Obama is a politician first and foremost...

Doctiloquus · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 03:42 PM

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/com...cle4264994.ece

Quote:

Change, it turns out, wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. Having campaigned for the past year as the agent of transformation, the man who would lead an historic shift in America's political direction, Barack Obama is discovering that there is quite a lot he likes about the way things are.

Since securing the Democratic nomination a few weeks ago, the only change coming from the Illinois senator has been in what he seems to stand for. Last month he dropped his opposition to a Bill before Congress that would give telecoms companies immunity from prosecution for carrying out illegal wiretaps on potential terrorist suspects.

Quote:

A whimper of pain has gone up from the base. Those who really believed in the Audacity of Hope now fear a Timidity of Despair. Thousands of Obama supporters have signed a petition on his website begging him to reconsider his position on the illegal wiretaps - a seemingly minor campaign issue, but one that carries great talismanic symbolism for civil libertarians.

An interesting read, especially in light of the almost hysterical opposition to Obama that can be seen here. I personally agree with the writer's argument; Obama's pandering to the more extreme end of his party was simply pragmatism. Now that he has secured sufficient support from the Democratic base, he will do what all leading Democrats do and ignore them. In this day and age, no one can win national office without firmly placing themselves in the moderate centre ground, and that is exactly what Obama is doing.

Not that I am criticising him for it. The party nomination process left him (and Hilary) no choice. It is actually quite amusing how naive and idealistic the party bases can be (and not just in the US). It is cynical yes, but it is an inevitable consequence of the electoral system that prospective candiates will appeal to the ideologues first, and then move on to the centre ground, leaving them behind. Personally, if Obama resists the urge to appeal to the prevailing mood of economic recession and make a scapegoat of free trade (as is often done in Europe during similar times), but instead embraces free trade as McCain has done (quite admirably) then I would prefer him as President. If only for such cosmetic reasons as improving America's international image.

Tedminator · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctiloquus

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/com...cle4264994.ece

Quote:

Change, it turns out, wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. Having campaigned for the past year as the agent of transformation, the man who would lead an historic shift in America's political direction, Barack Obama is discovering that there is quite a lot he likes about the way things are.

Since securing the Democratic nomination a few weeks ago, the only change coming from the Illinois senator has been in what he seems to stand for. Last month he dropped his opposition to a Bill before Congress that would give telecoms companies immunity from prosecution for carrying out illegal wiretaps on potential terrorist suspects.
A whimper of pain has gone up from the base. Those who really believed in the Audacity of Hope now fear a Timidity of Despair. Thousands of Obama supporters have signed a petition on his website begging him to reconsider his position on the illegal wiretaps - a seemingly minor campaign issue, but one that carries great talismanic symbolism for civil libertarians.

An interesting read, especially in light of the almost hysterical opposition to Obama that can be seen here. I personally agree with the writer's argument; Obama's pandering to the more extreme end of his party was simply pragmatism. Now that he has secured sufficient support from the Democratic base, he will do what all leading Democrats do and ignore them. In this day and age, no one can win national office without firmly placing themselves in the moderate centre ground, and that is exactly what Obama is doing.

Not that I am criticising him for it. The party nomination process left him (and Hilary) no choice. It is actually quite amusing how naive and idealistic the party bases can be (and not just in the US). It is cynical yes, but it is an inevitable consequence of the electoral system that prospective candiates will appeal to the ideologues first, and then move on to the centre ground, leaving them behind. Personally, if Obama resists the urge to appeal to the prevailing mood of economic recession and make a scapegoat of free trade (as is often done in Europe during similar times), but instead embraces free trade as McCain has done (quite admirably) then I would prefer him as President. If only for such cosmetic reasons as improving America's international image.

Yup, everyone knows how the Ds and Rs will be voting.
Now it's time to gain the trust of the independent voters.
Good luck to both of them! may the best man win, wotwot

superbadbrutha · #3 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 04:24 AM

What would you consider Sen. McCain he has been in political office since the early 80s, now if that is not a politician I don't know who is.

E.Pluribus Unum

woof · #4 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 04:30 AM

Obama is not ignoring the radical left. In fact he has allowed the to reel him back in on Iraq. He can't even please some of the people some of the time with that kind of flip-flopping.

katiegrrl0 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbadbrutha

What would you consider Sen. McCain he has been in political office since the early 80s, now if that is not a politician I don't know who is.

E.Pluribus Unum

He has been around a long time. Talk about a Washington insider. He has certainly had the time to learn the ropes and the lobbies. To the DC circle he is an old friend.

Sometimes I think Obama scares some people because he is such a new face.

woof · #6 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiegrrl0

He has been around a long time. Talk about a Washington insider. He has certainly had the time to learn the ropes and the lobbies. To the DC circle he is an old friend.

Sometimes I think Obama scares some people because he is such a new face.

You're right. He is such a new face it's like he popped up out of nowhere. We can't even verify where he was born or what his real name is. Yes, "scare" is the right word.

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