It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
posted by Justin Oldham
I think it's unlikely Obama's popularity will last. In terms of Democrat politics, Hillary is doing what I would counsel her to be doing at this time. She's off the radar, recruiting and reconnoitering. It's true that Obama stands to make a million dollars from his book tour, but that's not even a single media buy in the realm of Presidential fund-raising.
Now were he to acquire financing sufficient to hire a Presidential staff, that would be a different matter. Hillary has already signed the top guns who work the Blue States. He could get lucky and find himself a diamond in the rough, but the odds do not favor that happy chance.
With money, the right staffers, backers, and handlers, he may be able to carry his populism to the polls for a win. Trouble is, veterans in this business plan years ahead for this. That's why I say that he's going to be a VP contender. His currency is popularity. That's what he has plenty of. Because he is riding so high in the polls . . It's worth noting that Obama is a big deal because the MSM says he is. If they drop him tomorrow, he'd vanish faster than ice cream at a weight watcher's party. [Edited by Don W]
posted by Justin Oldham
“ . . no doubt any number of solutions to Iraq are on the table in front of Mr. Bush . . he is too stubborn to accept anything less than what he desires most to hear. [Edited by Don W]
That stubborn factor plays in favor of the Democrats. I do think they'd be bold enough to put what you called two novelties on the same ticket. There are eight female governors. One just took office in my own State. I think voters will vote for a woman as President.
I would say even the secular progressives wouldn't make a big deal out of Hillary's gender. I think most people will see her gender as a non-issue. That doesn't mean they won't hold her to a higher standard. Anyone who takes office in 2008 will be held to a higher standard for all the obvious reasons.
I think higher standards will be part of what sink's McCain's bid for the Presidency. He has too many known flaws, whereas Hillary's list of known flaws is shorter, and Obama's is shortest of all. For those who want to entertain wild notions, think about just how unbeatable Obama could be eight years . . if Hillary makes very few mistakes. What would it take to unseat the Democrats then?
posted by Justin Oldham
“ . . give Barack Obama his due. Anyone can carry an empty bucket. We need to see how he responds to real issues. If it turns out that he can't carry the water for his team, we shouldn't be surprised. I don't agree with his politics, but I'm willing to give him his due. In a VP debate, he might be hard pressed if his opponent was running on a record of accomplishment. Assuming he faces off against Giuliani, it'll be one rock star versus another. [Edited by Don W]
Hillary's laundry list is known and the answers from her camp to those charges are known. In this case, we may expect to see that the public is just a little too familiar with her sins. McCain, on the other hand, has kept his laundry off the public line for much longer.
I might suggest to Senator McCain that he answer those charges in his own way through a tell-all book in late 2007. As any good spin doc knows, answering a charge in your own words with your own proofs makes it harder for others to say anything else that sounds worse. My hope that McCain's handlers will counsel a bit of pre-emptive damage control.
posted by Justin Oldham
Here's a serious question: What do you want to see out of a Democrat who is President? This person is likely to have the benefit of Democratic majorities in Congress. What could you realistically hope for? [Edited by Don W]
January 10, 2007 Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on the President’s Speech on Iraq
"Based on the President’s speech tonight, I cannot support his proposed escalation of the war in Iraq. American troops continue to serve and sacrifice in Iraq, performing magnificently and bravely. Iraq requires a political solution, not a purely military one, and we did not hear such a proposed solution tonight. The American people have demanded, and as the facts on the ground require, we need a new course and an end to the current failed policy. The President’s speech failed to adequately address 1) the political situation in Iraq, 2) rising sectarian violence, 3) mounting strain on our military, 4) growing Iranian influence, 5) and festering divides over how to distribute oil revenues.” [Edited by Don W]
posted by Justin Oldham
Here's a serious question: What do you want to see out of a Democrat who is President? This person is likely to have the benefit of Democratic majorities in Congress. What could you realistically hope for? [Edited by Don W]
posted by Justin Oldham
Okay. Based on the points laid out by Don, my question changes. How do the Democrats pull off what Don suggested without expanding the size of the Federal government? My thesis has been that politicians from both sides of the aisle will keep on growing the bureaucracy.
Trouble is, the lobby reforms aren't really reforms as written and the pay-as-you-go AND the House bill to implement the 9-11 commission's recommendations look like open-ended invitations to grow the Federal bureaucracy. [Edited by Don W]
posted by Justin Oldham
Has the alleged brew-up between the Clinton and Obama camps changed your thinking in any way?
posted by Justin Oldham
It's unlikely Obama's popularity will last. In terms of Democratic politics, Hillary is off the radar, recruiting and reconnoitering. It's true that Obama stands to make a million dollars from his book tour, but that's not even a single media buy in the realm of Presidential fund-raising.
Were Obama to acquire financial backing sufficient to begin hiring a presidential electioneering staff, that would be a different matter. Hillary has already signed the top guns who work the Blue states. She beat him to the punch on that one.
With [enough] money, staffers, backers and handlers, he may be able to carry his populism to the polls for a win. Trouble is, vets in this business plan years ahead for this sort of thing. That's why I say that he's going to be a VP contender. His currency is popularity. It's worth noting that Obama is a big deal because the M-S-M says that he is. If they decide to drop him tomorrow, he'd vanish faster than ice cream at a weight watcher's party. [Edited by Don W]
posted by Justin Oldham
I'm inclined to agree with your sentiments. The language coming out of the DNC right now is ambivalent towards Obama, which means essentially what you said. I liked Obama's speech, and for what it's worth I think it was the right one to make at that time and place.
I watch and I am still not seeing any good recruitments by the Obama camp. Early money has gone his way, but he's not scoring big name donors that tell the rest which way the wind blows. I'll stand by the assessment I made in this thread many months ago. Hillary may have a bumpy ride, but she will be the next President unless she makes a mistake that could cost her the job. [Edited by Don W]
posted by Justin Oldham
We are beginning to see Giuliani’s campaign take shape. There's an important thing happening here that could challenge Hillary's rise to power. Rudy's status as a moderate seems to be winning approval from more and more people. [Edited by Don W]
If Don is right, and the average American voter doesn't want to risk all on TWO untried quantities, we could see a Giuliani win in spite of Republican gaffs to date.
I'd like to explain why. I don't like Democrat politics, but I do think the country is ready for a woman President. I also think that race is not so much a factor as it used to be when it comes to the question of a black candidate.
I think there's a perception the last thing we need in office in yet another Republican. My suspicion is Hillary will ultimately steer a moderate course. If she does, she'll beat Rudy. [Her moderation] will be backed up by a track record of legislative accomplishments over the next two years. In her case, being a Senator will help more than it will hurt. Rudy's got to hit the bricks and make a lot of speeches to compete with that. In the end, I'm not certain that his star can be made to burn brightly enough to eclipse his competition. [Edited by Don W]