Comments on: Bill Clinton Gives McCain Campaign Great Anti-Obama Campaign Ad Quote

By: pacatrue

pacatrue — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:29:05 +0000

I agree with other commenters. My understanding is that Obama found an economic crisis escalating, so he called the best economic minds he knew of to find out the best thing to do. Moreover, he specifically said, “don't tell me what people want to hear; tell me what's right and I'll make it happen.” Um, isn't that what a leader is supposed to do?

By: StockBoySF

StockBoySF — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:22:47 +0000

And Obama (not that he would) can respond with, “McCain didn't know what to do either and instead of seeking advice from some of the best minds in the world, John McCain claimed he was suspending his campaign, and jumped from one solution after another faster than a ping pong ball in play at a ping pong tournament.”

By: robovike

robovike — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:14:37 +0000

I take your point, but it's obvious to me that in Obama we have a candidate who is willing to seek expert opinion on matters of policy; a wise move in any event, and especially with regard to something as complicated and archaic as the economy.

I don't doubt that McCain will try to use this against Obama in some way, but ultimately this will be just one more in a haphazard pastiche of scatter-shot “messages” that McCain has utilized–with little to no effect–in his day-to-day attacks.

By: Ron Beasley

Ron Beasley — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 03:55:12 +0000

I don't really understand how this could be an issue. I would pray – if I were inclined to do that – that the President would immediately seek advice. I think we have seen how “gut” feelings don't work out that well.

By: AustinRoth

AustinRoth — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 03:25:25 +0000

OK, I don't see how this horse can run. First, the McCain campaign has tried to paint Obama as a intellectual elitist. So, the fact that he reached out for help rather than solve the crisis himself goes counter to that.

But really, the other main reason it dies is because very few Americans think a President comes up with all his own answers to the crisis they face. In fact, the Presidents real role is to do exactly what Obama did - listen to his advisers and experts, follow the consensus if it exists and is fairly mutual, and only have to make a real decision when there is either no consensus, or on those rare occasions when he feels his 'gut' is the way to go.

I am not an Obama supporter, but I would hope that any President would basically follow that methodology. And the 'sell it' line, hell, that is another basic role of a President. Leadership is not following the whim of the populace, it is convincing them of where they need to go.

This makes me think better, not worse, of Obama.