Who Cares?

Now that I've read all the hoopla surrounding Barack's allegedly luminous performance at the NAACP forum I have to ask... who cares? We all know Barack is a great speaker, even if he is a little slower on his feet than with a script. Who isn't? But does his public speaking-ability really matter? Bush has spent the last 7 years saying "nucular." What we should care about are the candidates' opinions and plans to fix the disaster that is the Bush administration. I'm still not fully clear on what Barack or Hillary or any of the candidates plan to do, and the more I hear about them the less clear I get.

Just to Clarify A Few Things

Well, well, well. Quite an interesting response from Kevin and John about Obama's success at the NAACP forum. I would just like to respond and clarify a few things:

1. OBVIOUSLY, Barack Obama has "home field advantage" by being second in the polls and who quite possibly may become the first African American Presidential candidate to win the Democratic nomination. I am not disputing this fact, for there was a bias in the crowd due to the high attendance of African Americans, but that is not my point. A few weeks ago, the Democratic candidates attended another Black forum at Howard University, and Barack did not come away with the greatest positive response. In fact, Hillary was the candidate who stole the show that night. There will continue to be a struggle between the African American community in how they are going to cast their vote in the upcoming Democratic primaries. As of now, the Black vote is split between both Obama and Clinton. When I said Obama "shined" (which he did according to many news sources), I mean to say is that he made a great comeback from the last Black forum and received a more positive response than Hillary did.

Overall, my point was that there was the same amount of bias at Howard University as there was at the NAACP Convention, and yet two different outcomes occurred. Therefore, I say, yes, Barack did in fact shine at this event.

2. Kevin was absolutely correct - this was not an official debate, but a forum. However, this forum had a very similar format to debate style, in which case all the candidates were placed on stage next to one another and each spoke. I would also agree and can admit that Obama has not come off the best when thinking on his feet at the recent debates. Yet, at the NAACP convention, Barack definitely rose above that critique and showed the people "he has what it takes" to stand strong against the other candidates. In fact, according to the Chicago Sun-Times:

DETROIT -- Sen. Barack Obama is indeed a quick study. After looking surprisingly unpolished in a nationally televised forum targeting black audiences nearly two weeks ago, Obama held his own against his closest rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, at the 98th NAACP National Convention at Cobo Hall in Detroit on Thursday morning.

Obama, who is pitting change against experience in the 2008 Democratic primary, got off more than a few crisp one-liners while crafting a message that at times elicited thunderous applause that drowned out some of his words, but obviously bolstered his confidence in the debate arena...On Thursday, Obama seemed to have found his stride.

3. Obama has consistently stayed in second place in the polls (trailing Hillary, the front runner) and although he dropped a few percentage points in the last month or two, he definitely regained his loss in the last week. People have a strong affinity for Barack Obama and he has become much more than just a "rock star" in the last few months by defining his policies and taking on issues. Even at this convention at the NAACP, Barack showed he was willing to take on challenging issues in the African American community, as the Chicago Sun-Times writes:

Accused by critics of being too "skittish" to address black issues head on, Obama's spirited responses seemed crafted to put those critics to rest.

So after making my clarifications, I hope you can see that there is in fact, more to Barack's "shining" at the NAACP Convention than just what critics may believe to be just expected applause from a biased crowd.

Don't Be Fooled

The crowd at the NAACP gave Obama a great reception? Oh, please do tell. Hillary received a warm welcome from Emily’s List? No way. Edwards got a standing ovation from the Hairstylists of America? Wow, I’m shocked.

Senator Obama is the first black presidential candidate with a chance to win the nomination (sorry Senator Biden only college kids with no political career are allowed to state this blatant truth.) Am I really supposed to be impressed that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People cheered his “mere presence”? Now if Rich had read past the first paragraph of the New York Times article, he would have read the second sentenced that said, “it was as if Mr. Obama, the only black candidate, enjoyed the home field advantage.” Obama “shined” (according to Rich) not because of his groundbreaking ideas but rather because the crowd had a bit of a bias.

Yet, Obama was not the only attendee to be showered in applause. The article noted that Clinton “struck chords with the crowd” and Tom Tancredo “got an enthusiastic standing ovation just for showing up.” We are getting a bit ahead of ourselves in saying that this was a “clear sign that [Obama] has what it takes” when Tom “I don’t believe in evolution” Tancredo is getting vibrant applause from the same group. Seriously, no one even knows who this guy is. Here’s a picture to hopefully jog your memory.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tom_Tancredo%2C_official_Congressional_photo.jpg

Furthermore, one must remember that this was NOT a debate. Therefore, this event provided no evidence that Obama can “think on his feet.” Obama has proven from his debates that he is no Cicero and Thursday continues to demonstrate that his only strength is scripted speeches. Let’s not make this out to be more than it is.

Why Obama Isn't Ready

Rich posted below how Senator Barack Obama shone at the NAACP forum. That's great for Barack...but now I will share my thoughts on why I think the freshmen Senator from Illinois is not the best choice for the Democratic nomination. I'm sure Kevin will come on at some point soon and attack both my pro-Hillary points and Rich's pro-Obama stance. Bring it on.

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.

Barack Obama Shines at NAACP Forum

The NAACP held their 98th National Convention on Thursday morning, where eight Democratic Presidential candidates, including Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards, were present. Along with the Democrats, one Republican Presidential candidate, Representative Tom Tancredo of Colorado (the only Republican candidate to accept the invitation) took the stage to partake in the forum.

Here are two articles from The Politico and The New York Times that undoubtedly believe Barack Obama stole the show and shined greater than the other candidates:

An excerpt from The Politico:

All the Democrats were in Detroit for the NAACP annual conference. So was one Republican.

Edwards got cheers for linking his poverty tour to race, but Obama, perhaps predictably, was the star.

Now you can read Obama for Obama.

For the full article click here: http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0707/Remainders_Our_guys_should_talk.html

An excerpt from the New York Times:

DETROIT, July 12 — Although the welcome was warm for all the presidential candidates who spoke here Thursday at an N.A.A.C.P. forum, no one else was greeted with as much enthusiasm as Senator Barack Obama, whose mere presence on the stage shot adrenalin through the mostly African-American audience of thousands.

For the full article click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/13/us/politics/13dems.html?ref=politics

And...score one for Barack! There are many who feel Obama is unable to think on his feet and produce a positive response. This is a clear sign that he has what it takes.