Whatever It Takes
I will say that today is one of “those” days for me, I was searching for a legal document only to find out that the lady who cleans this house once a week has thrown it away. Beyond that issue I am a little disappointed in Senator Obama after his agreement to support the bill to provide the Telecom companies with retroactive immunity for illegally spying on many Americans. The Senator has later stated that he will support a “compromise” bill that does not provide retroactive immunity therefore allowing the 40+- lawsuits to go ahead against the companies in question. I lean more towards the right when it comes to national security but my big problem here is that in the last week, we have seen Senator Obama capitulate on two issues that many liberals care about. The first being the promise to stay within the public finance system and the second to filibuster any telecom immunity bill.
I understand declining public funding given the huge amounts of money the RNC has in the bank along with the questionable practices of the Republican allied 527’s. I hope Senator Obama uses that money effectively to combat the increasing smear campaigns while helping to spread his message around the country. I am still dissapointed though, and it begs the question for both candidates, what are they willing to do to win the election?
As a liberal and a Democrat, is it better than Senator Obama wins the general election through tactics rather than principles and message? After 8 years am I willing to let Senator McCain run with the GOP policies to continue the degradation of the American economy? I can answer that question with a resounding No. Senator Obama, despite these actions over the last week is still the better person to lead America and I will continue to support him because he is a man of character playing the political game to ensure that we have a Democrat in the White House next year.
That does not remove him of the responsibility of keeping on message, I encourage the Senator to filibuster the bill if retroactive telecom immunity is included. Senator Obama also needs to make sure that he remains consistent because he is running primarily on character and judgment and it will be a shame to lose because of a few bad decisions to appease those voters focused on “national security.”
The above picture is of a snippet of the latest USA Today poll but I want you to pay close attention to these three statements:
- Understands the problems Americans face in their daily lives
- Cares about the needs of people like you
- Is independent in his thoughts and actions
These statements illustrate quite the picture of the current state of the campaign because they demonstrate that Senator Obama’s message of his character, judgement and values are resonating with the American people. This is great news and I am hoping the Senator picked up a copy of USA Today when he woke up this morning. This also emphasizes my earlier point that the Senator needs to be consistent, as it is this consistency that will win him the general election in November.
June 23 2008 07:18 pm | American Politics
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I’m happy to learn that you lean toward the right on the security of our country, Crian, but you have got to know that Obama does not. I know you have watched the video at the top of my blog. He tells us in uncertain terms exactly what his intentions are.
You are beginning to see that politicians - all politicians - will pander for votes. What we know about Obama worries me, but what we don’t know about him worries me even more. Exactly what will he do if elected? We haven’t a clue. I would think that McCain would be liberal enough for almost anyone. On many issues he’s far too liberal for most conservatives, including myself, but he’s strong on national security.
I doubt if I will change your mind, but it’s possible that before November Obama himself may do so.
Again… it’s a good post!
June 24th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Thanks Gayle, I am still recalcitrant to believe Senator Obama is the typical politican but this last week has made me do some thinking. Senator McCain is fairly liberal without a doubt and we agree on immigration, national security but I don’t agree on taxcuts, government cuts to social programs etc… We still have a fair amount of time to go so I will have to see how Senator Obama performs.
June 25th, 2008 at 4:44 am
Uh…what makes you think the Republicans have all that money? Or that Republican 527’s are doing dastardly things? Because Obama said so?
Even the New York Times and Washington Post–hardly right-wing–pointed out that the Dems have much more money, and the only 527 activity so far has been against McCain.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
There are troubling issues surrounding both Obama and McCain that have come to light recently:
1. John McCain called the Supreme Court decision that granted detainees in Guantanamo Bay a right to challange their detention, one of the worst in the history of the U.S. The U.S. has detained hundreds of innocent men and women throughout the world, often for years at a time without charge and often subjecting them to torture. If these detainees are guilty, charge them promptly with a crime and bring it to a public trial.
2. Barack Obama has reversed his position on the FISA bill that has passed the House and will more than likely pass the Senate tomorrow. Obama once stated that he support a filibuster of any legislation that would give immunity to telecom companies, but now is supporting this so-called “compromise” legislation that will give retroactive immunity to these same companies.
American deserve better on many of these issues.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Hey Gordon,Well the RNC has 13 times more money in the bank according to US News http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_080623.htm
I will admit I am not too sure about the 527 things but according to my fellow liberals, they are going to step up the heat as the general election draws closer.
Hey Chris, you are right, America does deserve better on many of these issues but at the same time we also need to sort out the reality of the situation given that both candidates are in campaign mode which means they are trying to appeal to the broadest base of people.
When you think about John McCain and Barack Obama, who is more likely to do the right thing once he or she is elected, it ain’t Senator McCain, I can tell you that much.
June 27th, 2008 at 11:14 am
“Innocent” is a term that could only apply to a tiny fraction of detainees. “Less guilty than others” might be better. Yesterday a video surfaced which shows yet another released detainee participating in a roadside bombing.
There’s a lot of conservatives who agree with you that McCain can’t be counted on to do the right thing. Of course, their opinion on what is right may differ from yours!
June 27th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Hey Gordon, it’s a tough question on whether detaining a small number of innocent people is worth it for the general population. I am split on this issue in that I understand that we cannot play by the rules if we hope to defeat the proponents of terror but my big problem is where does that leave America? what kind of image does that send to the world? Many conservatives argue that America should do what it needs to do but can you really imagine a world that makes any sort of progress without working together?