This Friday the Howard Dean version of the Obama Love Fest Tour headed out to New Hampshire to help campaign for Obama in a State whose 4 electoral votes are up for grabs in November. Among Dean's stops was a semi-private meeting held at the home of New Hampshire Democrat Terie Norelli in Portsmouth on Friday. Speaking to a groups of 60 prominent local Dem. leaders and activists, Dean weighed in the unification efforts following the primaries.
Howard Dean has some interesting comments concerning the primaries and especially Hillary Clinton's most ardent supporters (aka. PUMAS). While addressing a group of 60 activist Dean told the crowd that the Democratic Party was making progress in unifying Clinton Supporters comparing Clinton to himself and her supporters to his in 2004. Dean told the crowd that he understood how tough it is too come together following a tough primary battle stating, "I know how hard this is because I didn't win when I ran, and it was very hard to get my supporters back on board with Sen. (John) Kerry, But we did. It took some time and some hard work but I think we're making big progress." Dean assured local Democrat leaders that the DNC and Obama campaign was working hard and that Clinton's supporters were reunifying.
In Obama World, Dean is right; Clinton supporters are coalescing around Barack Obama. But of course in Obama World, only Clinton voters who support Obama are "genuine" while those such as Pumas are considered to be "McCain" and "RNC" Operatives. My site for instance continues to get bombarded with comments from Obama supporters who continue to attack Pumas on the basis that aren't real Democrats. Nearly all of these comments are deleted due to the other language they like to use.
In Obama World, Pumas don't matter, they are irrelevant, and will never be part of the "New Democratic Party". The only people that Dean and Obama consider to be real Democrats are those who unequivocally agree with whatever policies the party's candidate adopts. There is no room for dissent, no room for individual thinking and no room for steadfast values. In Obama world, there are no steadfast values, only positions and power; positions that will shift based upon which crowd you are pandering too, and positions that will shift in order to gain political power. In Obama world, campaign supporters are to accept whatever lies and broken promises occur, so long as ultimate power is obtained. But then again, Dean & Obama have yet to figure out that we live in the real world.
Dean also had some interesting comments on the primaries during his trip to the Granite state. New Hampshire citizens are growing increasingly concerned that their first in the nation primary is in jeopardy. When asked about New Hampshire's status, Dean remarked, "That'll be up to President Obama. When you have a Democratic president ... the president essentially says who the DNC chair is going to be and they have control over the schedule." According to Fosters.com Dean also 'used words like "terrific" and "pleased" to describe his feelings for the 2008 nominating schedule.'
The problem with Dean and Obama is that they see nothing wrong with the Democratic Primary System, a system that deserves scrutiny and is in desperate need of an overhaul. The system has abandoned the principles of 'equal representation' that our nation and the idea of the proportional primary was founded upon. The system has been manipulated to award those who focus on preferential centers within a state while punishing those who run a statewide campaign. See: The Final Report - Democratic Disenfranchisement.
Dean's remarks over the weekend show the arrogance of himself and the Obama campaign. While attacking Senator McCain, Dean remarked, "I don't think the John McCain of 2000 would have voted for the John McCain of 2008. ... This is a guy who really has become a politician — not a maverick independent like he was in 2000." Dean's attack on McCain is somewhat laughable considering that Dean's position would mean that after 26 years, Mcain has suddenly decided to abandon his principles and independence. The very man who John Kerry openly courted for the VP in 2004, is suddenly part of the so-called "right-wing conspiracy", even though McCain's primary victory came on the backs of moderate republicans and independents. Perhaps Dean should focus on his own candidate; the one who has openly broken every promise he has made to the Leftist-Base, and all within just one month. That is not independence, it is forte' of a politician raised in the Chicago combine.
Obama is much more than the typical politician. Unlike the typical politician who at least has some core values, Obama has none. He will say anything, do anything, and throw anyone under the bus so long as it helps quench his thirst for power. He is a man who will tell you what you can do, what questions you can ask, and when you can ask them.
J Brown
July 13th, 2008
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10 comments:
I love this site and usaully stop in at least once a day. That said as a Chicago native I wanted to point out one technicality. The Combine got its name due the incestuos realationship between the parties. Chicago and its immediate surroundings are lock stock and barrel Dem. stronghold since forever. Once outside the metro area until Blago came along everything else was Rep. With that in mind and because of the geography of the power split it has been referred to as the Illinois Combine.
Chicago Combine might make for better print but wholly accurate. If you want the dirt on how politics work here you might want to talk to John Kass over at the Trib, for him the combine is one of the 4 food groups, and he LOVES to talk about it.
Cheers!
Hey Anon,
Being from Springfield, I'm fully aware of how Illinois politics work and the dirty doings of Chicago Politics. I was subtly pleased to see that Obama's lead in Illinois was only 11 points this week as it means that his support has slipped outside of cook county.
The only hope in Illinois is that the massive rift between Madigan and Blago will blow up enough in coming weeks to encourage Madigan to go against the party and bring impeachment proceedings against Blago. He will find more than enough support within the house. If this occurs there might be enough of a backlash against Blago and Emil Jones that it will seriously hurt Obama in November.
So far Madigan has laid the groundwork for impeachment but the Chicago machine has held him back from proceeding until after November.
If anyone wants a clue as to the direction this nation will take under an Obama Administration all they have to do is look at the Blago administration, Chicago and the "state" of Illinois. It is a scary thought to think that one of these guys will rise to power nationally.
A lot of good points. It really is ironic that Dean and Kerry would say McCain has changed dramatically in the last four years after having been offer the Dem VP slot.
I find it particularly obnoxious that Obama is now trying to take credit for immigration reform legislation, while trying to pin McCain as a typical Republican. It's such a rediculous claim - http://purplepeoplevote.blogspot.com/2008/07/obama-unjustly-takes-credit-for.html
I agree that Ego-bama will do anything to win he got quite a training in Chicago throwing his opponents under the bus and making unholy alliances with people like Rezko et al.
Yeah, that's right. McCain and HRC have never pandered, changed positions, or their values when it suited them. Give me a break! The difference between HRC and Obama on the issues is practically nil, especially in comparison to McCain. If HRC had won the nomination, I would've voted for her; she didn't, so I'm voting for Obama. I'm not about to cut off my nose just to spite my face. The election is too important for that.
The difference between HRC and BO are nil? Is that what the messiah has told you? Then exactly why didn't you vote for HRC instead of BO? Could it be his stand on FISA? On Public Financing? On the mental issue of an expectant mother? On the division of Jerusalem? On his loyalty to Rev. Wright? What?
Senator Obama has not been able to successfully switch from playing defense to offense. He was great playing off of Hillary's positions. Everytime Hillary stated her position on most of the issues, BO would then quickly announce his positions which were almost chapter/verse Hillary's platform. BO appears to have difficulties being pro-active instead of re-active. The nation is no longer enthralled by the "Change, Hope, Yes- We- Can- Kum-by-ya mantra" The warm fuzzy stage is so yesterday. The American people deserve quality leadership that is both decisive and wise. BO has not exhibited the credentials necessary to be POTUS. He lacks experience and patience. His paper-thin resume does not qualify him to be the leader of the most powerful country in the freeworld. The comparison to JFK is weak at best. I do not wish to insult Mr. Obama, but other than his age, he shares nothing in common with President Kennedy. JFK served as an officer in the Navy in WWII. He ship,PT109, was blown out of the water and he swam injured to an island while saving the life of another sailor. Being 40ish during WWII is a lot different than being in your 40s in 2008. BO has had nowhere near the life-altering, character-building experiences of the late JFK. So I respectfully submit that the BHO/JFK comparisons stop altogether. To continue with this absurd analogy is really a disservice to both men.
The events that shape our lives and mold our character determine who we are and who we will become. Perhaps this campaign will provide Mr. Obama with the lessons he needs to learn regarding judgement, humility and patience. I submit a biblical Hebrew quote from the Old Testament:
"Iron shapes iron and friends shape friends."
There is no better teacher than experience. Sen.Obama would be well-served by learning timely lessons in humility and selflessness. We have witnessed first hand what happened to our country when the commander in chief was driven by ego instead of wisdom. Presidents need to learn how to competently control and lead themselves before desiring to control/lead millions of Americans. This election isn't a game. Honestly and humbly examine and evaluate your credentials Sen. Obama. I am confidant that someone as bright as you will see that you do not at this time, have enough experience to be POTUS. Come back in a few years....then we'll talk.
Dean may have got his supporters online finally, but a lot of those supporters are Hillary supporters now and look what happened when they fell in line last time! We are not supporting the weak candidate again just for the "sake of the party." We're more worried about the country than the party and Obama is going nowhere.
Anonymous:
I find it funny how you say:
The difference between HRC and Obama on the issues is practically nil, especially in comparison to McCain.
when you had just said:
Yeah, that's right. McCain and HRC have never pandered, changed positions, or their values when it suited them.
[Which by the way, Hillary has never done, and you can't show any evidence otherwise.]
Next time when you're trying to make a point, don't contradict yourself from paragraph to paragraph, especially in such a way as to reveal that said point is the opposite of your true feelings.
SR
[Sergei Rostov]
To SR and nysmike:
It is hardly a contradiction to say that politicians can pander and flip-flop but differ philosophically. Have Kerry and Bush flip-flopped and pandered? Yes. What about Gore and Bush? Yes. Would a Kerry and Gore presidency have been much different than Bush's? Almost a certainty. Politicians have always been politicians and always will be.
I believe that on Iraq, healthcare, the appointment of Supreme Court justices, global warming, tax policy, and women's reproductive rights, HRC's and Obama's philosophies are practically identical when compared to McCain's, which aren't all that different from Bush's.
I voted for Hillary over Obama, and would do so again if she were the nominee. However, just because she was my candidate of choice doesn't me I drank the full gallon of HRC Kool-aid. You say you want evidence because she's never pandered, flip-flopped, or changed position? And there's absolutely NO evidence to the contrary? Get real; she's a politician and she has. Here's a just a few:
1. NAFTA
In a January 2004 news conference, Clinton said that she thought NAFTA "on balance has been good for New York and good for America." She now says that she has "long been a critic of the shortcomings of NAFTA" and advocates a "time out" from similar trade agreements.
2. No Child Left Behind
Clinton voted in favor of the 2002 education bill that focused on raising student achievement levels, hailing the measure as "a major step forward." She now attacks the law, desribing it as a "test, test, test" approach.
3. Ending the war in Iraq
In June 2006, Clinton restated her long-standing opposition to establishing timetables for withdrawing U.S. forces in Iraq. In a Jan. 15, 2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, she proposed to "start withdrawing" troops within 60 days of her inauguration, to bring out "one or two brigades a month" and have "nearly all of the troops out" by the end of 2009.
4. Drivers' licenses for illegals
Clinton expressed support for a plan by New York governor Eliot Spitzer to offer limited drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants in a campaign statement on October 31, 2007, after going back and forth on the matter in a televised debate. In a televised debate from Nevada on November 15, she replied with a simple "No" when asked if she approved the drivers' license idea in the absence of comprehensive immigration reform.
5. Florida and Michigan delegates
In September 2007, the Clinton campaign formally pledged not to participate in primary or caucus elections staged before Feb. 5, 2008, in defiance of Democratic National Committee rules. She now says that delegates from Florida and Michigan should be seated at the Democratic Convention, despite their flouting of rules that all the major Democratic candidates endorsed.
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