Sirota: Smart Move -- Obama Goes Populist In the Home Stretch

[Yael]

In my nationally syndicated newspaper column last week, I outlined some of the difficult terrain Barack Obama faces in trying to both court working-class voters and avoid the media's racist characterization of power-challenging African-American leaders as race-centric radicals. This is a very, very difficult thing to do, and I sympathize with Obama in moving carefully up to this point.

But with the next round of states overrepresenting for the constituencies Obama has done most poorly among - working-class whites and Latinos - he knows he has to try to thread the needle. He has to try to offer up more full-throated, class-based populism. And indeed, that's what he's doing.

Much more at: http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/13/115414/128/660/455975

[eShirl]

1. it's about time

hope he keeps it up

[respublicus]

2. Best way to win primaries and lose the election - the real home stretch

This is the tried and true recipe for nominating a candidate who will be defeated by Republican rhetoric in November.

Go for the enthusiasts in your own party, like Mondale, McGovern - or Goldwater for that matter.

The McGovern-Mondale trap was already the problem with BHO even before he went populist.

See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarOnFreedom/message/4184
"Why Obama is a Sure Loser – and the Prelude to a Mccain-Lieberman Disaster"

[Submariner]

3. The author of that piece needs to switch to Decaf

Delusional hyperbole and a right wingnut. After 8 years of hell under the Bush junta, the Obama presidency will be a breath of fresh air with competence being the rule of the day.

[IronLionZion]

11. That article you linked to should be nominated for a Pulitzer

It was a really impressive work of true journalism. :sarcasm: :rofl: You can't pretend that the primary and general elections have the same voter pools.

The best way to win any election is to have support of the voters. He seems to have that.

[The_Casual_Observer]

4. He's promising the moon. Elimination of taxes on work poor, public school money,

health care plans like the congress gets, & on & on. No wonder the suckers are buying into this guy.

[Arugula Latte]

6. It could happen if we cut back the ridiculously bloated "military" budget

Cut even a small fraction of that waste of billions and we'd have plenty of money to fund schools and healthcare.

[jackson_dem]

7. Which won't happen with Obama. He will increase the military budget

[Arugula Latte]

10. Oh. Okay then.

[Cadwallader]

13. Right. it's in his stump speech "we need MORE funds for the military"

:crazy:

[jackson_dem]

19. He's said it repeatedly and wants to add 100,000 MORE troops

[Big Blue Marble]

24. He is talking about funding the troops.

Most of what we call military funding goes for multi-billion dollar boondoggles like space weaponry
or other high tech equipment.

Our soldiers are not being cared for either in theater or when they return home.
He is saying we need to take care of the people in the military.
That is very different than what is happening now.

Less military spending that enriches the corporations and more military spending that
truly supports the men and women who are in the services.

You think that sounds crazy?????

[Cadwallader]

12. how is any of that not doable?

It's all funded through a shift in tax rates and if you go toObama's website it is explained in detail how to fund it

[reggie the dog]

21. what he promises

is pretty much what people in western Europe have already.

[The_Casual_Observer]

23. This isn't western europe.

[reggie the dog]

25. I know

that the usa is not western europe. you have more wealth per person in the usa than in western europe, yet social services are worse in the usa.

[Perky]

5. Populist in Wisconsin is a no-brainer

[Yael]

9. Exactly

[jackson_dem]

8. Why is he changing his tune after a year of campaigning?

[Zodiak]

16. To give you something to piss and moan about

Seriously...you are on every thread with your one-liners.

[jackson_dem]

17. What an explanation

Out of kool aid?

[Cadwallader]

20. yet so aptly on-target

:rofl:

[Straight Shooter]

26. He is changing his tune because he is a shapeshifter.

And he will change his tune again if he becomes POTUS.

[MethuenProgressive]

14. Is he trying to be the next JFK, the next Wellstone, or the next John Edwards?

Will the real Obama ever reveal himself?

[jackson_dem]

18. Can we trust him?

[underpants]

15. The Clintons will hit back with race

http://www.creators.com/opinion/david-sirota/the-democrats-class-war.html

[AtomicKitten]

22. I'm glad to see Sirota ease up on Obama.

It's the smart move.

[Tatiana]

27. I was listening to Obama's speech at the GM plant.

When I closed my eyes and just listened, it sounded very much like a John Edwards speech.