First, is anyone really surprised that Senator Barack Obama...the first Black American with a serious shot at the White House...did well at the NAACP forum? I'm not. This is where he should excell and shine. Barack really needed to shine here to save himself from continuing to fall in the polls while Edwards, Richardson, Clinton, and even Al Gore (who is NOT running) increase. Senator Obama did not do so well at the last Black forum at Howard University. He dropped the ball and let Hillary Clinton steal the spotlight. He really needed to pick this up...and he did...sort of. I won't doubt that Barack Obama is an EXCEPTIONAL public speaker...but he's not that great at debating (especially against Hillary Clinton and especially when he keeps complimenting John Edwards during debates). I need more than just an image of strength, I need actual strength and I don't beleive that Barack Obama has it.
Next, how big is this so-called "shine" for Obama at the NAACP forum? I say it's not very big at all. This forum is not a major televised debate so he won't get that much coverage. Also, his "shine" was not covered particularly well on the network and cable news stations. Now...what DID earn a lot of coverage for the NAACP forum? Not Barack Obama...but instead the controversial conversation between Senator Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. While this overheard conversation is most definitely not a positive thing for either Clinton or Edwards...it did manage to COMPLETELY steal the spotlight and is really all that people are talking about regarding the NAACP forum. Hillary Clinton and John Edwards were highlighted on NBC's Nightly News and on Hardball with Chris Matthews...Barack Obama was not even mentioned (unless you count the ticker at the bottom of the screen displaying a quote from the New York Times saying that Barack Obama had shone at the NAACP forum).
Finally, while I definitely believe in Barack Obama's message of hope and change. I don't really think he is that much of a change. Also, again, I don't think he is ready or nearly experienced enough. He's said how he practices a politics of change but he's been recently making attacks at Hillary Clinton, which to me shows how he is just like the rest of politicians and will go back on what he said to try and regain strength in the polls. Also, Barack Obama has NOT even served half of his FIRST term in the United States senate. While he has said that he has been against the Iraq war since the beginning I wonder if he would have voted against it had he been senator and had the same intelligence that Senators Clinton and Edwards received when they voted for the war. Senator Obama has since always voted to fund the war until the last recent vote where he and Senator Clinton finally voted to stop funding the war (the bill passed anyways). Also, fun fact and important to note, Barack Obama has the SAME EXACT voting record as Hillary Clinton. I'm sick of hearing him shout on about he has always been against the Iraq war. Bottom line Senator Obama...you weren't a senator when the war started, you didn't have the same intelligence that everyone else had. The reason this war began is because of the misconceptions and lies put forth by the Bush administration and a lot of people in power were misled. Also, I don't care if you voted for the war or voted against it...I just care that my candidate is AGAINST the war right now...which ALL of the Democratic presidential candidates are. I think Barack Obama needs a lot more time finding his footing before he attempts the highest office in the nation. He's using his momentum and popularity to try and become president...and I just don't think he's ready nor do I think he would have even tried running if he hadn't achieved such a rock star status in the Democratic party.
To echo my views on why I don't think Senator Obama is the best choice for President, here is selections from a blogger at Hillaryis44.com:
The desperate Obama campaign, falling apart even in his home state of Illinois, shows its hypocrisy once again. Obama’s flowery words say we should put “politics aside” even as his actions (For instance, following Hillary to Iowa and purposefully scheduling a speech a few blocks away from hers, days after Hillary announced her speech. We are sure he will say this is another “staff mistake”) once again demonstrate his true intent to divide Democrats in their attempts to stop the Iraq War. As Admin stated in the comments, Obama’s record in the Senate is clear. Obama has voted identically to Hillary in the Senate and has not attempted to block war funding until he decided to run for President.
Obama has so far failed to support Hillary’s intelligent proposal co-authored by Senator Robert Byrd. Today we hear echoes of the Hillary/Byrd proposal from Republican Senators.
Two leading Republican senators said today that President Bush should seek a new war authorization and present a plan to Congress by Oct. 16 outlining contingency plans in Iraq. Those plans, which would include reducing American forces, should begin by the end of the year.
Senators John W. Warner of Virginia and Richard G. Lugar of Indiana, both of whom have criticized the administration’s troop buildup plan, introduced a measure expected to be considered next week when the Iraq war debate resumes. The senators said it was critical to move beyond the current clash between Congress and the White House and begin making plans to be implemented after the military releases its progress report in September.
Instead of supporting, with vigor, the sensible Democratic deauthorization proposal from two experienced Senators, Obama tried to undermine Hillary when she spoke to the American people from Iowa.
What is Obama instead suggesting we do? Here is his latest O-Lame-O e-mail orders to his supporters: “Write a letter to the editor of your local paper right now — if you act quickly, your letter could be printed alongside tomorrow’s coverage.” The email continues, “Now is the time to act. Millions of Americans are hungry for a president who will end the war in Iraq and confront the threats we face with honesty and sound judgment. They’re waiting to hear from you. Signed, Barack Obama”
So, with “millions of Americans” “hungry for a president who will end the war in Iraq” Obama throws up his hands and suggests his supporters do what he does best: write letters. Along with providing “talking points” to be included in these letters Obama it seems has one other great activity for his supporters besides writing: ‘Read My Books’.
That’s right, read his books.
“Stealing a page from Oprah Winfrey,” Obama has launched book clubs in a dozen NH towns and online (see 7/9 Hotline). Christine Davidson, who led a discussin of “Dreams from My Father” in Portsmouth: “We’re doing this becuase [sic] people don’t really know him very well.” Obama NH comm dir Leslie Miller said about 85 people participated in the book clubs statewide on 7/10. The Portsmouth gathering “attracted only women” as the MLB All-Star Game was being played (McCormick, Chicago Tribune, 7/12). Supporters loaned books to the camp, who then distributed them to undecided voters (Pindell, Boston Globe blog, 7/11).
www.hillaryis44.com
And to end, some new polling data:
A new American Research Group survey finds Sen. Hillary Clinton continues to lead the Democratic presidential race nationally with 38% support, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 25%, and John Edwards at 16%.
Among Republicans, Rudy Giuliani leads with 30%, followed by Fred Thompson at 17%, John McCain at 14%, Newt Gingrich at 10% and Mitt Romney at 10%.
That's enough on that (for now). Stay tuned for a full blown debate on air and most likely a response from Kevin Coughlin.
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