Obama '08?

* Congress should not interfere with the President's prosecution of the Iraq war.

From Rasmussen Reports, July 2:

Have the Democrats in Congress done too much to change President Bush's policies in Iraq, not enough to change President Bush's policies in Iraq, or about the right amount?

Too much - 26%

Not enough - 53%

About right - 13%



* Mandatory time deadlines for withdrawal from Iraq are dangerous and misguided.

From the latest USA Today/Gallup Poll, July 6-8:


Do you favor or oppose removing all U.S. troops from Iraq by April 1st of next year, except for a limited number that would be involved in counter-terrorism efforts?

Favor - 71%

Oppose - 26%



* The "surge" in Iraq is working.

From Rasmussen Reports yesterday:


Was the troop surge a success or failure?

Failure - 43%

Success - 19%

Too early to tell - 24%

QUESTION: Hello, my name is John McAlpin (ph). I'm a proud serving member of the United States military. I'm serving overseas.

This question is to Senator Hillary Clinton. The Arab states, Muslim nations, believe it's women as being second-class citizens. If you're president of the United States, how do you feel that you would even be taken seriously by these states in any kind of talks, negotiations, or any other diplomatic relations? I feel that is a legitimate question.

CLINTON: Thank you, John, and thank you for your service to our country.

You know, when I was first lady, I was privileged to represent our country in 82 countries. I have met with many officials in Arabic and Muslim countries. I have met with kings and presidents and prime ministers and sheiks and tribal leaders.

And certainly, in the last years during my time in the Senate, I have had many high-level meetings with presidents and prime ministers in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Pakistan and many other countries.

I believe that there isn't much doubt in anyone's mind that I can be taken seriously.

(APPLAUSE)

I believe that other countries have had women presidents and women prime ministers. There are several serving now -- in Germany, in Chile, in Liberia and elsewhere -- and I have noticed that their compatriots on the world stage certainly take them seriously.

I think that it is...

COOPER: Time.

CLINTON: It would be quite appropriate to have a woman president deal with the Arab and Muslim countries on behalf of the United States of America.

(APPLAUSE)

That is not at all the way it looks from where I sit. The right went above and beyond in those days of demonizing Bill and Hillary, and today I believe that the hatred, although below the surface, is just as white hot in some quarters.

That is not at all the way it looks from where I sit. The right went above and beyond in those days of demonizing Bill and Hillary, and today I believe that the hatred, although below the surface, is just as white hot in some quarters. Not only that, but I believe they told so many half truths and outright lies about the Clintons that they actually believe they're as bad as they imagine them.

I think the Roves and other political vermin from the right are banking that that reservoir of distaste for the Clintons will make their boy look good, no matter who she runs against. The overall feeling I've gotten when I talk to conservatives (yes I talk to them - even got some in my family) is a nondescript, but nonetheless definite, dislike of Hillary.

I think they think they could beat her. And I think they'd love to.

I think reasonably intelligent conservatives may have resigned to the likely loss of their party in 2008. Now they are trying to contain what they see as the damage of the Democratic presidency that's likely to come. And they are remembering that despite all their hand-wringing about Bill Clinton's ethics, the Clinton presidency wasn't such a bad time for conservative Christians, businessmen, and small-government conservatives. Hillary Clinton stands for a return to Bill Clinton's policies without the sex scandals. Obama and Edwards, by contrast, both stand for a much more decisive move to the right.

If I were a Republican pundit, I'd hope for a Clinton victory myself.

snood wrote:

That is not at all the way it looks from where I sit. The right went above and beyond in those days of demonizing Bill and Hillary, and today I believe that the hatred, although below the surface, is just as white hot in some quarters.

That nicely sums up our differences. I, always the idealist, am willing to see only the best in the Republican pundits by assuming they're cynical liars and opportunists. You, by contrast, are an evil, mean-spirited person when it comes to Republicans. You insult their intelligence by pretending they were honest about the appearance of outrage they were manufacturing in the 90s, and sincerely believed their own propaganda. I'm afraid no reconciliation is possible between us. But it's fun heckling with you, as always.

He was joshing.

I don't think its at all farfetched that the right would want Hillary as an opponent.

OBill, I think "mean-spirited" fits the bill, but evil?

Threre's no question Hillary has the experience over Obama, and most voters will consider that when they go to the polls. I think a Clinton-Obama ticket for the democrats will be a winner over any GOP candidate.

Pretty thick but you got this right:

snood wrote:

I don't think its at all farfetched that the right would want Hillary as an opponent.

I wonder if that mean-spirited evil bastard (Thomas) really thinks a significant number of Righties have already thrown the proverbial towel.