The ..2012.... Political thread
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My commisserations.
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Guess there really are no REAL Huck fans out there?
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I like the character by Mark Twain.
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JeffLynnesBeard:
I like the character by Mark Twain.
Uh, let me rephrase that! Any HUCKABEE fans out there? 
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Obama wins South Carolina in a rout! Go Barack! Precinct captain in Colorado for Obama! And, no, I don't like Huckabee.
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as yogi berra once said: "it ain't over until its over"....and that isn't until august.
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A beautiful endorsement of Barack Obama from american icon Carolyn Kennedy daughter of President John F. Kennedy in todays New York TImes: By CAROLINE KENNEDY Published: January 27, 2008 OVER the years, I?ve been deeply moved by the people who?ve told me they wished they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president. This sense is even more profound today. That is why I am supporting a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries, Barack Obama. My reasons are patriotic, political and personal, and the three are intertwined. All my life, people have told me that my father changed their lives, that they got involved in public service or politics because he asked them to. And the generation he inspired has passed that spirit on to its children. I meet young people who were born long after John F. Kennedy was president, yet who ask me how to live out his ideals. Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible. We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn?t that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country ? just as we did in 1960. Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates? goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual. Senator Obama has demonstrated these qualities throughout his more than two decades of public service, not just in the United States Senate but in Illinois, where he helped turn around struggling communities, taught constitutional law and was an elected state official for eight years. And Senator Obama is showing the same qualities today. He has built a movement that is changing the face of politics in this country, and he has demonstrated a special gift for inspiring young people ? known for a willingness to volunteer, but an aversion to politics ? to become engaged in the political process. I have spent the past five years working in the New York City public schools and have three teenage children of my own. There is a generation coming of age that is hopeful, hard-working, innovative and imaginative. But too many of them are also hopeless, defeated and disengaged. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children to believe in themselves and in their power to shape their future. Senator Obama is inspiring my children, my parents? grandchildren, with that sense of possibility. Senator Obama is running a dignified and honest campaign. He has spoken eloquently about the role of faith in his life, and opened a window into his character in two compelling books. And when it comes to judgment, Barack Obama made the right call on the most important issue of our time by opposing the war in Iraq from the beginning. I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved. I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president ? not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans. Caroline Kennedy is the author of ?A Patriot?s Handbook: Songs, Poems, Stories and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love.? Peace
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It looks very much like the election will come down between a choice between Obama and McCain and I could live with either one as president. My nightmare election would be between Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney. As for Obama's experience or lack thereof, I would rather vote for a candidate I trust rather than one with experience. After all, Cheney had lots of experience and look what he did with it. On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln was very inexperienced, having only one term in Congress before he became president. Inexperience is not a handicap if someone knows when to seek advice and has the wisdom to evaluate it.
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I personally have trouble with anyone the NY Times endorses. They endorsed: Hillary Clinton & John McCain
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Ted Kennedy endorsing Obama Jan. 27, 2008 By Susan Milligan Globe staff WASHINGTON -- Senator Edward M. Kennedy will endorse Barack Obama for president tomorrow, breaking his year-long neutrality to send a powerful signal of where the legendary Massachusetts Democrat sees the party going -- and who he thinks is best to lead it. Kennedy confidantes told the Globe today that the Bay State's senior senator will appear with Obama and Kennedy's niece, Caroline Kennedy, at a morning rally at American University in Washington tomorrow to announce his support. ........................................... .................................................. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/01/ted_kennedy_end.html
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U.S. electorate tunes in to wide-open 2008 race Mon Jan 28, 2008 By Steve Gorman - Analysis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The U.S. electorate appears to be more engaged in presidential politics than it has been in many years, stirred by the drama of a wide-open campaign, anger at the Iraq war and anxiety over the economy, political observers say. The trend is especially true among Democrats, galvanized by what they see as an opportunity to retake the White House after eight years on the outside, according to pollsters, academics and media analysts. Democratic interest has been heightened by the star power and historic campaigns of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, who would be the first woman president, and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who would be the first black president and has been compared to charismatic former President John Kennedy. Republicans have their own stories -- Sen. John McCain, the maverick war hero and Vietnam prisoner of war, making a comeback; Rudy Giuliani, dubbed "America's mayor" in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, staking his bid on the upcoming Florida primary; former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney who would be the first Mormon president; and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister running as a populist while trying to appeal to evangelical Christians. The lack of a presumptive nominee in either party -- marking the first time in more than 50 years that both are without an incumbent president or vice president in the race -- only adds to the drama, observers say. "It's an incredible election, like none we've ever seen before, and we're all working around the clock to cover it," said Sam Feist, political director of CNN. "Clearly, the public is fascinated." ................................ see the entire article at: http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSN2741414520080128?sp=true Reuters.com:
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....tune in tomorrow for another chapter of as the white house turns..."
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The New Republic has great coverage of the primaries and candidates: http://www.tnr.com/
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What I've observed so far, and it seems to be born out in this discussion, is that the one true distinction between the parties this year is that the Democrats have candidates that people from all sides can get passionate about while the Republican candidates even have their own base shrugging and wondering what the hell they're going to do. Check out the voter turnout in the primaries. Universally up on the Democratic side, down or only a modest increase on the Republican side. The Democrats learnt the hard way that no matter how unpopular Bush was, they weren't going to win an election simply by nominating someone who wasn't Bush. The Republicans have half a dozen people who aren't Hillary but that's not going to be motivation enough for people to go out in the cold. At this rate, whoever the Democratic nominee is will win in a landslide simply on the back of a Republican boycott.
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It seems the republicans have a toss up between romney & mccain. I wouldn't predict a landside just yet. It's a long way to November, bill
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I don't want ANY of them. I think I'll vote for Paul McCartney instead.
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Lubiana:
I don't want ANY of them. I think I'll vote for Paul McCartney instead.
Sorry, but I don't think Sir Paul is eligible, being a British subject.
Besides, I wouldn't wish that job on him for the world. Not to mention that he wouldn't have time to make music. 
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Kahlessa:
Lubiana:
I don't want ANY of them. I think I'll vote for Paul McCartney instead.
Sorry, but I don't think Sir Paul is eligible, being a British subject.
Besides, I wouldn't wish that job on him for the world. Not to mention that he wouldn't have time to make music. Okay, how about Neil Finn instead?
I just can't get very excited about any of our candidates. -
No matter what, if Obama is the democrat party nominee, then the white Republican will be the next President of the United States. No matter how low Bush's approval rating is, this country is not going from him to Obama, no matter how many calls for change there are. The Kennedys forgot to mention that JFK was white, rich, privileged, not to mention a cheating husband, and Joe Kennedy basically stole the election in Illinois, much the same way Bush stole Florida. ( I hope I'm wrong though )
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Kahlessa:
Inexperience is not a handicap if someone knows when to seek advice and has the wisdom to evaluate it.
I really like how you put that! Very well said!
THANK YOU, (((((PAUL)))))!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!
