April 14th, 2008
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In Bill Clinton’s memoir, “My Life,” published in 2004, we find a passage not dissimilar to something Barack Obama said recently to the disgust of his political adversaries.
The former president wrote:
“If [Republicans] could cut funding for Medicare, Medicaid, education, and the environment, middle-class Americans would see fewer benefits from their tax dollars, feel more resentful paying taxes, and become even more receptive to their appeals for tax cuts and their strategy of waging campaigns on divisive social and cultural issues like abortion, gay rights, and guns.”
There’s another 2004 book, “What’s the Matter with Kansas?,” by Thomas Frank, that’s full of the same points made by Clinton and Obama.
April 14th, 2008
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Gee, I wonder why Mr. Straight Talk would RATHER RUN AGAINST CLINTON in the general election than against Barack Obama.
(OK, I don’t really wonder at all. Does anybody?)
April 14th, 2008
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At first, I thought the fuss over Barack Obama’s poorly stated analysis of the economic frustrations in America’s small towns had the potential to do him significant political harm, but I doubted that it would outright derail his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Now, a few days later, I expect that the dust-up will blow away in fairly short order. My reasoning in this regard is articulated well by Ezra Klein in THIS PIECE.
For starters, there’s no video of Obama’s offending remarks, and the only available audio is of poor quality. For seconds, there are videos of Obama’s fairly smooth efforts to turn the controversy to his own advantage. And for thirds, something else is bound to come along to divert the public’s attention before the Pennsylvania primary on April 22.
If this thing had happened two months ago, it could have been a disaster for Obama. But now, he’s far enough ahead of Hillary Clinton that it’s almost impossible for her to deny him the nomination.
UPDATE: The latest Gallup Daily Tracking Poll, released within the past hour, SHOWS Obama leading Clinton by 10 percentage points nationally. So, the “scandal” seems not to have hurt him thus far. Granted, there’s a new ARG POLL that shows Clinton leading by 20 percentage points in Pennsylvania, but it may be an outlier (that is, an errant survey unsupported by other polls).
UPDATE II: Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, a man of considerable influence in Western Pennsylvania, released this letter today endorsing Obama:
Dear Fellow Pennsylvanian,
Based on the experiences that I have had in my seventy-five years and my assessment of what I think our nation needs to make real the change that is so needed, I am proud and now feel compelled to endorse Senator Barack Obama.
This is not something that I do regularly but as I listen to the candidates in this race, I am struck that we continue to hear about the problems and the same challenges that we have been talking about for decades. Protecting jobs here in Pennsylvania, breaking our dangerous and costly addiction to foreign oil, making health care accessible and affordable - these are neither new issues nor new ideas. And yet we have failed to make real progress.
As a grandfather and a citizen of this community I think Barack Obama’s, thoughtful, strategic approach is important for America. When I hear how excited young people seem to be when they talk about this man, I believe he will do what is best for them which is to inspire them to be great Americans.
This time, we can’t afford to wait. Our country needs a new direction and a new kind of leadership - the kind of leadership, judgment and experience that Senator Obama has demonstrated in more than 20 years of public service, and in a particularly impressive way in this campaign. Senator Obama has rejected the say-and-do anything tactics that puts winning elections ahead of governing the country. And he has rejected the back-room politics in favor of opening government up to the people. Barack Obama is the one candidate in this race who can finally put an end to business as usual in Washington and bring about real change for Pittsburgh and the country as a whole. He has inspired me and so many other people around our country with new ideas and fresh perspectives.
True sports fans know that you support your team even when they are the underdogs. Barack Obama is the underdog here but it is with great pride that I join his team.
When I think of Barack Obama’s America I have great hope. I support his candidacy and look forward to his Presidency
Sincerely,
Daniel M. Rooney, Owner and Chairman, Pittsburgh Steelers
