Barack Obama

[Integral]

To all the Obama fans out there in CFC-land: why do you support him?

What will he do that other Democratic candidates won't, and what does he bring to the table that can't be matched by anyone else?

I just don't understand the appeal. Enlighten me!


-Integral
(Well, just about every other candidate has a thread by now, why not him?)

 

[Godwynn]

I cannot stand him, but if there is one reason why I can get behind it is because he is an Illinoisan.

 

[Elta]

I support all 4 of the top 4 democrats because one of the will get the nomination
and I am not gonna vote Republican.

 

[The Yankee]

It seems that speech at the Democratic National Convention in Baaaaahhhstan back in 2004 was really the launch of the whole thing. I don't fully understand it, but in the nine or ten months since he officially declared, I'm disappointed that he hasn't used that time to offer up lots of substance.

But, I could see the hope for someone that hasn't yet been incredibly entrenched in Washington to go in there and be a fresher face.

 

[downtown]

1) Discriptive Representation

2) Very smart, maybe the sharpest guy in the field. After 8 years of...a president who was unintellectual at best, bringing in a law professor from Chicago might seem like a welcome change of pace

3) Voters from ALL parties want change. Obama represents change. He's not an insider. He's not really a beltway guy. His spouse was not president.

4) Highest potential to "unite".

5) Significant legislative experience at the state level, which is relevant in understanding how federalism works. A guy who knows how federal money is *actually* spent by states may do a better job coming up with ways to distribute that money.

Just some ideas.

 

[On Yer Flour]

1) Discriptive Representation

2) Very smart, maybe the sharpest guy in the field. After 8 years of...a president who was unintellectual at best, bringing in a law professor from Chicago might seem like a welcome change of pace

3) Voters from ALL parties want change. Obama represents change. He's not an insider. He's not really a beltway guy. His spouse was not president.

4) Highest potential to "unite".

5) Significant legislative experience at the state level, which is relevant in understanding how federalism works. A guy who knows how federal money is *actually* spent by states may do a better job coming up with ways to distribute that money.

Just some ideas.

6) Dude's got a bucketload of charisma, and is an excellent talker and negotiator (not a bull-headed, my-way-or-the-highway sort, like Bush). An extremely likeable fellow (and he's handsome, which I'll do my best to pretend doesn't count ).

7) His excellent humanitarian record.

 

[MjM]

I support him.


He's black.

 

[The Yankee]

He's black.

That reminds me: Did we ever finish that stupid debate over whether he was "black enough"?

 

[Atlas14]

Obama hit the crapper in the youtube debates. By that point, my perception of him was only confirmed: That he lacks serious substance, sincerity, and judgement.

 

[Stewbert 08]

Unlike the Republicans, I'm not going to fantasize over noncandidates. In this primary we have three real choices - Hillary, Obama, Edwards. I'll note that this is more than the average primary, Democrat or Republican - Republican nominations especially, tend to be more like coronations than contests. So, three choices = good.

Let's look at the issues.

IRAQ
Obama: opposed and spoke out against the war in 2002, calling it a mistake and a distraction from the fight against Al Qaeda. Said (in 2002) fall of Saddam would lead to sectarian violence. Said in 2006 that troop drawdowns should begin in 07; has introduced a bill to remove troops in March of 08; promises to remove troops as president.

Edwards: voted for the war, has apologized for his mistake. Wants to gradually draw down troops slowly but still train Iraqis.

Hillary: voted for the war. Refuses to apologize for her vote or call it a mistake. Says she wants to "end the war" but keep some troops in Iraq to "protect our interests there" esp. N. Iraq.

HEALTHCARE

Obama: proposal is similar to universal healthcare insurance.

Edwards: would force employers to either insure employees or offer them Medicare.

Hillary: wants "incremental" changes to healthcare involving corporations and govt. Has said since 1993 that singlepayer is "unrealistic."

PERSONALITY

Obama: charismatic, genuine, humorous.

Hillary: frigid autocrat.

Edwards: southern git. Hairdo.






In my book, Obama wins every round. Ultimately, I choose to vote for the candidate who was right on Iraq from the beginning and who proposes universal healthcare insurance. Neither of the other two front-running candidates are right when it comes to the two most important issues of the coming presidency, namely, getting out of Iraq and fixing our healthcare system.

Comparing Hillary and Edwards to Obama: Hillary has been bought out re: healthcare and is stuck defending her war vote. Edwards is clearly trying to move left but Obama is always going to be more progessive than him - why bother voting for half a progressive when I can get the whole thing? Edwards and Hillary also have their own issues - like Hillary's authoritarianism and Edwards' sliminess - that make them unappealing to me.


Other nice things about Barack Obama - not game-changers, but make me more enthusiastic about his presidency:

-wants to repeal millionaire tax cut & estate tax cut
-supports nuclear power
-wants CEO pay to be shareholder-determined
-for net neutrality
-supports civil unions

 

[Photi]

1) Discriptive Representation

2) Very smart, maybe the sharpest guy in the field. After 8 years of...a president who was unintellectual at best, bringing in a law professor from Chicago might seem like a welcome change of pace

3) Voters from ALL parties want change. Obama represents change. He's not an insider. He's not really a beltway guy. His spouse was not president.

4) Highest potential to "unite".

5) Significant legislative experience at the state level, which is relevant in understanding how federalism works. A guy who knows how federal money is *actually* spent by states may do a better job coming up with ways to distribute that money.

Just some ideas.

and i think he stands the best chance at improving the US's international standing. he actually understands the utility in talking to our 'enemies' (ie iran). i believe the way he said it was something to the order of using carrots before sticks. correct me if i am wrong, but clinton has done nothing more than parrot the same threats as bush. so, in the absence of wesley clark i may go with obama, although i admit the best chance of getting the hell out of iraq probably rests with paul.

 

[Kozmos]

There's just some kind of magic in him...

Plus it's either him or Hillary.

 

[philippe]

I'm for obama becuase i think he is the only one with a bit of idealism without losing realism;

and you gotta keep it down for the hood, dog.

 

[Norseone]

He is related to Dick Cheney. Oh and apparently his magic isnt working as his percent of the vote in the polls keeps falling.

 

[RedRalph]

Said he would bomb Pakistan, a sovreign nation, without their permission to get bin Laden if he felt the need. Sound slike a war-monger to me. Imagine it was russia saying they would bomb Poland, or Cuba or Venezuela threatenig to bomb Colombia

 

[Mark1031]

Obama's positions are not much different in any important way for me from the other front runners. It then comes down to intangibles. He is smart but so are Hillary and Edwards. Moderate plus is he was right on the war at a time when it was almost considered treason to oppose it. Now I don’t give him that much for this because the political impact of that position was not as great as for a Hillary or Edwards. They both knew better I’m sure and voted for it only out of political calculation, which is a negative. The big thing for me is his tone, his story, his charisma. After policy, which is always first cut for me, these components are huge for a President. Bully pulpit and all is very real. Look how a jerk like Bush could effectively manipulate the nation for 6 years. I think Obama could use these skills for real good. Also I win $30 from Moboss if he wins.

 

[Love]

i rotfl about every Barrack/ hillary treads, this is getting more and more like the poland treads in Civ4

 

[downtown]

He's coming to Columbus on the 22nd. I'll let you guys know how it is.

 

[Elrohir]

To all the Obama fans out there in CFC-land: why do you support him?

What will he do that other Democratic candidates won't, and what does he bring to the table that can't be matched by anyone else?

I just don't understand the appeal. Enlighten me!


-Integral
(Well, just about every other candidate has a thread by now, why not him?)

Well, he brings to the forefront a mangificent church that recognizes Louis Farrakhan for lifetime achievement. Which is pretty awesome in a "They love a guy who is totally loony toons and racist as hell" kind of way.

Oh - and he's a chocolate lover.

 

[Merkinball]

Obama is a rank ametuer, and has proven it time to time with his naive missteps. Stay in congress for twenty years, and then make a serious attempt.