Comments on: How Now, Barack? http://firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/ Firedoglake weblog Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:51:42 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: carol http://firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-334067 carol Fri, 13 Oct 2006 01:23:44 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-334067 <p>I agree absolutely. There are two possible scenarios. Either Obama is biding his time, earning his stripes as the new kid, and playing it cool until he has some experience. OR he’s a self serving coward who has repeatedly failed to stand with his colleagues on important legislative initiatives and, on a couple of occasions, actually undermined them.<br /> The jury is out on this guy.</p> I agree absolutely. There are two possible scenarios. Either Obama is biding his time, earning his stripes as the new kid, and playing it cool until he has some experience. OR he’s a self serving coward who has repeatedly failed to stand with his colleagues on important legislative initiatives and, on a couple of occasions, actually undermined them.
The jury is out on this guy.

]]> By: sammy1 http://firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333897 sammy1 Thu, 12 Oct 2006 22:04:03 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333897 <p>Well said. And I thought I was the only one who felt this way about Obama. I gave him a little slack when first elected but he’s generally been a huge waste of talent taking no strong positions on anything. So far(no pun) just vanilla.</p> Well said. And I thought I was the only one who felt this way about Obama. I gave him a little slack when first elected but he’s generally been a huge waste of talent taking no strong positions on anything. So far(no pun) just vanilla.

]]> By: self http://firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333618 self Thu, 12 Oct 2006 17:21:14 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333618 <p>and before you say this post is critical of Obama, recognize that this type of piece frames Obama as a potential candidate who just needs to do something significant. Similar to the Clinton/McCain frames, where the left is somehow supposed to hold out some hope for Hillary’s liberal offerings as soon as she can thwart the McCain threat.</p> <p>Who is really buying this crap anyway ? Why doesn’t the party give Feingold some national airplay rather than teasing us with Hillary speculation and a freshman senator’s aspirations ? He is the only credible Democrat on ethics and reform. Everyone else is a test-case for something less than reform, no wonder the DLC is behind them.</p> and before you say this post is critical of Obama, recognize that this type of piece frames Obama as a potential candidate who just needs to do something significant. Similar to the Clinton/McCain frames, where the left is somehow supposed to hold out some hope for Hillary’s liberal offerings as soon as she can thwart the McCain threat.

Who is really buying this crap anyway ? Why doesn’t the party give Feingold some national airplay rather than teasing us with Hillary speculation and a freshman senator’s aspirations ? He is the only credible Democrat on ethics and reform. Everyone else is a test-case for something less than reform, no wonder the DLC is behind them.

]]> By: Retired Catholic http://firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333617 Retired Catholic Thu, 12 Oct 2006 17:20:36 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333617 <p>It is, in fact, to early to say anything about someone so unwilling to say anything, but I see some distressing parallels to the early career of a certain Connecticut senator.</p> It is, in fact, to early to say anything about someone so unwilling to say anything, but I see some distressing parallels to the early career of a certain Connecticut senator.

]]> By: self http://firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333596 self Thu, 12 Oct 2006 17:05:52 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333596 <p>So why are you pushing Obama rather than Feingold ? Russ has a record of supporting difficult causes ahead of their polling momentum. Obama has a record of ….. uh……getting favorable press from DLC mouthpieces.</p> <p>This push for Obama is in extremely bad taste while Lieberman is ahead of Lamont. Didn’t you cover this at the YearlyKos convention or is that actually the problem ? </p> <p>Yeah, that’s right, I said it.</p> So why are you pushing Obama rather than Feingold ? Russ has a record of supporting difficult causes ahead of their polling momentum. Obama has a record of ….. uh……getting favorable press from DLC mouthpieces.

This push for Obama is in extremely bad taste while Lieberman is ahead of Lamont. Didn’t you cover this at the YearlyKos convention or is that actually the problem ?

Yeah, that’s right, I said it.

]]> By: nobody http://firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333536 nobody Thu, 12 Oct 2006 16:23:20 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333536 <p>actually, i’m from Illinois & have noticed some things Senator Obama has done.</p> <p>He came out strongly on net neutrality, leading in the cause of keeping the Internet available on an equal basis.</p> <p>He recently lead in the effort to create a database of congressional pork projects.</p> <p>Though it is easy to say he hasn’t done anything, i think you have to ignore a lot of action! </p> <p>of course, in election season, character assassination <b>is</b> the conservative course…</p> actually, i’m from Illinois & have noticed some things Senator Obama has done.

He came out strongly on net neutrality, leading in the cause of keeping the Internet available on an equal basis.

He recently lead in the effort to create a database of congressional pork projects.

Though it is easy to say he hasn’t done anything, i think you have to ignore a lot of action!

of course, in election season, character assassination is the conservative course…

]]> By: Wilhiem http://firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333327 Wilhiem Thu, 12 Oct 2006 12:58:29 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333327 <p>I’ve NEVER been impressed with this guy. I can think of approx. 20 things in which he walked the “right wing” line, including his recent support of Lieberman.</p> <p>The other day he gave a speech asking people to be good environmental stewards and try to conserve energy etc and then left the meeting in a 10 mpg SUV delux whatever. I think he’s two-faced and he’s got a hell of a long way to go before I say anything positive about him.</p> <p>So far as I’m concerned he’s another Zell Miller, perhaps not as bad. One thing is for sure. He is no Democrat.</p> I’ve NEVER been impressed with this guy. I can think of approx. 20 things in which he walked the “right wing” line, including his recent support of Lieberman.

The other day he gave a speech asking people to be good environmental stewards and try to conserve energy etc and then left the meeting in a 10 mpg SUV delux whatever. I think he’s two-faced and he’s got a hell of a long way to go before I say anything positive about him.

So far as I’m concerned he’s another Zell Miller, perhaps not as bad. One thing is for sure. He is no Democrat.

]]> By: Richmond http://firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333323 Richmond Thu, 12 Oct 2006 12:54:19 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333323 <p>I came into this way late, alas too much “real” work these days. But clearly there is a range of opinion on Obama and it would be great to bring this back up later. My only comment on the above, is that while he may not be seen by some as a “leader” on some issues now (though he did oppose Roberts and Alito). I don’t remember that either Clinton or Carter were either at this point. Like both, Obama is smart and charismatic, able to get himself across well both on news shows and in one-on-ones. Not true of either Kerry or Gore, and that factor will not change. At this point vis-a-vis 2008 I want someone who can get elected.</p> I came into this way late, alas too much “real” work these days. But clearly there is a range of opinion on Obama and it would be great to bring this back up later. My only comment on the above, is that while he may not be seen by some as a “leader” on some issues now (though he did oppose Roberts and Alito). I don’t remember that either Clinton or Carter were either at this point. Like both, Obama is smart and charismatic, able to get himself across well both on news shows and in one-on-ones. Not true of either Kerry or Gore, and that factor will not change. At this point vis-a-vis 2008 I want someone who can get elected.

]]> By: Left Click http://firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333205 Left Click Thu, 12 Oct 2006 05:11:22 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333205 <p>Barack has the potential to be a Democratic Party leader; in fact, he has the potential to be <em>the</em> Democratic Party leader, but he needs to step up to the plate.</p> <p>What determines whether Barack will be on the top-tier or the lower rungs (with the likes of unremarkable, unknown Senators) is what he does in the next few years. I understand he’s a freshman Senator, but he’s from a safe blue state– there’s no need for the pandering, Barack, as long as you do well you’re going to get re-elected.</p> <p>So, use your power and use it well. Stand up for us and our issues. Stand up for African-Americans (you’re their only voice in the Senate). Stand up for healthcare and against poverty and against the war. </p> <p>Lead, Senator Obama, or you will never get another chance to.</p> Barack has the potential to be a Democratic Party leader; in fact, he has the potential to be the Democratic Party leader, but he needs to step up to the plate.

What determines whether Barack will be on the top-tier or the lower rungs (with the likes of unremarkable, unknown Senators) is what he does in the next few years. I understand he’s a freshman Senator, but he’s from a safe blue state– there’s no need for the pandering, Barack, as long as you do well you’re going to get re-elected.

So, use your power and use it well. Stand up for us and our issues. Stand up for African-Americans (you’re their only voice in the Senate). Stand up for healthcare and against poverty and against the war.

Lead, Senator Obama, or you will never get another chance to.

]]> By: eRobin http://firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333187 eRobin Thu, 12 Oct 2006 04:41:25 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/10/11/how-now-barak/#comment-333187 <p>I think GC is right. I’ve never trusted Obama and he’s done nothing to make me change my mind. He’s DLC to the core and I’ve had enough of that.</p> I think GC is right. I’ve never trusted Obama and he’s done nothing to make me change my mind. He’s DLC to the core and I’ve had enough of that.

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