...and speaking of liberals not supporting Hillary
MoveOn.org just endorsed Obama. Out of concern for some of my oh so many readers, I have linked to the story on TPM Election Central rather than MoveOn.org. I realize that for some people while the TPM network might be just a bit too left of center, going to the MoveOn site could result in an increase in blood pressure or heads exploding, and I certainly don't want that. :-)
Anyhoo, the MoveOn membership voted 70% for Obama and 29% for Hillary. Ouch.
This endorsement is good for Obama in the primaries and bad for Hillary. Perhaps the largest and most liberal group in the country has just seriously cut into any claim to liberal cred Hillary might make. Also, this endorsement will serve to put focus on Hillary's Iraq record, and that is not good for her.
Another benefit to Obama is found in this excerpt from the official statement from MoveOn:
Now, there are some risks for Obama. I have been critical of MoveOn, and if the organization engages in that same type of conduct, it could hurt Obama, particularly in the general election if he is the nominee. There is a chance of MoveOn doing something to unintentionally hurt Obama like Michael Moore did to Wes Clark in 2004 (with the "General v. the deserter" line). So here's some unsolicited advice to Obama: coordinate activities so that MoveOn does not cross a line you don't want or need crossed. And here's some unsolicited advice to MoveOn: don't compromise your ideals, but do think carefully about your tactics and actions.
The organizational heft and liberal cred that MoveOn brings to the campaign could be a huge asset. It could also be a problem. I will address that, along with other liberal endorsements of Obama in a subsequent post. As a partial preview of that post, Republicans need to ask themselves whether they really want Hillary to be the nominee.
Anyhoo, the MoveOn membership voted 70% for Obama and 29% for Hillary. Ouch.
This endorsement is good for Obama in the primaries and bad for Hillary. Perhaps the largest and most liberal group in the country has just seriously cut into any claim to liberal cred Hillary might make. Also, this endorsement will serve to put focus on Hillary's Iraq record, and that is not good for her.
Another benefit to Obama is found in this excerpt from the official statement from MoveOn:
With 3.2 million members nationwide and over 1.7 million members in states that vote next Tuesday, we’ll be able to immediately jump into action in support of Senator Obama’s candidacy.(emphasis added). Say what you want about MoveOn, but it is a very organized group that is capable of effectively mobilizing and taking action.
Now, there are some risks for Obama. I have been critical of MoveOn, and if the organization engages in that same type of conduct, it could hurt Obama, particularly in the general election if he is the nominee. There is a chance of MoveOn doing something to unintentionally hurt Obama like Michael Moore did to Wes Clark in 2004 (with the "General v. the deserter" line). So here's some unsolicited advice to Obama: coordinate activities so that MoveOn does not cross a line you don't want or need crossed. And here's some unsolicited advice to MoveOn: don't compromise your ideals, but do think carefully about your tactics and actions.
The organizational heft and liberal cred that MoveOn brings to the campaign could be a huge asset. It could also be a problem. I will address that, along with other liberal endorsements of Obama in a subsequent post. As a partial preview of that post, Republicans need to ask themselves whether they really want Hillary to be the nominee.
posted by WCharles @ 2/01/2008 02:00:00 PM
4 Comments:
I would not vote for either Hillary or Obama, but for a while now I've said if the next president is to be a Democrat, I'd prefer it to be Obama. That is really based more on character rather than their positions. I still stand by that, but if Obama is liberal enough for MoveOn, then I'd be very concerned with him in the White House.
Interestingly, on our local news last night the news reader was talking about the upcoming NY Democratic primary. She quoted Hillary koolaid drinkers (I love that term) as advocating all good Democrats should support Hillary because she is a NY senator and has done so much for NY. Then she quoted the Obama supporters advocating that all good Democrats should vote for Obama based on the issues. Think about that. Vote for Hillary because she is ostensibly one of us, but if you care about the issues, vote for Obama. I thought the Hollywood writers were on strike. Which one of them crossed the picket line?
One thing that came out of the recent debate is an issue that was hot here in NY recently. Issuing drivers licenses to illegal aliens. Aparently, Obama is for it and Hillary is now against it, though she used to be for it. She used to be for it when the NY governor initially proposed the idea earlier last summer, but then based on extreme negative bipartisan reaction she quickly changed sides.
This election is all about change. What kind of change do you want? Go ahead, open the borders and have the DMV right there south of you Dubya2 issuing licenses immediately to anyone who crosses. What do I care as long as they don't head to NY. Ellis Island is closed now, I'm safe.
"...if Obama is liberal enough for MoveOn, then I'd be very concerned with him in the White House."
And that's part of what I am going to address in a future post.
For me, this primary is more about character than policy issues, and that's why I will never support Hillary.
As for change, what I am looking for is a change in approach throughout the government. I think Obama has a MUCH better chance of getting that done than Hillary.
One thing to keep in mind is that the President does not rule everything. Congress is also involved. I say this for two reasons. First, whoever is President has to work with Congress, meaning that "too liberal" or "too conservative" in a President does not necessarily translate into "too liberal" or "too conservative" in terms of what gets done. Second, let's not forget that plenty of Congressional seats will be determined in this election...
As for MoveOn, I think that endorsement is not so much about being pro-Obama as it is being anti-Hillary. The Iraq war is THE issue for MoveOn, and Hillary flat pissed off MoveOn. I think MoveOn waited to see who, if anyone, would be left standing to take on Hillary, and that happened to be Obama.
I have not addressed your concern, but I'll get to that in another post.
Now, as for the border situation, it existed long before now, and it will always exist here, regardless of who is President.
It will be that way partly because of the geographic reality, but also because of the societal reality. That is not meant as a criticism, just an observation. South Texas is a whole different world unto itself. It's not fully America, it's not fully Texas, it's not really Mexico. It is South Texas.
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