FIRST THOUGHTS: OBAMA, THE AGGRESSIVE - MSNBC

[rndmprsn]

if clinton wants to run on her so called experience...then she needs to answer some questions so she can be vetted properly and not on her own word, which is not good enough for me anymore.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/06/736396.aspx

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
*** A more aggressive Obama: Yesterday, we asked how Obama would respond to his losses in Ohio and Texas. Well, he and his campaign came out swinging. Obama demanded to know what kind of commander-in-chief credentials Clinton actually has -- a question that might come up today when Clinton holds a press conference in DC with military officers. He also asked if Clinton is so fully vetted, why she hasn’t released her tax returns so voters know how the Clintons have made their money since Bill left the White House. And with Clinton arriving in Mississippi later tonight, the Obama campaign held a press conference to draw attention to some unflattering comments Clinton made about the state last fall while campaigning in Iowa. The Obama camp is showing some fight it didn’t always exhibit leading up to Junior Super Tuesday. The tightrope they have to walk is proving their mettle and drawing contrasts, but not doing so to the point where it makes Obama seem like every other politician. It isn’t an easy task. But there does seem to be a pattern in this primary season: When the negative spotlight is on one candidate, that candidate loses. The question is, when will a candidate WIN when the spotlight's on them?

[TwilightGardener]

1. Obama DOES need to come off like an "ordinary politician"--he's not

above politics, and that's part of why a lot of people think he's been put on a pedestal. I want to see him put on some brass knuckles--he didn't get where he is today by ALWAYS being a gentleman. There is no downside to playing a little hardball.

[ginnyinWI]

4. in a perfect world, the media would be doing this vetting

and the opponent wouldn't have to. But alas it's not a perfect world.

But I think he can be tough and still be classy.

[TwilightGardener]

8. I think he should get his minions to take her on, and make a few jabs himself--

BUT he needs to do it in a pleasant way. Everyone loves a happy warrior.

[JimGinPA]

2. He Was Winning - Because The Spotlight Was On His Positive Message...

She had to start flinging poop to slow it down.

[jillan]

5. Consider it a practice session for the GE.

[Cant trust em]

7. The Clinton strategy seems to be

to make people dislike Obama as much as they already dislike her. Once their negative ratings are the same, then we can have a real debate is the logic.

[TwilightGardener]

9. Right. She couldn't out-inspire him, so she had to drive up his negatives

and level the playing field, rather than put out a positive winning message herself.

[Cant trust em]

11. unfortunately for Obama he has nowhere to go but down.

That's where Clinton seems to like it. Rolling around in the mud. I hate having to talk like this about another democrat, but she isn't really giving me many options. She's been quite snide in the last week or so especially.

[TwilightGardener]

12. That's OK by me. I think Obama needs to come off a little tougher, a little

more willing to fight. He is just a politician, after all. Time to act like it. That doesn't mean he's dishonest or not genuine, it just means he knows how to play the game and win.

[CyberPieHole]

13. Obama is perfectly comfortable in the gutter...that's where he does most of his thinking...

Don't kid yourself about the Chicago Charlatan, there is reason why Obama and Rezko are friends, those two are cut from the same cloth.

[rndmprsn]

14. clinton charlatans are cut from the same cloth as well...

he's as bad as me...what a campaign theme, pathetic.

[CyberPieHole]

16. Obama's "BONEHEADED" real~estate transaction was obviously to curry political favors...

The Syrian~born Antoin Rezko and BH Obama are Chicago Charlatans, and fortunately the MSM is enjoying the lurid story. I'm glad the bloom is off the rose. Let's pray there is more in Obama's closet and that it gets aired out before it's too late. For the good of the party.

[Cant trust em]

19. Are we really making hay about a "Syrian born"

and BH Obama? Please tell me that you're not implying some kind of Muslim connection. I really hope you distance yourself from that kind of talk.

[CyberPieHole]

22. He was born in Syria...do you have something against Syrians?

Obviously you must or you wouldn't be squawking about it.

[Cant trust em]

23. You're the one who brought it up. Don't try to project this on me now.

Here's a link to the previous post, just to refresh your memory.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4926981&mesg_id=4928051

[CyberPieHole]

25. He was born in Syria. Fact. What problem do you have with that?

Is Syria a "four letter word"?

[Cant trust em]

26. My problem is you bringing it up totally out of context

What does his being Syrian have to do with him being a Chicago charlatan? Obviously it has nothing to do with it. What you really want it to just have a conversation that Obama is dealing with someone with Syrian heritage. I guess the end goal of this little game you started is for me to just talk about Obama's muslim heritage instead of a real issue.

I hereby end your little race war.

[CyberPieHole]

27. Antoin Rezko's heritage is noted in plenty of MSM articles and reports...

I see nothing out of context when writing about Antoin Rezko and mentioning his background. Antoin Rezko is Christian, so the one who pulled the race card is you by your mention of "muslim heritage". But, thanks for your concern.

:hi:

[Cant trust em]

28. have a nice day.

[rndmprsn]

20. REPEAT: he's as bad as me = pathetic candidate and campaign

but what more could i say about the status quo clintons...

[CyberPieHole]

21. He may be "as bad as YOU" but Rezko is NOTHING like me...

I'm not sure where you got the "bas as me" meme...but I'm sure I don't have to look any further than that Chicago Charlatan, Barack Obama.

[KittyWampus]

17. Open government IS a positive message. 50 State Strategy IS a positive message

If Clintons won't release their tax returns or invest in organizing and building grassroots in ALL 50 states then they should answer for it.

[msongs]

3. yes, the real obama, not that staged image of mlk - he is a washington insider after all

let both of em slug it out, it's great theater.

Msongs

[Stephanie]

6. Exposing her negatives is not the same thing as the dirty mudslinging LIES she was dishing up.

He is calling her out on the ISSUES. He is not implying that she's a Muslim or making up shit that never happened. I have never seen a candidate besides Team Bush/Rove stoop as low as she did.

[Cant trust em]

18. yeah, and not using corny emotional appeals with children and fear. nt

[Cant trust em]

10. He has given her a lot of benefit of the doubt

He's said that her first lady experience totally matters and that she gets to count it. I think that he could deflate that balloon a little bit. There are some things that she definitely gets credit for, but she was far from a co-president. It's not like she had actual security clearance. Just because she advised the president doesn't mean she's ready to be president.

[rndmprsn]

15. its going to be a long 7 weeks for the clintons...

the Obama campaign has so many issues they can run with...oh my.

[Bluerthanblue]

24. WRONG word- BIG difference between "assertive" and "agressive"

He is being Assertive-

not combattive- not looking for a fight- asking his opponent is NOT agressive, any more than reading an applicants resume and checking refrences would be.

If Hillary took a page from him, she'd have had a far less troubled life.

peace~