will not be successful...he has too much baggage for Hillary to be the VP on the ticket.
July 12, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wouldn't take this Hagel business lightly. He is on track for *at least* SecDef, maybe Veep.
(I know, I know, "No Republicans!") But this is what I see happening.
July 12, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
It'll be secdef, not veep. I'm comfortable with secdef. But I doubt many Dems would be comfortable with Hagel as veep.
July 12, 2008 2:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed, id love to see Hagel working with Obama when Obama wins but i don't think VP is the spot for him.
July 12, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually I tend to agree with you both.
July 12, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have felt for some time Hagel was going to be part of the Administration. Obama has stated he would not be a one party President. I like Chuck Hagel for having the bullocks to stand up against his party regarding Iraq.
July 12, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with you 100%, Amelie.
It took the height of balls for Hagel to buck Bush on Iraq. Notice how no GOPers have dared criticize him about it, either, preferring to quietly ignore him -- they're too damned scared to trash a Vietnam war hero. And Obama is smart enough to know this. Anyone who thinks Hagel would stand silent in a corner like Kerry while he was bashed publicly is sadly mistaken.
And again, I call everyone's attention to the wonderful way Hagel roasted C. Rice over the coals in that Congressional hearing last fall, going on about the lost blood and treasure in Iraq. My jaw dropped at the time and I still recall it with wonderment.
July 12, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree with all of the comments above.
Hagel, unlike Grampy McSame, is a true "straight talker." He would be a real plus in an Obama Administration.
July 12, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hagel is a very intelligent, articulate, and courageous internationalist. In that realm I would enthusiastically support him for any role he might play in an Obama administration. Unfortunately,his economic policy positions are quite regressive, so he would not be of benefit to Obama in a domestic politics role.
July 12, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary supporters, please note: Talking to the press about what Obama told you privately is NOT a way to help Hillary get the VP slot.
July 12, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
+ 1
July 12, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Especially if all you are going to do is express sour grapes, despite the fact that he took time out of his busy schedule of, you know, running for president to talk to you PERSONALLY.
You just can't do enough to please some people.
July 14, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
There are MANY reasons Hillary would make a horrible VP, and Bill doesn't even come close to topping that list:
http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2008/06/why-no-nightmare-ticket-lets-count.html
July 12, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe so, but it's a good story to tell her, ain't it? ;-)
July 12, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another brief thought: it really is a smart line, 'cuz what can she say? "I've talked to Bill and he'll definitely stay in the background"? To say that such is not remotely credible is one of the all-time understatements! Doesn't pass the laugh test, not be a mile.
July 12, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
One more terrible reason to get rid of HRC:
The Denver Group: Keeping the Democratic Party democratic, created by Georgetown Law professor Heidi Li Feldman and freelance advertising man Marc Rubin, ran an ad in Friday's Chicago Tribune declaring:
"Senator Clinton's name must be put in nomination. Her supporters must be allowed to make speeches on her behalf of her candidacy. There must be an honest roll call vote, not a symbolic one, so superdelegates can cast their votes honestly, for either candidate, as their judgment, conscience and democratic principles dictate."
Feldman told the Huffington Post that the goal of the Denver Group "is to insure substantive and legitimate selection of the nominee." DNC chairman and other party leaders "should be taking responsibility for making sure it's a legitimate procedure. They cannot demand that people simply unify around either one of them."
July 12, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
They can go screw themselves.
To the winner goes the spoils; the loser and their apologists have no right to demand anything unless and until the Obama campaign deigns to grant them a role or an audience.
July 12, 2008 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you for a really great link.
July 12, 2008 5:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awesome Analysis. Thanks for the link.
July 13, 2008 12:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
i see mcsame still taking weekends off damn that sound like bush........ if any reporter ever photo mcsame clearing brush on his property its over..........
July 12, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
DRAMA IN THe Making:
"Maybe, just maybe, a bunch of delegates to the Democratic Convention in Denver will change their minds at the last minute. Maybe there is an outside chance that between now and the last week of August a critical mass will decide that Barack Obama is not their guy -- that, to the surprise of one and all, Hillary Rodham Clinton is to be the 2008 nominee after all.
That is the thinking behind a small but determined band of Hillary backers, some of whom have formed a 527 fundraising committee that has already run one $9,700 ad in the Chicago Tribune, and plans more in the weeks to come."
Hillary is just waiting to turn out the DNC in Denver.
She is such a sore loser.
July 12, 2008 2:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary Clinton isn't a sore loser. A minority of her supporters, on the other hand, not only are sore losers, but they are talkative sore losers.
If her supporters, like those you highlighted, keep this up, and Obama should lose, they, and Clinton, by extension, will receive a great deal of blame, and, I would guess, Clinton's presidential career would be over. One would imagine that Clinton knows this as well as anyone. Hell, Taylor Marsh has been making this same point!
So my guess is that these stories will start to fade away.
July 12, 2008 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Hillary is not a sore loser, than she should pubically renounce and reject any such efforts of this type done in her name on her behalf.
I won't hold my breathe waiting for her to step up to the plate and do the honorable thing in the name of party unity.
Because she is inDEED a sore loser.
July 12, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/12/sticking-a-wrench-in-the_n_112303.html
Here is the link to the group intent upon disrupting the Democratic convention. I personally think they are not supporting HRC or Obama, they are supporting McCain.
I sound like a broken record, but this kind of detraction from our one goal in November is so typical of some so called "Democrats", it will be hard enough to deal with the Republicans and now this.
Can you hear McCain now, "Even those in his own party don't feel he is qualified to be President".......
I am so discouraged.
July 12, 2008 3:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't be discouraged.
Gramps has many problems with his own party so that he couldn't make that type of statement with a straight face, or without being called on it.
July 12, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, feel better.
July 12, 2008 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not discouraged about November. I do think the Party is schizo right now. It's like an animal that's been in a cage so long that it bites anyone who tries to let it out.
July 12, 2008 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's Clinton in 2008 or 2012.
The SDs can and should keep a clear head until Denver. Obama is weak and a liability. The choice is either a President McCain if he stays or a President Clinton if he is rejected. He should be thanked for his effort and rejected if the Democrats want to retake the White House.
July 13, 2008 12:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are in dreamland. Hillary bowed out extremely gracefully; I don't see why some of her supporters still refuse to follow her lead.
July 14, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Chuck Hagel will not allow himself to be used the way Lieberman is. I don't think Obama would even try to play that game with Hagel either. I don't think Hagel would work as Obama's VP because he's too socially conservative and with Obama moving to the center, the activist left of the party is already feeling used and shunned. If Obama stayed further left, then Hagel would have at least made more sense to add certain balance to the ticket(but still wouldn't have been a good choice).
Hagel should be Barr's VP candidate if anything. Hagel is just a Republican who hated the Bush White House, but he's still a Republican.
July 12, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whoa, what a *good point* this is:
"Obama didn't do anything for German unification," Erwin Huber told the newspaper Welt am Sonntag. "That's not a criticism, but as a result there is no reason to grant him such a privilege."
As a 24/25 year old community organizer in inner-city Chicago, what did young Obama do for German reunification? Zilch! Barely out of school, he was worried about helping the poor instead of fighting to strengthen the Fatherland! Germany was reunited in 1989 when Obama was 27. Where was he at these historic times?! Why, the cad was in his second year of law school instead of standing with the German people! True, the reunification was very easily done without much American help, but it is the principle of young Obama putting his education before a united Germany that matters here!!
July 12, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
A Modest Proposal.
Hillary should leave Bill, since it is no longer a real marriage, and then Senator Obama could put her on the ticket.
I would have no objections to such a ticket. Bill is clearly the real obstacle and only Senator Clinton can remove it. She should.
July 12, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why the blackout on coverage of McCain's gaffe in Pittsburgh? It is all over the sports blogs. Joe six pack was not only lied to---it was in that smarmy, sickening phony "I am a war hero and nobody else isn't" attitude that McCain likes to use.
The Pittsburgh front four???????// I wonder if he is being labled a flip flopper, or just an incohernent confused old geezer in cheesetown.
Wake the fuck up and report it!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 12, 2008 2:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even FoxNews covered McCain's Pittsburgh Steelers gaffe. His campaign is the Pander Express. Anyone good with design want to edit the fast food chinese restaurant's image:
John McCain’s campaign claims he made an “honest mistake” when he incorrectly told a Pittsburgh reporter that he rattled off the lineup for the Pittsburgh Steelers when under pressure to give up names by his Vietnam captors.
McCain was being interviewed by the Pennsylvania TV station KDKA Wednesday when he started talking about how the Steelers “really made a huge impression on me, particularly in their early years.”
He recalled how, when he was being held in Vietnam as a prisoner of war, he “named … the defensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers as my squadron mates” under interrogation.
But ABC News’ Jake Tapper noted that every other recounting of the story, including that from McCain’s book “Faith of my Fathers,” involved the Green Bay Packers’ lineup — not the Steelers’.
A senior McCain adviser told FOX News it was not intentional, and that the story from over 40 years ago is a non-issue.
FOX News’ Mosheh Oinounou contributed to this report.
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/07/11/mccain-mixes-up-packers-and-steelers-in-pa-interview/
July 14, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, damn that opportunistic Obama. He should have spoken up on German unification when he had the chance.
Also, Hagel is reportedly on the verge of endorsing Obama.
July 12, 2008 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, and can we start calling this kerfluffle Brandenburg-gate yet?
July 12, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
In response, gerbils Graham and Lieberman will scamper from McCain's backside chattering furiously...
July 12, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, guys, this endorsement story *must* be true. Otherwise, what, Hagel is going on this *monster* photo op to the Brandenberg gate ... well, for what reason? He always wanted to see the gate, maybe? If he was not about to endorse, why would Obama invite him? Likes the guy's company?
July 12, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's unclear whether Hagel will be along for the whole ride. He may just be accompanying Obama for the Middle-East part.
July 12, 2008 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Hagel might be on track for Secretary of Defense, MAYBE but less likely, Secretary of State. Having said that, most of the likely Dem nominees for Secretary of State are in the Senate, where it would be a shame to lose any seats.
Those people still pitching Hagel for VP should familiarize themselves with his voting record on domestic issues, i.e. it ain't gonna happen.
July 12, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
You may know better, but to me the Senate's obvious SecState candidates are Hillary and Biden. As to Hillary, Wikipedia informs me that some David Paterson (one "t") is New York's governor following Spitzer's difficulties. Would he name her replacement under New York law?
By the wonders of Wikipedia I also divine that the Governor of Delaware is one Ruth Ann Minner (two "n's"). Would she replace Biden under Delaware law?
Anybody know?
July 12, 2008 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't answer definitively whether governors always get to pick the replacement.
As you are undoubtedly aware, Biden has frequently been mentioned for State. Hillary seems more likely for a cabinet position such as Health and Human Services where she could presumably have more influence on the push for universal health care, provided she is inclined to leave the Senate for something less than the VP slot.
July 12, 2008 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
NO WAY, as aptly put in
Lux's link above:
"I think it is a safe assumption that anyone who brings up the idea of a cabinet position for Hillary has the Department of Health & Human Services in mind for her. This sounds reasonable because she is all about health care right? Wrong. She has tried to brand herself as a expert on health care, but in reality she is far from an expert. She has no educational background in medicine or public health policy. She has never held a job in any field related to health care.
The closest thing she has to experience in health care is a failed pet project in the 90s, and her current assignment on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions. But does that make her an expert? Not even close. Does that qualify her to be Secretary of Health & Human Services? Most definitely not. Is she equipped to manage "one of the largest civilian departments in the federal government, with a budget that accounts for almost one out of every four federal dollars and more than 67,000 employees"? From the looks of how she ran her campaign, not a chance. Listen, with all due respect to Hillary, she just isn’t qualified. You know what? I’m not either, that’s why I’m not going to get put in charge of health policy for the entire United States.
The cabinet is meant for EXPERTS, the best of the best, so the president can have the very best advice and so the federal government can run as smoothly as possible. Bush didn’t understand this, or didn’t care, so he put his corporate cronies in charge of everything, no matter how unqualified they were, and we’ve seen disastrous results across the board. Obama is not an idiot, he wants the best people supporting him, and so there is no room to be handing out Cabinet positions as consolation gifts for people who are bitter about losing the presidential nomination"
July 12, 2008 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
When you find your perfect world where the government runs as smoothly as possible, send for me. Bush was worse than most but even excluding him, there is little historic precedent for putting actual experts in the major cabinet posts. Success or failure of cabinet secretaries (or presidents) hinges largely on their ability to delegate responsibility to the right people.
Of course, going back to your original assertion regarding Hillary, the clearest example we have of her ability to delegate is her campaign and by all accounts, she made a mess of that.
July 12, 2008 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
At least if she lacked expertise in healthcare and had reasonable administrative skill her being in that cabinet position would be reasonable. But the fact that she lacks both expertise and executive skills screams...INCOMPETENCE. Sooo, nope she can stay in the Senate whether neither administrative nor executive skills are essential to doing a reasonably decent job.
July 12, 2008 8:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I concur.
July 12, 2008 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's looking to score a few Falun Gong pamphlets.
July 12, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suspect Edwards is still on the VP short list. The economy, which is of increasing concern to voters was the focus of Edwards bid for the nomination. If elected VP, Dems wouldn't have to give up a red state Senate seat, plus Edwards might enhance the tickets appeal to blue-collar voters.
July 12, 2008 2:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is very right and it is interesting how Edwards himself back-tracked from his nearly Shermanesque dismissal of this a few short months ago. Now he'll "help in any way." May not be coincidental.
July 12, 2008 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah yes; advice from a Bavarian Conservative. Bavaria; the stronghold of Adolph Hitler.
The words "Bavarian Conservative" still gives me Goose-Step Bumps!
July 12, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed. Just don't ask them about "the Turks."
July 12, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all...
I think Chuck is mas macho.
July 12, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Hagel is the lumbering, lovable Barney Bear to Lieberman's endomorphic Droopy. We are definitely getting the better end of the trade.
July 12, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Virtually every state poll out there shows Obama doing better and better. The Newsweek poll and espcially the demographics they used are all over the shop. How can a poll change the dynamics it uses to weigh national opinion so rapidly in the space of 3 weeks and expect anyone to take it seriously? Obama is polling well in places like SD and Montana and his momentum is slowing? Additionally this poll does not reflect the week Mccain just had. That Social Security and Gramm comments combined are going to haunt Mcclame well into November.
July 12, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Newsweek poll results may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Senator Obama. It might help to bring all those carpers to their senses because the assumed that they could afford to attack their own candidate. Lets hope that this dose of reality gets most of them to realize that they do not have house money to play with.
July 12, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
It may also get the media to step down from panic mode if they think it's tight race. The last thing they want is either guy to run away with it.
July 12, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a good point. The closer they think it is, they might not shy away quite so much from hitting McCain. They'll still shy away, but maybe not as much.
July 13, 2008 4:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Even though I'm positively besotted w/ Obama, I don't see a compelling reason for a speech at the Brandenberg Gate. Like the acceptance speech in the football stadium, it feels like a bit of a reach.
Imagine how it would feel to us, if a candidate for the German presidency came over here and made a speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Personally, I'd like to see the Obama campaign figure out a way to get better and fairer coverage in the media, on a day to day basis. I could be wrong, but I don't think that Obama will get a lot of milage out of the Brandenburg and convention events. Many media outlets barely covered the 75,000 person turnout at the Portland rally, even though it was of historic proportions.
July 12, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I completely agree. I don't understand why Obama is even giving a speech in Germany. Instead of Obama being greeted overseas by foreign leaders photo-op being enough it seems like his first trip over is starting a small international incident. He's a junior Senator running for US President, he's not even a peer of the foreign leaders he plans to meet and it seems that he wants to outshine Merkel and be greeted as a rockstar.
July 12, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Brandenberg Gate controversy is an invention of the media which has been greatly exaggerated by the blogosphere. I suspect the Obama campaign merely inquired whether it would be possible to deliver a speech at the Brandenberg Gate. I haven't heard anything suggesting that they had their hearts set on it.
July 12, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's Brandenburg-gate...
July 12, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are correct, of course. Please forgive me.
We also would have accepted "What is the Brandenburger Tor?"
July 12, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to worry. After having to put up with Bush's do it my way, bluster, for eight years, Europe will love Senator Obama's message.
July 12, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not worried about whether Europe will Obama, they probably will. It's the American media he has to worry about.
My guess is that they will either punish him or damn him with faint praise for the Brandenburg Gate thing. The press loves, "man of the people" stuff; they flip for Gary Cooper like, aw shucks personalities. It doesn't matter if it's fake, as long as the candidate follows the pre-conceived narrative.
They're like kids wanting to hear the same bed time story, over and over again.
July 12, 2008 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
It will be tough for the US media to diss Obama's appearance when you know it will generate thousands of Germans chanting "O-BA-MA!"
what can they do, compare it to a Hitler rally?
I don't think even the corporate media in this country is that stupid.
July 12, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me three. I don't think the gate thing is a good idea. Especially for domestic us election issues. He should just do meet and greets with the foreign leaders and that's it. It doesn't look good and will be used by the republicans to paint obama as the european candidate. The vast majority of the us electorate won't like it. Look what the us thinks of the un, which isn't fair and is due to republican bs, but it is what it is.
July 12, 2008 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans will attack him on anything he does. Why are we falling into that trap, and getting so afraid of them. If he only does what the Republicans will not raise some faux outcry about, then he might as well just sit out the election.
Why be so afraid of something innovative. I say go for it, Senator Obama. Use your speech making skills to heal the international wounds created by the arrogant ignoramus you would be replacing.
July 12, 2008 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
My thoughts exactly!!!
July 12, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Regarding Bill Clinton being Hillary's biggest obstacle to becoming VP.
Don't agree. It's as if this person is insinuating that Hillary, herself, is not a flawed VP candidate. She is.
Beyond every reason that's piled up in the last year, Hillary has an utter lack of respect for Obama. It's as if the Clintons thought of him as a busboy. And after her attempt to reverse the primary outcome via Michigan and Florida, she has an utter lack of respect for voters and the democratic process.
Did anyone catch the special report on CNN last night regarding Hillary's viability for VP? It reminded me why it's called the Clinton News Network.
July 12, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
"It's as if the Clintons thought of him as a busboy".
Racebait much? Dude, if you don't think Hillary should be VP, try another approach. Just a thought.
July 12, 2008 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Busboy is racist since when? That's right it's not. What does it say about somebody who calls racism when it wasn't there?
July 12, 2008 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink