That Certain Inspirational Quality: Obama has it, Clinton doesn't

[ErnestoG]

So let's get the obvious out of the way.

Curious about this "inspirational" thing that Obama clearly has going on, I decided to do a quick Google search with the string "obama + inspiration". Boom. The first several pages of the hit returns were all articles and posts about Obama's inspirational talents, in a positive light. Then I Googled the string "Hillary + inspiration". Here's what was at the top of the first page:

Hillary's Inspiration Deficit
clivecrook.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/01/hillarys_inspiration_deficit.php - 59k -

Scientific? No, but it is so telling that it's plain spooky. Unless we want to dissemble a clear conspiracy involving Google in a plot to discredit Hillary Clinton the presidential candidate, we're left with the question about this being pure chance, or being the tip of a PR iceberg that is a huge problem for the Senator from New York. Does Clinton, truly, have an "inspiration deficit"?

There are opinions all over the place these days but if you look at the polls, and how Obama is quickly closing the gap in places where he was trailing Senator Clinton, it's obvious something is going on. Especially when you take into account that he is closing in on Clinton most quickly where he makes personal appearances. This week in Boise Idaho, Obama showed up for a campaign stop in a large arena. He packed the place. End to end. Now in order to understand why this matters, you have to understand Idaho. You can't get 15,000 Idahoans out to witness the Second Coming, let alone a presidential candidate. But Obama did it, and it shook the small town to its foundations.

Take a look at the young people who swarm to him. The frenzy of supporters who just want to hug the guy. I haven't seen this since witnessing the almost frightening charm possessed by JFK, in old newsreels. It's not just emotional stuff, the numbers tell the story. The initial state primary poll evaluations show that this guy can get the young voters out in droves. Youth who are known for being so bored, so turned off to politics that they will gleefully tear into their college textbooks before having to sit for another fundraising pitch. Yet there they are. In unprecedented numbers.

Senator Clinton gets them out there, too. But her audience is more likely to be the "been there, done that" older folks, those who are sort of worn out on the whole thing but desparately want the GOP out of power. They will feign excitedness just one more time on the off chance we don't see another crap disaster like 2004. Yeah, they'll come out. They'll cheer a bit, they will clap. They may shake her hand. But anyone who is perceptive in the least can see the lack of electricity going on between Hillary Clinton and her audience. They are there almost as an assignment, a must do. Obama people, they are ready to explode. They will drive 300 miles to go see the guy, and celebrate in their hotel room between speeches. They sense in him something new, something wonderful, something that makes them want to be a part of the system again.

Senator Clinton, you're not an evil lady. But you have to come to grips with the fact that you just don't have....it.

[billbuckhead]

1. Hillary comes across as a great CEO and Obama as a preacher

I don't want a religious leader as president. I do agree with Hillary and Jesus about helping the poor.

[ErnestoG]

2. Wasn't MLK a preacher?

[Name removed]

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[ErnestoG]

Comparing Obama to Hilter. Thanks, I knew you wouldnt disappoint!

[BlackVelvet04]

7. LOL n/t

[Renew Deal]

12. Oh boy

:banghead:

[ErnestoG]

15. Maddening, isn't it.

[Yossariant]

14. Charismatic, Style instead of substance.

[ErnestoG]

17. You forgot "Didn't vote for war".

Just a reminder.

[Yossariant]

105. Not present. Absent. Taking credit for votes he didn't cast. It's a pattern,

[GoldieAZ49]

58. Charismatic, Style & Substance

[Alexander]

24. Another hateful Shillbot shows their true colors.

Comparing Obama to Hitler? You are sick.

[ErnestoG]

27. Pretty pathetic to think that Clinton has THESE people supporting her

[MzShellG]

103. What the fume? Oh, must be desperation in the air.

The shrillbots' horns are starting to show.

[cali]

42. JFK had it, MLK had it

RFK had it. It's a quality that can be used both for good or evil. Even the dullest of you should know that. Way to work in the Hitler comparison though, peanut.

[maximusveritas]

88. Yes and he couldn't bring about change. It took a president to do that.

That's the Hillary argument.

[MzShellG]

104. That's why Barack Obama is running for president.

To bring about change into a reality. Don't you get it?

[Renew Deal]

4. Hillary comes across as a cuthroat CEO, and Obama is a Leader

We don't need anymore CEO wannabe's. We need leadership. That's what Obama is all about.

[ErnestoG]

5. A friggin men

You would think we have had enough of CEOs running things, after the Rethug reign of error, right?

[billbuckhead]

43. Obama belongs in one of those superchurches, six flags over jesus or somesuch

Some CEO's, actually do run things well, Steve Jobs, Carlos Ghosn, Bill Belichick, Jim Sinegal. Jim Weir, arguably thousands more. No more Harvard MBA's please!

[ErnestoG]

50. Do you think sliming people of faith will win many new votes for Hillary?

Because I can guarantee you it won't.

[billbuckhead]

54. There are more secular voters than religious ones

McCain ain't no holy roller and will steal votes from a religion pushing Dem. I did agree when Hillary asked what would Jesus do about illegal immigration?

[GoldieAZ49]

59. I think he would put a stop to this modern day slavery

that illegal immigration is

[sandnsea]

13. a leader with heart

Someone who will stand up for liberal values that even the red states can understand. And someone who got it 100% right on Iraq from the beginning. Exactly what DU said it wanted since I've been here.

[splat]

32. Hillary a CEO? Where? She's been a lawyer, a partner, and in govt.

George Bush and Mitt Romney are the CEOs.

[ErnestoG]

53. She was in their company, especially in the board rooms of Walmart

[Avalux]

76. I don't want a CEO as president. This country is not a corporation.

Just in case you forgot - it's about US - the people. I don't want a mommy telling us she's going to fix our problems. I want a leader who will engage the American people to work together to fix them.

[andyrowe]

3. I agree there is an Inspiration Gap.

But I have hOpe.

[thevoiceofreason]

6. We've just had 8 years with a CEO president

And America said: "When do we get a raise? What can you do or me? If you don't give me more, I'll take my jobs, etc. elsewhere!"

[ErnestoG]

9. beautiful.

[BootinUp]

65. Hillary is not a CEO type in the same sense as Bush

Bush as CEO was a political line, not real. What did he ever manage successfully?

She is far more intelligent than that wack job. Secondly, she actually cares about people, not just oil men. The CEO thing you might be referencing about her is that she is a very competent person I guess. Otherwise please explain.

[usregimechange]

8. I agree

[ArkySue]

10. Success is

10% Inspiration and 90% Perspiration. We need someone who will take office and work hard to get things accomplished.
Obama doesn't strike me as much of a hard worker, doesn't want to put much effort in.

[ErnestoG]

11. You dont think Obama has worked hard to get where he did?

Think again. He didnt come from privilege like Hillary Clinton did.

[sandnsea]

19. Except that's not true

It took hard work organizing in Chicago's poorest neighborhoods. It took hard work to change the face of Illinois politics and register over 100,000 new voters that helped get Carol Mosley-Braun into office. It took hard work to bring police officers and prosecutors and republicans on board to change death penalty laws in Illinois. It took hard work to get ethics reform passed in both IL and DC. The man is all about hard work, not flitting around the world giving speeches and then pretending it's experience like Hillary Clinton has done.

[ErnestoG]

22. Thanks. exactly.

[Emit]

25. I imagine graduating magna cum laude from Harvard Law

requires hard work, too.

[ErnestoG]

28. Yeah, but its easier if you come from a well to do background.

[Emit]

31. And Obama didn't

His mother was a teenage mom, and his dad left when he was a baby. He was raised by a single mom who at times was on welfare. His grandparents helped. He attended some schools on scholarships --

edited to change tone lol!

[ErnestoG]

34. No I'm agreeing with you.

[Emit]

47. I'm sorry -- I thought it was the other poster responding, lol.

I'll edit that a bit. LOL, pays to pay attention!

[ErnestoG]

52. 'ts OK

[mrreowwr_kittty]

29. Thanks Karl!

But we already read your editorial.

[GoldieAZ49]

60. When you are passionate about what you do it just looks easy

that doesn't mean it is.

He is knows the challenges facing this country are difficult, he is willing to take them on because he believes in this country.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

16. No politician has ever inspired a change in politics as usual. They still exist, always will.

Change comes from crisis, not "inspiring politicians." Politics as usual is called that because it's what politics is and always will be.

[ErnestoG]

20. Who do you think stokes crises? Uhm..INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE

I refer you to John Brown.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

35. They help them along but crisis will out no matter what

[ErnestoG]

44. Crisis will what? I think you left some words out.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

62. will manifest and cause change all by itself

[jackson_dem]

18. Why has Hillary gotten more votes than the inspiring Obama if she can't inspire?

[ErnestoG]

21. Name and face recognition. Surely not her ability to connect with people.

[jackson_dem]

74. Obama has 97% name recognition. That extra 2-3% explains losing by about 300,000 votes?

[sfam]

23. Hillary has name recognition, not inspiration and she doesn't come off like a CEO

She comes off like a rough-and-tumble politician. A very competent one, but certainly a politician, NOT a CEO.

[ErnestoG]

26. She has CEO written all over her. The golden parachute kind.

[msongs]

30. if che guevara ran the usa DU would be the first place he would shut down nt

[ErnestoG]

33. Nah. He'd be too busy out in the jungles battling fascists.

But you go ahead and keep telling yourself that. I can see the cold war rhetoric completely took hold a you.

[Renew Deal]

36. She hasn't. She hasn't own a single contested primary.

Maybe on Tuesday.

[splat]

41. Facts? N.H. was a contest; Hillary's a lawyer, not a CEO

Sheesh, this thread is making it up and throwing mud at its own anima.

[ErnestoG]

46. And not a particularly inspirational one.

[Renew Deal]

48. She tied for delegates in NH

And lost NV.

[ErnestoG]

51. That seems to slide uner their radar.

[MoonRiver]

37. IYO. For me Hillary is MUCH more inspirational than BHO.

[DemGa]

38. Personally, I find Hillary very inspiring

I remember 1992 when she went up against the insurance companies - she ain't playing around.

Hillary has definitely got it - and will get it.

I don't find Obama's platitudes inspiring in the least.

[dailykoff]

39. Hilly has basically one issue, choice, and one constituency,

the one identical to herself in gender, age, race, and outlook. Nothing against either, but there's a lot more at stake in this election and a lot more voters who are just starting to pay attention.

[ErnestoG]

40. Whereas Obama has proven ability to form alliances across a wide spectrum

of people.

[dailykoff]

45. Exactly.

That's why when he shows up in a state and starts campaigning, the numbers change fast.

[billbuckhead]

56. From Che Guevara to Ronald Reagan to Oprah

:rofl:

[dailykoff]

57. As I've said before, thank heaven he's not a puke

or a crypto-puke. He's the real deal and that's why Caroline and Teddy are eager to see him elected.

[ErnestoG]

75. They all had (have) a similiar ability to communicate

But to different ends. I like where Obama is going. I detested Ronald Reagan.

[scheming daemons]

49. You're inspirational enough, Hillary....

...

[K Gardner]

55. Ernesto, much gratitude for the clarity you bring to these discussions. You so eloquently

say what I'd love to say if I only could find the words. Thank you ! :hi:

[ErnestoG]

73. Thank you very much. And don't ever silence yourself.

Your words are every bit as important as ours are.

[NastyRiffraff]

61. We all want to have a beer with him!

Let's elect him as President of the United States! It just follows naturally :sarcasm:

[GoldieAZ49]

63. Hillary is inspirational in her own unique way

she inspire Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Mark Levin etc etc etc
she inspires the kind of politics that have brought this country to a standstill

I am not willing to go back to the battles of the Clintons in the 90's
I am not interested in giving the Clintons a continuation of the politics of personal destruction

I am happy to leave them in the 20th century, history, turn the page.

I am interested in a President that doesn't carry the political baggage of the past. That is capable of working with all Americans, that can have disagreements without being disagreeable.

America needs a leader that inspires us to be the best we can, not one that inspires us to be as divisive as possible.

America has major issues that if not addressed will set us further back instead of moving us forward into a better future.

We have a candidate that can do that, if we want to go forward.

I do.

[BootinUp]

69. Here is some of Hillary's inspirational stuff for those who

don't know her to well (apparently).

part of her speech 1995 UN World Conference on Women in Beijing (Link below)

snip...

The international community has long acknowledged -- and recently affirmed at Vienna -- that both women and men are entitled to a range of protections and personal freedoms, from the right of personal security to the right to determine freely the number and spacing of the children they bear.

No one should be forced to remain silent for fear of religious or political persecution, arrest, abuse or torture.

Tragically, women are most often the ones whose human rights are violated.

Even in the late 20th century, the rape of women continues to be used as an instrument of armed conflict. Women and children make up a large majority of the world’s refugees. When women are excluded from the political process, they become even more vulnerable to abuse.

I believe that, on the eve of a new millennium, it is time to break our silence. It is time for us to say here in Bejing, and the world to hear, that it is no longer acceptable to discuss women’s rights as separate from human rights.

These abuses have continued because, for too long, the history of women has been a history of silence. Even today, there are those who are trying to silence our words.

The voices of this conference and of the women at Huairou must be heard loud and clear:

It is a violation of human rights when babies are denied food, or drowned, or suffocated, or their spines broken, simply because they are born girls.

It is a violation of human rights when woman and girls are sold into the slavery of prostitution.

It is a violation of human rights when women are doused with gasoline, set on fire and burned to death because their marriage dowries are deemed too small.

It is a violation of human rights when individual women are raped in their own communities and when thousands of women are subjected to rape as a tactic or prize of war.

It is a violation of human rights when a leading cause of death worldwide along women ages 14 to 44 is the violence they are subjected to in their own homes.

It is a violation of human rights when women are denied the right to plan their own families, and that includes being forced to have abortions or being sterilized against their will.

If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, it is that human rights are women’s rights -- and women’s rights are human rights. Let us not forget that among those rights are the right to speak freely -- and the right to be heard.

cont'd

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/hillaryclintonbeijingspeech.htm

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4355548

Text

[GoldieAZ49]

94. 1995, thats a reach isn't it

Did she DO ANYTHING to improve the human rights in China?

Last I heard they were still one of the worst human rights violators

What has she done in this country? In 35 years you would think...

[BootinUp]

95. This particular speech is touted as one to remember by feminists

Kind of groundbreaking to make that speech in Bejing in 1995. But if you want to know more about what she has done try here:

www.hillaryclinton.com

[ErnestoG]

98. They have to dig back that far for a purpose. Wow.

[Big Blue Marble]

64. "For the times they are a changing."

To quote Dylan. Hillary Clinton 'don't stand in the doorway; don't block up the hall.' The new generation is knocking. It is their world and it is time to
give it to them. The world is changing fast. The Clintons are the past. They do not understand the past, but they are.

Obama is the future. His solutions are the future solutions. He is prepared to take us into the future. I am ready to go with him. Are you?

[ErnestoG]

99. This is problematic for entrenched, politically entitled candidates, you see...

[annie1]

66. Gore also didn't exactly "have it", but he was still the better choice for pres.

[LiberalHeart]

67. Maybe the ballot should give folks a choice between Inspiration & Issues.

[FrenchieCat]

68. YOu are incorrect! The issues are the same, unfortunately,

the inspiration quotient is not.

[LiberalHeart]

71. The issues weren't the same for my candiate, who's no longer running.

[FrenchieCat]

79. It's the war and what it has done to the economy.........

that's the issue.

[ErnestoG]

83. Yes you are right. But try to get these Hillars to admit it, like dragging a vampire to direct sun

[Beausoir]

70. As a mature woman, I call bullshit on your entire premise. She most definitely DOES "have it",

to quote your vernacular.

Most of us more experienced folks need more than platitudes and flashy slogans.

For most of us more experienced people, substance is much more important than cheerleading and empty rhetoric.


This is a REAL election. People are depending on their pensions to get them through. People can not afford their prescription medications to keep them alive.

This is not Prom King election time. It's time to get real and serious about issues.

[ErnestoG]

72. If you mean the same quality as a sleeping pill, then yes.

[CyberPieHole]

82. Obama's drugs of choice are marijuana and cocaine...he wrote about it in his book.

I think he still smokes cigarettes.:shrug:

[ErnestoG]

86. You mean when ye was alot younger? Same for most on this forum, I bet.

[Catherine Vincent]

85. You're wasting your time with this one.

Instead of talking up Obama, all he does it talk down Hillary. Typical anti-Clinton drivel. I wouldn't even bother reading any of his posts.

[ErnestoG]

87. I guess you don't bother reading the OPs, do you.

If you did, you'd see the lions share of it is "talking up" Obama.

I invite you to actually read it this time; but if you decline, don't let that interfere with your fevered fantasies.

[Catherine Vincent]

93. I never read your screed. nt

[ErnestoG]

97. Thanks for admitting then, that you dont know what the fuck you are saying.

You make my job easy.

[Darth_Kitten]

106. Right on.

:)

[Dogmudgeon]

77. It's the sizzle, not the steak

Perhaps this is why us "old lamerz" are more inclined to support Hillary -- we've paid for the sizzle without the steak too many times. And when you think about it, Hillary's IWR vote is emblematic of that. She believed that, no matter what partisan differences existed, a president would not lie about something as important as taking the country to war. Bush sold the Senate, then the nation, a box of maggot-infested shit. Then he made us eat it. And then he gave us a bottle of ketchup, 'cause he's such a stand-up guy.

Obama is an inspiration because that is ALL he is campaigning on -- and counting on. And for those of us who know what he is capable of, it is frustrating. But it's his campaign, and it may yet work.

Hillary is talking about policy and the administration of the people's business. That's not sexy. There is no inspiration to be had from reforming the insurance industry. Nobody will swoon for her. But THAT is what I look for in American leadership. All of the too- hip- for- my- life cracks about "sheeple" aside, we are not a nation of people that needs to be led.

At least, I hope not.

But too many people ARE looking for a Leader. That scares me. My fear is not of Barack Obama, but the craving for hope, dreams, and someone to tell us what to do. Obama does not have much of the dictator in him, but nurturing the impulse in people to follow is not a Good Thing. I wish Obama would address this concern some time soon.

--p!

[CyberPieHole]

78. Obama Inspires people to smoke pot and snort cocaine...

They are the warp and weft of who he is. I'm not buying what he is selling.

[ErnestoG]

80. If so, he's obviously REALLY inspired you.....

[CyberPieHole]

84. Nope. Unlike his followers I don't believe that illicit drug use sets a good example...

Obama does.

[ErnestoG]

89. Great job failing to address the OP! You Hillars never disappoint on that score!

[CyberPieHole]

91. I did address it: OBAMA **INSPIRES** POT SMOKING AND COCAINE SNORTING...

he wrote about it in his book.

[ErnestoG]

92. Really? He holds tent revivals and exhorts people to light and snort up?

Back away from the exhaust pipe. Slowly....

[FrenchieCat]

81. Your candidate inspires her husband to cheat on her frigid ass.

Taste of your own cyberpiehole medicine.

[ErnestoG]

90. Ouch! LOL

[THUNDER HANDS]

96. !

:popcorn:

[BootinUp]

100. ignored.

[Thrill]

101. Hillary butchered the Iraq thing last night also on MTV

she kept babbling on and on. Which is the last thing you want to do with Young People

[Triana]

102. bu$hit had it too (according to some delusional folks...)

...and look what THAT got us.

Poetic oratory alone does not a good President make. PARTICULARLY when/if the orator says A and does B - depending on who his campaign contributors are.

[Beausoir]

107. Sad but true.

[Arugula Latte]

108. Hillary makes me feel depressed.

And that's not a good quality to have in a presidential nominee. :(

[Andromeda]

109. If I wanted to hear a revival meeting

I would go hear Obama speak.

Obama doesn't do anything for me, sorry.