Why don't we just replace the primaries with American Idol?

[Girlieman]

Which is what we have already done, in effect.

. . . when a first term senator in his early 40s, who has accomplished next to nothing, is given a two million dollar advance in the first year of his first term to write his "autobiography" and another book, thereby propelling him to INSTANT superstar status . . .

How is this different from making Kelly Clarkson an instant star and celebrity?

Kelly sang. Obama gave a speech. Both were well received. End of story.

[no name no slogan]

1. We already have

watch any of the debates recently?

[busymom]

14. agree!

[eridani]

36. Bingo

Neither will even try for universal health care, so there's just fluff and drivel.

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. K&R

[bidenista]

3. having heard hillary sing, not sure that's such a good idea

I want Hillary to be the Democratic nominee. Her singing I can live without.

:D

[Cleita]

4. We'd probably get a candidate that's more the people's choice.

Sure let them get up on stage and show what they do best; let a panel of "experts" critique them; and then we phone in our votes.

[Berry Cool]

5. 46 is "early 40s" now?

As opposed to "pushing 50" like it used to be?

Woo hoo! I like this new world in which people in their 40s are compared to people in their mid-20s! Hey everybody! I'm young and inexperienced! If I become successful at my age, people will deride me as just another young whippersnapper overnight sensation! Yeah! :bounce:

[Benhurst]

7. And it's now fashionable to call yourself part of Generation X, even

if according to the U.S. Census you are a baby boomer, one born between 1945 and 1964.* But then what could be more baby boomerish than to desperately pretend you are younger than you really are?

It would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/006105.html

[LittleClarkie]

17. I'm a boomer? Not according to some sites I check.

Census says one thing.

This site says another
http://www.aia.org/nwsltr_pm.cfm?pagename=pm_a_20030801_genx

Wiki says something else
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X#Famous_and_successful_Gen_X_People_.281961-1981.29

As Wiki says

There is some disagreement as to the exact beginning and end dates of the baby boom, but the range most commonly accepted is as starting in 1946 and ending in 1964

So while 1964 is mostly accepted, there is enough disagreement that I don't think it's really worth quibbling about really. I mean, why get all worked oup over a couple of years difference. He's toward the end of the boom, and close to Gen X. So what really.

Meanwhile...

So why would he be pretending his younger if he's supposed to be too young to run convincingly.

[Benhurst]

29. I don't think Obama is pretending to be younger. Some of

his supporters, though, are dishing out the "passing the torch" and New Generation bullshit.

If it were true, it would be close to meaningless.

Since it isn't true, it's pathetic.

Spin. Spin. Spin. The whole society has become little else.

[Girlieman]

22. I believe he was 43 when he was elected

yeh, that's early 40s.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

6. "accomplished next to nothing"???

You're either deliberately lying, or completely out of touch with reality. Why don't you go research Obama's record before spouting that crap?

[Straight Shooter]

8. That's the theme. Even the Denver papers revealed that in their headlines.

Obama ROCKS Denver. Obama has STAR power.

And the name "Obama" is just oh so cool. He wouldn't get half the traction if the whole crowd was screaming "Barack! Barack!" It would sound like a collection of chickens at feeding time.

Fortunately for me, I'm in Oregon, so if I have to mark the ballot for Barack, there's a toilet bowl handy for my physical reaction to being forced to vote for an American Idol, but I would do just about anything to save the Supreme Court, personal ethics be damned. If a Repub wins, it's over for America.

[jakem]

9. One word.

SANJAYA!

[UALRBSofL]

19. OH Jeez

Wonder who he's voting for?

[jakem]

10. and two other reasons:

1. Paula is wasted
2. Simon is a Brit. No maybe that doesn't matter.

[annie1]

11. Barack Sanjaya Obama

[CatnHat]

15. The media darling

Obama is just that; a "rock star." Where and when will the media start vetting him as a serious candidate? Just wondering. Maybe the media won't (if they're true to form); they'll leave it up to the GOP if he gets the nomination. Doesn't anyone wonder why the republicans seem to support him. Is it because they hate the Clinton's so much or see him as a easy prey.

[Seabiscuit]

18. You mean this guy?

[Skidmore]

12. And Hillary did card tricks, spun gold out of votes, and pulled a rabbit out of the hat.

[Triana]

13. We did already, apparently.

:puke:

[NJSecularist]

16. If we ran an American Idol contest, Hillary would be near the top

Everything she has "earned" in this campaign is due to her husband's name. If you want a popularity contest, Hillary is your woman. Obama started from nothing and is competiting with the dirty Clinton political machine. Clinton's name is elevating her to front runner stance, not what she has done.

[LittleClarkie]

20. And Hillary thinks she's had 35 years of experience because she was first lady

M'kay.

Meanwhile, have you ever read Obama's biography? Or did you think he was born that day in 2004 when he spoke at the convention. Just because that's when you became aware of him doesn't mean he did nothing before.

[cali]

21. eh, don't know much American political history do you?

First of all, there's always been a strong element of entertainment in American politics. Secondly, Obama is not in his early 40s. He's 46. Do you really have that much trouble in figuring out such basics?

And of course, there's the bullshit lie about his having accomplished nothing:

A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, Obama worked as a community organizer, university lecturer, and civil rights lawyer before running for public office and serving in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. After an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, he announced his campaign for U.S. Senate in 2003.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama

[Girlieman]

23. what exactly is a "community organizer?"

I thought so.

When all is said and done, I'll probably end up voting for the guy. After all, what are the other choices? Hillary? No thanks. Been there, done that.

But jeesh, what a crappy selection process. Media tells you who is hot (Obama), and who's not (Kucinich) and the people lap it up like a dehydrated dog.

I challenge you or anybody else to explain how Obama has one better policy or idea, on any subject, than Dennis Kucinich, and I'll make a donation to Obama today.

[cali]

26. here's what

community organizing is:

Community organizing is a process by which people are brought together to act in common self-interest. While organizing describes any activity involving people interacting with one another in a formal manner, much community organizing is in the pursuit of a common agenda. Many groups seek populist goals and the ideal of participatory democracy. Community organizers create social movements by building a base of concerned people, mobilizing these community members to act, and developing leadership from and relationships among the people involved.


Common aspects of organized communities
Organized community groups seek accountability from elected officials, corporations and institutions as well as increased direct representation within decision-making bodies and social reform. Where negotiations fail, these organizations seek to inform others outside of the organization of the issues being addressed and expose or pressure the decision-makers through a variety of means, including picketing, boycotting, sit-ins, petitioning, and electoral politics.

Community organizing is usually focused on more than just resolving specific issues. Organizing is empowering all community members, often with the end goal of distributing power equally throughout the community.

Community organizers generally seek to build groups that are democratic in governance, open and accessible to community members, and concerned with the general health of the community rather than a specific interest group.

There are three basic types of community organizing, grassroots organizing, faith based community organizing, and coalition building. Additionally, political campaigns often claim that their door-to-door operations are in fact an effort to organize the community, often these operations are focused exclusively on voter identification and turn out.

<snip>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_organizing

And here's why if you're honest, you should donate to Obama:

He's got a very detailed plan for gov't transparency and he's pushed for it in the Senate, authoring legislation.

[Girlieman]

27. And how is that superior to Dennis' position?

I said I would donate to Obama if you could explain how his position on any issue was better than that of Kucinich. I'm a man of my word, but I'm waiting for the explanation.

[cali]

33. I looked and I don't see that Dennis has ever

introduced legislation on this issue. Nor do I know of anything he's written emphasizing government transparency. In any case, I don't particularly care what you do, and I prefer not to play these games. Do what you want.

[Girlieman]

35. Just thought it might be different to discuss issues

Instead of all the stupid stuff people write about the candidates.

Great minds discuss ideas
Ordinary minds discuss events
Small minds discuss people

The political dialogue in this country is dominated by small minds.

[Desertrose]

32. do you ever read a post & let it sink in?

Obama may be 46 now, but was he also 46 when he was first elected?

". . . when a first term senator in his early 40s, who has accomplished next to nothing, is given a two million dollar advance in the first year of his first term to write his "autobiography"..."

...not that hard to do simple basic math.

[cobalt1999]

24. At least with American Idol, everyone in the country gets to vote.

In our screwed up system, most of the nominees are gone before anyone gets to have their say.

[Benhurst]

30. I've never watched it; but wasn't the voting screwed up or fixed one

time?

Of course if that is true, it only makes American Idol all the more quintessentially American.
:rofl:

[Pathwalker]

25. I have never watched that show, and I'll be damned if I'll start.

IOW: No.

[Girlieman]

28. I've never watched it either

So I don't get the Sanjaya jokes.

But I've heard enough about it to know what it's about.

[earth mom]

31. As was said upthread: Barack Sanjaya Obama. ROFL. Except Sanjaya is WAY cuter.

:rofl:

Thanks I needed this. Recommended! :thumbsup:

[themaguffin]

34. Yeah that doesn't compare to be the wife of a president

[tomreedtoon]

37. Lewis Black has a better elaboration of this.

The winner of American Idol throws a dart at the US map.

An airplane flies over that point and drops a monkey in a parachute.

The monkey wanders around. Whoever's hand he first touches - that's the President.

Makes sense to me.