Obama is no lightweight when it comes to policy either. I rather think the quality of his thinking means that his policies will be lucid, rather than exhaustive. I am troubled by Clinton's lack of graciousness, and her combative and tricky relationship to words.

Posted at March 18, 2008 7:31 PM in response to Hillary: I'm Glad Obama Gave That Speech

All he needs to do right now is win the primary. He IS winning, which is a point that many people seem to be missing, in the attempt to make it seem like it is neck and neck. It is not neck and neck.

With a tip of the hat to RobertinWisconsin on DailyKos: Obama has won 30 of 45 states. 18 of the them with a margin of 60% or better. 24 of the 55% or better. Hillary has made 60% all of ONE TIME this whole race, and has earned 40% or less of the vote in 25 out of 45 contests. She has dipped below 30% 16 times. He is now ahead by 160 in pledged delegates. He has a popular vote lead of 900,000.

Obama needs to finish this contest, but he also needs to provide a smooth transition of support from Hillary to him. He cannot do that if he attacks her too hard or too much. This is why she is trying to provoke and attack him -- she has nothing to lose. He has everything to lose. He has several long months to lay out the case against McCain. The less he shows of his hand while McCain and Rove and company build their strategy, the better. He has enough to win against Hillary, and that is all he needs to do.

I think he has played this last week brilliantly.

Posted at March 12, 2008 11:19 AM in response to Obama Campaign: Hillary Is Already "Waving White Flag" In Key General Election States

50/50 delegate split, no superdelegates, or seated after the nominee is chosen.

No revote... Rush has been crowing about trying to game our remaining primaries by supporting Hillary. More evil-minded Repubs, now with no candidate of their own to vote for... Why not?

Rush Republicans would explain some of the weird numbers Hillary got from MS showing that 25% of her voters were Republican... There is a good diary to this on DailyKos: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/12/81339/4516/40/474909

Posted at March 12, 2008 11:06 AM in response to Clinton Campaign Manager To Obama Team: Help Get Michigan And Florida Counted

Deciding to drop bombs on people in other countries because it is easier to do than to question or defy the prevailing idiocracy is not TOUGH -- it is actually the easy way out.

We went to war in Iraq and now more than 4000 US soldiers and 3 million+ Iraqis are dead, maimed or displaced FOR NOTHING. We have accomplished NO OBJECTIVE other than toppling Saddam at a cost of $3 trillion dollars. We continue to tip toe around patriotic language and no one seems to want to be the one to say it -- IT WAS FOR NOTHING -- it is purely American ego, American PR, American naval gazing, and American fear. Osama bin Laden is still on the run, Afghanistan is unravelling, our troops are dying, our economy teeters on the precipice, and Halliburton and Blackstone are a blight that have become business as usual.

WHERE THE HELL IS MY COUNTRY.

It is such a grotesque abdication of morality and principle I cannot even speak. The very least I can do is elect the people who will END THIS EVIL WAR. And act to secure lasting peace and justice for ALL. We need zero emissions and we need to lead the world in clean energy. We need universal health coverage not because progressives wanna be softheaded nice guys but because it makes us fucking competitive -- do you want to the American worker to compete with the English, the Canadians, the Germans, the French, or do you want them to compete with Mexico, China, and India? I am sick of watching my country get gutted and looted by conservatives and the radical right. The reason Obama is running is because WE HAVE NO MORE TIME. Dems need to wake up -- Obama is the only one we have who can see clearly, and pull it all together. You think he isn't tough? We're gonna see exactly how tough he is when he is President of these United States.

Posted at March 12, 2008 6:51 AM in response to Obama Memo: "No Support For Claim That Clinton Has Passed `Commander-In-Chief Test'"

Do you see how the Hillary argument works?

Let's look at the argument they are building -- (more Okidoke ahead):

1. If you support Barack, it is because he is black.

2. If you support Hillary, it is not because you have a problem with Barack being black, it is because he is simply not as qualified as she is.

(Despite his leading the contest by every objective measure available to mere mortal rank-and-file voters. I am pretty sure that people were thinking about his qualifications to be president when they voted, in fact, I am pretty sure that is the whole point of a vote. But perhaps Super Delegates also have Super Powers of Perception we don't?)

3. Ah! But we Democrats are civilized and enlightened compared to our Republican brethren. WE may be ready for a Person of Color to be President -- but the average American just isn't ready. (Drop voice to a whisper) The truth is... Americans won't vote for a black candidate. They won't vote for Barack HUSSEIN Obama.

(Ignore the fact that Americans of every color, stripe, shape, and creed already ARE voting for him -- Obama brings over Independents and Republicans support that Hillary cannot hope to win over, he will carry EVERY Blue State she does -- yes, including Big States -- plus he puts a bunch of Red States into play, creating tentpole opportunities across the board for Obama Dems down ticket.)

Yawn. Running out of Kitchen Sink, Hillary?

Posted at March 11, 2008 10:02 PM in response to Obama Wins Mississippi, Networks Say

Opinions are like a**holes, everybody's got one.

But to vote, you need to care enough to show up.

I don't see how his organization is caucus only -- when you phone bank, and canvas, you are reaching VOTERS. Period. And we create not just greater participation, but greater quality of participation. More information and analysis, less reliance on MSM spoonfed soundbites. And maybe we don't get bullied into bad wars so easily in the future.

Anyone who has ever done any grassroots organizing can tell you what a difference even a few committed people can make... Now imagine we number in the millions and elect the kind of leaders we want to see represent us... We need zero emissions, an end to the war, fixing NAFTA and WTO, universal health care, education fixed, and for what passes as MSM news and punditry to die a Nielsen death.

Posted at March 11, 2008 12:42 PM in response to TPM's criticisms of Obama

Terrific analysis Fly. Many thanks!

Posted at March 11, 2008 12:02 AM in response to The Perils of Indecision: How Clinton Cost Herself the Race

You guys are disgusting.

Posted at March 10, 2008 10:57 PM in response to Dick Morris Tells Hillary "It's Over."

You, and a few others, make a good point colonpowwow. Unfortunately, I think some of the Hillary talk is getting weirdly bloodlusty at the moment.

Posted at March 10, 2008 10:55 PM in response to Hillary: "Let's Wait And See" On Spitzer

Liam, why on earth are you attacking Lalo35adm? You are only proving his/her point and underscoring their disappointment. And, it's quite rude.

Lalo35adm, welcome to TPM. I am new here too. I also wandered over here after getting disgusted with HuffPo. TPM is generally one of the most informed, incisive, and balanced news sites out there. It is not a pro-Obama site, but the level of information and analysis presented here tends to lead rather naturally to a pro-Obama result.

Posted at March 10, 2008 10:50 PM in response to Hillary: "Let's Wait And See" On Spitzer