Comments on: Barrack Obama Announces Presidential Exploratory Committee

By: Clara

Clara — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 21:57:47 +0000

What a great time in American politics. A person of color running for the highest office in the land. Question. How do you protect a person of color from the racist ideology that persist and exist in the United States in the 21st century. To be sure, there are factions that will watch and wait to see just how far he will go!!

By: Victor

Victor — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:40:47 +0000

I dont believe Courtney’s comments hold so much sway as barrack has had some of the strongest reviews from the “white” community. I believe the challenge is basically how his camp is going to manouvre and handle the Clinton’s candindature. Incidentally it would be a dream team if both Barrack and Hillary made a team? What do you think?

By: Victor

Victor — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 08:48:19 +0000

Kudos To Barrack. I believe the precedence that Obama candidature presents gives America for one and the whole world an important side kick in realising all-inclusiveness politics in healing many wounds, distratctions and prejudices. All kin and kind willing to give voice to reason should give Barrack the best wishes and all support.

Victor

By: Courtney

Courtney — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:43:55 +0000

Although I know that Americans will NEVER vote a mixed president (because he is too “black”) It is still wonderful watching the race from here in Kingston Jamaica. I think that Barrack is really Charismatic and there is some semblance of honesty in his voice and eyes. I hope that he will get the respect that he obviously deserves, but heartland America would rather vote for a white elepant before they vote for a mixed half white predident-HE IS JUST NOT WHITE ENOUGH!!!!

By: Kim Ritter

Kim Ritter — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:43:54 +0000

I’m saying that rising energy costs, college tuitions, and flat wages have cut into the prosperity of the middle class. Add to that the gradual decline of unions and the number of manufacturing jobs that have been shipped overseas, and you get why the Dems presented their 6 for ‘06 package. I think the prosperity that Americans have enjoyed may be threatened by an emerging type of class warfare. John Edwards calls it the “Two Americas”. I believe that Obama or Edwards would work to prevent rising inequality and cut corporate welfare. It is possible that realistically, entitlements will need to be trimmed, but I would trust someone like Obama more than someone like Bush if that needed to be done. (In actuality, it appears that neither party has much stomach for it as doing so will be politically unpopular)

By: CStanley

CStanley — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 15:40:26 +0000

Kim,
But since we now have that resilient middle class, why should we promote a new version of the New Deal? The components of it may have been the correct remedies for the Great Depression but that doesn’t mean that this should be repeated during a time of healthy economic growth. To be fair, I don’t necessarily think that Obama is an advocate of revamping the New Deal or revitalizing the welfare state, but I’m responding specifically to your claim that the New Deal has served us well and should continue to do so.

By: Kim Ritter

Kim Ritter — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 13:57:57 +0000

I agree he seems to be more about style than substance. But the New Deal has served several generations of Americans very well- ushering millions of us into heretofore unknown prosperity by creating a large resilient middle class, and taking care of our elderly in their declining years. I see preserving the middle class and that prosperity as a worthy goal–it beats enriching your cronies and corporate donors like Bechtel and Halliburton!

By: G. Weightman

G. Weightman — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 12:52:36 +0000

The comparison to Reagan is apt. But Reagan had a new set of policies to provide ballast for his charisma. So far, Obama has been a pedestrian liberal equivocator, somewhere between Hillary and Teddy on the political spectrum. If Democrats are going to capture and retain the presidency, they are going to have to come up with some fresh ideas, instead of living off the intellectual capital of the New Deal.

By: Rambie

Rambie — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 05:13:32 +0000

Uncle Joe, I also liked McCain in 2000.

By: Rambie

Rambie — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 05:10:28 +0000

I guess the country is split between those longing for Camelot Redux, and those who are profoundly uneasy about the prospect.

Again, I think your projecting your misgivings. I’m not “longing for Camelot” about Obama but I would say he’s a interesting contender for ‘08.

I can’t say I’m completely comfortable with him yet, but that is because I don’t know enough about him and his policy ideas and nothing to do with his race. There is a long time to go so there is time to learn more about him and to see how he continues to conduct himself in the Senate.

As Uncle Joe said, I also don’t see his race when I see him on TV. I also don’t see color when Colin Powell or Secretary Rice is on TV either.

By: uncle joe mccarthy

uncle joe mccarthy — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 04:51:48 +0000

is charisma so bad? isnt it charisma that almost got bobby kennedy the dem nomination on 68?

although we have a current leader who believes his main job is protecting all our citizens, i remember a short time ago of one man riding into the presidency based on the concept of “morning in america”

reagan had charisma…he had presense, and he made many (not me) but many hopeful for a better future

maybe obama has not shot at all….and he probably doesnt thanks to the way presidential elections are run today…but i really want his voice in this election

in 2000 i was a mccain supporter….and i saw much the same thing in mccain that i see in obama….and his party ripped him to shreds…and look at him today…its sad

i hope the same thing doesnt happen to obama…but if it does, i will not support him in 12 or 16

By: G. Weightman

G. Weightman — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 03:18:22 +0000

You’re probably right, Uncle Joe. I need to get over my misgivings and go with the charisma flow.

By: uncle joe mccarthy

uncle joe mccarthy — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 02:32:26 +0000

weightman,

thx for calling me a racist. because i support an obama run at the presidency. and were he white, i would support him too

when he speaks, i dont see a color

i see an intelligent man, with a grasp of the issues, who is able to communicate with both sides of the aisle

8 years in the state house, 2 years in the us senate…that is more experience than george bush had when he took office

a constitutional atty….one who has educated others in constitutional law

a man who overcame an angry childhood to raise himself up out of petty hatreds

a man who is honest and not afraid of the country or the world seeing the mistakes he made in the past and who wont lie about inhaling

i dont get excited when i hear gore, edwards, kerry, or hillary speak….i do when i hear obama speak

and if that makes me a racist, who cannot see past his skin color, than so be it

racists unite and vote obama 08

By: G. Weightman

G. Weightman — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 02:07:32 +0000

I think YOUR seeing his race, not us.

Oy gevalt! What Iâ€™m seeing is a truncated resume tricked out with a demographic novelty. JFK used a similar tactic with his Catholicism. But at least JFK had 13 years in Congress and a war record, in addition to a book. I guess the country is split between those longing for Camelot Redux, and those who are profoundly uneasy about the prospect.

By: Kim Ritter

Kim Ritter — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 01:57:31 +0000

Its his optimistic outlook- its very contagious> Also I get the feeling that he would be able to see us as others see us- given his childhood in the Philippines. Maybe our foreign policy wouldn’t be as aggressive or arrogant, and we could rehabilitate our image in the post-Bush era. I’m so tired of feeling ashamed of some of the things we’ve done. You look at Obama and you believe in him and trust his judgement. Its not something tangible. That’s how the GOP felt about Reagan- after feeling demoralized during some of Carter’s fiascos.

I look at him and other than thinking how great it is that black kids could see a black man run for office- I see him as a representative of the diverse population that makes up our country.

By: Rambie

Rambie — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:53:29 +0000

G. Weightman said: If both of Senator Obamaâ€™s parents were white (and otherwise he had the same biographical data), would anyone be promoting him for president? What else distinguishes him?

As Kim said, “His refreshing honesty and openness are extremely attractive…” He’s new to Washington and I don’t think he’s been “corrupted by the system” yet. He’s a breath of fresh air and seems to be an honest politician if there is such a thing. If that image can carry him all the way to a nomination in 2008 I don’t know.

I think YOUR seeing his race, not us.

By: G. Weightman

G. Weightman — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:03:16 +0000

If both of Senator Obama’s parents were white (and otherwise he had the same biographical data), would anyone be promoting him for president? What else distinguishes him?

By: carpeicthus

carpeicthus — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 23:46:10 +0000

(unless you donâ€™t consider the incident where Gov. Steel had Oreo cookies thrown at him to be critical nor racist).

If it had happened, sure.

By: The Glittering Eye » Blog Archive » Obama announces exploratory commission

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 23:31:35 +0000

[...] Joe Gandelman quotes Sen. Obama’s statement in full. [...]

By: Robbie

Robbie — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:02:41 +0000

superdestroyer said:

Democratic politicians have developed the instincts over the year to never, ever criticize a black politician.

You mean, unless they’re a Republican black politician, right? Because I’ve seen some pretty damned critical (and racist) insults hurled at Condi Rice and Michael Steel (unless you don’t consider the incident where Gov. Steel had Oreo cookies thrown at him to be critical nor racist).