Obama's speech in Berlin - Page 15 - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum

chassisman · #**211** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by TheLastBoyScout

There's certainly no reason to stop letting fear determine your vote, now.

It worked out really well with Bush.. so keep on trucking, my friend.

Some do precisely that, others just whine to pass the time.

Steve · #**212** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by rooobosmith

No it was not Air America. As you know, they don't broadcast here in San Diego anymore.

Yes, I do know. The reference to Air America was rhetorical...

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Apology accepted.

Don't flatter yourself, Sweetheart. It'll be a cold day in Hell before I apologize to you.

"Senator Obama did not want to have a trip to see our wounded warriors perceived as a campaign event when his visit was to show his appreciation for our troops and decided instead not to go," he said.

Essentially, Obama steered clear of what would've been the right thing to do, because he was afraid of how it might look.

What a complete fucking douchebag this dickhead is...

Imperator · #**213** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLastBoyScout

McCain and his campaign goated Obama into taking a trip to Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.. in the first place.

And now that Obama's going they're bitching about every aspect of it from the disproportinately small amount of news coverage they're getting, to downplaying the excitement of crowds, to claiming that McCain is speaking to Americans while Obama is speaking to those damn foreigners.

Are you seeing any problems with that?

that a little unfair, like it or not McCain had a point, I would not say he was goaded, I'd say he did what he should have did and had to do, considering his vehement stance regards the war.....I have no issue with him going, and I find nothing suspect except he should have gone sooner. Commenting on the nets and the press following him isn't worth it, so I pass on that and it really has zip to do with his trip THERE. They are lemmings.

Imperator · #**214** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Yes, I do know. The reference to Air America was rhetorical...

Don't flatter yourself, Sweetheart. It'll be a cold day in Hell before I apologize to you.

"Senator Obama did not want to have a trip to see our wounded warriors perceived as a campaign event when his visit was to show his appreciation for our troops and decided instead not to go," he said.

Essentially, Obama steered clear of what would've been the right thing to do, because he was afraid of how it might look.

What a complete fucking douchebag this dickhead is...

well on the surface he as caught between a rock and hard place, he didn't want it to look political, so he didn't go.
So, he could have gone as just a citizen, not of the world, but of the US or as a simple senator.....nes ce pas?

Slon · #**215** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by TheLastBoyScout

In what country is a free election not a popularity contest?

I don't know. Does it matter? The situation is bad regardless of how much worse or how much better it may be elsewhere.

Imperator · #**216** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by goober

Karl Rove has got to be shitting himself today.
This is exactly the kind of thing he would be having his candidate do, if his candidate could pull it off.
And Obama did it right again, he could have spoken a couple of phrases in German, but that would have been too much, he hit it just right with his speech, and he now has some really great images in the can. Speaking German would have been a "Dukakis in the tank moment", as it would have forced the comparison to Kennedy and Reagan with too heavy a hand.
These images will dominate the news for a few cycles, effectively shutting McCain out of the public arena, and since McCain has nothing scheduled this week, I think he loses this weeks contest and drops a few more points.
Why isn't McCain addressing a big crowd somewhere, to at least provide some counter to this, is he just laying down?

well for all that, I was astounded at his choice of venue.....but then again, I am probably alone as amercians have little taste for history, noy even thier own so I am sure this will be lost on most of them.

as for the speech itself, I thought it mediocre and meandering, terrorism to global warming, oh wait, he IS one of us, since the terrorism slant fell completely flat.....it sounded like something he'd deliver at the Elks club or something...And comparing the Berlin Wall to the “divide” between the US and Europe a is a belittlement of the former and a huge stretch. frankly I expected something more and was underwhelmed.

Imperator · #**217** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by Malvolio

I don't know. When it comes to foreign policy, Obama could be a gift from heaven for the United States. His popularity alone is a huge asset and could be used very efficiently to repair America's damaged reputation around the world and rally international support to address the mayor problems we face. We all know that Bush has done a terrible job in that regard. And I doubt tha McCain is the better man to mend the fences and lead the way.

Well in the last British parliament 2 month ago, left of center Labour lost 400 seats, add to that sarkozy, merkel and now Berlusconi again, I’d say there’s a trend developing there.....I'll take that as compared to whether thy like our c in c or not.

Imperator · #**218** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by CorpMediaSux

Republicans win based on an uneducated and distracted electorate. But back on the topic at hand.

.

I seeeeeee, so maybe we should watch the arugula futures on the Merc. exchange...

that was perfect, thank you.

Steve · #**219** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

Imperator · #**220** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by TheLastBoyScout

This may seem a Clintonian thing to say, but if Obama was solely depending on the fact that he's black for all his support, Jesse Jackson would have been the first president.

no hes not based its solely on his blackness, but lets not kid ourselves, if he had been white that would be Hillary giving that speech and we all know it, I think.

Is he an impressive individual? Most assuredly.

Imperator · #**221** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by goober

Do you think a president should be a good organizer, a strategic thinker and a good decision maker?

Because that is part of Obama's short resume.

And it's nowhere to be found on John McCain's.

sure, so lets get jack walsh to run then

and

Quote:

It's because he's a leader, they can see that, and there has been a terrible void in the world for the last 7 1/2 years, in the world leadership role that the US president used to fill.

he is? can you point out the leadership resume please?

Imperator · #**222** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by noahath

I find it fascinating that after almost 8 years of a President with barely a high-school grasp of the English language, so many members are now aghast at the possibility of a literate president.

lets elect a wise poet then...

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BTW, I know that one of the arguments against Obama has been his apparent lack of experience to be president; but it's important to remember that there have been many presidents with little experience (for eg Wilson jumps immediately to mind, as he had only two years of political experience prior to his election); and there have also been a lot of presidents that had tremendous prior political experience (for eg Pierce [Gov of NH]; Carter [Gov of GA]; Harding [Lt Gov and Sen of OH - who was arguably the most incompetent, and certainly the most corrupt president ever] ). So I don't think Obama can be appropriately judged on his four years in the Senate alone.

then what do we judge him on? His background and past actions, character and applicable judgements etc...yes?

Imperator · #**223** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by AjaxPress

Obama has displayed a lot of foreign policy knowledge whereas McCain has shown very little. What was McCain doing in those 25 years in Congress? Certainly not soaking up information...

in 25 years, you read treaties, trade agreements, vote on them, read and are briefed on policy papers and positions, many of which are secret or for eyes only, bills up for legislation, and all that entails, and you are there long enough to learn what works what doesn't and how to compromise when you have too for greater gain or good.

Imperator · #**224** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by goober

Experience doing what?
He lead his campaign into near bankruptcy, now he's violating campaign finance laws, and he's had to fire half his top people, because of glaring conflicts of interest that should have been flagged before they were hired.
Is this who you want leading the country?
He couldn't lead his way out of a paper bag.

Obama has lead an organization that has taken the politically unconnected, black son of a single mother and brought him to the steps of the White House knocking on the door in a about decade, that requires leadership, statesmanship and good strategic judgment.

Obama has accomplished more in a couple of years than McCain has accomplished in a nearly complete lifetime.

wow, I think perhaps you might want to go take a look at past elections when he has won and not won office....gee whiz. And far as black again, in the identity conscious democratic party, thats exactly what we would expect, its curious how he’s a genius and every republican is a dolt...never fails....

Imperator · #**225** (**permalink**) 07-25-2008

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Originally Posted by TheLastBoyScout

I'm not a lib.. perhaps that's why you didn't notice that I offered a key piece of legislation that Obama wrote.... The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act.

Here are the bills that Obama either authored or co-sponsored:

1. the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 (became law)

2. The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act (became law)

3. The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act (passed in the Senate)

4. The 2007 Government Ethics Bill (became law)

5. The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill

In an adiminstration that's gotten next to nothing actually done and within a very short timeframe, that's not a bad legislative resume. Now that you know, you can't claim ignorance, but I suppose you can still be in denial.

you might want to check say, Hillary’s accomplishments in her first 3 years....that might be a handy yardstick..