Let's get one thing straight about the Right Wing. They will ALWAYS go after the frontrunner.

[beachmom]

Not a few weeks ago, this board was filled with suspicion of Barack Obama because the Right seemed to be having a love affair with him. They were bashing Hillary, while praising Barack Obama.

Then something happened. Obama won 11 races in a row, trouncing Hillary. And the momentum shifted, with many thinking Obama would be the nominee.

So I flick on Bill Maher last night, who had assembled two conservative hacks (Kingston of GA and David Frum) plus a neutral reporter. And they attacked Obama non-stop for the entire hour with smears I knew all about -- pledge of allegiance, flag pin, Michelle's proud to be American comment, talking with enemies, and "he's accomplished nothing because Hillary said so". Oh, and of course, "Barack HUSSEIN Obama" was uttered. And, then it hit: Frum said "he felt badly for Hillary" and praised her, saying how she had a point about Obama. Meanwhile, Bill Maher, who supports Obama, was COMPLETELY UNPREPARED for the barage, having no idea about the smears we all have seen for months.

Thing is, the Right Wing have only one goal in mind: keep the White House occupied by a Republican. That's it. So that is why they are always siding with one primary candidate or another depending on momentum. Don't let it fool you. They don't favor ANY DEMOCRAT. Only jockeying for the best way to smear who they THINK will be our nominee.

I think it's also imperative that March 4th end the primaries. Because now the Right is openly attacking and smearing Obama, while he is still concentrating on defeating Hillary. This is not working for us. We are now losing ground, because we need a transition to a general election campaign, so that Obama can introduce himself to everyone, not just primary voters. And he needs to craft a message to deal with these smears that really knocks them down while still transcending the usual tit for tat. I know Obama is up for the task. But he needs to do it as the Democratic nominee.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. I agree entirely. At this point, my favorite candidate

is one who is still sufficiently unbloodied to win in November.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Bill Maher is an idiot if he allowed RW hacks to take over his show to

spew their propaganda unchallenged.

[eleny]

3. Where was that Georgia Congressman's flag pin?

I was waiting for Maher to ask about that.

And the neutral reporter had so little to say last night. She contributed so little to the discussion that I hope he never asks her back.

[beachmom]

7. Exactly!! I'm in Georgia and was just shaking my head at this hack.

And the most ridiculous charge was when he said Obama had NO RECORD of bipartisan legislation and reaching across the aisle. Nobody there to say: Obama/Coburn, anyone? Obama/Lugar, anyone? What about McCain/Kennedy/Obama?

Unbelievable.

[satch025]

4. Let's get one thing straight about the Right Wing. They will ALWAYS go after the front-runner.

After Obama wins on 3/4 and Hillary graciously concedes on 3/5, that will clear the path for Obama to announce his running mate- AL GORE!
My top 10 reasons?
1. Al hasn't gotten over 2000. Neither have many of us.
2. Al didn't want to fight with Clinton Inc.
3. Al talks to Obama often. Obama has stated that fact before Iowa and last week.
4. Al doesn't have to really run for president, he can get they proverbial keys handed to him. VP is the simplest path.
5. Al solves Obama's critics claims of "inexperience" at managing the bureaucracy, ending the need for a Governor as VP.
6. There are no worthy governors for VP besides Bill Richardson but he's likely headed for Dept. of Education. The second most qualified with ANY name recognition is Strickland in OH but he endorsed Hillary last week. :-/
7. Billary supporters could be appeased/placated about the bitterness of this nominating process by having Al Gore run with Obama.
8. Al will only be 65 in 2016.
9. He has stripped himself of all the Clinton baggage and even the right-wing won't be able to touch him under an Obama Adm. He's a genuine hero today.
10. An Obama/Gore ticket clinches the biggest majority for democrats since FDR- therefore we can try OUR mandate for a few decades but we'll get it right.

TS

[BigDaddy44]

6. Why would Al take the number 2 spot?

He already was a VEEP. He was elected president. He won a Nobel Peace Prize. He is arguably the most respected man on the planet. Why would he possibly go back to being a second banana?

[Jackpine Radical]

5. The one clear exception to your principle is when

the Republicanazis think they can kick the ass of the front runner and would have more trouble with somebody further back in the pack.

Edwards comes to mind. They pre-emptively used everything they had to make sure he never got to front-runner status.