Memo to Obama: You've Made the Wrong Choice, Again

[Karmadillo]

http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/10/memo_to_obama_youve_made_the_w.html?xid=rss-rcp

October 19, 2007
Memo to Obama: You've Made the Wrong Choice, Again
Posted by STEVEN STARK | E-Mail This | Permalink | Email Author

A week ago, we took Barack Obama to task for going after Hillary Clinton, instead of concentrating on laying out an alternative vision. Apparently, his campaign can't help itself. Now, it's been reported in several places that his new twist to turn the campaign around is to hire an ace "rapid responder" to keep up with Hillary. Or as the New York Times political blog headlined, "Obama Ramps Up Its War Room."

<EDIT>

This week EJ Dionne had a terrific piece that suggested, among other things, that there was a basic conflict in the Obama campaign. On the one hand, Obama draws contrasts with Hillary. On the other, he talks about a new expansive politics of togetherness. The two are ultimately in conflict: Dionne suggests Obama focus less on Hillary and more on the overriding theme. He's right -- and a rapid responder isn't going to help that one iota. In fact, it does the opposite. What Obama really needs is a new stump speech. And someone who understands how to craft a message for a presidential campaign, not a race for statewide office.

MORE...

[rinsd]

1. I thought Obama's war room was doing fine.

They been quick to the counter punch on most attacks on him and have thrown a few shots of their own.

:shrug:

Or is this "ace "rapid responder" " a euphemism for political hit man?

[illinoisprogressive]

2. All the pundits have to complain about Obama regardless of what he does

[mrreowwr_kittty]

3. Sorry, Dionne but I just listened to Obama's stump speech this morning

It hit all the right notes IMO. It was positive, inspiring, and mostly dealt with what Obama would do to make this country better. Obama doesn't need a new speech, the media spin-meisters need a new pair of ears.

[opihimoimoi]

4. A NOOB....?

[DURHAM D]

5. Yep - he is boring.

He doesn't need a war room. He needs a theme - a message. The one he has been using since the 2004 Democratic convention just isn't working. He has himself in a box.

It seems to me he is positioning himself for the number two spot. However, he may lose out on that if he doesn't get a little more pizazz in his campaign.

[jefferson_dem]

6. Using realclearpolitics as a source? LOL!

Perhaps i'll slip on the waders and go fishing around Newsmax and World Net Daily for some dirt on Hillary.

[Karmadillo]

7. If it makes you feel better

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/15/AR2007101501321.html

<edit>

Among Democrats, the great mystery is why Barack Obama is not running stronger. The answer may be that Obama is waging two campaigns at the same time. He runs to Hillary Clinton's left -- most recently by criticizing her vote to declare Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group. Yet he also casts himself as a young, untainted leader who will help the country break out of the stale debates and miserable divisiveness of the 1960s, the 1990s and the Bush era.

To have a chance at winning, Obama may have to choose. Since there is plenty of room for the unorthodox option, he might do better rediscovering the original break-with-the-past promise of his candidacy.

[KittyWampus]

8. Fuck the pundits retching nonsense about process. Why don't they talk about policies?

What's almost as pathetic is why DU'ers drag that stupid conversation into this forum.

[killbotfactory]

13. Talking about policy is off-limits.

We must judge the candidates via bathing suit competition from now on.

[zulchzulu]

9. All praise Steven Stark...

...whoever the hell he is...

:shrug:

Oh wait... lookee here:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/10/edwards_not_hillary_is_dems_be.html

He wrote "Edwards, Not Hillary, is Dems' Best Chance" in that Back Bay fishwrapper, the Boston Phoenix.

:rofl:

[Karmadillo]

11. So?

nt

[Rhythm and Blue]

10. I generally agree with the opinion in the article, but the title and snips are kinda flamebaity.

Obama is a fine candidate, and is generally running a good campaign. However, he has made a few missteps, most notably that he is suffering from a lack of clear focus and direction.

[killbotfactory]

12. An opponents record is fair game.

Would this guy like more cheese with his wine?