Last week was a horrible one for Hillary Clinton. Her husband had thrown a wrench into her campaign to become president of the United States by declaring that he’d been against the Iraq war from the beginning – a transparent fib that reminded many Democrats of the pathological lying of the 1990s.
Two Clinton campaign staffers were then caught sending out e-mails warning that Barack Obama, her main rival for the Democrat ticket, was a closet Muslim. And one of her campaign co-chairmen raised the issue of Obama’s past drug use – something Obama had dealt with candidly years ago. Clinton was forced to apologise and her aide resigned. Grassroots Democrats were appalled at the descent into nastiness. It suggested desperation in the Clinton camp.
But everything came to a head in last Thursday’s Iowa debate between the Democratic candidates. Obama was asked by the moderator how he could claim to represent change on foreign policy when he had so many former Clinton administration officials advising him. Hillary burst into desperate laughter. “I’d love to hear him answer that,” she cackled. Obama paused, then fired: “Well, Hillary, I’m looking forward to having you advise me as well.” The audience erupted. In one moment, the Alpha Female ceded authority to the Alpha Male.
The Washington media are taken aback by Obama’s surge in the polls. They dismissed him months ago, buying into the notion that a Clinton presidency was inevitable. But they can’t ignore the facts in the key states: in Iowa, Obama is slightly ahead and has the organisational edge. In New Hampshire, Clinton’s double-digit lead has suddenly evaporated. In South Carolina, black voters have begun to switch en masse to Obama. It’s still far from over – and no one should discount Hillary Clinton – but the momentum is suddenly his.
I suppose it is gross understatement to say that the Republican party looks forward to running against a guy named Barack Hussein Obama in the general election.
You might wish to not pick fights with [i]a boy named Sue[/i] though. The name wasn’t really his choice.
Although it would fit in with their tradition of playing people’s fears instead of speaking to the issues.
The other side of this issue, of course, is the fact that nobody ever didn’t get elected for underestimating the intelligence of the American voter. Where #3 fails is in placing [i]issues[/i] as the primary concern of these voters. Appeals to their [i]fears and loathings[/i] might be very effective indeed, until it is made clear that Mr. Obama is not at all related to Saddam Hussein.
Not sure if I should put a “smiley face” on this one, as it might be too true.
Barack Obama is one great city councilman.
The overwhelming argument in favor of the Democrats’ running Obama in 2008 is the article in the WSJ Online over the weekend speculating on what Sen. Clinton would do with Bill once she’s elected. The spine-chilling thought of that author was “Supreme Court Justice Bill Clinton.” Unlikely, I think; but what WOULD she do with Bill? Democrats still love the guy, but they seem to be waking up to the fact that they don’t love Hillary.
Of course the charge that Obama is a “closet Muslim” is ridiculous. One thing that I worried about earlier hasn’t happened, and I hope it won’t. It’s possible that, under strict sharia law, Obama would be considered Muslim because his father was. I was afraid that some jihadi nutcase would decide to assassinate him for “apostasy.” I’m glad he has Secret Service protection.
I don’t know much about Obama, but I’m wondering why it would be ridiculous for him to follow the religion of his own father and why would he need to be “closeted” about it if decided to do so.
[blockquote]The other side of this issue, of course, is the fact that nobody ever didn’t get elected for underestimating the intelligence of the American voter. Where #3 fails is in placing issues as the primary concern of these voters. Appeals to their fears and loathings might be very effective indeed, until it is made clear that Mr. Obama is not at all related to Saddam Hussein.[/blockquote]
Riiiiggggghhhhhht. Look what happened to Adolph Coors beer revenues after the Second World War.
Ed and Tom:
Ever see the great bumper sticker that reads:
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups!
😉
Oh, blast, I was going to add:
[blockquote]”You know,” Landon said, “it seems like there are more and more complete idiots in parliament every year!”
“Now, dear, even complete idiots deserve equal representation” Thursday replied.[/blockquote]
–Jasper Fforde, “First among sequels: a Thursday Next novel”.
Charley, it’s ridiculous because Obama has not been an active Muslim at any time. He belongs to the United Church of Christ.
I think I’d rather be a Muslim.
# 12: and the difference is that one of these faiths is unitarian while honoring Christ as a prophet, while the other – oh never mind.
Well, at least the UCC doesn’t follow a commandment to make all people UCC at the point of a sword if necessary.