Obama says he went to Africa because Africa is important. I am unaware that he is connected with Africa in any way except by heredity.
He takes a good slice of his time to go to Africa. Why? In Chicago, the major city in his state, the African-American students are failing to achieve, the schools are horrible since both the teaching staff and leadership in them are execrable.
He should get his butt back to Illinois ASAP so he can help the chiildren.
But, since he knows NOTHING about how to solve the problems of Education in Chicago, perhaps that is why he went to Africa!!
Talking about current Democratic contenders...
John Edwards, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...
John Edwards? He has nothing to do with Obama! This thread is about the former Cocaine addict who had two years of Moslem Elementary School under his belt and who suffered the loss of his Kenyan father who deserted his mother in Hawaii. After Obama was raised by his grandparents, he went to Harvard( surely, an affirmative action baby) and while there, was elected as President of the Law Review( surely, a vote stemming from white guilt)--We ought to give that Black fellow a shot at the job. His colleagues at Harvard did not think he was a good leader and then, instead of taking up the challenges of working in a big law firm where he could have made a great deal of money, Obama went to the Illinois Legislature where he did very little but preen and get publicity. Then, when Senator Fitzgerald, who could have easily been elected and would have, without a doubt, beaten Obama, a carpetbagging African-American, unknown to Illinoisans was called in at the last minute.
His name was Alan Keyes and he had very little suppory and almost no campaign funds.
Ralph Nader, the perennial loser,could have beaten Keyes easily.
Now, Obama is in Africa. The African-American students in OBAMA'S STATE ARE WAREHOUSED IN SUBSTANDARD SCHOOLS, TAUGHT BY POOR TEACHERS AND ALWAYS SHORT OF BOOKS AND MATERIALS.
While Obama fritters away his time in Africa!!!
On turkey again, BernhardR?
Damn! That is the sort of response generated almost universally (exception: we all know who they are).
Another potential positive in this guys candidacy might well be this appeal he has to the moderate christians in the US. And there's an example of where a strategy to "divide" probably has to be put in place and made effective (if it doesn't happen on its own) in order to differentiate moderate christians from the extremist/authoritarian element now so powerful in the Repub party. Though "divide" seems quite the wrong word here, and "discriminate" or "isolate" rather more accurate.
ps...adding in that I think Tutu is one of the most positive political influences in my lifetime.
Great, I've been looking forward to stuff about this trip, thanks for posting.
Blatham, that's been something I've liked about Obama for a long time. Rev. Jim Wallis made a huge impression on me after the 2004 presidential election re: how the Democrats have abandoned moderate and activist Christians -- and they really do exist, lots of them even. So many liberal/ Democrat issues are also Christian issues -- helping the poor, etc.
So I've had my eye out for a candidate who would embrace and appeal to that demographic as well, and that was one of the early reasons Obama was on my radar. Wallis has specifically said glowing things about him (I think Walter posted something about that at some point). That's all good.
sozobe wrote:Great, I've been looking forward to stuff about this trip, thanks for posting.
The Chicago Tribune is running a daily updated special:
Obama in Africa
145 pages on Obama's political hopes! I told you guys way back when he has no chance, none. I guess you are grasping at straws because no other Democrat looks good. Theres problems galore. But give it up, Hillary and/or the power structure of the Party will never allow Obama to first base, unless.....unless.... they can use him as vp to help them win.
The thread is headlined "Obama '08?".
If your problem with it is solved, okay, okie.
But it seems, others have something to contibute here. And since you didn't create this thread, why not ask szobe if she wants to close it because you think it's enough? Or the moderators?
Or just leave it as it is.
My apologies, Walter. I can't help placing a snide remark now and then I admit, but bottom line I am constantly surprised how this thread survives and people think Obama has a chance. If I am proven wrong in 08, I will admit it. You can remind me. Is that a deal?
okie wrote:My apologies, Walter. I can't help placing a snide remark now and then I admit, but bottom line I am constantly surprised how this thread survives and people think Obama has a chance. If I am proven wrong in 08, I will admit it. You can remind me. Is that a deal?
Don't ask me. Soz started with
sozobe wrote:Didn't want to derail nimh's thread about Republicans. This can become the equivalent about Democrats, but my initial question is: Would Obama work, after all?
Your response seems to fit. The Bush thread survives to my surprise as well.
Can I be the one to remind you, Okie? Please please please please?
:-)
Actually, while I'm considerably more optimistic now than I was when I started this thread, I still don't think the chances of Obama actually becoming president in 2008 are that high. I am getting more and more excited about the idea of him becoming president, though, and also more optimistic about the possibility that he'll actually run. I sure hope so.
Be my guest. I look forward to it if it happens. At least maybe Hillary's career as well as a few other careers we could put behind us for good. Behind every cloud there is a silver lining.
Is the issue that he may or may not be the Democratic nominee in 2008, or that he may or may not be the winner of the presidential election in 2008? I think the former is more likely than the latter, though that depends a great deal on the Republican candidate.
I will admit a couple of weeks in politics is an eternity, so who knows what will transpire in the next couple of years? People have come out of nowhere to win. I really do not know much about Obama. When I hear him speak, it does not inspire me like it apparently does others. I don't see him as having much weight of personality or charisma to be honest. He is a new kid on the block, and the media played him big when he made the speech last DNC, but to be honest it was a nonstarter in my opinion. He seems more like a kid to me. I was much more inspired by Michael Steele for example at the RNC, but of course the press gave him no press at all. I have nothing against Obama whatsoever, except I disagree with him on most issues. I just think he is totally untested, unproven, and an unknown quantity. I really do not see him having much chance until he really proves something and people get to know about him.
I will admit one thing about the man. If you view him as a man with black heritage, he does not seem to come across with a chip on his shoulder as a Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton does for example, and in that way, he may appeal to everybody based on his politics rather than his racial background. Just my initial impression. It could change.
One other thing, when he spoke, I remember him talking about God, and I thought, how come Democrats are lapping this up? The very thing they disdain a George Bush for
Obama is EXTREMELY charismatic and very smart. I have been impressed with him since I first saw him. I hope he is the future of politics and I understand McCain's frustration as he watched a promising young politician being sucked into the DNC like a moth to flame. If Obama has any future before him, he would do well to distance himself from the looney left and stay moderate.
