Back in January I wrote about how the Dems have an innate knack for losing what would appear to be impossible elections to lose.
Seems that others, in this case the New York Times' Bob Hebert, are now picking up on that theme.
Sorry, you have to cut and paste the urls. I'm the least techno savvy blogger in the world. Anyway, this is a case in which I'd really hate to say I told you so -- there will be no joy in being right about this. As Hebert says, though, it's not too late to fix this mess. The issues do favor the Democrats, if only they'd get back to focusing on them, and by they I mean Senator Obama. The Clintons are going to be the Clntons, which means ruthless and flame throwing in their pursuit of power, even if that means tearing the party down to get it. It's up to Obama to do what he had been doing earlier in this incessantly long, and now boring and degrading, campaign -- rise above and challenge the electorate to go with him.
This country is at a frightening time in its history. We are legitimately bankrupt. The debt we've accrued by fighting this senseless war, coupled with disastrous, short-sighted, greed-driven economics have ensured that we're decades away from righting things without dramatic, even radical (only in the sense that they'd go so far against current thinking) changes in policy. Priorities drive policy and our priorities have been so fucked up for so long we do need real change, the kind of change that Obama talks about generally, but has been slow to articulate specifically. We were swept up in the symbolism he embodied for awhile, but now, as the veneer comes off the symbolism a little and the metaphor becomes a man, we need him to articulate a real vision for the future. To do this, he's going to have to do a better job of transcending the muck of modern day (read: Karl Rove-ish) campaign politics that the Clintons are bogging this primary down in. They fight well in the muck - Obama's got to get himself out of it and get back on message. Change and hope, change and hope. But tell us what change, and dare us to hope for it. We want to.
And while I'm thinking of it, why does George Hannitty, er Stephanopoulos, still have a job after his shameful pandering during the last debate? And while I'm still at it, why does the media treat the Pope's visit like it's some tour by the British royal family, gawking at the pomp and circumstance? Gross.
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Comments
There are 2 comments posted for this article.
Hi Joe,
I'm not convinced that even the Democrats can blow this one. The bitterness of the primary campaign always seems insurmountable in the midst of the primary campaign. There are some polls that show 20% of Obama & 20% of Clinton supporters say that they will not support the other as nominee. That just seems like the adrenaline talking. Cooler heads will prevail come November, when the Democrat voter has to decide between either Hillary/Barack or John "Hundred Year War" McCain, I don't think they are going to pull that lever for 4 more years of Bush's foreign policy of beligerence. And, if reporters would do their job and show the clear connection between debt financing of foreign war and our empire with the collapse of the U.S. dollar and our economy.
John "I don't really understand economics" McCain will fade even further in to the dust.
The fact is that while the GOP party leadership is rallying around McCain, the local, county, and state party activists are not. There is still a fight going on for the hearts, souls and pocket books of the Republican party faithful. John McCain is like that annoying kid that your mom makes you invite to your birthday party. You may have to be polite, but, you are never going to be best friends. Just look at the numbers, McCain is the presumptive GOP nominee and he only raised $12 million in the first quarter of 2008. That dog just won't hunt.
By the way, Jon Stewart told Obama to go to Pirmanti Brothers "where they put fries right on the sandwich".last night and Obama said he'd check it out. This morning, he went to some diner called Pamela's. Not the same thing!
Posted on April 22, 2008 1:19 PM by Todd
The real victim here will be the Democrat voter, who wants to see a change. Obama has NO chance of winning in November. Let's all hope that he sees the light and drops out of the race.
Posted on April 29, 2008 12:23 PM by Jake