Posts filed under 'Barack Obama'
October 29th, 2008
I watched the Barack Obama infomercial earlier this evening, and I must say that he stated his case well. He laid out his vision of the next four years and what he plans to do. Hardly any time was spent talking about how we got into this mess, rather he took the stance that we’re here now and what are we going to do about it.
Much of what he talked about he said could be accomplished without too much additional spending. I’ll have to reserve judgment on that. The current economic situation will certainly temper any major spending program. With the economy in the doldrums as it is, whoever wins on Tuesday will have to initiate some spending to help get things back on track. As Sen. Obama got into some of the other initiatives he proposes, like health care, things got a little fuzzier from the spending standpoint.
Sen. Obama certainly is a convincing speaker. I can only hope and pray that, if elected, he can take charge and stand up to those in his own party – like Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid – whose interests are not as straightforward as his. The President is, to a great extent, a figurehead of sorts, because Congress makes the laws, not him. Certainly, he can guide them toward his goals, but at some point he will have to “lay down the law” and keep them in line. His promise at the end of the program to keep people informed and let them know what he is thinking on issues was good. We need more transparency on some of these issues.
Will tonight’s program help Sen. Obama? I believe that it will, in some circles. It may change the mind of an undecided voter because the message was big on hope and the idea that if we all pull together toward a common goal, things will get better. People like that. But for those who have already decided that Sen. Obama is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, I doubt that it will have an impact.
It’s too bad we can’t see the same type of presentation from Senator McCain. I’m not sure what he might say in this forum, but I have to believe at least some of the presentation would be similar. This is the kind of discussion many of us had been hoping for in the debates, but didn’t get.
I look forward to Tuesday night (in more ways than one!). Please, take the time to exercise your right to vote.
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Gary Tiffany
March 5th, 2008
Barack Obama is still leading in delegates! Our Democratic friends of this country, however, ostensibly are still closely divided — too closely. I’m most happy that the republicans don’t have as close a race; that’d be really intense.
The spitting contests between Hillary Clinton and Obama started a while ago, but tensions are increasing now and it’s frightening. The people didn’t like Hillary as a nice lady, so they told her to get tough — also known as accusatory (”Shame on you, Barack Obama”? Who is she? His mother?) — and after doing so, she starts winning elections?! Luckily, Obama does not have to stoop to as low a level as she. We can only hope that the superdelegates come through for the Barackstar to shoo him in at the national convention.
Regarding the lack of understanding among many people as to why our country votes the way it does… what a good question! It did, however, allow Thomas Jefferson to be president, as noted so humbly SO OFTEN by ol’ W, so it can’t be that bad, can it?
We’ve all heard far too many pontifications regarding change, so here’s a funny video that I hope will give every
[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/gEaS-K3j3M8" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
Caitlin Hanson
March 5th, 2008
John McCain’s last Republican competitor, Mike Huckabee, has dropped out of the race, and I’m disappointed. I was seriously looking forward to witnessing the miracle that the former Arkansas governor was praying for.
Now, I eagerly anticipate the drama that’s certain to unfold between Obama and Hillary. My biggest concern is that she’ll succeed in getting the Democratic party to rewrite the rules that apply to the Michigan and Florida delegates. If the rules ARE changed, I certainly hope those states will have a do-over of sorts, allowing both candidates to campaign there and allowing voters to re-cast their votes, rather than letting the votes stand, which would be completely unfair.
Audrey HaynesÂ
March 4th, 2008
I’ve been complaining lately.
“Politicians can’t agree and don’t get anything done.”
“Our elected officials are beholden to lobbyists and big business and not to the people who elected them.”
“I don’t have any faith in an electorate who could vote in George W. not once, but twice.”
And I’ve been holding grudges, too. A longstanding one against McCain - ever since last year when took a heavily armored tour of Baghdad and walked around with helicopter gunships overhead and military escorts up the wazoo, reassuring us (after his return) that there are many areas of Baghdad where Americans can travel safely. Gee thanks, John - may I borrow your armored Humvee?
I’ve been mad at Hillary since last Tuesday, when she whined about getting the first question during the debate. “Can I just point out in the last several debates, I seem to get the first question all the time….Maybe we should ask Barack if he’s comfortable and needs another pillow” Puh-leez….How unpresidential is that?
And of course, I can’t forget about my grudge against Obama, who made all kinds of promises to me the other night in a really good dream I had (and never told my husband about). But, when I awoke, he was gone.
You know what, though? When I woke up this morning and realized today is the day that a black man may clinch the Democratic nomination for president, I was happy for our country. And proud. And relieved. Because 142 years after slavery was abolished in this country, an African-American may finally be able to bring about change, not only for our current political situation, but for the continuing prejudices and unfair challenges that blacks in our nation continue to face every day. And we Americans - blacks, whites, and none of the above - have done it. We’ve shown all the ignorant, prejudiced, pathetic people in this country who think one’s color still matters that we will vote for a candidate based on his or her skills, not the color of his or her skin.
And you know what else? When I woke up this morning and realized today is possibly the last day we’ll have TWO historic candidates running for prez at the same time, I appreciated Hillary more than ever. Yeah, maybe she whines sometimes (who doesn’t?)… but wow, she’s a woman - and a strong, determined, intelligent one at that. Despite her domineering, abusive father and her philandering, selfish husband who managed to put his infidelity (and therefore, Hillary’s pain) out in the national spotlight, she has managed, based on her own merits, to rise to the top. Eighty-seven years ago, women were still fighting for the right to vote in this country. Now, if Hillary can take Ohio and Texas in today’s primaries, she has a shot at being voted into the highest office into the land.
I relish this moment. Go, Hillary. Go, Obama. Go, America!
Audrey Haynes
 
