Phoebe Fay wrote:

"To put it in context, you have to understand that he met both Wright and Rezko in the late '80s or early '90s, before he entered politics. People not in politics form all sorts of friendships and acquaintances and don't weigh those associations with an eye to appearances"

Yes, but from what I understand, Oprah left that church a long time ago. Obama not only stayed but raised his children under the teachings of that church. Why? If he was really a "post-racial" man he wouldn't make that choice even if he weren't in politics. My guess is that Michelle's preference to remain in that church may have been quite strong.

Posted at March 17, 2008 5:55 PM in response to Obama: I Didn't Distance Myself From Wright And Rezko Because I Haven't Been In Washington Long Enough

Silaro wrote:

"How many of us have friends or acquaintances that do or say things that we wouldn't? Does that mean we should be stained by their actions? By that that contorted logic, I must be a swinger, a smoker, and a criminal because i know those who are or have been."

True enough, but would you send your children to those friends for weekly lessons in swinging, smoking, criminality, or bigotry? I think not.

And if you did, do you think you could claim, as a political candidate, to support strong family values, anti-smoking policies, respect for the law, or post-racial/ethnic unity?

Posted at March 17, 2008 5:46 PM in response to Obama: I Didn't Distance Myself From Wright And Rezko Because I Haven't Been In Washington Long Enough

Correction:

Number 1 (in my post above) should read encouraging primaries over caucuses.

Posted at February 15, 2008 1:16 PM in response to Obama Supporter Jesse Jackson, Jr: Black Super-Delegates Who Back Hillary Could Face Primary Challenge

Willyam wrote:

"I'm not crazy about the superdelegate rules myself, but those are the rules the party agreed to play by long before this election started. Next election cycle they could talk about amending the rules or putting less influence on the superdelegates. They should be tie-breakers if anything, not a massive 15% percent of the deciding votes."

Agreed. The Dems need to look at a number of primary reform issues after this campaign, most importantly: 1) encouraging caucuses over primaries; 2) closing primaries to registered Dems; and 3) the role of superdelegates.

From what I understand (although I have not researched the issue), the superdelegates were a compromise allowing party officials to still have some say if the electoral process chose a candidate that the party leaders found truly unacceptable. If that is the historic mission of superdelegates, I don't know why people think they should automatically follow the vote in their geographic areas. Doing that would nullify the whole reason for superdelegates.

Posted at February 15, 2008 1:14 PM in response to Obama Supporter Jesse Jackson, Jr: Black Super-Delegates Who Back Hillary Could Face Primary Challenge

Clearthinker:

You're talking to a Reagan Democrat (twice) and if you think Obama will melt Reagan Democrats your knowledge of them is second hand and third rate. And, remember, we are all at least middle aged now.

And stop talking to me like I'm ignorant. I am very likely to be more educated than you (Ph.D. in a technical field) and have more life experience.

I know many of you Obama supporters think we are a bunch of poor old ladies who are high school dropouts. Like most movements, you believe far too much of your own press.

Posted at February 7, 2008 8:38 PM in response to Obama Nixes Hillary's Invite To Town Hall Meeting

Scientific,

I am not blind. You overstate the "truth."

Enough of this displeasure is soft. Enough people will come around once they listen to her and see her perform. She has been very successful getting former political enemies to warm up to her. Lindsey Graham, McCain's campaign manager, who has served with her in the Armed Services Comm, disagrees with the conventional wisdom and says she is a much more formidable candidate than Obama.

She also has huge favorable blocks that can provide further electoral leverage - women and Latinos. There's little expansion potential in Obama's unless you count kids who are very unpredictable.

Posted at February 7, 2008 8:07 PM in response to Obama Nixes Hillary's Invite To Town Hall Meeting

Scientific wrote:

"While you may make the claim that Obama did the same, I'm not sure how that emboldens your case for Clinton."

At least she had the decency and humility to serve one complete Senate term before she ran for president. People wanted her to run in 2004. She declined.

She served 6 years before running for president. Obama served two. A person who applies him/herself can learn a lot in four more years. Add eight years close to the action in the White House, and her superior knowledge base shouldn't be surprising.

Posted at February 7, 2008 8:01 PM in response to Obama Nixes Hillary's Invite To Town Hall Meeting

independentmeans,

I don't listen to Rush for my presidential choice. One of the reasons so many are voting for Obama is the fear generated by these common talking points repeated by the right wing and the Obama movement.

I pick my candidate based on who I think is the most meritorious, knowledgeable, strong, and has the best leadership qualities. I'm not going to pick based on fashionable chic or fear based on Republican talking points.

I'm picking who I feel is the best and most deserving person. If that's not good enough to win, I have a clear conscience. But, I think that might just be good enough to win.

Posted at February 7, 2008 7:51 PM in response to Obama Nixes Hillary's Invite To Town Hall Meeting

"And Mrs. Bill Clinton would never in a million years be a viable candidate for president if she she was not married to Bill."

And Obama would no longer be in the running if he were white and didn't give a rousing convention speech.

As far as I can see, she has done a lot more to prepare herself for this job than he has.

Posted at February 7, 2008 7:44 PM in response to Obama Nixes Hillary's Invite To Town Hall Meeting

"Former Senator Bob Kerrey has been head of a New York City school since 2001."

New School for Social Research. Prior to that I believe he was one of the leaders of the Concord Coalition, the most well-known budget hawk think tank.

Posted at February 7, 2008 7:41 PM in response to New Hillary Ad In Nebraska Stars Bob Kerrey