Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Why Obama should run in 2008

There is really one BIG reason for him to run...but maybe as many as three...
What are they?

Posted by The Game at 12:08 AM

6 comments:

jhbowden said...

Though he is pretty socialist, I voted for Obama in 2004.

The appeal of the man I believe resides in this-- he is a symbol that reconciles and unites many contradictions-- black and white, 3rd world and 1st world, common sense and elitism, sophistication and worldiness-- he is one of those rare people who most can find something positive to relate to.

In 2008, Obama should be considered because his style is the anti-Bush. He's generally cerebral, prudent, open to other ideas, and isn't afraid to compromise to accomplish goals. I would expect not only better relations with our allies, but a better image of America with Obama at the helm. Bush has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way and has made us look like a bunch of fools at times. That a son of a goat-herder from Kenya can become President would show decisively to the world the goodness and promise that is America and remove a lot of the perceptual damage over the last few years.

On the minus side, Obama's philosophy is hardleft on social and economic issues, and center-left on defense. Though if he ran I definitely listen to what he has to say; if his agenda is leftist but not moonbat leftist I may even consider voting for him. Though I confess I'm 100% behind Giuliani should he run.

October 24, 2006 8:14 PM
Jim said...

Jason! Bravo! A reasonable approach on Obama.

On Giuliani, I am puzzled by what makes him an attractive presidential candidate, but I'm willing to listen to the reasons of someone who thinks so much of him.

October 24, 2006 10:28 PM
Marshal Art said...

That was a joke, right Jason?

October 25, 2006 12:10 AM
jhbowden said...

Marshall--

No, I'm serious. If the contest in 2008 is between someone like Tom Tancredo or Sam Brownback and Barack Obama, I will probably vote for Obama. I say this tentatively; we'll have to see how he fleshes out his agenda, how Iraq looks like in 2008 and so forth.

Jim--

Giuliani basically is the Winston Churchill of our time, and given his issue positions almost mirror mine (hard right on defense, center-right on economics, center-left on social issues), voting for him is a no brainer for me.

The most appealing part of Giuliani to me, given I will be working in education within 12 months, are his stances on education. Giuliani is a big supporter of vouchers, charter schools, privatizing failing schools, and isn't afraid to stand up to the NEA. Bush in contrast has been a big government Republican that signs things like Ted Kennedy's No Child Left Behind bill.

On other issues-- Giuliani understands the need to fight the growing fascist movement in the Muslim world; his crime policies are awesome; he has a record of cutting taxes; he's not beholden to the religious right, though he'll probably have to make a few compromises if he wants to get through the primary should he run.

Plus Giuliani booting Arafat from a New York Philharmonic concert in 1995 was pure awesome-- "I would not invite Yasser Arafat to anything, anywhere, anytime, anyplace. I don’t forget."

That was only equalled by his response to a Saudi prince who tried to give New York a $10,000,000.00 check after 9-11 while implying the attacks happened because we don't coddle the Islamofascists who strap bombs to their kids in Palestine enough. Giuliani replied,

"There is no moral equivalent for this [terrorist] act. There is no justification for it... And one of the reasons I think this happened is because people were engaged in moral equivalency in not understanding the difference between liberal democracies like the United States, like Israel, and terrorist states and those who condone terrorism. So I think not only are those statements wrong, they're part of the problem."

This is gold, and no one in America talks as directly and passionately about the central issue of time as Giuliani.

October 25, 2006 7:16 PM
Jim said...

Thanks for the update, Jason. I respect that opinion.

October 25, 2006 10:13 PM
Marshal Art said...

You won't have to worry about how he fleshes out his agenda, Jason. Like most Dems, he'll sound vague, spout touchy-feely platitudes and generally try to give the impression that he isn't the hard left socialist that he is. Better to look at all he's done in the state Senate and then look elsewhere. His US Senate positions aren't much better. He's no more than a face and an image.

I would not surprise to say that I put a bit more import on social issues. It doesn't take a whole lot of study to understand that our views on morality and character preceed everything else. Lose the fight in the social arena and the other issues will be tainted negatively.

October 26, 2006 1:00 AM

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