Obama Rebuts Clinton’s Argument by Using Historical Speeches
ABC News’ Sunlen Miller Reports: Summoning up famous quotes within historical speeches from the Declaration of Independence, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King – Sen. Barack Obama made the case that speeches, and words matter in politics.
Obama was rebutting a direct criticism from Democratic presidential rival, Sen Hillary Clinton, who said that it’s solutions, not speeches, that change America.
"Don’t tell me words don’t matter! ‘I have a dream’, just words? ‘We hold these truths to be self evident that all me are created equal’ – just words? ‘We have nothing to fear but fear itself?’ – just words. Just speeches." Obama preached, using the famous phrases to question the notion that words and speeches do not make a difference.
"It’s true that speeches don’t solve all problems, but what is also true is if we cannot inspire the country to believe again then it doesn’t matter how many policies and plans we have," Obama said in front of the Wisconsin Democratic Party’s Jefferson Jackson dinner, "That is why we just won eight elections straight, because the American people want to believe in change again. Don’t tell me words don’t matter!"
Obama has been pushing back against Clinton’s criticism of his speechifying strongly while campaigning in Wisconsin this week. He recently admitted to a crowd in OshKosh, "I give a good speech. What can I do?"
The Senator caused a dust up on the campaign trail once before when using Martin Luther King’s name when rebutting another Clinton argument against his hope message – that he needs a reality check. Obama fired back questioning if Martin Luther King told crowds gathered on the Lincoln Memorial to just go home, instead of hoping for change.
The line also made a resurgence at Wisconsin dinner Saturday night.
"Martin Luther King didn’t stand on the steps of the Lincoln and say ‘go home, ya’ll need a reality check.’" Obama argued once again.

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Hillary will make a great Sec of State. She doesnt need all these negative ad and politics of personal destruction that will only make her negatives go higher. Let her settle down and think of what next after the primary. TX that has been named firewall seems to be fireless anyway.ARG polls show Obama leading! The polls maybe be wrong but its an indication Hillary will not have a crushing victory in TX or Ohio they way Obama beat her in potomac primaries.
Posted by: TITIBERG | February 17, 2008, 7:22 am 7:22 am
I believe that words and solution go together.GO OBAMA ’08 . I according to Hillary,she has 35 years experienes.These are words, too. So, please give way.
Posted by: I.A.T Smith | February 17, 2008, 7:34 am 7:34 am
Barack’s comments were right on re: Martin Luther King, Jr.! Looks like Hillary’s so called “solutions” tactic has failed again! We need to stop the negative crap! This is exactly what the republicans like to see so they can use it against us. We don’t need another four years of hell! I hope Obama stays to this message and not get in the personal attacks, because it’s just tacky!
Posted by: Renee | February 17, 2008, 7:45 am 7:45 am
The speeches Obama delivers and the change slogan he proclaims are products of his articulated plans and policies preparatory to his being the president of united States. An aspiring leader that lacks inspirational and motivational words is like a manufacturer that has no market for his product. Sen. Barack Obama remains the most poplar choice to get us out of the woods.
Posted by: Sam | February 17, 2008, 7:46 am 7:46 am
Hillary found her voice in New Hampshire. The voice was different but she still carries the same message. Show us Hillary that voice you found.
Posted by: Peace | February 17, 2008, 7:52 am 7:52 am
I support Obama but I do believe Hillary has a good chance of winning Texas, Ohio and Penn. I doubt they will be crushing victories like Obama’s past string of states. The polls are all so different – some with her ahead, some with him ahead. I’m guessing it will be close. She might win, but it won’t be enough to give her the dramatic surge she needs to catch up to Obama. Not unless she is like Huckabee and believes in miracles, and thinks she can win all future states from here on by significant double digits. Just not happening! Unfortunately, the superdels are her last chance and she realizes this.
Obama has the inspiration, the policies and the plans. Clinton has the policies and plans without the inspiration. She needs to come up with a better campaign message that involves lifting up people and making them believe in her if she wants to match up to him. Even her current ‘solutions vs. speech’ message is seen as an attack rather than a genuine desire to solve problems. She has to do better. Right now her campaign is 90 percent Obama-damage focused. As proven in SC, that sort of thing just doesn’t fly. Notice how when she toned down the Obama-bashing around Super Tuesday, she did fairly well. Then she went negative again, and lost the past 8 states.
Posted by: Cat Scratch | February 17, 2008, 8:32 am 8:32 am
He is using his race,color, his poor departed mother, poor people, minorities,and pumping up voters with false hopes and dreams, to win the sympathy of people to attain votes. With His words.
His words lack the knowledge, the experience, a defined plan on how he will attain these trumped up promises and false hopes. There has been nothing new, unique from him on this.
We need a president who can do more than recite pretty speeches. We need one who can Do the job of commander and chief. Head of a nation, That knows what they are doing.
I fear the UK tabloids might repeat the words they used after bush was re-elected, if Obama gets elected: “How can 59,054,087 people be so DUMB?”
Posted by: seah | February 17, 2008, 8:35 am 8:35 am
MLK had a dream a cause, what is Obama’s dream or cause? Becoming President of the USA is a personal dream yes of his, but what does it do for AA? MLK was not thinking of his personal achievement he had a bigger mission equal rights for AA, Obama has not said one thing as to what putting him as President would do to better the lives of AA, all he is saying is “its out time now” ok great America time has come for a black President but exactly what will that do for the AA community if it becomes possible?. In MLK case he was fighting for a position for ALL AA, Obama is fighting for a cause for his self, to achieve what no other AA has ever achieved that is the difference.
Posted by: SJ | February 17, 2008, 9:05 am 9:05 am
I was a Hillary backer. This negative campaigning and now her campaign says people that voted for Obama are insignifcant? How arrogant!! Its the people she serves. To blow off people that voted democrat, even the independence and crossover republicans, is wrong. We are voting to put this type of person in office??
Now her true colors are coming out. She’s for herself, not for the American people. What an ugly person
Posted by: JerryZ | February 17, 2008, 9:16 am 9:16 am
Sorry, Seah, but the UK media are giving the campaign a great deal of attention – and Obama goes down well. I’m afraid that the Brits remember the Clintons as friends of “Phony Tony” Blair.
The consensus outside the USA is that the free world needs a US President with principles and moral authority – and, unfortunately, the feeling is that, like with Blair, the Clintons wouldn’t recognise a principle if it came up to then, stood to attention and saluted.
Posted by: Jorge | February 17, 2008, 9:22 am 9:22 am
Well, I guess this means the Clinton attack machine will have to go after FDR now and try to destroy his reputation.
Posted by: Steve Fought | February 17, 2008, 9:34 am 9:34 am
SJ—Barack Obama isn’t fighting for African-Americans. He is fighting for AMERICANS to have a government that works for them instead of special interests. His popularity is derived from the desire all AMERICANs have to make this change
Posted by: Mannewell Darby | February 17, 2008, 9:38 am 9:38 am
My friends,
Barrack Obama was not beaten,he didn’t march for civil rights has not championed civil rights for 20 years. Dr king had achievement behind his speeches. FDR, was a well accomplished Governor of New York for eight years despite suffering from polio, as far as I know Obama does not suffer from polio. Mr Obama, what Declaration of independence have YOU written? You are no founding father or no Thomas Jefferson. Yes, those speeches had meaning but so did the PEOPLE Giving them. – Not You!
Posted by: Joe | February 17, 2008, 9:42 am 9:42 am
Obama? All he’s doing is doing is selling are dreams. He needs to tell me what he’s going to do not what he’s hoping to do. Clinton at least has been more perspective, although I’m not thrilled about her as Pesident either
Ern in California
Posted by: Ern | February 17, 2008, 10:01 am 10:01 am
Here’s the difference. Obama keeps thinking he’s MLK. MLK was an activist who fought in the trenches for civil rights for YEARS. Obama was in Hawaii being educated at private schools. He is such a wanna be. First he wants to be MLK, then he compares himself to God. What’s next?
Posted by: Marty | February 17, 2008, 10:01 am 10:01 am
I knew he didn’t write his own speeches, but leaning on the talents of former leaders to speak is really a stretch. I wonder how inspirational he’d be if he had to rely only on his own uhs and ers.
Posted by: Sofie1006 | February 17, 2008, 10:07 am 10:07 am
Words do matter. In El Paso Hillary talked down to the ground. More along the lines of stupid Texas, I’ll promise you a minimum wage of $9.50. She didn’t make that promise in Wisconsin.
Words matter. Walking along MLK and Latinos there was a voice singing out to change things. That voice was Joan Baez.
For the first time she has endorsed a political canidate: OBAMA!
Posted by: JB | February 17, 2008, 10:12 am 10:12 am
It takes a Clinton to clean after a Bush. And the cleaning game continues. They will never finish cleaning their scandals – Clinton more so. But a new broom sweeps clean! Clinton is not that new broom.
Why are the Clinton’s so desperate to go back into the White House? Keep your peace!
Posted by: jan | February 17, 2008, 10:16 am 10:16 am
JB,
2 Months ago, Hillary Clinton introduced legislation in the Senate to raise the minimum wage to $9.50. Learn the facts please, before you vote or condemn others, And Joan Biaz never became President, nor should Obama until he accomplishes something on the National stage.
Posted by: Joe | February 17, 2008, 10:18 am 10:18 am
All the haters here who are knocking Obama for pointing out the power of great speeches of the past are totally missing the point. The point is not that Obama thinks he’s MLK or FDR or JFK. The point is that leaders have a duty to inspire, and that words actually matter. Hillary’s point seems to be that leaders have to be boring and uninspiring.
But of course, none of this matters to the pathetic haters on this board. Cripes. Thankfully, they represent 0% of real voters.
Posted by: eric | February 17, 2008, 10:21 am 10:21 am
Joe: Introducing legislation means nothing – it needs to get passed. Hillary has accomplished almost NOTHING on a national stage. Oh, yeah, there was that health care thing back in the ’90s, that was a big success. Frankly, she is a failure as a leader.
What’s more, when has she “faced down the Republican Attack machine” in an election? Never. She’s never faced a real opponent, until now. And what do you know, the wheels are coming off.
Posted by: Eric | February 17, 2008, 10:24 am 10:24 am
JOE–What has Hillary Clinton accomplished on the National stage? Introducing legislation is nowhere near accomplishment. Thousands bills are introduced that never make it out of their committees, much less to a formal debate of vote. I extend the same challenge to you as I did to SEAH. Show me accomplishment and instance of Hillary changing government to benefit the American people.
Posted by: Mannewell Darby | February 17, 2008, 10:28 am 10:28 am
Wait a minute. Each of those cited by Obama “walked the walk” and had the right and background to “talk the talk”. OBama does not. He can only talk it. He has shown in the past only that he can not cross the aisle and unite as the majority of his programs only pass committee or one side and he can’t bring the other side over to his program.
Posted by: Oldgaman | February 17, 2008, 10:29 am 10:29 am
The point is that speeches are fine but they aren’t everything. And good speeches are no match for experience and hard work to make things happen. I think Obama is lacking in this regard and we need a president who can get things done, not just spew feel-good platitudes.
Posted by: Lezident | February 17, 2008, 10:31 am 10:31 am
Hillary Clinton would make a terrible Secretary of State. It was she and Madame Albright who pushed the whipped spouse into a mass bombing of Serbia. This action was another meddling and naive intrusion into a centuries old regional situation having no bearing on US security or interests. We will see in years to come the bad effects of this bold, arrogant and illegal action.
Posted by: J Robinson | February 17, 2008, 10:32 am 10:32 am
I still think this attack on Obama for making campaign speeches is just weird. That’s what candidates do. By the way, we’ve heard the criticism by Clinton, during her speeches.
Its a real head-scratching line of attack.
By the way, the New York delegate count might shift a little. The New York Board of Elections has never officially released its results, and the New York Post is reporting that there was widespread undercounting of Obama’s votes in nine wards in the city – to the point of precincts reporting zero votes for Obama when in some precincts, hand recounts are showing he actually won.
Now no one is claiming anything under-handed, nor claiming Obama might be able to ride the recount to victory in that state. But it might gain him a delegate or two or three.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 10:35 am 10:35 am
In keeping with this argument, that means the Soviet Union collapsed because a dottering old man, guilty of selling weapons to our enemies who later used them on us, and giving cash to people named Bin Laden, asked them to ‘tear down this wall’ and POOF they just did so, in fright of grandpa.
Clinton may be a phony, but this Obama rubbish just has no end. There is always an answer when he is accused. There is always a twist when he is caught (I pushed the wrong button, I guess the article wasn’t in Life, maybe Ebony. No? Oh, well I don’t remember . . .). He attacks on things his own family has done. He talks about votes and then hides from making them. He takes credit for speeches he doesn’t write, and now we are to believe that without action, words are enough. Yes, the inspire, but just as in the French Revolution, it took action, or the lack of, to create or defeat a movement.
There is a story about this in the famous book by Thomas Carllyle – The French Revolution. There are all these glowing recitations about the poor and about the maltreated, but as yet, few marched. There were tirades against the King, and some marched. And yet, once the movement was strong, because power is in numbers, one young man, not yet in the higher ranks of military wrote a small comment in his diary, right after the Bastille.
“It would have taken but a whiff of grape shot – and the crowd would have been silenced for good.”
Napolean Bonaparte 1793
Now, just one small shot from a cannon, to show there was FIGHT behind the government, and it would have sent the signal. But it is the fight that does the deed. The words might whip you up, but look at Cuba? The little bit they do, they march barely, but all the words of Radio Marti for 45 years, they still have yet to DO SOMETHING.
The Berlin Wall no more fell because Ronald Regan told it to, then getting to the moon was because of JFK’s speech. It was a good start. But without past results, all the good intentions and speeches on earth don’t amount to a hill of beans.
Ever worked for a retail store, and at the end of the night the manager gives the team the rundown on just how much the store made that day? I have. Oooo, it’s just electrifying, hearing all about how the store made hundreds of thousands that day, while we killed ourselves for peanuts. And all that passion that we heard. Wow. But it didn’t effect us in the right way. Passion without purpose is meaningless. But Passion without past results is even worse – it is a vaccum, a void. And the universe depises nothing more than a vaccum
Posted by: 2009 Where Are You? | February 17, 2008, 10:40 am 10:40 am
And its down to where a couple additional delegates out of New York really makes the Clinton comeback try that much more difficult.
Obama now leads by 137 pledged delegates; at least that’s the number I saw somewhere. There’s 17 contests left.
Her path to catching and passing Obama is netting 25 delegates in Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and then 5 delegates in each of the smaller states remaining.
The first two smaller states are up Tuesday – and we’ve seen the Clinton camp pulling back its events in Wisconsin – never a good sign.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 10:42 am 10:42 am
Obama is not Dr. King. King was not running for office on empty promises. He had a dream AND a plan. But his response is brilliant.
Posted by: Tony | February 17, 2008, 10:50 am 10:50 am
jerry z said: I was a Hillary backer. This negative campaigning and now her campaign says people that voted for Obama are insignifcant? How arrogant!! Its the people she serves. To blow off people that voted democrat, even the independence and crossover republicans, is wrong.”
ISN’T THAT WHAT OBAMA’S CROWD IS DOING WITH THE MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA VOTERS? HYPOCRITE.
Posted by: tony | February 17, 2008, 10:53 am 10:53 am
JOE–Dr. King gave speeches to inspire people to reach for accomplishment rather to accept things as they are. If you know anything at all about the American Civil Rights Movement, then you should know that it started off very, very small, in disjointed groups. There were few leaders and many people looking, hoping for change. Dr. King was one of those leaders. I don’t know that much bout FDR, but I don’t think that having polio is what made him a great leader. However I do know a little about American history and I do remember the Declaration of Independence was a social turning point in the American Revolutionary War. Up until that point, the American people had accomplished very little overall. The Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, the invasion, and subsequent small battles–mostly losses overall did not inspire the whole of America to revolt. It wasn’t until Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” was circulated and the Declaration of Independence was signed that the American people began to get behind the war. Words may have been the most powerful weapon of the war. You can’t compare history to the present day like it happened in the past. You have to take history in the context of its time. Today is our time and Obama’s words are only popular because the echo the hearts of the majority of Americans everywhere. Today is our time and change begins with demanding change.
Posted by: Mannewell Darby | February 17, 2008, 10:57 am 10:57 am
Tony – Obama has only empty promises?
I thought that other than the mandated health insurance buy, his domestic plans were nearly identical to Clintons. So if he’s offering empty promises, doesn’t that mean she is as well?
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 11:03 am 11:03 am
One year in the Senate! Obama is like the slick preacher. Always says the right things to get you fired up believing in change and then later you find out it was all hot air. The real person shows up. Seen to many of those here in the South to fall for it again.
Posted by: Jeremy | February 17, 2008, 11:08 am 11:08 am
TONY–Obama and all Democratic Presidential candidates were prevented from campaigning in Michigan and Florida due to Democratic National Convention rules. If you have a problem with Michigan and Florida not being counted, send a letter to Howard Dean, President of the DNC. Obama is just following the rules set forth and much better than Clinton who did not take her name off the ballot in Michigan. You might also want to direct criticism at the heads of the Democratic Party in MI and FL who choose to move their primaries to earlier dates even though they were warned of this outcome. If they had only maintained their original dates they would have played as important a part as ever. Typical politics. Now it is Hillary who is trying to use this unfortunate incident and the popularity of her name to reap delegates from states where no one ran a race because of DNC restrictions. Typical politics.
Posted by: Mannewell Darby | February 17, 2008, 11:12 am 11:12 am
People yammering about Obama’s lack of accomplishment are full of it. His legislative track record is longer than Hillary’s, and he’s been more active in getting significant legislation passed in the Senate. And what experience or accomplishment can Hillary claim, other than pointing, clapping, and destroying any chance at health care reform back in the ’90?
Anyone calling for MI and FL to count are probably on the Clinton payroll. MI in particular, where Hillary was the only one on the ballot? What is this, the Soviet Union?
Posted by: Eric | February 17, 2008, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Mrs. Obama said Americans lost their souls. Mr. Obama gives Americans inspiration. I think it is not ture for everyone.
Americans have their souls. They are looking for someone to handle the task and get down to work.
Speaches are good, but we need to be able to ask questions. Go Debate on issues. This is very important for Americans to know whats up.
Someone said Obama has a new generation flag that is the flag turned into an “o” with a sun and a meadow. Is this true?
Posted by: Speaches are ok but can we have questoins | February 17, 2008, 11:20 am 11:20 am
A STATE senator. Who actually knows the names of their STATE senators? Goodness grief. Call it what it is. The minor leagues- if that. If you want to base your vote on a minor league candidate and what he did in the state senate be my guest. The Presidency is to important. Hence, why he has a minimal voting record to DEFEND.
Posted by: Henry | February 17, 2008, 11:21 am 11:21 am
Mannewell — please don’t recite sterile rules to me. That speech doesn’t sound like hope. It sounds like “more of the same.” Election law protects candidates — like Hillary and Barack. So I completely agree with him arguing that the votes shouldn’t count. But — election law also protects voters. The voters in these states have a right to be counted- regardless of whom the winner would be. This is exactly the arguments the Dems made in Bush v Gore. It is terrible to see so-called Dems abandon that now just to see their candidate win. Is this what we have to look forward to under President Messiah?
Paul – Obama’s empty promises are all this unity and hope crap. He is just another Dem. Republicans are not going to bend over because the Prophet Obama is speaking. Get real. Many Dems arent even buying that crap, if the closeness of the race means anything.
Posted by: Tony | February 17, 2008, 11:23 am 11:23 am
And regarding Clinton’s claim to be in the “solutions business” – how EXACTLY is she planning to enforce the mandates in her health care plan? She won’t say, although she’s let it slip a few times that she would “go after their wages”. Reeeaally? How, exactly, is this going to work? Do tell, Hillary.
People, this is the plan? She expects everyone to line up for a policy that forces people to pay and garnishes their wages (or what, throws them in jail?). The republicans are already getting set to fillet her with this.
Posted by: Eric | February 17, 2008, 11:24 am 11:24 am
So now Obama thinks he’s Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, and Franklin Roosevelt? As well as John Kennedy and Martin Luther King? I fully expect him to declare himself Jesus Christ at any moment. ——— His speeches do have nice words. To bad they are always somebody elses words.
Posted by: John D | February 17, 2008, 11:25 am 11:25 am
Misleading information on the healthcare issue has gotten Eric confused. See what these misleading ads are doing? Auto Insurance is manditory. Health insurance will be fine, just go get the details instead of following misleading ads.
Posted by: Hope | February 17, 2008, 11:26 am 11:26 am
Americans lost their souls because those morons listen to Britney Spears and watch Survivor. Now these same morons are picking hot air for president because his face is fresh. This isn’t America’s Next Top Model, nor is it Sunday school. People are so stupid. The Dems will lose over and over and over again. As much as they despise Clinton, he is the FIRST Dem to win two terms since the 1940s. The Dems are the party of losers. They will never win a national election again.
PS: If Obama is such a unifier, why are Latinos, white women, poor people, and older folks voting against him in droves? Give me a break. I for one will not vote for him if he wins the nod. Take that unity and sell it to someone gullible.
Posted by: tony | February 17, 2008, 11:27 am 11:27 am
He did in jest say that Samuel L Jackson played “God” before he (Obama)was “God.” Truth often reveals itself in humor.
Posted by: Randy | February 17, 2008, 11:28 am 11:28 am
Seah.
“How can 59,054,087 people be so DUMB?”
Trust me, as someone living outside the US we will only be saying thins if you choose Hillary or McCain over Obama.
You screwed it up during your last two elections, don’t mess this one up.
Just so you know, Obama leads in polls in Japan, in Germany, in Canada, and in the UK.
Posted by: ryaple | February 17, 2008, 11:37 am 11:37 am
Ryaple: I am sure that people in those countries know a lot about American politics — particularly when it is filtered through a media that is blatantly hostile to Clinton. Those polls mean nothing at all. And the UK — the land of Thatcher, Blair and roayalty worship? Yeah — that’s my source for political insight. LOL….
Posted by: Tony | February 17, 2008, 11:41 am 11:41 am
ryaple: That’s because they know they’ll get a free pass. They know he’s so green they’ll get whatever they want. Goodness gracious! Now, we’re to vote based on what other countries think. WAKE UP! Come out of that daze you’re in an think about it people.
Posted by: Heather | February 17, 2008, 11:42 am 11:42 am
Sure, Obama is just some idealistic, delusional newcomer, who through an illegal-substance-inspired stupor, is spouting a bunch of meaningless stuff about hope.
And this guy is beating the Clinton machine.
Huh. Logic tells me either that characterization of him isn’t right, or there wasn’t really much to the Clintons.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 11:45 am 11:45 am
“Just so you know, Obama leads in polls in Japan, in Germany, in Canada, and in the UK.” —- In case you just tuned in, we don’t give a rat’s posterior what other country’s think. Check out our Declaration of Independance. It’s these other countries that should be more like the US, and ascribe to fredom of thought and action. —— Thanks to adding to reasons Obama is unelectable —- If you can get france behind Obama he’s doomed for sure.
Posted by: John D | February 17, 2008, 11:45 am 11:45 am
I have spoked to many people outside the US and they LOVE the HILLARY. The UK LOVES HER. I know because they can’t understand why anyone would make her President and “get on with it”.
I get emails all the time. This media love affair has traveled far, but there are some that are still awake and they will surface to show what is real.
Hillary Clinton for President.
Posted by: Been Abroad | February 17, 2008, 11:47 am 11:47 am
On march 4th it will all be moot. Obama will lose his puny lead come the Ohio and Texas primaries.
Posted by: John D | February 17, 2008, 11:47 am 11:47 am
Hope: your argument comparing Clinton’s health care mandates and car insurance are COMPLETELY spurious. I have a choice whether or not to drive, which requires a license, and whether or not to own a car, which requires car insurance. Plus, I have my choice of private car insurance – it’s not some government plan shoved down my throat.
Your claim that I’ve made up my mind by virtue of advertising is false and completely insulting. But, that’s Clinton’s way, I guess. My point here is mainly that for someone in the “solutions business”, she hasn’t offered a solution! She just ducks the question. Please, someone, tell me her plan for enforcing these mandates!
And while you’re at it, please tell me exactly when it was that Clinton faced a real republican opponent in an election. And no, Lazio doesn’t count.
Posted by: Eric | February 17, 2008, 11:50 am 11:50 am
Correcting type in the post from Been Abroad. U
UK CAN”T UNDERSTAND WHY THE US DOESN”T JUST MAKE HILLARY PRESIDENT AND GET ON WITH IT.
Obama needs to go around the world giving old and new speaches, to inspire all the people of the world who have lost their way.
Leave Hillary in the US to take care of us. We will be fine.
Posted by: correction | February 17, 2008, 11:51 am 11:51 am
Obama is trying to invoke Martin Luther King whenever he can. The problem is, he is hiding behind the words, because he really has very little record which would indicate he is the man to lead us out of the darkness we are in. When people ask his Obamanites what exactly has he accomplished…. they stutter. The reason they stutter is that he really has done nothing distinguishable so far. I am not about to put my vote behind a wing and a prayer. I also find it rather arrogant to put himself in the same category as FDR and Martin Luther King. A little presumptuous, considering so few accomplishements and experience. Pleae people, get your heads out of the clouds and come back to earth. Hillary is the only one with the experience and the abilities to lead. Hillary 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anne Marie | February 17, 2008, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm
HENRY–Do you know who else served in State legislature before serving only one single term in the U.S. House of Representatives before becoming President of the United States?
Abraham Lincoln
Posted by: Mannewell Darby | February 17, 2008, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm
Mannewell — please spare me your unlicensed practice of law. The Bush v Gore case was an equal protection case, which focused on how the recounts were being conducted with different methodologies depending upon the county. The court found this impermissible. The Democrats’ political rhetoric surrounding the case, however, focused on the importance of having all votes count. This is the same rhetoric that the Obama camp is contradicting now — for political expediency. They are instead focusing on “rules.” Sounds like Katherine Harris’ callous statement that the votes had to be certified by the statutory date, despite the need for the recounts, because THOSE ARE THE RULES.
Is it so difficult to recognize Obama for the politician he is? I actually think he’s a brilliant politician. He is able to win an election simply by saying he will change Washington and the country. Every election has an anti-establishment candidate. Obama has managed to turn an old message into one that sounds new. I guess if most of your supporters just reached the age of majority, this is not really that hard to do.
Returning to Florida – if Obama were trailing nationally but had won Florida, all of you pious Obamites would be screaming and clawing about “counting the black voters” in Florida. Because I support civil rights and voting rights ALL THE TIME – I sincerely hope the Dems do something to make these votes count. I am consistent on these issues. Apparently, many Dems will pick and choose when to embrace “the people” depending upon how it helps their candidate.
Finally — Obama has come out against the Super Delegates exercising independent choice, regardless of how close the election ends up. But the Super Delegate structure is a part of THE RULES to. So why abandon it just for King Obama? Another thing: although he speaks out against the format, he has given about $1 million to Super Delegates to “buy” their votes. What a hypocrite. Hypocrisy is so ungodly; it is more of the same, and it does not inspire hope.
Posted by: tony | February 17, 2008, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
Mannewell — I knew Abe Lincoln. Barack is no Abe Lincoln.
Posted by: Tony | February 17, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm
True Tony. Obama is no Lincoln. Lincoln only would agree to three debates.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm
After Barack Obama tried to compare himself to Ronald Reagan, he is now trying to compare himself to Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King.
Barack Obama behavior is similar to Dan Quayle who tried to compare himself to John F. Kennedy in the 1988 debate and Senator Lloyd Bentsen responded to Dan Quayle with the famous quote:
“Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”
Posted by: Angel | February 17, 2008, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
Oops. Was just told I’m a dumb… in my own house, by someone who actually knew there were seven debates in 1858.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
Comparing obama to God or Abe? He’s just a regular guy who wants to bring a NEW geration to US. He is against old politics and the soul thing,… well nevermind.
Posted by: Michele | February 17, 2008, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
Also just saw interesting Rasmussen numbers in Pennsylvania head-to-head polls. Obama beats McCain by 10, while McCain beats Clinton by 2.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
Paul:
Lincoln’s debates are a legendary part of history. He didnt just go around giving people false hopes. Also, I think it is ironic that people are comparing Obama to Lincoln. Lincoln augmented the size of the executive more than any president before him. Many of his decisions deprived people of civil liberty during the War. I love his decisions – but his arguments are the very precedent that bush has utilized to justify many of his domestic war and anti-terrorism policies. So, is Obama really going to be different from Bush when he cites to Lincoln – the great Executive — as an historical analogy?
Posted by: Tony | February 17, 2008, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm
Tony, sorry, but I have to laugh at that one.
First, if anyone compared Obama to Lincoln, it was just someone here among us internet knuckleheads.
Second, how contrived can we get. Lincoln equals Bush, therefore if Obama equals Lincoln, Obama must equal Bush?
That one falls apart in some many places, beginning with how Abe is now rolling in his grave at his comparison to Dubya.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
Those numbers are like the ones that came out the 2nd primary. I think they are wrong. Hillary is way up, you’ll see.
Posted by: michele | February 17, 2008, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
Have you noticed just how arrogant a lot of the Obamanites are?? I thought you guys were all about kambaya and love and reaching across party lines, etc. It seems to me, that when the going gets tough, the Obamanites get just as nasty as anyone else. You are no different or special than anyone else. To the person above, referring to Obamanites as real voters, honestly, get real. I am a out there in America, just trying to pay my bills, and make a buck. I read the papers,and I listen to the news, and I have based my decision on who I believe will be the stronger candidate, and who will bring real change. Hillary Clinton has been a great Senator for the State of New York, not to mention all her other experience. Just what exactly has Obama done so far in his senatorial career? Check his record, and not the one on his web site-which is totally misleading. Look things up on your own. Then you will see that Hillary is the best choice. But then again, that is probably to time consuming, it’s much easier to listen to his rah rah speeches.
Posted by: Anne Marie | February 17, 2008, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
oh and paul – lincoln and douglas had more than 3 debates, and they were very detailed.
Posted by: tony | February 17, 2008, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
MLK, FDR, Washington/Jefferson’s words inspired people because people knew the words were spoken after years of personal experience/sacrifice for causes they believed in.
If MLK were just a 2 year senator and spoke those exact words NOBODY would care two hoots for those words. That’s how everybody should treat OBAMA’s speechwriter written words.
Posted by: Mahesh | February 17, 2008, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
“Then you will see that Hillary is the best choice. But then again, that is probably to time consuming, it’s much easier to listen to his rah rah speeches.”
well Anne Marie, that seems arrogant from you:) :)
Posted by: AJ | February 17, 2008, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
Michele – I have no doubt that Clinton is up now in Pennsylvania. Obama has time to close that gap, as he has elsewhere, but Pennsylvania is Clinton’s state (commonwealth) to lose.
The head to head polls by Rasmussen are general election match-ups. They don’t just look at likely primary voters, but at likely general election voters.
The difference is that the head to head match-ups include independents. Clearly Pennsylvania independents favor Obama right now, if Rasmussen polled them accurately.
Let’s not forget who decides general elections.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm
I did not equate the two. I just called it ironic to rely on Lincoln as a role-model, given his augmenting of the executive. This angered southern raciss in the same way that modern liberals despise Bush. The only comparison I wish to draw is that they are ALL politicians — despite the Lifetime Intimate Portrait portrayal of Obama as the Mmesiah who will heal the world of hunger, war, poverty, famine, drought, and unhappiness.
Posted by: tony | February 17, 2008, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm
jimmy byte – see… everyone loves Obama, lol.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
Obama is using racial politics, as J.Cifre of savage politics-dot.com says, refering to a letter that Obama wrote to the Gov. of Puerto Rico asking for his support, (obama) shameful race baiting and opportunistic politicizing of a serious problem affecting an entire people.
Posted by: Pat | February 17, 2008, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
Any smart pollster will tell you that pre-election polling of November results today mean nothing except as a discussion of which candidate is popular at the moment. Case in point: after each convention, the nominated candidate gets a huge bounce that dwindles. Please stop attmpting to insult our intelligence with polling about what could happen in November. That’s preposterous.
Posted by: tony | February 17, 2008, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
Paul, many independents are going for Hillary or McCain. Trust me on this. I talk to alot of people. They are frustrated that Obama is so full of speaches about hope and feel offended that the indication and the US is so distroyed that it has to be all new. This is a great America. The people are great and they just want a person who will take care of the details. Protect, provide opportunity, and get to work.
Posted by: Michele | February 17, 2008, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
Pat – it must have been a good letter, because Obama got that endorsement.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
Again, you need to get your head out of the clouds. To say, that Abraham Lincoln only served one term in the state senate before becoming President as a comparison to Obama is pathetic. Have you noticed, that the world has changed quite a bit since Lincoln’s time, and to suggest that what worked then, would work now–is dreamy. WAKE-UP!!!!!!!!!!!! Hillary 08!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Anne Marie | February 17, 2008, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm
Michele – are you arguing that Clinton has more support among independents than Obama? That seems like a stretch, based on polls as well as primary and caucus results.
McCain has strength with independents. We all know that. In fact, he’s the GOP’s best candidate, though the GOP seems reluctant to acknowledge that.
The electability argument for Obama comes down to basically this – the Democrats better nominate someone who can compete with McCain among independents.
I can certainly respect the conversations you’ve had with people, but all of the macro indicators we’ve got point to that candidate being Obama.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
Tony – true enough, regarding polls. They are snapshots of a moment in time, and we shouldn’t read too much into them.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm
Hillary will win the nomination, if by some chance there is some slight and Obama gets it, then McCain will be President. Oh well, I’m not worried because it will be Hillary.
Posted by: michele | February 17, 2008, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
Michele – to catch Obama with pledged delegates, she needs to net 25 in the three big states, and net 5 in all the remaining small states.
A lot of people are looking at the numbers, states, etc., and doubting she can do that. We’ll see this Tuesday if she can start establishing that pace. Can she win Wisconsin and Hawaii by an average of 5 delegates.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm
Republicans will vote for Obama, I’m the only dem in a group of friends who all voted for Bush in 2004 and gave me crap the whole time. They can’t wait to vote for Obama in the general, so don’t tell me Republicans won’t vote for Obama, they can’t wait to vote for him. And that is exactly why Hillary supports just don’t get it. It’s time to cut out that crap about Republicans are all evil and they always stick together. We never gave them a good reason to come over and talking like that is exactly why. And why Obama will win in the general election.
Posted by: Aaron | February 17, 2008, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm
Michele: “Hillary will win the nomination…”
Best of luck to your candidate.
Posted by: Paul | February 17, 2008, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
Well said MICHELE. The people who have done all the comparing have been us. TONY– I’m sorry, you must indeed be a lawyer. I was so bored I stopped reading your post halfway through. I still think you have a shot a political office since you’ve chosen to omit how much money Senator Clinton has given to Super delegates. I’ll be honest though, it’s really stupid when people bring that up, obviously trying to place ugly spin on it. There is nothing wrong with supporting candidates with money who you believe in. Both Senators Clinton and Obama have done this. I have supported Senator Obama with as much money as I can afford and I’ve never given money to anything in my life. Super-delegates are not back-alley men and women who possess votes. They are mayors, congressmen of state and county, and of other positions where races must won or lost. But it’s always Clinton supporter’s bringing up one-sided half-truths. This is why people don’t trust Clinton. This is why when Obama says maintain the rules, he will stick by that, regardless of the political climate. Senator Clinton would only stick by what she said if it benefited her and if their positions were switched right now she would instead be saying what Obama is saying and Obama would still be saying the same thing–the rules are the rules. I see what type of politician Obama is–someone who will stand by their word no matter the political climate and expedience and that is why I will vote for him every time. TONY–I give you due credit for your knowledge of DNC rules and history–excluding the “I knew Abraham Lincoln” remark, but from all of that I can finally see your glasses are too colored by what has been to see what can be. You are the past, the status-quo, you are happy with government today and believe that this is the way it is, the way it should be. I DO NOT.
Posted by: Mannewell Darby | February 17, 2008, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
True Hillary backers don’t switch we will continue to back her I guess they think they can make it to the white house without the established dem. voters this is not a game were everyone gets a trophy and if you start out on one team you finish on that team, so I think we have gone beyound healing the wounds this election is bringing if all the old party Dems were not with Obama I would have given him a good chance of being for change but now I think not and the rep. have done just what they set out to do undermind our party you cam make an american idol in 8 weeks why not a president.
Posted by: bishop | February 17, 2008, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
Who is the best leader? Whose campaign has the funds necessary to campaign this primary season? One candidate accepted lobbyist money and still had to loan her campaign 5 million; one candidate accepted no lobbyist money, instead he inspired Americans to contribute in small amounts record numbers. So while one candidate went broke–one candidate set a budget and has lived within that budget.
Who is the best leader? One candidate has refrained from negative ads to try to lift our miserable politics into something we can stomach–One candidate has not.
The difference in these two candidates leadership styles are obvious to anyone with eyes to see. Who has the best executed campaign plan, the best executed campaign financing, and takes the high ground in advertising, has not had campaign people bailing out? Watching this primary season is a lesson in real leadership. Obama is walking the talk!
Posted by: DQuinn | February 17, 2008, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm
The Dems are pretty much in trouble either way. Obama has not beven been able to rally the Democratic base — except for Blacks. He loses among women, the poor, Latinos, and the elderly lifetime Democrats. It is unclear whether these people will come out to support him. Democratic and Independent white guys will not give him the election. That’s impossible. The only group that will clearly come out for him in November are blacks, young people (and that’s shaky -given how flaky this group is), and the white elites. Poor whites have certainly been easy picks for Republicans, and Latinos have been an easy pick for moderate Republicans. If large numbers of women stay home or vote for McCain, then it’s over. President Obama will in fact become a fairytale (and this is not racist).
Posted by: Tony | February 17, 2008, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
Aaron — what state are you from? I am curious about your Dem-voting Republican friends….and whether they will even matter.
Posted by: tony | February 17, 2008, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm
DQUINN–I don’t think point really could have been said any better or more directly. Thanks.
Posted by: Mannewell Darby | February 17, 2008, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
Obama has put out misleading ads.
Hillary Clinton Supports don’t waver over, because Obama is just not a smart choice. There is just way to much over the top and not a reasonable choice for President of the UNITED STATES.
I feel a little sad for some of the solid people who want him. I just hope you know, you are complete, you do have souls, and you do have what it takes to make it. It is about you, you are already great people. We just need someone in the White House to get to work.
Posted by: Michele | February 17, 2008, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
2009 Where are you: How can you hate anyone this much? And why? Because he had the audacity to challenge your high and mighty Hillary on the way to what you expected would be a coronation. Please for the sake of all that is good and of good report, don’t do anything crazy. I know what this much hatred can do to people.
Posted by: alagbon | February 17, 2008, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
TONY–I’m not sure what country you’ve been watching primaries in, but in the Democratic Presidential primary of the U.S., there have been record turnouts in nearly every race, with the majority of those voting for Obama. He outnumbers her in the popular vote by over 50,000 people. Those are real democratic people who demand a voice whether they be a part of the base or not. Based on election wins in Maine, Washington State, VA, and IOWA, to say that ONLY black people will support Obama displays not racism, just clear and blind ignorance which is a close cousin of racism. Glad to see that unparalled logic back in action again!
Posted by: Mannewell Darby | February 17, 2008, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
It takes a Clinton to clean after a Bush. And the cleaning game continues. They will never finish cleaning their scandals – Clinton more so. But a new broom sweeps clean! Clinton is not that new broom. Obama is, stupid!
Why are the Clintons so desperate to go back into the White House? May be to mop up the Monica mess? Keep your peace!
Latinos, watch out. It is your turn this time. Just as they did with blacks, the Clintons will use you now for their selfish political interest and play the same race card against you when it suits them. Perhaps, when it is Chelsea’s turn to clean after another Bush.
Posted by: Jan | February 17, 2008, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm
MARTIN LUTHER KING RESPECTED LIFE, ESPECIALLY THE UNBORN, HE, IN ALL REALITY WAS A REPUBLICAN.
HE WAS A MAN OF GOD! HAD GOOD CHRISTIAN VALUES..IF MLK WAS ALIVE TODAY, HE WOULD BE ENDORSING ALAN KEYES.
TO SEE THE UN-CHRISTIAN MORALS THAT BARACK OBAMA ENDORSES IS NOT A BLACK CANDIDATE THAT MLK WOULD BE BEHIND.
OBAMA NEEDS TO CHANGE HIS STANCE ON ABORTION, GAY MARRIAGE, SEX EDUCATION TO KINDEGARTEN UP TO 5TH GRADE(WHICH IN REALITY IS PRONOGRAPHY); HIS COMMITTMENT TO ALLOW THE KILLING OF LATE-TERM ABORTED BABIES THAT ARE BORN ALIVE TO DIE IN HOSPITAL UTILITY ROOMS, AND HIS TAKING VERSES OUT OF THE BIBLE AND SAYING THEY DON’T BELONG THERE; ESPECIALLY THE VERSES IN ROMANS THAT SAYS MARRIAGE OF THE SAME SEX IS AN ABOMNINATION.
OBAMA IS NOT THE NEW MESSIAH, AND HE IS NOT “JESUS” COME BACK.
HOW CAN WE (I’M ADDRESSING TRUE CHRISTIANS HERE ONLY) VOTE FOR SOMEONE WHOM EVEN MLK WOULDN’T VOTE FOR; NOR WOULD JESUS.
I HAVE RESEARCHED AND RESEARCHED ALL DIFFERENT CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS, AND IF YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE ACCORDING TO YOUR MORAL STANDINGS AS A TRUE CHILD OF GOD, OUR ONLY CHOICE UNFORTUNATELY IS MCCAIN.
TOO BAD ALAN KEYES IS NOT STILL IN THE EBULICAN RACE. HE WAS THE REPUBLICAN BARACK OBAMA; ONLY HE TRULY WAS A GOOD MAN AND A GOOD CHRISTIAN.
Posted by: mary | February 17, 2008, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
Hillary clinton passed 20 bills in the US senate.
Obama passed 0
IN Illinois a husband and wife lost their 6 children in a car crash to an unlicensed driver of the vehicle that killed these children.
The parents of these children that lost their lives due to this horrific accident wanted the state to produce license plate that would be pro-life.
They waited and waited that day for Senator Obama to pass the law for them to have these license plates. He never showed up for this meeting with these parents……..but when they left, he did show up and voted no to their request.
I agree with Mary above he is so against life of the child and the innocent, I really wonder if he truly is the anti-christ that we have all been fearing is coming soon.
Posted by: stevem | February 17, 2008, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
Just media hype that Republicans will vote for Obama and not McCain. This another trick of the Obama camp to make you believe so, because then you’ll throw your vote that way.
In case all of you Obama supporters may not know, the Repulican voters are mainly christians of all denominations that believe in pro-life.
These christians which number about 3/4 of the American vote will vote with their conscience and that is pro-life.
Only candidate…..McCain.
Posted by: norm | February 17, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
Just ponder this for a moment. Notice I didn’t say for a long period of time that might be to much to ask.
Why do neoconservative pundits and talk show hosts (like Rush, Coulter, Hannity, Monica somebody) support Obama? Do they really like his policies? The policies they can’t stand like the illegal immigration or health care?
These pundits know the Clinton’s are the only Democrats to win against the republicans in the last 20 years.
Republicans are voting for Obama to skew the democratic primary so that they can run against him in November. They even encouraged republicans in Texas to go vote for Obama in the primary to keep the Clinton from the nomination.
Rupert Murdoch’s paper endorsed Obama. I don’t believe it is because Obama is the great uniter.
Think about it for just a moment. Why would they support Obama. It causes me to wonder and question. I hope you will too.
Posted by: Daniel | February 17, 2008, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
Jan: Just what did the Clinton’s do to black people? I’m confused!
Posted by: Pete | February 17, 2008, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm
DANIEL, I HAVE BEEN SAYING THE SAME THING YOU HAVE JUST WRITTEN ABOVE.
THE REPUBLICAN NEWS MEDIA ARE TALKING SO BAD ABOUT HILLARY AND SO MUCH FOR OBAMA, BECAUSE THE REVERSE PHYCOLOGY THEY ARE USING HERE, THEY WANT THE DEMOCRATES TO VOTE FOR OBAMA, BECAUSE, THEY THE REPUBLICANS KNOW THEY VAN BEAT OBAMA IN THE PRIMARIES.
Posted by: stella | February 17, 2008, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
SAINT OBAMA WANTS TO CHANGE THE RULE OF THE SUPERDELEGATES, YET HE WANTS TO KEEP THE FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN DELEGATES AWAY FROM, THE HILLARY CAMP.
OBAMA…YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.
AND YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT IT WOULDN’T BE FAIR IF MOST OF THE SUPERDELEGATES GO TO OBAMA AT THE END IF IT COMES TO A CONCENTION;;;;THEN WHY ARE YOU AT THIS TIME BUYING OFF YOUR SUPERDELEGATES.
SO FAR YOU HAVE DISHED OUT 658,000.00 IN CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO YOUR CAMPAIGN BY SMALL DONATIONS FROM LOW OR MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE TO YOUR CAMPAIGN FUND…YET YOUR PAYING OFF SUPERDELEGATES TO ENDORSE YOU. NOW I CALL THAT DIRTY POLITICS, MR. OBAMA.
Posted by: SAINT OBAMA | February 17, 2008, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
I’m looking for a leader not a good speaker! Hillary is the only one who can clean up the mess the country is in. We can’t afford another on the job training experiment like we did with George Bush. I can not see why people can’t see the similarities between Bush and Obama. I hope people wise up and open their eyes before it is too late! I am so tired of people (especially Obama making this a race issue). I’m looking for leadership and experience no matter what color or shape it comes it. If Hillary is not the Democrat nominee, I will look to McCain for the leadership qualities I’m looking for.
Posted by: DF123 | February 17, 2008, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
algabon said:2009 Where are you: How can you hate anyone this much? And why? Because he had the audacity to challenge your high and mighty Hillary on the way to what you expected would be a coronation. Please for the sake of all that is good and of good report, don’t do anything crazy. I know what this much hatred can do to people
TAKE A XANAX, DUDE.
Posted by: TONY | February 17, 2008, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
learn how to read. Obama has been trailing in most states among rank and file Dems. The open priamry/caucus format has fueled a lot of his victories. Obamaniacs do not want to face reality – but even reading basic exit polls.
Posted by: tony | February 17, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
It takes a Clinton to clean after a Bush. And the cleaning game continues. They will never finish cleaning their scandals – Clinton more so. But a new broom sweeps clean! Clinton is not that new broom. Obama is, stupid!
Why are the Clintons so desperate to go back into the White House? May be to mop up the Monica mess? Keep your peace!
Latinos, watch out. It is your turn this time. Just as they did with blacks, the Clintons will use you now for their selfish political interest and play the same race card against you when it suits them. Perhaps, when it is Chelsea’s turn to clean after another Bush?
Secretive Clinton, release your tax records for the American people you obligate to coronate you.
Posted by: Jan | February 17, 2008, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
manny — i’m NOT voting for bush. why the heck are you asking me about change? of course i do not favor the bush practices. i didnt vote for bush. i didnt support kerry during the primaries. if you believe that hillary clinton is just like bush, then this conversation can end right now.
Posted by: tony | February 17, 2008, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
Pete: Short-sighted! Jan is not black! You mean either a Clinton or a Bush is qualified to be president? Or Messiah for all of us? Wake up, Pete! Use your head for once.
Posted by: Jan | February 17, 2008, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm
how is demanding someone release tax returns “change”? that’s a BS political issue. Obama needs to talk about some policy rather than whining about clinton’s tax returns.
Posted by: tony | February 17, 2008, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm
It’s sad that Hillary has to turn to more and more negative attacks.
Posted by: Patrick | February 17, 2008, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
Tony: I to want to think independently. I just want to question when general statements are made about the candidates. I was only hoping that Jan could give us more reason than watch out.
Posted by: Pete | February 17, 2008, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
Ugh to all of it.!
Posted by: JJ | February 17, 2008, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm
Latinos need to watched out for racially tinged tactics of the Clintons. Should one of them be running as Obama, they may pull the same trick. It may not backfire against them as it seems it did with Obama. Blacks initially were with the Clintons as loyally as they had been, but had to rethink when their race-baiting became proven beyond all reasonable doubts. Obama has a white mother and an immigrant father – a background some Latinos may share.
Posted by: Jan | February 17, 2008, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
And here’s where I don’t follow: “their race-baiting became proven beyond all reasonable doubts.” Where was this discussed? If memory serves me correctly, the Obama camp sent out talking points to highlight comments made by the Clinton’s that could be perceived as racist. This was confirmed in the debate. If you actually listened to the context of both statements made by the Clinton’s they were severely mischaracterized. But that might be to much homework for you to engage in so continue to spew what you consider beyond a reasonable doubt. Good grief. Peace Out!
Posted by: Pete | February 17, 2008, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
Obama says he gives a good speech what can he do? Keep giving ‘em I guess. They certainly seem to be working.
Truly. There’s even a list of the top 100 speeches of the 20th century out on the internet posted by American Rhetoric and listed #1 is MLK’s “I Have a Dream”, #2, JFK’s “Inaugural Address”, #3, FDR’s 1st Inaugural Address, #4, FDR’s Pearl Harbor Address. As you continue down the list is #8, Regan’s Shuttle Challenger Disaster speech, #12, Jessie Jackson’s 1984 DNC Address.
If you keep going down the list, #35, Hillary Rodham Clinton’s “Women’s Rights are Human Rights” (this was given at the U.N. 4th World Conference at Beijing China in 1995.)
Continuing on down the list #55, Edward Kennedy’s “Faith, Truth and Tolerance in America and #92, Bill Clinton’s Oklahoma Bombing Memorial Address.
MLK, JFK, Regan, they all have more than one speech on the list. So, certainly it makes perfect sense to utilize the words of these exceptional speakers. Hillary is simply just using her own.
Posted by: american2 | February 17, 2008, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
I am a touch bemused by people who seem to think it is possible to lead without communicating well. Maybe its a result of having had such a bad commnunicator as President for 8 years, but the reality is any political leader who is effective has to be able to communicate.
I wonder what the Hillary Clinton of 1992 would think of the arguments the Hillary of 2008 is making? Because they are the same sorts of arguments people made against her husband then.
Posted by: markymark | February 17, 2008, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
It’s too late for Obama. His time has run out to prove he can run this country. The people of TX, WI, OH, RI, HI, and PA have a lot of time to do their homework on both candidates. Obama is not convincing the middle class that he can help us. HIs change speech does not translate into what can be done for the middle class, for the economy, for the foreclosure crisis, for changing our foreign policy in the world. He hasn’t addressed this in his change talk. Hillary Clinton has addressed all of this in her “speeches” and tells us exactly how we are going get to a wonderful way of living in our daily lives. She tells us exactly, in detail, how we are going to have a better quality of life. When she talks respecting the 2nd amendment and keeping our rights, she also talks in DETAIL about making sure guns do not get into the hands of the mentally ill – she goes into detail. Obama changes his stance on issues according to what demographic he addresses. How can anyone vote for somebody like that?
Posted by: Jenny333 | February 17, 2008, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm
Hillary has no message and no inspiration. She puts everyone to sleep with her laundry list. Who wants that crap? Even if she has 1000 great policies, it will be a paper tiger since she has no ability to get anything done. She is the most inefficient woman, running on her husband’s name. American men and women detest this particular woman.
Posted by: Mandy | February 17, 2008, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
Hillary and Bush
1. Clinton and Bush: Both were for the war in Iraq
2. Both were for invading Iran
3. Both cannot manage one’s own campaign or the country
4. Both stubbornly refuse to accept their mistakes. Both argue that they are right no matter what happens.
5. Both squandered all the money and go into deficit.
Besides, if Hillary Clinton is so smart, how in the world did she squander away an inevitable lead that she possessed just three months ago, and HOW IN THE WORLD DID SHE END UP IN THE SITUATION SHE NOW FINDS HERSELF????
We should not want someone this inept in the Whitehouse! DANGEROUS!!!
Posted by: Mandy | February 17, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
All “men” are created equal. Exactly. Woman are the inferior lot. Some “men” are created more than equal. Turns out the “black” man cannot be criticized or even tested. Turns out the “woman” can be demonized and dehumanized by your own followers to the point where those words mean nothing and so very few of your own followers failed to stand up for anything. Words are only meaningful if the people, your own people, believe them. They do not as shown by their own words written here!
Posted by: Wil | February 17, 2008, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
Media plays a great roll in this election race. Why has Obama supported by Media? Because this is a dirty game by Rep. Rep. wants Obama represent for Dem so they can win the White House much much easier than the fight with Haliry which they will have very low chance to win….( Check it out, Obama vs. Osama…. which religion group hit US on 9-11…. Where is original root of Obama…. Besides Obama had used drugs in his teen… what is the different with Mr. President….)
Again, media companies give Obama free rides because most of media are owned by Republicans. Obama’s supported from Republican because they can kick Obama’s butts much easier than fighting with Halary…. At the end no way Obama will win for president….. wake up American…
Your brothers are proud of you, Obama…You make us gain respect with entire world….
Your bros,
Osama-Obama 2008
Posted by: Osama_Obama 2008 | February 17, 2008, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
I’m an Obama supporter. My reasons for this are well established int the public eye, but more over, Obama strikes a chord with me.
We’ve been so consumed with fighting over the scraps from Washington D.C.’s table that we have forgot our given right to something better.
If we can stand as a country 230 million strong there is no obbstacle we can’t overcome. Words matter. Words are crucial. Words define us as a people. OBAMA ’08!
Posted by: Ken | February 17, 2008, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
Obama keeps saying he makes a great speech, but he is also borrowing other great leaders words. He is yet to produce a masterful line of his own that will carry on through the ages, something that is original that we can say as the years go by this was said by Obama, if he is such a great orator why select verses or phrases from other, he should be skillful enough to come with something of his own, then I will have to admit yes that was a great speech.
Posted by: SJ | February 17, 2008, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
Barack Obama is quickly becomming my greatest hero.
As a young American, I’m literally brought to tears right now. Please, please, God sent Obama to us to lead us out of this dark patch in our history. We cannot let it slip away!
Obama ’08!
Posted by: jenny | February 17, 2008, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
My friends,
Barrack Obama was not beaten,he didn’t march for civil rights has not championed civil rights for 20 years. Dr king had achievement behind his speeches. FDR, was a well accomplished Governor of New York for eight years despite suffering from polio, as far as I know Obama does not suffer from polio. Mr Obama, what Declaration of independence have YOU written? You are no founding father or no Thomas Jefferson. Yes, those speeches had meaning but so did the PEOPLE Giving them. – Not You!
Posted by: Tammy | February 17, 2008, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
What a laugh! Hey the links are there buddy. Research it yourself and get back to me. It took me 3 minutes to add up the votes. Maybe CNN has thrown away factual report and fallen in love with Obama, you cry? Maybe you just don’t what to learn anything more than you already think you know? In any case, the case is clear. Look it up and get back to me kid.
Posted by: Mannewell Darby | February 17, 2008, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
you just do not get it. I said that overall among Dems she does better. It’s true. Va had open primaries. And all of the Potomac primaries had high populations of blacks – a group he wins with overwhelming support. White men are not the “democratic” base, but he wins that group. He wins with highly educated and younger people, who are not necessarily rank and file dems either. You really do not have to quote the stats over and over again; I get it. But you will notice that in states with open primaries he does much better. In states that she wins, there are no open primaries – or huge numbers of blacks. This is reality dude.
And please – the effort to make Obama a Saint is getting nauseating. He is refusing to run on public funds — A DIRECT CONTRADICTION OF HIS WORD – because he wants special interest money. He condemned Edwards for being financed by labor unions, but turns around and negotiates a deal from the very same union he criticized. Your saint is just like the rest:MORE OF THE SAME. Wake up. lol
Posted by: tony | February 17, 2008, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
Man, this is frustrating. Obama rebuts something Clinton said, but we don’t know what Obama said or what Clinton said. Just the rhetoric.
So what are the arguments? Why doesn’t ABC talk about anything but the horse race? I’m being kept in the dark.
Posted by: Gene | February 17, 2008, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
Obama is not striking a chord with anyone, the words of great leaders like MLK, JFK and others that he is using are the words that are moving people, its not his words. These lines are remembered over the years because they were great speeches but where are his own lines ? If there were copyrights to the usages of speeches or lines over the years Obama would of been in a heap of trouble, he is yet to deliver a line that is originally of his own making.
Posted by: SJ | February 17, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
Oh, I also forgot: he criticizes the SuperDelegate structure but pays them a million dollars for votes. What a hypocrite.
Posted by: TONY | February 17, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
GEORGE W BUSH GAVE GREAT SPEECHES AND WORDS OF WISDOM AND EVERYONE LIKED HIM AND NOW WHAT? I CANT BELIEVE HOW STUPID AMERICA IS! ALL THE SUPPORTERS FOR OBAMA MUST NOT BE IN BAD SHAPE BECAUSE IF THEY WERE, THEY WOULD LOOK BEYOND HIS SPEECHES, MOST THAT HAVEN’T BEEN EVEN WRITTEN BY HIM! LOOK BUT NOT LISTEN, BECAUSE AND THE END OF DAY WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET! I WILL SUPPORT A PERSON THAT HAS SHOWN RESULTS NOT DREAMED ABOUT IT. HILLARY 08!
Posted by: Tammy | February 17, 2008, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
Hey Joe,
Mr. Obama didn’t have a slave mistress that he slept with either. Open your eyes and maybe you will see his ability to unite a nation that is in real dispair seeking a REAL presidential leader. Mrs. Clinton has a real ability to divide, which is not what this country needs right now. As far as “What has/is he going to do for African-Americans”, A president, he is charged with the duty to do for all, not just specific group. Speaking as an African-American, what did Bill Clinton do for African-Americans that everyone else did benefit from?
Posted by: Leroy | February 17, 2008, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
IT TAKES AN OBAMA TO CLEAN OFF THE CARPET AFTER THE CLINTONS.
Posted by: cassidywilly | February 17, 2008, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
You to can be president, all you need to do is memorize some famous quotes from the past and deliver them in an eloquent manner, of course you will need alot of money to go along with it and yes I do expect this post to be deleted, goes along with freedom of speech.
Posted by: BTL musings | February 17, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
HILLARY IS FRUSTRATED, SHE DOES’NT KNOW WAT TO DO. SHE HAS SENT HER DAUGHTER OF ALL PEOPLE TO HAWAII TO CAMPAIGN FOR HER. LITTLE DOES SHE KNOW THAT CHELSEA IS ALREADY HAVING HER SPRINNG BREAK IN HAWAII. HAHAHAHA, SORRY HILLARY. CHELSEA WILL COME BACK AFTER OBAMA WINS HAWAII WITH A LANDSLIDE VICTORY.
I AM CALLING FOR CLINTON TO STEP DOWN!!!
YOUR TRICKS CANNOT WORK ANYLONGER,, SHAME TO YOU HILLARY.
GO OBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Posted by: cassidywilly | February 17, 2008, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
Are you for real, Jenny? Dry up your literal tears and explain how God chose this Obama fellow. Is this the black God of Obama’s church which is Africa centric supported by Louis Farrakhan and his ilk? I belong to a Christian church and we receive no announcement that God chose anyone, including Hillary. Perhaps you aught to calm down and check out Obama’s church and their beliefs yourself and then make an inform statement.
Posted by: Wil | February 17, 2008, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
ALL OF YOU SOPPORTING CLINTO SHOULD SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME!!!! OBAMA IS REAL, U CAN SEE IT, YOU ALL KNOW THAT. HE TELLS THE TRUTH, HE IS CHARISMATIC, ITS NOT HIS FAULT IF HILLIAR CANNOT MAKE EFFICIENT SPEECHES. THIS WOMAN IS JUST TOO STUPID TO SAY SPEECHES DON’T MATTER.
THEN HOW THE HELL DO U COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE. HILLARY COME REGISTER WITH MY SPEECH 101 TEACHER, BEFORE U CAN DEBATE WITH OBAMA.
OBAMA HAS TAUGHT THE CLINTONS A LESSON THE WILL NEVER FORGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: cassidywilly | February 17, 2008, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
Are people serious God chose Obama, man this is really beginning to sound like 3rd world country rhetoric. These kind of idiotic statements is what comes from countries that fall all over their black leaders and when you check the history of these countries, the same black leader that they idolize are the one that deal in corrouption, their country have poor human relations, their infrastructure is the weakest and black people are the ones that suffer the most, so let kill the Obama is the chosen one talk we really don’t need that kind of belief on in the USA.
Posted by: SJ | February 17, 2008, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
Obama’s words lack the knowledge, the experience, a defined plan on how he will attain these trumped up promises and false hopes. Speeches aren’t everything. Good speeches are no match for experience and hard work to make things happen. Obama is lacking in this regard. We need a president who can do more than recite pretty speeches. We need one who can do the job of commander and chief. Head of a nation that know what they are doing.
We need a strong and tough leader. GO HILLARY.
Posted by: tigerjcs | February 17, 2008, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
TONY–I’m glad you get it, but neither of your explanations cover, Utah, Delaware, Connecticut, or Missouri–all states without caucuses and especially large population of blacks. By the way, who even cares about the Democratic “base”? Rallying the base is a divisive republican tactic that we should be trying to avoid anyway. We should be working towards goals of all American not just the Democratic “base”. Maybe you know what the Democratic base is–I don’t, but I know that over 500,000 more people want change than not. I know that SEIU can endorse whoever they want and their members voted to endorse Obama. Maybe they were in the 500,000. I know the SEIU backing Obama after he criticized them earlier is the greatest sign of change occurring in this campaign. I know that McCain is setting up a great political trap for Obama to destroy the effect of the greater than $130M Obama has raised thus far, to the nearly $50M McCain has raised. It’s a great tactic that can only be played against someone who is vocal about their principles, and Obama hasn’t refused, he just hasn’t responded at all and likely because there is still a race going on if anyone hadn’t noticed. But I will make you a deal TONY–If Obama refuses public funds I will vote for Hillary. Lol That’s how much trust I place in Obama’s words. I don’t know what to tell you–I just think the man has solid morals, a good ear, believes in what he says, and believes in doing the right thing. That’s good enough for me not to vote for the Clintons.
Posted by: Mannewell Darby | February 17, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
Go Hillary!!! We are sick and tired on Obama and his Cult movement!! He has nothing to offer but empty rhetoric!!! His supporters have been waiting too much reality TV!!!
Posted by: Debbie | February 17, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
Obama has raised so much money in primary. How much has he spent? How much more can he raise in the general election? A lot of people got tire of his beautiful speeches in this two months. Besides that, what else can he do? Wait for the skeletons in the closet to be exposed? Don’t you see that? Vote for Hillary if you want Democrats to take over the white house.
Posted by: bj | February 17, 2008, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
Everyone thought Bush was such a moral person too. Just goes to show you never know what’s in the package until you open it up:-)
Posted by: yme | February 17, 2008, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
I believe a lot of the money Obama is raising is coming from the middle east. It scares me with his ties over there that it’s possible he may become president. I know history says all powerful nations fall after about two hundred year and I think he would be the beginning of the United States becoming a third world country. We can say what we want and you and I have no influence on how people will vote. They have made up their minds so why try changing them.
I do think we should be very careful who we vote for by your own judgment and be sure it is good for the country. We want change but what will this change bring. I don’t want another Bush in there but also hope we don’t elect a maniac as US President that we will pay dearly for down the road.
Posted by: barefootboy | February 17, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
There seem to be so many red flags going up about Obama but the media just ignores them. I think that so many people are blindly supporting him. I also have that uneasy feeling on where his financial support is coming from.
Posted by: Jack | February 17, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
I agree with you Jack. I think our country is going to be destroyed from within by these young liberals that do not know how our freedom was won and stayed free. People from the middle east want to destroy us and will use any tool they can to do it.
Posted by: barefootboy | February 17, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
As usual, Obama fights back with words that are not his. He constantly tries to morph into MLK of JFK or the founding fathers. Nothing original. None of his thoughts. Empty suit. He borrows Hillary’s work and treats like he thought of it first. His health care plan leaves 15 million uninsured, immigration solution is give illegals drivers license, but that doesn’t begin to solve the real problem, social security, just work more years before you retire with less benefits, his foreign policy solution is bomb Pakistan. Either he doesn’t have anything original to say or well, we don’t know what he would say because he believes that everyone was tuned in to all the prior debates with 8 people and the single one on one with Hillary and his job is done as far as explaining his positions. We can just go to his web site for the Cliff Notes of what he hopes for…. I hope Hillary wins!
Posted by: AmazonTraveler | February 17, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
Obama has been negatively campaigning against Hillary from the beginning. What is he complaining about? Nothing negative about Hillary, it’s just the facts.
Posted by: Trustmiracles | February 17, 2008, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm
Who is barefootboy? Please find out the true before saying something. All the money Obama raised so far is from the common American. Don’t create and spread any rumor.
Posted by: true | February 17, 2008, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
Obama is all slogans and it seems he is not the man for uniting, but spliting the democratic party or America. See how the black voters voted. It worries me as we can not vote along the racial line for a better future for all Americans. Hillary is a much better and trustworthy candedate. Democrats and independents should have a better understanding of the issues.
Posted by: Julia, California | February 17, 2008, 10:40 pm 10:40 pm
Historical speeches, or elements of those speeches, were used to very good effect by Obama. His old politico pals say, they’ve all kicked around some of these ideas, shared them with one another, paraphrased something here and there to drive the point home to today’s audience. No one really begrudges a good speech-maker or speech-writer the emotional forms of the language that have a good ring, that succeeded in the past.
We do, however, expect proper acknowledment ot fhe sources. It’s really not enough, as in his heart Obama has known for a long time that to have the perfect, value- and image-dripping words roll so mellifuously off one’s tongue in the hot cadence of the crowd of the day, gets your ideas heard, but he has enough honor and hard work behind him tha the knows those are just not enough.
Maybe we should put Bill Richardson in the White House, ask Obama to serve as Sec of Education, or State; and ask Nillary to serve as Sec of Helath, ….
The dems have a very minded nominee panel.
Posted by: Rdepontb bel air md | February 17, 2008, 11:41 pm 11:41 pm
Yes SJ, that is correct. Especially considering that he can’t even make up his mind about what kind of change he is talking about. Some of the change he espouses is contradictory to what he does himself.
Posted by: irma | February 18, 2008, 1:01 am 1:01 am
I always admired Hillary’s intelligence, but she has lost my vote. I don’t like the Clintons style of campaigning. To talk about Obama not keeping his word when she wants to go back on the agreement to NOT count the delegates in states that did not adhere to the Democratic Party’s guidelines is arrogant. She even wants to include the results of a state where she was the only one on the ballot. Clinton’s ethics have lost my vote. I do not want to return to the scandal-ridden Clinton years. I believe that change is needed, and Obama is the one to provide that change.
Posted by: Minister Zel | February 18, 2008, 1:41 am 1:41 am
AMERICA WE NEED TO BE REALISTIC WE CANNOT LIVE ON SPEECHES ALONE!!
SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON OFFER SOLUTION!!
VERSUS
SENATOR BARRACK HUSSEIN OBAMA GIVES SPEECHES WITHOUT SUBSTANCE!
AND AFRAID TO HAVE A DEBATE WITH SENATOR CLINTON IN WISCONSIN.WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID FOR? DEBATE IS ONEWAY OF GAUGING OR FINDING OUT WHAT KIND OF CANDIDATE YOU ARE ELECTING FOR PRESIDENT? UNLESS YOU ARE AFRAID THAT VOTERS WILL FIND OUT YOUR WEAK POINT.
AS OF NOW AMERICA IS LOOKING FOR A STRONG LEADER WHO CAN DELIVER NOT JUST PROMISES! WE CANNOT HAVE ANOTHER GEORGE W. BUSH PART 2. WE CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER MISTAKE IN ELECTING A WRONG PRESIDENT AGAIN!
VOTERS ITS ALL IN YOUR HAND – DON’T BELIEVE IN ALL YOU READ AND HEAR, DON’T BELIEVE ON MEDIA MANIPULATION, SPIN DOCTORS, PUNDITS, POLLSTERS, UNION ENDORSERS, CELEBRITY ENDORSERS, POLITICIAN ENDORSERS.
VOTERS YOU DECIDE – DON’T ANYBODY DECIDE FOR YOU.
YOU ARE THE DECIDING FACTOR AND YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR COUNTRY. THERE’S A LOT AT STAKES HERE. AMERICA CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER BLOW!
DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING WHAT THE MEDIA IS FEEDING YOU – THEY ARE VERY BIAS AND MANIPULATORS.
VOTERS MAKE A CONSCIOUS DECISION WHO YOU WANT TO VOTE THAT WILL BEST SERVE OUR COUNTRY FIRST AND FOREMOST.
VOTE WISELY AND PRUDENTLY.
God Bless America!!!!
Posted by: Sam Lim | February 18, 2008, 1:57 am 1:57 am
They are not even his words …he cribbed them from Duval Patrick..just like he took HRC’s economic points and tried to make them his own…the Patrick story is not going to go away as quickly or as easily… it is like a couple of freshman in college sharing crib notes on an exam…licensed plagarism…
Posted by: tov | February 18, 2008, 2:07 am 2:07 am
Obama was not pointing out great speaches he was comparing himself to those great Americans.Men who paid enormous prices of sacrific to achieve thier goals.It takes more than words and hope of change to get change we need as a contry.I dont think comparing yourself to great men is going to get us there.
Posted by: girlinvt | February 18, 2008, 2:09 am 2:09 am
Do not hand Bill Clinton, the Americans are telling a ‘fair tell’ from the ballot box
Posted by: suzzie | February 18, 2008, 2:31 am 2:31 am
Folks, these aren’t his words.
He used them with no real difference, the order was changed slightly, he PLAGARIZED the man who ran for office, Patrick Devel. Did he give him credit? No.
word for word.
This loser is full of hot air, and the american people are not stupid enough to go for this fraud.
answer this if you can…..yes you can……NOT.
If a woman were running with the same level of experience that this clown has would she have even made it this far?
yeah right.
Sexism. That is the glass that will shatter all over the Obama campaign pretty soon. A female will win the Nomination of the democratic party that doesn’t want the equivilant of a 17 year old teenager with a manual the day a crisis strikes the US again. We want a tested, vetted leader and that is Hillary.
Posted by: catherine | February 18, 2008, 4:37 am 4:37 am
Obama’s speeches do have nice words. To bad they are always somebody else’s words. ———— And now Obama thinks he’s Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, and Franklin Roosevelt? As well as John Kennedy and Martin Luther King? I fully expect him to declare himself Jesus Christ at any moment. ———
Posted by: John D | February 18, 2008, 8:26 am 8:26 am
cassidywilly sorry i meant SJ and not you.please,i was annoyed
Posted by: mr toy | February 18, 2008, 8:30 am 8:30 am
Obama has never had an original thought —– If he wants change so bad he should start with the dim bulb in his head. ———————— Obama ripped off “Yes We Can” from the 1960′s Democrats in Texas. Democrats have been using the “Yes We Can” “Si Se Puede” slogan in Texas for decades. Sí se puede (Spanish for “Yes, It can be done!”) is the motto of the United Farm Workers. it was originally coined in 1972, during Cesar Chavez’s 25 day fast. —————– Both Hillary and Bill Clinton used that slogan while registering Latino voters in the Rio Grande Valley as young Democrats. ———- Sí Hillary Puede !!
Posted by: John D | February 18, 2008, 8:31 am 8:31 am
JFK, MLK, FDR, Lincoln, and Jefferson; their great speaches and writings did not invoke or use the words of others. They were original. Unlike Obama who’s never had an original thought, and must copy the work of everyone including Hillary and even McCain. —- Lets just say goodbye to the phony baloney Obama.
Posted by: John D | February 18, 2008, 8:55 am 8:55 am
Just think – Democrats have the chance to take back the White House – do you want another Watergate or Monica Lewinsky or a future where Americans come together to prove once again that they are th upholders of freedom and democracy throughout the world. In Clinton you have a woman like me – nut one who doesn’t admit to her mistakes. Heck she accused Canada of sending in the Saudi’s responsible for 9/11. This is a woman with foreign affairs experience? Those of us who are your neighbours and have in the past held you in high esteem would like to see you ask yourselves did Clinton stay with her husband because of her overwhelming political ambitions? Is that why she is willing to tear the Remocratic party apart? How does she expect that will help her win the White House? Your choice.
Posted by: pat | February 18, 2008, 9:15 am 9:15 am
Obama sited many words other people said to make a point that words matter.The thing he didn’t say is that they said it once not over and over and over.
Posted by: roncraw | February 18, 2008, 9:53 am 9:53 am
Just read an article in which Patrick says they are similar to his words, that Obama and he talked about how to answer the Clinton attacks on ‘speeches,’ and that he didn’t think Obama should credit him for it.
Basically all these candidates have speech writers. Obama has one of JFKs former speech writers. So getting input from another former candidate who faced similar attacks, as Patrick did in 2006, really isn’t any different than having a speech writer draft the words.
I doubt if any politician has completely written his own speeches since Lincoln at Gettysburg. So once again, we see a desperate attack on nothing from the Clinton campaign.
Posted by: Paul | February 18, 2008, 11:37 am 11:37 am
How can you claim to be a great communicator when you steal the speeches of others and depend on a teleprompter to deliver them? Obama should receive an oscar for his performance of a presidential candidate.
Posted by: Firefighter | February 18, 2008, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
Abe Lincoln, Churchill, George Washington, Roossevelt, Gen Ike, Gen Westmoreland, MLK, Malcolm X, JFK, B. Bhutto,Indira Ghandi, and a host of others, have over the years, made electrifying speeches that bare fruit. Powerful speeches by the virtue of their substance, have inspired and institutionalized changes in our society.
Barak(“Lightening”)Obama is a visionary, a reformer and a man who has great plans for our nation. He is a uniter and the only candidate at the moment, that would bring the country back to her glory. It is DONE. He is that candidate for (“Change”)
Hilary Clintons candidacy is nothing but..”all hats and no cattle”
Posted by: bob ezey | February 18, 2008, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
Abe Lincoln, Churchill, George Washington, Roossevelt, Gen Ike, Gen Westmoreland, MLK, Malcolm X, JFK, B. Bhutto,Indira Ghandi, and a host of others, have over the years, made electrifying speeches that bare fruit. Powerful speeches by the virtue of their substance, have inspired and institutionalized changes in our society.
Barak(“Lightening”)Obama is a visionary, a reformer and a man who has great plans for our nation. He is a uniter and the only candidate at the moment, that would bring the country back to her glory. It is DONE. He is that candidate for (“Change”)
Hilary Clintons candidacy is nothing but..”all hats and no cattle”
Posted by: bob ezey | February 18, 2008, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
Firefighter said:
How can you claim to be a great communicator when you steal the speeches of others and depend on a teleprompter to deliver them? Obama should receive an oscar for his performance of a presidential candidate.
I answer:
He is great because he uses the words of others read off a teleprompter and still inspires others to Get Up, Sign Up, Fire Up and Smarten Up. All good things for America as far as I’m concerned and looooong overdue. He makes it a WE thing! I care not how he does it, silly. I care THAT he does it. Therein lies the part that grew wings and routinely flies right over Hillary’s head.
Posted by: SE Croft | February 18, 2008, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm
If Hillary thinks that Obama should meet McCain and have an agreement over the public financing, Hillary must first quits to seek the nomination and endorses Obama. At this point, Obama will be the Democratic Nominee and will negotiate with McCain.
Posted by: Louicin Dieudonne | February 18, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
Its is sad that Hillary is such a poor speech maker. Obama inspires, Bill Clinton inspired when he was president. Hillary does not inspire anyone when she makes speeches. Obamas best speechmaking often takes place without any prepared notes. I have never heard Hillary say anything of consequence without a prepared speech and her remarks do not flow very well even then.
If she could she would raise her level of oratory to that of Obama but she cannot. Regarding the Governor of Mass. Deval Patrick; if he and Obama are friends & Gov. Patrick says it is ok for Obama to quote him and ok for him to quote Obama that is all that counts. Plagerism is only an issue when the originator is dead and not given credit, or alive,unaware and not in agreement of the possible use of his words. The user then knows if he uses those words he will not be forgiven for doing so by the originator.
Another effort at misdirection by the Clintons because they don’t know what else to do.
Posted by: Michael Williams | February 18, 2008, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm
And now we know he stole the speech and presented as being his own.
The same way he steals Hillary ideas months afterwards and tries to present them as new and fresh.
What a fraud.
A plagiarist as well as a hypocrite for not being the agent of change he claims to be. Nice choice.
Lets hope Democrats wake up and have more than a little buyers remorse. This man has done little except master how to deliver a speech – and the words aren’t even his own.
He did however manage how Washington truly works by giving a 5 million dollar earmark, basically a taxpayer gift to Michelle Obama’s employer. An employer which made a 100 million dollar profit and hardly in need of 5 million dollars in taxpayer money. Unless of course, that 200k raise that Michelle Obama eventually received was a pay for play more similar to how Obama truly works and his own words again, proof false.
American needs HELP not Hope !
Posted by: Amber | February 18, 2008, 7:53 pm 7:53 pm
Hilary has lost it all. Negative champaign has always yielded bad results for her.There is no need for her to tarnish Obama.let her continue with her Economic and Health Care reform program she has and I think the voters will hear her because I am afraid she will probably loose in Wisconsin.A defeat for her there will give Obama another momentum to wrap up with two great victories in Texas and Ohio.
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