What Obama Must Do

What Obama Must Do

By Cenk Uygur

Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

1. Sear into people's minds that experience means nothing. It is not end in

and of itself. It is only a means to an end. Experience is supposed to lead

you to having better judgment, but very often it does not.

The two most experienced government officials of our lifetimes were Dick

Cheney and Don Rumsfeld. Their experience did not help them to have any

better judgment, so it was wasted. The most experienced politician of our

lifetimes was Strom Thurmond. Do you think his experience helped him?

The goal is good judgment. Experience is one of the many things that might

contribute to good judgment, but it is not a proxy for it. Experience by

itself means nothing. The real question is who has better judgment? Say it

again and again. Judgment, judgment, judgment. Pound it home.

2. If Senator Clinton was named Senator Hillary Smith would she be the front

runner today? No way in the world she would be. You know it, I know it and

every American, if they stopped to think about it for a minute, knows it.

Make them stop and think about it for a minute.

Some might say that's unfair because her last name is not random. Since she

was married to the president, she was in the White House for eight years.

But think about what that argument means. We're supposed to be impressed

that she was the First Lady for eight years?

People will say she was intimately involved in policy at the White House.

Remember after her healthcare plan failed, the Clinton administration

repositioned her as the person who took care of the china at the White

House. Not China policy, but the china people ate off of.

The Obama campaign can't find dozens of quotes from those years where the

administration repeatedly said she had no hand in shaping the president's

policy?

This might seem unsavory to some people, but we're not playing patty-cakes

here. Obama is down by over 20 points in the national polls despite his

recent surge. Does he want to win or not?

It is a perfectly legitimate question to ask whether Senator Clinton has any

experience at all besides being a senator for a short period of time (where

she was completely ineffectual in stopping the worst and most unpopular

president in US history). Does being a First Lady really count?

3. Speaking of not playing patty-cakes, when is Senator Obama going to make

an effective case that Senator Clinton is the most right-wing Democratic

candidate in the race? I'm not saying she's Joe Lieberman, but based on her

voting record and her record of non-leadership in the Senate, she is to the

right of all the other Democratic candidates.

I don't think she's a member of the vast right-wing conspiracy. And I'm

positive she would make an infinitely better president than any of the

Republicans running. But there is a reason why so many progressive activists

are frustrated with her. She buys into Republican talking points and

sometimes votes that way, especially before the election season was upon us.

A flag burning law? Really?

Does Obama not realize that he is in a Democratic primary? And that most of

the voters in that primary think Hillary Clinton is the most liberal of the

candidates, not the most conservative? It might help to point out that the

opposite is true.

Remember, the American people don't necessarily know what you know. It's

your job to make them aware of the facts that might help you and hurt your

opponent.

Side note here: It might seem that I am a little antagonistic toward Senator

Clinton here. I am. It's because she has done a terrible job of fighting

against the Bush administration [1]. Has she even really tried? What has she

led on? But Senator Obama's record on this front is not very encouraging,

either.

It's not that I am against Senator Clinton and wildly fond of Senator Obama.

Some of the political strategies I am suggesting here might be uncomfortable

to some people, especially Democrats who are not fond of fighting dirty. But

if you want to win, you have to throw a couple of punches - especially if

you're down.

Challengers don't have the luxury of running of positive, soft campaigns

It's a recipe for guaranteed failure. Front runners stress positive

campaigns because they don't want to be criticized. They want a cake walk.

It's the challenger's job to prevent that.

But how do you run a positive campaign for change - as Obama has repeatedly

said he wants to do - and still fight tough ...

4. Tell us why you love America. Tell us why Bush and Cheney let down that

vision of America.

Start every speech by telling us what's great about America. The

constitution, the liberties our founding fathers risked their lives for, the

hope of a better, brighter future. Then tell us about the dark clouds Cheney

and Bush rolled in that fought against this vision of a grand America. How

they chose torture and first strike wars and spying on innocent Americans

over the better angels of America. How they made the shining city on a hill

a little less bright.

You don't fight against Cheney and Bush because you want to divide America;

you do it to protect America.

But this strategy would be purely rhetorical for Senator Obama since he has

done almost nothing to oppose the Bush administration, either. In the

cynical world of politics, however, he can still blame Senator Clinton more

for this since she was in the Senate longer while Bush was president. She

was the biggest Democratic name in the country and she stood by while Cheney

turned the lights out.

What might help this stance is if Senator Obama actually located his balls

and actually took on the Bush administration. Then he could make this case a

lot more effectively. If you're wondering how he can do this, I have a

simple suggestion. His name is Senator Russ Feingold. Do what he does. Put

your gift of oration behind his gift of courage.

It's not a matter of being the most liberal candidate, or calling for the

quickest withdrawal from Iraq or advocating for the greatest number of

social programs. It's about a willingness to fight for America.

The new FISA bill is being debated now. Make a stand. Don't let the

Republicans and accommodationist Democrats put telecom immunity in the bill.

Iraq funding is coming up. Tell us how you're going to fight back against

giving the president another blank check. Then actually do it. Back up your

words with action. Show us what you got.

You don't have to be the furthest to the left on the issues. But you do have

to be the strongest fighter for the issues you do believe in. That's what a

leader does.

Then you can say you have the judgment necessary to take on the president

and show us a better way. That as a leader you can bring us out of the

darkness and back into the light.

The Young Turks [2]

--

NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has not

always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such material

available to advance understanding of

political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues. I

believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as

provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright

Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107

"A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their

spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight, restore their

government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are

suffering deeply in spirit,

and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public

debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have

patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning

back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at

stake."

-Thomas Jefferson

"Gandalf Grey" <valinor20@gmail.com> wrote:

>What Obama Must Do

>

>By Cenk Uygur

>Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

>

>1. Sear into people's minds that experience means nothing. It is not end in

>and of itself. It is only a means to an end. Experience is supposed to lead

>you to having better judgment, but very often it does not.

Clinton touts her experience but in fact she has zero meaningful

accomplishments. Shame on the other Dems for not adequately

pointing this out. Indeed her biggest effort, HillaryCare, was one of the

biggest political disasters in modern times.

>2. If Senator Clinton was named Senator Hillary Smith would she be the front

>runner today? No way in the world she would be.

Rush Limbaugh said this same thing including using the name Hillary

Smith. LOL

She's the frontrunner solely because she stood by her man after he

got a blowjob from a starstruck young slut. Nice resum

"Foxtrot" <foxtrot@null.com> wrote in message

news:g53ak310clfb0oi11n2004cjkvm3ip7is3@4ax.com...

> "Gandalf Grey" <valinor20@gmail.com> wrote:

>

>>What Obama Must Do

>>

>>By Cenk Uygur

>>Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

>>

>>1. Sear into people's minds that experience means nothing. It is not end

>>in

>>and of itself. It is only a means to an end. Experience is supposed to

>>lead

>>you to having better judgment, but very often it does not.

>

> Clinton touts her experience but in fact she has zero meaningful

> accomplishments. Shame on the other Dems for not adequately

> pointing this out. Indeed her biggest effort, HillaryCare, was one of the

> biggest political disasters in modern times.

Well, let me see. We have two people with "some" experience, Obama and

Clinton. One by definition, MUST have more experience than the other. Who

wins and why?

"Jerry Okamura" <okamuraj005@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message

news:475db80a$0$28870$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>

> "Foxtrot" <foxtrot@null.com> wrote in message

> news:g53ak310clfb0oi11n2004cjkvm3ip7is3@4ax.com...

>> "Gandalf Grey" <valinor20@gmail.com> wrote:

>>

>>>What Obama Must Do

>>>

>>>By Cenk Uygur

>>>Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

>>>

>>>1. Sear into people's minds that experience means nothing. It is not end

>>>in

>>>and of itself. It is only a means to an end. Experience is supposed to

>>>lead

>>>you to having better judgment, but very often it does not.

>>

>> Clinton touts her experience but in fact she has zero meaningful

>> accomplishments. Shame on the other Dems for not adequately

>> pointing this out. Indeed her biggest effort, HillaryCare, was one of the

>> biggest political disasters in modern times.

>

> Well, let me see. We have two people with "some" experience, Obama and

> Clinton. One by definition, MUST have more experience than the other.

> Who wins and why?

Yeah, all that experience that came in with Bush really helped, eh? LOL! The

biggest bunch of fuckups we've EVER had in the White House had tons of

experience!

On Nov 21, 9:18 pm, Foxtrot <foxt...@null.com> wrote:

> "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote:

> >What Obama Must Do

>

> >By Cenk Uygur

> >Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

>

> >1. Sear into people's minds that experience means nothing. It is not end in

> >and of itself. It is only a means to an end. Experience is supposed to lead

> >you to having better judgment, but very often it does not.

>

> Clinton touts her experience but in fact she has zero meaningful

> accomplishments. Shame on the other Dems for not adequately

> pointing this out. Indeed her biggest effort, HillaryCare, was one of the

> biggest political disasters in modern times.

>

They can't bring that up. It would be used against her in the general

election.

> >2. If Senator Clinton was named Senator Hillary Smith would she be the front

> >runner today? No way in the world she would be.

>

> Rush Limbaugh said this same thing including using the name Hillary

> Smith. LOL

>

> She's the frontrunner solely because she stood by her man after he

> got a blowjob from a starstruck young slut. Nice resum

On Nov 21, 12:56�pm, "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote:

> What Obama Must Do

>

> By Cenk Uygur

> Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

>

I'm a lifelong conservative republican who recently re-registered as

an independent due to all the moral failings and gayness of our

party. Up until 2006 I voted for a democrat only 20% of my voting

history and I'll be 50 soon. Obama is the first democratic

presidential candidate I will vote for if he makes it and John McCain

doesn't. I would gladly vote for him only because I really think in

my heart he is honest and ethical. I have no problem with the color

of his skin or how liberal he might be as our President. If Oprah

gives him an endorsement than that's good enough for me. And before

anyone can say anything I want you to know I'm a big Bill O'Reilly and

John Gibson fan even though I might not subscribe to everthing they

say. My point is Obama is a decent man and will bring back integrity

and honesty to the office. No way Hillary could ever do that. It is

time to end partisan politics. It is time to have our elected leaders

of both parties start working together and meet in the middle. I'm

tired of both parties and their do nothingness when it comes to those

people less fortunate than me. Both my wife and I make very good

money and were secure. But because I have a terrible arthritic

illness I can't help but think that their are those possibly with the

same condition as me that might not be as fortunate in having as good

of healthcare coverage that I do. As a born again Christian my

opinion is the same people that are born again like me should stop

worrying about gay marriage and start worrying about getting

healthcare for all. Sorry for the rant but that's me.

On Nov 21, 10:18 pm, Foxtrot <foxt...@null.com> wrote:

> Clinton touts her experience but in fact she has zero meaningful

> accomplishments.

You have no idea what you are talking about. She is an attorney and a

senator from New York. Even though she had no official governmental

duties while she was first lady, she was heavily involved in Bill

Clinton's political life during that time and put together a national

health care program. She certainly has meaningful accomplishments.

BLP

On Dec 10, 5:34 pm, Gator Slayer <gatorisb...@aol.com> wrote:

> On Nov 21, 12:56�pm, "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote:

>

> > What Obama Must Do

>

> > By Cenk Uygur

> > Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

>

> I'm a lifelong conservative republican who recently re-registered as

> an independent due to all the moral failings and gayness of our

> party. Up until 2006 I voted for a democrat only 20% of my voting

> history and I'll be 50 soon. Obama is the first democratic

> presidential candidate I will vote for if he makes it and John McCain

> doesn't. I would gladly vote for him only because I really think in

> my heart he is honest and ethical. I have no problem with the color

> of his skin or how liberal he might be as our President. If Oprah

> gives him an endorsement than that's good enough for me. And before

> anyone can say anything I want you to know I'm a big Bill O'Reilly and

> John Gibson fan even though I might not subscribe to everthing they

> say. My point is Obama is a decent man and will bring back integrity

> and honesty to the office. No way Hillary could ever do that. It is

> time to end partisan politics. It is time to have our elected leaders

> of both parties start working together and meet in the middle. I'm

> tired of both parties and their do nothingness when it comes to those

> people less fortunate than me. Both my wife and I make very good

> money and were secure. But because I have a terrible arthritic

> illness I can't help but think that their are those possibly with the

> same condition as me that might not be as fortunate in having as good

> of healthcare coverage that I do. As a born again Christian my

> opinion is the same people that are born again like me should stop

> worrying about gay marriage and start worrying about getting

> healthcare for all. Sorry for the rant but that's me.

Nothing to be sorry about. It is nice to hear from independents.

BLP

"Adam West" <adam@west.com> wrote in message

news:475dd712$0$2507$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>

> "Jerry Okamura" <okamuraj005@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message

> news:475db80a$0$28870$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>>

>> "Foxtrot" <foxtrot@null.com> wrote in message

>> news:g53ak310clfb0oi11n2004cjkvm3ip7is3@4ax.com...

>>> "Gandalf Grey" <valinor20@gmail.com> wrote:

>>>

>>>>What Obama Must Do

>>>>

>>>>By Cenk Uygur

>>>>Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

>>>>

>>>>1. Sear into people's minds that experience means nothing. It is not end

>>>>in

>>>>and of itself. It is only a means to an end. Experience is supposed to

>>>>lead

>>>>you to having better judgment, but very often it does not.

>>>

>>> Clinton touts her experience but in fact she has zero meaningful

>>> accomplishments. Shame on the other Dems for not adequately

>>> pointing this out. Indeed her biggest effort, HillaryCare, was one of

>>> the

>>> biggest political disasters in modern times.

>>

>> Well, let me see. We have two people with "some" experience, Obama and

>> Clinton. One by definition, MUST have more experience than the other.

>> Who wins and why?

>

> Yeah, all that experience that came in with Bush really helped, eh? LOL!

> The biggest bunch of fuckups we've EVER had in the White House had tons of

> experience!

>

I asked who had the most experience. I did not ask whether the experience

will result in good decisions.

"Jerry Okamura" <okamuraj005@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message

news:475ecc28$0$4986$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>

> "Adam West" <adam@west.com> wrote in message

> news:475dd712$0$2507$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>>

>> "Jerry Okamura" <okamuraj005@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message

>> news:475db80a$0$28870$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>>>

>>> "Foxtrot" <foxtrot@null.com> wrote in message

>>> news:g53ak310clfb0oi11n2004cjkvm3ip7is3@4ax.com...

>>>> "Gandalf Grey" <valinor20@gmail.com> wrote:

>>>>

>>>>>What Obama Must Do

>>>>>

>>>>>By Cenk Uygur

>>>>>Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

>>>>>

>>>>>1. Sear into people's minds that experience means nothing. It is not

>>>>>end in

>>>>>and of itself. It is only a means to an end. Experience is supposed to

>>>>>lead

>>>>>you to having better judgment, but very often it does not.

>>>>

>>>> Clinton touts her experience but in fact she has zero meaningful

>>>> accomplishments. Shame on the other Dems for not adequately

>>>> pointing this out. Indeed her biggest effort, HillaryCare, was one of

>>>> the

>>>> biggest political disasters in modern times.

>>>

>>> Well, let me see. We have two people with "some" experience, Obama and

>>> Clinton. One by definition, MUST have more experience than the other.

>>> Who wins and why?

>>

>> Yeah, all that experience that came in with Bush really helped, eh? LOL!

>> The biggest bunch of fuckups we've EVER had in the White House had tons

>> of experience!

>>

>

> I asked who had the most experience. I did not ask whether the experience

> will result in good decisions.

Then what in the fuck was your point, Chokyachiken?

"Adam West" <adam@west.com> wrote in message

news:475efbc4$0$2348$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>

> "Jerry Okamura" <okamuraj005@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message

> news:475ecc28$0$4986$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>>

>> "Adam West" <adam@west.com> wrote in message

>> news:475dd712$0$2507$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>>>

>>> "Jerry Okamura" <okamuraj005@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message

>>> news:475db80a$0$28870$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>>>>

>>>> "Foxtrot" <foxtrot@null.com> wrote in message

>>>> news:g53ak310clfb0oi11n2004cjkvm3ip7is3@4ax.com...

>>>>> "Gandalf Grey" <valinor20@gmail.com> wrote:

>>>>>

>>>>>>What Obama Must Do

>>>>>>

>>>>>>By Cenk Uygur

>>>>>>Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

>>>>>>

>>>>>>1. Sear into people's minds that experience means nothing. It is not

>>>>>>end in

>>>>>>and of itself. It is only a means to an end. Experience is supposed to

>>>>>>lead

>>>>>>you to having better judgment, but very often it does not.

>>>>>

>>>>> Clinton touts her experience but in fact she has zero meaningful

>>>>> accomplishments. Shame on the other Dems for not adequately

>>>>> pointing this out. Indeed her biggest effort, HillaryCare, was one of

>>>>> the

>>>>> biggest political disasters in modern times.

>>>>

>>>> Well, let me see. We have two people with "some" experience, Obama and

>>>> Clinton. One by definition, MUST have more experience than the other.

>>>> Who wins and why?

>>>

>>> Yeah, all that experience that came in with Bush really helped, eh? LOL!

>>> The biggest bunch of fuckups we've EVER had in the White House had tons

>>> of experience!

>>>

>>

>> I asked who had the most experience. I did not ask whether the

>> experience will result in good decisions.

>

> Then what in the fuck was your point, Chokyachiken?

>

I do not see where I was trying to make a point at all. I asked a very

simple question.

"Jerry Okamura" <okamuraj005@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message

news:475f2d6b$0$8665$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>

> "Adam West" <adam@west.com> wrote in message

> news:475efbc4$0$2348$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>>

>> "Jerry Okamura" <okamuraj005@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message

>> news:475ecc28$0$4986$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>>>

>>> "Adam West" <adam@west.com> wrote in message

>>> news:475dd712$0$2507$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>>>>

>>>> "Jerry Okamura" <okamuraj005@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message

>>>> news:475db80a$0$28870$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

>>>>>

>>>>> "Foxtrot" <foxtrot@null.com> wrote in message

>>>>> news:g53ak310clfb0oi11n2004cjkvm3ip7is3@4ax.com...

>>>>>> "Gandalf Grey" <valinor20@gmail.com> wrote:

>>>>>>

>>>>>>>What Obama Must Do

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>By Cenk Uygur

>>>>>>>Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>1. Sear into people's minds that experience means nothing. It is not

>>>>>>>end in

>>>>>>>and of itself. It is only a means to an end. Experience is supposed

>>>>>>>to lead

>>>>>>>you to having better judgment, but very often it does not.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> Clinton touts her experience but in fact she has zero meaningful

>>>>>> accomplishments. Shame on the other Dems for not adequately

>>>>>> pointing this out. Indeed her biggest effort, HillaryCare, was one of

>>>>>> the

>>>>>> biggest political disasters in modern times.

>>>>>

>>>>> Well, let me see. We have two people with "some" experience, Obama

>>>>> and Clinton. One by definition, MUST have more experience than the

>>>>> other. Who wins and why?

>>>>

>>>> Yeah, all that experience that came in with Bush really helped, eh?

>>>> LOL! The biggest bunch of fuckups we've EVER had in the White House had

>>>> tons of experience!

>>>>

>>>

>>> I asked who had the most experience. I did not ask whether the

>>> experience will result in good decisions.

>>

>> Then what in the fuck was your point, Chokyachiken?

>>

>

> I do not see where I was trying to make a point at all. I asked a very

> simple question.

Don't be coy, fucktard.

"Gator Slayer" <gatorisbait@aol.com> wrote in message

news:44df384a-2bcd-4b2b-9516-a38a9808fb40@e25g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

On Nov 21, 12:56?pm, "Gandalf Grey" <valino...@gmail.com> wrote:

> What Obama Must Do

>

> By Cenk Uygur

> Created Nov 20 2007 - 10:08am

>

I'm a lifelong conservative republican who recently re-registered as

an independent due to all the moral failings and gayness of our

party. Up until 2006 I voted for a democrat only 20% of my voting

history and I'll be 50 soon. Obama is the first democratic

presidential candidate I will vote for if he makes it and John McCain

doesn't. I would gladly vote for him only because I really think in

my heart he is honest and ethical. I have no problem with the color

of his skin or how liberal he might be as our President. If Oprah

gives him an endorsement than that's good enough for me. And before

anyone can say anything I want you to know I'm a big Bill O'Reilly and

John Gibson fan

wow, you really have to be a candidate for a jerry Springer hillbilly

extravaganza to be a Gibson fan,

his mother hates his guts