The Obama Phenomenon and the 2008 Presidential Campaign

[Voronwë the Faithful]

After doing some Googling, I'm going to be less circumspect. It is Hillary Clinton's campaign (assisted by her friend Rupert Murdoch's media empire) that is spreading this disinformation. I may well not vote for her in the general election, if she gets the nomination.

[solicitr]

Vor:

I'm confused. I thought Rupe 'Amoeba' Murdoch's flagship US organ, Fox News, was completely Republican and pretty much in bed with Rudy Giuliani? I always thought that Bradlee's Washington Post was the Hillary! outlet.

[Faramond]

I thought Murdoch was a Republican?

[solicitr]

I may well not vote for her in the general election, if she gets the nomination.

And there you have it. Notwithstanding that HRC's policies are I daresay much more in line with your beliefs than any potential GOP nominee, you may stay home or vote third-party because of HRC's (probably deserved) reputation for ruthless sleaziness. This is what I meant by 'high negatives.' If the Dems had any sense (unlikely: most Demo primary campaigns resemble a circular firing squad) they should seriously push Obama- he's unthreatening (i.e. a tabula rasa) to the centrists, and would bring out the black vote in unheard-of numbers.

To lay my cards on the table: I would probably vote for Obama over any GOP opponent save McCain, unless he really pulls a stupid in the next year; but I'll write in Howard the Duck before I cast a vote for Her Rodhamness.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Ah, how quickly they forget.

Rupert Murdoch Loves Hillary Clinton
Conservative Media Mogul To Host Fundraiser For Liberal N.Y. Senator
NEW YORK, May 9, 2006

(CBS) To call them a political odd couple would be a rash understatement.

Conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch will host a fundraiser for liberal New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, the Financial Times reports.

The mating ritual of the unlikely allies has been under way for months. Clinton set political tongues to wagging last month by attending a Washington party celebrating the 10th anniversary of Fox News, the cable news channel owned by Murdoch.

The Financial Times quoted one unnamed source as describing the Clinton-Murdoch connection in this way: "They have a respectful and cordial relationship. He has respect for the work she has done on behalf of New York. I wouldn't say it was illustrative of a close ongoing relationship. It is not like they are dining out together."

The fundraiser will take place in July, the newspaper said. Clinton is the frontrunner for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, though she has not indicated whether or not she will run.

Clinton has worked hard to take the edge off her reputation as a card-carrying liberal. She has has collaborated with congressional conservatives on some peices of legislation, called for a "common ground" on abortion and cut a political figure some on the left see as decidedly un-liberal.

Clinton, who made her debut in the Senate Armed Services Committee four years ago, has never voted against any major Iraq military spending legislation. She has also taken two high-profile trips to Iraq – journeys that may have helped to strengthen the credentials of a senator with no military background or experience.

Clinton, who says she’s "always been a praying person," has moved into the territory John Edwards had hoped to claim as the moderate Democrat who cares about the average American.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/ ... 0694.shtml

Of course, the connection hasn't been mentioned once the campaign got underway in earnest. But some of us haven't forgotten.

[solicitr]

Of course this could just be the Murdster's doing what most of the super-rich do: hedging his bets, to be on the ins with whomever wins.

For those who like devious theories, perhaps he's pushing HRC for the nomination as the easiest Dem to beat in the general election....

[Primula Baggins]

Considering the weakness of the Republican field, I would think they'd be trying everything they can think of.

(I'm not casting political aspersions; you know what I think of the Democrats. "Circular firing squad" describes this campaign really nicely. The single most successful Republican strategy is making the whole election about the problems with the Democratic candidates. And getting the Democratic candidates to buy into that and obligingly erase each other.)

[Frelga]

Circular firing squad!

Man, I wish this were less apt!

Honestly, if I could be assured a Democratic Congress, I might be persuaded to vote for McCain.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I'm frankly somewhat surprised at how unimpressed many here are with Obama. I don't know if it is simply the perceived lack of experience, or a failure to impress at the debates (which I discount completely as any reliable guide to a candidate). Everytime I have had an opportunity to hear him speak at length I have come away very impressed. Much more so than any other candidate that I have seen in recent years, including Gore, Kerry, Edwards and both Clintons. The only one that I can think that came close was Bill Bradley (who had the ideas, the honesty, and the integrity, but not the charisma).

[Faramond]

I think Obama is a much better choice than Clinton.

The thing I took from the debate I watched was that Obama is very intelligent, very thoughtful, and more or less a straight shooter.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Yes, that is the sense of him that I get, to. With an emphasis on "more or less". Unfortunately, I don't think it is possible to be a successful politician in this day and age and be a total straight shooter.

[vison]

Ms. Clinton's people might be hopping on the 'madrassa' bandwagon right now, but this story goes back to about a day after he addressed the convention in 2004, and it sure wasn't Democrats that were selling it then.

[River]

I can't help but wonder what this says about the US public in general, that these rumours are even being put into play. It's kind of racist. Well, maybe that's the wrong word since religion and genetic background are different things. Religionist, maybe. What does it say about us and our politics that these patently false rumours can even gain a foothold? Seriously. What are we so bloody afraid of?

[axordil]

Furriners.

[Primula Baggins]

Terrists.

[Crucifer]

Wimmin.

[anthriel]

Fear itself.

[Crucifer]

Democracy...

[Primula Baggins]

"Demo" what?

[River]

Furriners.

Oh yeah. Those.

They're all over the world! They're in this country! There's one in my living room!!!

OMG!! We're all gonna die!!!!!