Hey Barack - Got Leadership? The election is not about you!

The day after a major financial meltdown gets underway - one of the major bailouts in recent history according to the front page of the Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12058084 0784044347.html?mod=todays_us_nonsub_pag e_one

- what is Obama's response?  Go "big" http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/ with a speech about racism.
    Say what?  Reminds me of Spinal Tap, when the band is breaking up and the s*^t has hit the fan, and one of the band members says 'When are we going to do Stonehenge?'

Obama is indeed under siege for having willingly associated and supported (through church membership) a trash-talking sermonist, Wright, but that's not the problem of the American people; that's Obama's problem. Does Obama have his eye on the ball? When the Wall Street Journal puts a picture of FDR on the cover of its print edition and cites his handling of the mortgage bailout. It's the economy, stupid. Earth to Obama?

  No doubt racism persists and is worrisome in the US, particularly the virulent strain practiced against Hispanic immigrants http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_t he_United_States.  

Both candidates from the democratic side are strong against racism, indeed Hillary has been at the forefront of fighting racism as Susan has documented in scholarly fashion (http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/3/18/1136 50/355) -

 At any given time, however, as indelicate as this may sound, but Barack, you brought it up, today we are faced with INTENSE economic problems and this the topic that should be at the center of major speeches.  Bill Clinton today gave a campaign speech in India on just that

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ticle?AID=/20080318/LOCAL19/80318053/0/L OCAL18

Does Obama have such a tin ear for the needs of the American people that he can't stop talking about his attempt to extricate himself from the Wright debacle?  Must he paint himself as a victim of racism (which he thrust himself into due to his chosen church activities) while Rome burns?



Display:


Well done. (none / 0)

You certainly raised the bar.


by zonk on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:15:38 PM EST

Make that Indiana on Bill's speech! (none / 0)


by Molee on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:15:43 PM EST

You know.. (2.00 / 0)

..I get the feeling that you didn't watch the speech or read the full text.


"Behold, I send you out as sheep amidst the wolves! Therefore, be as wise as a serpent, And as harmless as a dove."
by Setrak on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:21:17 PM EST

Re: You know.. (2.00 / 0)

What?!! Someone making knee-jerk comments on MyDD?!?


by amiches on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:21:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What is the challenge you are raising? (none / 0)

There are many topics a candidate could address - Sexism? Environment? War (it's only year 5 out from the invasion....)? Healthcare (economy)? Jobs (economy)? Homeownership (economy)?  Why racism?  Why today?  Why is it so "major"?


by Molee on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:25:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What is the challenge you are raising? (2.00 / 0)

Gee....well, why would Obama need to talk about this topic?  Since I have been in a dark hole the last week, I have no idea....


We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.
by politicsmatters on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:32:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Are you saying he didn't cause this? (none / 0)

There are lots of churches in the US....


by Molee on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:34:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey Barack - Got Leadership? The election is n (2.00 / 1)

Hit piece, after hit piece, after hit piece...
This is turning into hillaryis44. I'm surprised Obama supporters are still allowed to diary and comment.

When it's all over, many of you will be more in touch with why you hate Obama and less cognizant of why you supported Clinton in the first place.

UPDATE: Obama just read your diary and is currently handing out dollar bills at 63rd and Ashland.


_____________
PUMA: Perverse Undemocratic McCain Adherents
by lizardbox on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:26:11 PM EST

Nope - call to an examination of strategy (none / 0)

- once upon a time that was what we did on progressive blogs.  I really question the long term strategy of Obama here - as noted above I think racism is a serious issue but if he doesn't understand the issues of the day, the American people will be out of step with him 100%.


by Molee on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:32:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Ahhh... (2.00 / 0)

So then you agree that the Wright crap was massive overreach and we should get back to the issues?

Great!

Let's start the letter-writing campaign.


by zonk on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:00:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey Barack - Got Leadership? The election is n (2.00 / 1)

Obviously, there is a lot of emotion about this and it is coming out. Are they hit pieces? I guess. But, why do you think so many people are disgusted with the speech when everyone on TV is saying it reminded them of the second coming? Maybe, because lots of people are growing tired of meaningless empty rhetoric masquerading as profound wisdom? That's the feeling I'm feeling right now. I am fed up with hearing so much self serving, self important contentless bull from this guy, and having everyone fawn all over him. So, yeah I feel like writing a hit piece diary.


by MediaFreeze on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:36:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I don't see.. (2.00 / 0)

..why people are so determined to villify someone just because they are a rival of the politician you're supporting.

It was a damn fine speech, and even if he doesn't become President I'm glad I had the chance to support him.  That is a speech that you'll hear about decades from now.


"Behold, I send you out as sheep amidst the wolves! Therefore, be as wise as a serpent, And as harmless as a dove."
by Setrak on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:50:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey Barack - Got Leadership? The election is n (2.00 / 0)

But with all honesty MediaFreeze, during the Clinton presidency, I followed the attacks on president Clinton. In the past few months, I followed the attacks on Senator Clinton. Hannity has never been right. Rush has never been right. They're not right today attacking Obama nor were they right back then (and now when they attack any democrat). It is not blind support by association, but there is an agenda, and it is a dangerous one.


There were options for Senator Obama in today's speech. To speak of the resentment by the black folks for the residue of slavery, and in the same breath speak of the resentment by the white folks of the price they had to pay in our attempts as a nation to remedy the the wounds of slavery is the only option that was not self-serving.


Obama is not the second coming. Obama however is not an empty suit. I've been asked by many to see through the BS, and I've looked; I've searched. I have read and dug deep. He and his family deserve better than these attacks.


What is it that Obama can do today to fix the economy?


There was the notion that his followers, a cult, will not support Senator Clinton if she is the nominee. But now the tables have turned, and more Clinton supporters say they will not support Obama if he is the nominee. So, we drop the "cult" reference and we talk electability.


I am confused. I want to support Senator Clinton. I will support Senator Clinton if she is the nominee. But what is it that we can do collectively to stop the bleeding? Do not give me "Axelrod" because I'll give you "Penn". And when you give me "Penn" I'll give you "Axelrod". The circular path has now replaced the parallel and our remaining intersections with McCain are numbered.


_____________
PUMA: Perverse Undemocratic McCain Adherents
by lizardbox on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:54:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey Barack - Got Leadership? The election is n (2.00 / 2)

It seems that for Obama and his supporters it is all about race, his, and our having to damned well accept it, and while your at it, feel guilty for the plight of the black man in America and how it is our collective fault, and he is justified in his hatred of America, and therefore, we should, upon reflection, get behind the Obama bandwagon and all sing Kumbyah and take this race issue by the horns, and tackle this outrageous black discrimination, head on, you know by electing this egoist black man to assuage our guilt.  that will make us all feel so much better.  NOT.

And my comment is that the most oppressed class in this country is the woman who is always last, and even now, women are supposed to just sit down, just quit this race, just sit down and be quit so the MAN can once again take the stage for whatever condescending thing he says is so much more profound that the fact that women, even though they are the majority in this country still make $.77 to every dollar made by a man, be he black or white and this disparity is just some one liner in Obama's speech about the glass ceiling while he goes on and on about how the pastor is somehow justified at his vulgar hate speech against America, while Obama keeps saying that we are in a war that should have never been waged or authorized and that therefore, he is the ONE to lead us back from the biggest foreign policy mistake ever.  Bigger that Vietnam, but who has the plans to actually get us out of Iraq?  Obama?  No!

Hillary has the plans, the policies we need to actually begin to bring our troops home, she has already introduced legislation to give our veterans the care Obqma mentions, she is actually doing it, right now as we consider Obama and his insistence that we spend this time dealing with his issue, namely that of race, that has now become our problem, and what of the real disasters facing this country?  

Well, we should just overlook that hate filled speech of Wrights because he's got good reason, and apparently we should sympathize with the poor black man and never mind the women and how they have been short shifted for the discrimination of women has been and continues to be the most insidious one, not the black/white issue at all.

 Perhaps it is urgent for the AA community, and I'm not saying it isn't, but they are 10% of the population while women comprise 55% of the population and they do 75% of all the work and get 75% of the money for doing it.  they raise the children, worry about the children's education, attend the PTA and shuttle them to all their destinations, forgoing health care for themselves to take care of the kids, fix the food, clean the house, and also earn an income.  Women are the most abused and forgotten demographic in this country and they got exactly one sentence in Obama speech today.  Shows you exactly what is important to him.  Wright means a hellofa lot more to him than women of any color do, that is for sure, he is willing to throw Ferrero, Clinton and his own grandmother as a smoke screen to justify his relationship with the hate filled comments of Wright and his church.  No other black congregation or minister is trying to justify such scurrilous comments, only Obama is trying to say well, it is somehow O,.K.  Well I'm sorry but it is not O.K. and I don't find his refusal to separate himself from that man to be acceptable for a man who wants to be president of the USA.


democrat voter
by democrat voter on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 10:41:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey Barack - Got Leadership? The election is n (none / 0)

or trying to sell you a knock-off rolex....


by mindmover on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:42:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Turning into? (2.00 / 1)

It has become.

Go check out Hillaryis44.org - if the creator knew how to allow link markup in comments - it would probably be the top referrer to this site.

Still... I guess that's... ummm... a step above the standard "GO BILL O'REILLY!" fare... or the "YEAH DEBBIE SCHLUSSEL!!!"... or "FOX NEW TEH RULZ!!!" we often get treated to.

I don't blame Hillary for her supporters, but some of them would seem to be perfectly happy forming a new party with the freepers, the dittoheads, and the Falwellians.

They can all take turns bashing their Dem du jour.

The party platform could be "We hate YOU ALL... EVERY @$@#!@@# ONE OF YOU!!!"


by zonk on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:59:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I disagree (2.00 / 0)

and I doubt anything I say can sway you from your anger at and apparent hatred of Obama.

FYI, tomorrow he's giving a speech on Iraq and National  Security. On Thursday, he's giving a speech on Iraq and the economy.


Bill Foster would agree, Barack Obama has coat tails.
by Walt Starr on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:38:11 PM EST

I love Obama (none / 0)

I think he makes a great Senator and should stay at it...But Puhleeze ... are you saying that Talking Points Memo and the Huff Po, along with the MSM will tout these speeches you cite as "major" or "big"...Obama's noise machine pumped this up and Obama is clearly trying to change the topic here because he is weak toe to toe on the economy with Clinton.  


by Molee on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:43:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I love Obama (2.00 / 0)

I have my doubts about your declarations regarding your love for Obama.

That said, I beleive Barack Obama is ten times the candidate of Hillary Clinton and is a hundred times more capable of handling the United States Economy than Hillary Clinton.

As proof for that statement, I present the state of each campaign's finances at the end of February to demonstrate that Hillary went broke and had to give herself a loan due to her shortsightedness while Obama was flush with cash and now outdoes her regularly.

How one runs their campaign is a good indication of how they will run the government. On that note, Obama is far more capable when it comes to issues of finance than Hillary Clinton will ever be.


Bill Foster would agree, Barack Obama has coat tails.
by Walt Starr on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:46:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Doubtful - because Obama is proposing (none / 0)

a far inferior healthcare plan that excludes millions.  Where's the economic insight there.  This is probably the singular most toxic move regarding the economy for him.  Hillary is without a doubt the one who has the fight to actually handle this.

Obama also spent - or had spent on him - almost 4 times what Hillary spent in Ohio - and was trounced.  I'm sure all those SEIU members were really happy about that premature endorsement by Stern and all that wanton spending for no delivery.  


by Molee on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:53:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Doubtful - because Obama is proposing (2.00 / 0)

The insight in Obama's healthcare plan is providing for the possible instead of demanding that which will not be passed.

The last I saw, Obama far outstipped Clinton still in fundraising and as of now has recieved nearly 75,000 more donations than he recieved throughout the month of February. He consistently breaks recordsd.

And he cut Clinton's vaunted lead in Ohio to limiting her merely to nine delegates, a figure that he outstripped after two states.


Bill Foster would agree, Barack Obama has coat tails.
by Walt Starr on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:06:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Hey Barack - Got Leadership? The election is n (2.00 / 1)

I have an abiding feeling that had Obama discussed the economic meltdown brought by unmitigated and unrestrained corporate greed, you would been criticizing him for ducking the Wright relationship.

Gee, it's tough pleasing your opponents, isn't it?


by tharr on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:41:42 PM EST

Re: Hey Barack - Got Leadership? The election is n (2.00 / 0)

Wow....you CAN get internet in a cave


"Let them eat cake"
by NCDEM29 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:49:36 PM EST

Re: Hey Barack - Got Leadership? The election is n (none / 0)

Your frustration is understandable. It is hard to win against someone who is so skilled at keeping the spotlight on himself. Hillary Clinton started out as the most famous person in the race. Here she is completely ignored as is McCain. If I were a Hillary supporter I would be really angry too. But sometimes in politics you are up against a phenomenon.

Being junior Senator from New York is not too bad.


by LibDem on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:32:14 PM EST

Re: Hey Barack - Got Leadership? (none / 0)

Perhaps you missed this part of today's speech:

This time we want to talk about the shuttered mills that once provided a decent life for men and women of every race, and the homes for sale that once belonged to Americans from every religion, every region, every walk of life.  This time we want to talk about the fact that the real problem is not that someone who doesn't look like you might take your job; it's that the corporation you work for will ship it overseas for nothing more than a profit.

Obama's been talking about the economy and the war and the other real issues for months now. He's done town hall meetings on it here and it a lot of other places. He's got a very detailed and comprehensive economic plan.

Part of the point of the speech -- a part I suspect you missed -- is that this is a distraction from the real issues. By that, I don't mean to suggest that anyone other than Obama is responsible for this particular issue at this particular time. It's not about the issue, it's about the way it's being handled and covered.

There have been many such issues, for both candidates. It's a way for the "process" to get in the way of talking about things. If the narrative is controlled such that it's just scandal after another, we let the media pick the president, with the population knee-jerking from crisis to crisis. Whoever has the last crisis loses.


by Texas Gray Wolf on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 11:17:44 PM EST


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