Obama 08

[peapod1980]

There is no judgment from me on any of it, but it is interesting the way it is being handled. Either Obama, his wife or his campaign manager (or all three) is a genius. By acknowledging his addiction right away and his struggle to overcome it, it makes him relatable. But this would not work with most addictions. (Other than coffee. ) The only real problem with the addiction is that he could be hurting himself or his family. It doesn't affect the way he would run the country.

I like him a lot but he has not yet been subjected to the Full Monty of public scrutiny, nor have many of the other candidates. This time next year it may be a completely different game. I admit being terribly conflicted about Hillary ...

Interesting point about the spin, TFT. And I'm with you about Hillary.

 

[seacliffes]

Nothing there at all. A lot of generalities. Will he raise taxes on married couples who both have jobs? If the 2003 tax cuts expire my wife and I are going to be hit hard with a tax increase like a number of married couples I know. Is he going to raise the capital gains tax on Real Estate? These are issues important to my family, so where does he stand?????

 

[lindatat]

But what about his policies? Doesn't that matter anymore?

Well of course they matter. But let's face it - a candidate has to be likeable first if they want people to pay attention and take notice of what they have to say.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Nothing there at all. A lot of generalities. Will he raise taxes on married couples who both have jobs? If the 2003 tax cuts expire my wife and I are going to be hit hard with a tax increase like a number of married couples I know. Is he going to raise the capital gains tax on Real Estate? These are issues important to my family, so where does he stand?????

Exactly, nothing there at all. Same on any Hillary sponsored sites. She has no positions on anything either. Just taking it poll by poll.

 

[Bdarg]

It is too early to start nailing down the boards of a platform. We will have to endure at least a season of trial balloons first. :shock:

 

[Smiling JOe]

It is too early to start nailing down the boards of a platform. We will have to endure at least a season of trial balloons first. :shock:

Well said, unfortunately. Why can't politicians have the guts to stand for something? Oh, yeah, I forgot -- they are career politicians.

 

[Bob]

Random thoughts about this great thread. Drunkkenartist, agreed but they voice their concern about terrorism in private only. Hillary, although she easily could be a competent President, may be the only candidate to completely rally the Repubs...ironic, no? Obama is, to me, more about style over substance much like New Beetle vs. Old Beetle. I believe once Obama is forced to take positions on controversial subjects, we will learn he is not centrist enough to be President. It was Hillary's centrist effort on Iraq that put her on the wrong side of the war vote. Her own ambition got in the way of her intellect. Had the Democrats reversed Edwards and Kerry, they would have won the last election. Edwards is the most telegenic of the three. He's also comes with the easiest instruction manual[white male, from the South]. Gulliani, Romney, Clinton are all from the Northeast. It's been about 50 years since anyone from that region has been elected....JFK.

 

[Bobby J]

I think Edwards has the most hope. Obama and Hillary will probably help put another Republican back in. I do like Obama but a little to early to determine if he is corrupt enough! ;-)

 

[Cil]

It's early days yet.

I share SJ's skepticism of career politicians.

As far as Obama's smoking/health issues, well, because of his disability, FDR couldn't *walk* all that well, and did indeed die in office, but did many good things before he passed away. I am much less concerned about Obama (or any other candidate) succombing to smoking than I am about him succombing to lobbying/big business.

January 20, 2009 can't come fast enough for me.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Can I just say I don't care for John Edwards? What a classic limo liberal-stirring class envy from the comfy digs of his 12000 square foot house...gonna 'fix' healthcare even though he and other cash greedy trial attorneys sued the bejeezum out of the industry to the point that there is a need to practice defensive medicine, which is by no means good cost effective medicine. Thank you John Edwards