Obama: 'If I am not ready, why do you think I would be such a great vice president?'

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

Oh and Obama has humility? Gimme a break - did you read that NYT article I posted? He had his sights set on the WH before he became a Senator!

Racism, yet again.

[HAL 9000 96]

We steep so low as to label having 'aspirations' a dirty, dirty, shame.

Apparently, that is now a problem.

[garya505 2]

If Clinton and Obama believe the Democratic Party is best for the US and really are interested in doing what's best for the country, in order to beat McCain they would get together and cook a deal where one of them would step down and the other would get a place in the cabinet. However, it appears that both of them are more interested in being President than doing what they believe is best for the country (or maybe they don't really believe it).

[HAL 9000 96]

Or maybe they're both really, really popular and the voters thus far have shown that in terms of record votings per capita. Anything to get the Republicans out of office, perhaps ?

[Peikko 1,575]

I didn't become cynical, I have always been cynical about politicians because political people have to live a very different life style to most people.

To be a successful politician you have to devote most of your life to the service of politics. That's not a 9-5 job and it takes a certain egocentricity to be able to do that, particulary at the higher levels. What is important, is not that a leader is egocentric, but that he/she wishes to be a leader to achieve goals that are important to not just themselves, but the people who elect them.

Being cynical is not necessarily a bad thing, it can be, but only if you take it to such a degree that you see no good in anyone. I don't see any of the current crop of candidates as all bad, not even Huckabee (and yes I know he has finally dropped out!)

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Yes and? I thought I was making it clear that I don't buy into his 'new politics' when he daily shows he knows all the rules of the old politics and I have yet to see the links to his plans to materially effect politics for the better once he gets into the WH...should he indeed do so. I want to see the plans to implement 'open and transparent' politics. I'd like to see his plans to fundamentally change the role of lobbyists.

As for whether this puts anything to 'rest' as regards whether he can continue to play Mr Nice Guy while making these backhanded insults, I think that it's rather early to say.

I really hate the expression PWNED, it's so cheap.

Incidentally - Prime Minister Zapatero, who just won the elections in Spain is making the same kind of claims.

Victorious Spanish PM urges unity

"The Spanish people have spoken clearly and have decided to open a new period without tension, without confrontation," Mr Zapatero told the flag-waving crowd gathered outside his party's Madrid headquarters.

Apparently he thinks he can depolarise politics, just by saying so.

Even Tony Blair claimed that New Labour would bring about a new dawn for Britain. What we got was more of the same.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If Clinton and Obama believe the Democratic Party is best for the US and really are interested in doing what's best for the country, in order to beat McCain they would get together and cook a deal where one of them would step down and the other would get a place in the cabinet. However, it appears that both of them are more interested in being President than doing what they believe is best for the country (or maybe they don't really believe it).

I agree, Gary. Hopefully, if Obama can continue to win the remaining most the remaining Primaries and thereby cushioning is present lead, there should be no argument or fight at that point from Hillary's camp...hopefully she will concede. If that is the progression over the next couple of months, we'll see more and more support coming out in favor of the leading candidate. The DNC recognizes this hotly contested race, but it doesn't mean the Party is divided on the issues, but rather on what kind of President they want in the WH.

[no name 1]

I agree, Gary. Hopefully, if Obama can continue to win the remaining most the remaining Primaries and thereby cushioning is present lead, there should be no argument or fight at that point from Hillary's camp...hopefully she will concede. If that is the progression over the next couple of months, we'll see more and more support coming out in favor of the leading candidate. The DNC recognizes this hotly contested race, but it doesn't mean the Party is divided on the issues, but rather on what kind of President they want in the WH.

Duh. That's why it's a NOMINATION ELECTION.

She just won 3 primaries she was supposed to lose, as well. It's not over yet Steven.

[HAL 9000 96]

I didn't become cynical, I have always been cynical about politicians because political people have to live a very different life style to most people.

To be a successful politician you have to devote most of your life to the service of politics. That's not a 9-5 job and it takes a certain egocentricity to be able to do that, particulary at the higher levels. What is important, is not that a leader is egocentric, but that he/she wishes to be a leader to achieve goals that are important to not just themselves, but the people who elect them.

Being cynical is not necessarily a bad thing, it can be, but only if you take it to such a degree that you see no good in anyone. I don't see any of the current crop of candidates as all bad, not even Huckabee (and yes I know he has finally dropped out!)

Its like Gore/Bush and Kerry/Bush... people, given the choice over how much damage a President could do to the planet, chose whom they chose and now we can see the effects of the decision. Its a clear and cut case this time around in my opinion, independent of which candidate you like more (or dislike more in others' convoluted views of reality), that if you wish for something to be done about things that are currently not happening how you like them, then try to at least bring in someone that at the minimum taunts a change rather than flaunting the status quo or worse, experience as a catchphrase.

[HAL 9000 96]

I agree, Gary. Hopefully, if Obama can continue to win the remaining most the remaining Primaries and thereby cushioning is present lead, there should be no argument or fight at that point from Hillary's camp...hopefully she will concede. If that is the progression over the next couple of months, we'll see more and more support coming out in favor of the leading candidate. The DNC recognizes this hotly contested race, but it doesn't mean the Party is divided on the issues, but rather on what kind of President they want in the WH.

Duh. That's why it's a NOMINATION ELECTION.

She just won 3 primaries she was supposed to lose, as well. It's not over yet Steven.

I didn't know that having a lead, even after having it cut down by double digits (in the polls), made her expected to lose.

Please explain

[Peikko 1,575]

Gosh, she's all over the place! What is she thinking?! I don't see why people can't see her sick and twisted ways of trying to get votes. If this is how shady she oprates before she is in Office then who knows what she could become when in office.

I think that was very wise and right on what Obama said about stating how he is in first place, has more electoral AND popular votes and Hillary still treats him like a second rate candidate. What is that all about?

Yep. It's the arrogance that turns a lot of people off. Even if she's just being political, it doesn't do well for her. She could use a little humility and self effacement.

I can really see that working for her. What happened when she has had the odd weepy moment? Either that's seen as 'typical women, fudamentally weak' or 'they aren't real tears, that's just Hilary playing the crowd.

I honestly think she is a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place. She has to be seen as strong and not liable to fold under pressure and I think that is coming across to some people as arrogance. That's my opinion on it.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Gosh, she's all over the place! What is she thinking?! I don't see why people can't see her sick and twisted ways of trying to get votes. If this is how shady she oprates before she is in Office then who knows what she could become when in office.

I think that was very wise and right on what Obama said about stating how he is in first place, has more electoral AND popular votes and Hillary still treats him like a second rate candidate. What is that all about?

Yep. It's the arrogance that turns a lot of people off. Even if she's just being political, it doesn't do well for her. She could use a little humility and self effacement.

I can really see that working for her. What happened when she has had the odd weepy moment? Either that's seen as 'typical women, fudamentally weak' or 'they aren't real tears, that's just Hilary playing the crowd.

I honestly think she is a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place. She has to be seen as strong and not liable to fold under pressure and I think that is coming across to some people as arrogance. That's my opinion on it.

If I were to advise her, I'd tell her to drop the line about having more experience and I'd tell her stop going after unsubstantiated rumors that question Obama's character. She should go out there and acknowledge what a great candidate her opponent is and that this selection isn't about whether his character is questionable or not, but whether he could do a better job of changing the course this country is on than her. Then focus on the differences in strategy and answer to any allegations that she is still part of the Washington establishment (corporate lobbying, cronyism and secrecy). That would go a LONG way in getting people to consider her a strong candidate. She has a lot of good qualities, but unfortunately, her bad qualities have eclipsed the good. I would even have her criticize the bad things of her husband's Presidency - including sexual indiscretions.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Maybe I'm watching different debates than you, but I have heard her praise him more than a few times.

Of course she's going to highlight differences in their experience, just like John McCain will do in a general election where the gap will be more vast.

[HAL 9000 96]

Gosh, she's all over the place! What is she thinking?! I don't see why people can't see her sick and twisted ways of trying to get votes. If this is how shady she oprates before she is in Office then who knows what she could become when in office.

I think that was very wise and right on what Obama said about stating how he is in first place, has more electoral AND popular votes and Hillary still treats him like a second rate candidate. What is that all about?

Yep. It's the arrogance that turns a lot of people off. Even if she's just being political, it doesn't do well for her. She could use a little humility and self effacement.

I can really see that working for her. What happened when she has had the odd weepy moment? Either that's seen as 'typical women, fudamentally weak' or 'they aren't real tears, that's just Hilary playing the crowd.

I honestly think she is a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place. She has to be seen as strong and not liable to fold under pressure and I think that is coming across to some people as arrogance. That's my opinion on it.

If I were to advise her, I'd tell her to drop the line about having more experience and I'd tell her stop going after unsubstantiated rumors that question Obama's character. She should go out there and acknowledge what a great candidate her opponent is and that this selection isn't about whether his character is questionable or not, but whether he could do a better job of changing the course this country is on than her. Then focus on the differences in strategy and answer to any allegations that she is still part of the Washington establishment (corporate lobbying, cronyism and secrecy). That would go a LONG way in getting people to consider her a strong candidate. She has a lot of good qualities, but unfortunately, her bad qualities have eclipsed the good. I would even have her criticize the bad things of her husband's Presidency - including sexual indiscretions.

And this would also get her onboard, in all honesty, with a real proposal for a Clinton-Obama ticket in case she won the nomination by a hairline fracture so as to solidify her unity against JM in November. Trying to play the interested party at this point is just plain old more of the same.

[simple_male 1]

I agree, Gary. Hopefully, if Obama can continue to win the remaining most the remaining Primaries and thereby cushioning is present lead, there should be no argument or fight at that point from Hillary's camp...hopefully she will concede. If that is the progression over the next couple of months, we'll see more and more support coming out in favor of the leading candidate. The DNC recognizes this hotly contested race, but it doesn't mean the Party is divided on the issues, but rather on what kind of President they want in the WH.

Duh. That's why it's a NOMINATION ELECTION.

She just won 3 primaries she was supposed to lose, as well. It's not over yet Steven.

I didn't know that having a lead, even after having it cut down by double digits (in the polls), made her expected to lose.

Please explain

Exactly. I thought, Hillary was leading in TX by 20% and on OH by huge double digit margin. She barely won in TX primary but lost the TX caucus. She was expecting to win in TX and OH anyway because of the demographies that favor her. Is she leading in delegate counts? Why is she talking about making Obama her running mate? The nominee chooses a capable VP candidate who can take over as the President, if needed. So if she is meaning what she is saying that Obama is not ready to be the President, she should not even mention him as her possible VP choice.

Edited March 10, 2008 by simple_male