Let's Hear It for Barack Obama. This man is tough as Hell!

[Unbowed]

This has been an AMAZING week. Coming off two weeks plus of Clinton Kitchen Sink strategy, Obama has been hit with a literal shitstorm across all fronts, the media, the blogs, the Clinton camp and the Right Wingers.

The barrage has been NONSTOP.


He doesn't go down. He doesn't even stagger. He doesn't break stride for one single moment. He takes hit upon hit and keeps going.

Before the smoke clears, while still under heavy fire, Barack Obama fires back. And Obama's speech isn't sniper fire it's a direct assault on the issue that all this controversy is about: race. His speech instantly takes the record of most-watched video of all time. And the views keep going up.

Still under fire 24-7, donors to Obama's campaign approach the TWO MILLION mark. TWO MILLION AMERICANS have given their hard-earned money to Obama, which has almost doubled since the Kitchen Sink attacks began.

Bill Clinton, former Democratic President of the United States, is out there attacking Obama's patriotism while praising McCain. The media is pouncing on every word Obama utters. And the "guilt by association" attacks on Obama continue 24-7.

Obama takes hit after hit.

Is he brought to his knees? Not in this life.

He stands proud and strong and keeps drawing HUGE CROWDS and RAKING IN THE MONEY hand over fist.

And he gets the big endorsement that Clinton coveted more than any other: Bill Richardson.

BILL RICHARDSON!

Obama is one tough hombre.

[leftofcool]

1. He is indeed the Messiah!

[rucky]

2. In at one minute. You're improving.

[leftofcool]

4. If the shoe fits....

I don't have a Messiah so this might be really interesting

[rucky]

10. Um, you're the only one discussing messiahs.

[Tarheel_Dem]

13. If you didn't like the topic of the thread, you had several options

you could have put the author on ignore, you could have hidden this thread and threads like it, but what did you choose to do? You chose to crap all over a pro-Obama thread for attention. It must suck to be you.

[BumRushDaShow]

57. Let the crappers keep kicking this thread because the OP is the truth and that's why they're mad.

That way this stays on the top and their nonsense posts sink to where they belong... at the bottom. ;)

[niceypoo]

105. I am curious when Mr tough will have the balls to have a news conference

...and stop avoiding the issues

[Diane R]

79. Actually, I"m thinking he's paid staff.

[ekwhite]

82. Not a good idea to accuse someone of being a troll...

even this guy. It's against the TOS.

By the way - Go Obama!

By the way, if you check out his bio, he is apparently an artist, not paid political staff.

[jakem]

3. Typical monster bot...

can we at least try to be a little more constructive?

[Unbowed]

9. Nope just a leader....might look liike a Messiah to the uninformed because you've forgotten what a

leader is.

Those faces on Mount Rushmore aren't religious icons, they are American Leaders. Look long and hard and just maybe, maybe, you might get it.

[RazBerryBeret]

32. Mt. Rushmore!

Great Response! Hadn't thought of it that way, but you're absolutely right! thanks.

[Window]

38. He may not be the Messiah, but Hillary certainly isn't Mother Mary.

[malletgirl02]

47. Seconded, that was a great response nt.

[rug]

56. Teddy?

[DerekJ]

68. I will take this as a compliment.

:)

[Arkana]

71. Up in the sky!

It's a bird!

No, it's a plane!

No! It's THE THREADSHITTER!

[VotesForWomen]

109. ditto; you can't read this stuff without thinking 'jeezus christ, these people are truly out to lunc

lunch.'

[Norrin Radd]

113. Three Weeks Ago called; it wants it's retort back.

[ooglymoogly]

119. Well in my book he is the Syriac, the chosen one, the one chosen

for the task at hand; in other words the Messiah; So in that sense he is the Syriac, the Messiah.

[boston bean]

5. the Olmighty. nt

[liberalpress]

11. Barack of Ages

[Unbowed]

17. Baracky II: Baracky Kicks ASS. n/t

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. Resiliant after all the stuff thrown at him!

[DevonRex]

7. Definitely tough.

I am floored at the grace and dignity of the man in responding to the attackers. K&R

[Unbowed]

16. Yes, he is showing amazing grace under fire and dignity.

Obama has always been impressive but this "baptism by fire" truly demonstrates the mettle of the man.

And he's going to emerge tougher and wiser for the experience, a leadership test he passes with flying colors.

[me b zola]

8. Huge crowds in Oregon!

It was great to be there to see Gov. Richardson throw his endorsement to Sen. Obama! :woohoo:

[Unbowed]

23. They looked good on the stage together, didn't they? n/t

[me b zola]

34. They sure did!

All I could think of is an Obama/Richardson ticket! :bounce:

[Unbowed]

62. Two very talented and brilliant men.

And they both look happy and optimistic.

I'll take happy and optimistic over smug and divisive any day.

[Why Syzygy]

78. Bill was my favorite from the beginning. A combined ticket would be so sweet!

Richardson has TONS of experience and is a true Liberal.

[Cha]

99. Awesome for

you and all the other Oregonians who got to be there and for Obama who needed that!

[CountAllVotes]

12. Obama is a warrior!

and we need a warrior now!

Now IS the time!!!

:kick:

[Unbowed]

21. Yes, his time is NOW.

He is the warrior and the leader we need.

[ekwhite]

84. I think we have had enough warriors in office lately

I want someone who will get us out of a war or two. Obama is the one to do it.

[Sensitivity]

44. Image of Obama as a gladiator in the ring with Hillary of McCain flashed --

I think the voters in Nov. will know what to do.

[chieftain]

14. I worried whether he could take a punch. That concern has

been laid to rest. Barack is tough as hell and is up to withstanding the RW attack machine. We're going to win in Denver and then bury McCain and the GOP with the votes of old line Democrats, energized Blacks and a landslide of youth vote. GO BAMA!!

[Unbowed]

19. Indeed, it has.

And the amazing thing is that he fought back without losing his dignity or his integrity. He didn't fight back with smears.

He fought back by going where most politicians fear to tread: the landscape of truth. It was an amazing speech he made and it his campaign continues to bring positive inspiration despite the negativity and attacks he's under.

I don't worry about him anymore. He will be fine in the general election, especially with the genius-level learning curve the man and his campaign have both demonstrated. This has to be something the super delegates have noticed too.

Hillary Clinton should start making her bows very soon.

[ginnyinWI]

50. he said once, "I'm skinny but I'm tough." :-) n/t

[stevietheman]

15. He's quickly becoming "Teflon II: The Progressive Version" n/t

n/t

[BeyondGeography]

18. Bill Richardson is to be saluted for the timing of his endorsement

Barack deserved an award for marching through that shitstorm and even managing to elevate the tone of the discussion with his speech on Tuesday, and Gov. Richardson gave it to him. It was a gutsy and principled thing to do.

[Unbowed]

24. Bill Richardson is a decent human being.

This couldn't have been easy for him, but he did what he believed was right.

[ekwhite]

85. I liked Bill Richardson before, I love him now

He showed a lot of integrity in making his endorsement, and in the way he talked to the media about it. The man has real class.

[Cha]

100. It was Perfect timing

for Guv Richardson of New Mexico.

[Bensthename]

20. His poll numbers took a small dip, yet they are back on the rise. Obama is best bet against GOP

for sure

[Unbowed]

25. Of course his poll numbers took a hit, no suprise there. He was under 24-7 attack from both sides.

But he didn't go down. He didn't fold under pressure. And he didn't compromise his integrity.

Painful as this has been, the smoke will clear; and when it does, Barck Obama will still be here, stronger and smarter for the experience.

[grantcart]

22. cool cat

[Unbowed]

27. Agreed. His "future's so bright, he's gotta wear shades"

(From an 80s song...don't remember who by.)

[here_is_to_hope]

33. Timbuk Three? n/t

[K Gardner]

26. I didn't know about the TWO million !

[Unbowed]

29. I heard it's nearing that mark. Let me see if I can find where I read that...

Or if someone finds it first, please post.


edit:
Maybe I heard that wrong...it might have been this: "New Federal Election Commission reports show Obama raised at a clip of nearly $2 million a day in February, an open spigot of money that left him with $30 million in the bank for March." -AP

[Pirate Smile]

35. Here is the counter

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/smartproxy/my.barackobama.com/page/contribute_c/sofar08_lp/graphic

[Unbowed]

46. Thank you. That is absolutely amazing, isn't it?

:patriot:

[Adelante]

51. Holy shit

That is astonishing. Seems like he was only just nearing ONE million. :wow:

[Unbowed]

75. He was. So in the midst of all this crap, Obama is cooly raking in the cash. Says something. n/t

[FloridaJudy]

94. I sent him my first contribution after that speech

The man has class. Not to mention smarts, guts and heart.

I just hope my support is not the Kiss of Death: everyone else I've donated to has dropped out.

[FrenchieCat]

102. Damn....maybe that's what makes him dangerous to them......

Just think of what McLame and Hillary have been raising in money......nothing next to Barack!

[anonymous171]

28. GOBAMA!

:kick:

[sonias]

30. Cheers to Barack Obama

It hasn't hurt him and it will make him tougher for November.

:toast: to Obama!


Sonia

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

31. GOBAMA!

[IsItJustMe]

36. A fricken Timex watch, he is. Take a licken, and keep on tickin.

[Unbowed]

48. And he's done it without losing his cool, which is a lot considering. n/t

[ekwhite]

86. Absolutely.

If I were in his position, I would have gone to Monica Lewinsky, Whitewater, Vince Foster, the Kazakhstan thing, and every other true or false thing I could dig up about the Clintons. I would have had pictures of her and Rupert Murdoch plastered all over the internet.

Instead, he took it in stride, and came up with the best political speech in the last 20 years. The man has a lot of class.

[Window]

37. Hear, hear!!

Oh, he's plenty tough alright. I mean, he had to know going into this it wasn't going to be easy. That's one of the reason's I admire him so much.

[Laelth]

39. Perhaps the greatest lemonade maker of all time.

The lemons keep coming, and he keeps making the lemonade.

And, like his speech, he's great at it ... not too tart, not too sweet.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Unbowed]

74. Just what we need for President. n/t

[Laelth]

81. Sad but true.

President Obama will inherit a lot of lemons from the Bush administration.

-Laelth

[ClayZ]

40. Bravo, Barack Obama!

K and R

[tabasco]

41. We need to restore some BACKBONE to the Democratic party!

Obama is the man to lead the way. :patriot:

[Unbowed]

54. You got that right. We do need more backbone in our party. And fighting dirty is not backbone.

It doesn't take backbone to throw the "kitchen sink" at your opponent. These people who call Hillary Clinton tough because she resorts to underhanded tactics, deplorable statements and comparisons just don't get it. What's so tough about dirty fighting and the stench of desperation?

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

42. And he's tough in a SMART way

That's what's so great about him. For Obama, "tough" doesn't mean yelling the loudest, or refusing to change his mind. It means acting smart when engaging in public debate.

[2rth2pwr]

43. Obama: Wright flap has 'shaken me up'

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/19/obama.interview/?iref=hpmostpop

you make it too easy

[ginnyinWI]

53. full quote: "shaken me up a little bit"

Sen. Barack Obama told CNN on Wednesday the recent uproar over his former pastor's sermons has reminded him of the odds he faces in winning the White House.
art.obama.cnn.jpg

Sen. Barack Obama opens up in a one-on-one exclusive interview with Anderson Cooper.

"In some ways, this controversy has actually shaken me up a little bit and gotten me back into remembering that the odds of me getting elected have always been lower than some of the other conventional candidates," the Illinois senator told CNN's Anderson Cooper in an exclusive one-on-one interview.

Obama declined to speculate on whether the controversy surrounding the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's sermons may damage him politically, but said his campaign does best when it doesn't follow the "textbook."

"If I was just running the textbook campaign -- doing the conventional thing -- I probably wasn't going to win because Sen. Clinton was going to be much more capable of doing that than I would be," he said. "We had tremendous success, and I think we were starting to get a little comfortable and conventional right before Texas and Ohio."

[Unbowed]

59. Hardly quaking in his boots, eh?

Sounds more like he used the controversy as a heads-up. He's taking measure of how far he's come and how far there still remains ahead. If anything, it's put him even more on his game.

[ginnyinWI]

60. no, not at all

It shows how a quote out of context changes. I agree--it's made him sharpen up his focus. Seems to have worked in his favor.

[Unbowed]

63. Quotes out of context used to be the stock and trade of the right wing. How times change. n/t

[ekwhite]

87. Still is. The whole Wright flap is made up of video clips taken out of context

If you actually listen to the entire sermons, they are something else entirely. He was making the statements for dramatic effect, then using quiet reflection to make his real point, which seems to have been that the congregation needed to reflect on their relationship with God. Standard oratorical technique, seen at Baptist churches throughout the country.

Hagee, Robertson, and Falwell made their comments to the press, which is something different entirely.

[Unbowed]

114. They even did that with the Dean scream.

Context is everything.

Currently, I'm reading a novel that, while fiction, deals with a lot of the feelings and the background for those feelings in the black community. I'm not black and will never know what it is like to be black, but I think every white person should read novels by black authors and listen to entire speeches made by black leaders and pastors.

Much of human conflict is due to lack of understanding and no clip taken out of context and played 24-7 is going to give us that. The media perpetuates hate. They love controversy and getting people stirred up. It's money for them. For us, it's just a diet of pure acid. No wonder we're a Tums nation.

[Politicalboi]

97. And after this

Quote camp Hillary say's "Obama admits Hillary more electable"

[grannylib]

45. I think if he's tough enough to take on the race issue with as much

honesty and courage as he's done, it speaks to the way he'd handle other tough issues - with honesty and courage. THAT is LEADERSHIP. He has strong beliefs but he listens to other voices.
He wasn't my original choice, but I'm behind him 100%.

[Unbowed]

61. You're right. He's showing how he will handle the job as President of the United States.

He does listen to other voices, but his decisions and his direction is uniquely his own.

I started out supporting Dodd, but watching Obama persevere, coming from behind, coming under fire, defying the odds, I belive he may well become one of the greatest presidents in history.

He certainly has the integrity and the intellect to make the decisions necessary to to bring our ailing country back to health again.

[quantass]

49. Everyone in my family has gotten use to the words "President Obama" -- cool sounding

[Adelante]

52. No Drama Obama

Just keep moving. :thumbsup:

[tekisui]

55. He's got the goods, and knows how to use them.

[AntiFascist]

58. Tough, good judgement, trustworthy....these things go well with hope n/t

[Eurobabe]

64. Obama is a fighter, I want him in the White House. n/t

[Life Long Dem]

65. He did handle the last two weeks very well. This was the testing

they said he wouldn't handle. McCain is not going to be as aggressive as Hillary he has said so himself. Bill is not helping any though. And the 527's will be out there. But with all this the polls are climbing for Obama. I think Hillary supporters are switching to Obama. I have read this on DU alone many times. Here's the gallop poll and most recent.

[Unbowed]

77. He did ace the test. He's a quick study for sure. n/t

[Scurrilous]

66. Gobama!

:thumbsup:

[mckara]

67. Are You Talking About President Obama?

OF COURSE YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Submariner]

69. I saw a picture of Obama playing basketball

I would like to get in a pickup game of hoops with him, but the question is, if I go low and around him for a lay up, will the U.S. Secret Service take me out? :o

[aasleka]

70. Almost 2 million?

sweet!

[psychopomp]

72. I thought they might use some money

so I sent the campaign some cash. :toast:

GObama!

[BumRushDaShow]

73. K&R

:kick:

Tough as nails!

[Why Syzygy]

76. The attacks seem to make him stronger.

YES WE CAN :bounce:

[knixphan]

80. Unbowed is right!

It ain't how hard you hit,

It's how hard you can GET hit and keep fightin'

One tough hombre!

THAT'S what I want in a leader.

[ekwhite]

83. He really is unflappable

Reminds me of a friend of mine at a place I used to work. They had a piping accident, and the ceiling was literally falling in, I came in yelling that the ceiling was falling in - he walked out, took a look, and calmly said, "sure is," and went to take care of it without missing a beat.

[gratefultobelib]

88. What a wonderful thread! Thank you all!

[1776Forever]

89. Ain't no big deal! Hawaiian philosophy serves him well!

Since Barack grew up in his teen years in Hawaii this is so typical of the Hawaiians I have known. I remember them saying all the time if something happen that threw them off course "Ain't no big deal!". I think that is what Barack does a lot. He just moves on with dignity and purpose. When it is a Big Deal like the race question he hits a Grand Slam! I think we could learn from that. Don't sweat the small stuff - save it for the BIG hurdles in life and just walk over the mountain as Norman Vincent Peale wrote in his Positive Thinking book.

:grouphug:

[Barack_America]

90. Well prepared for any 3 am call, if I dare say so myself!

He WILL be a great President!

:patriot:

[trickyguy]

91. Read "Dreams from My Father " and you'll find out what made the man.

Obama has traveled a challenging path to get where he is.
And he tells us about that path as he speaks in his distinctly honest way.


He deserves to be where he is. And I'm grateful for that.:dem:

[OwnedByFerrets]

92. K & R

[ooglymoogly]

93. My respect and admiration go out to Obama for keeping an ugly race out of the weeds

and remaining a straight arrow gentleman....Am sending more $$$$

[downindixie]

95. I can just imagine a debate

with Obama and McClain.Obama will have McClain tongue tied.McClain is approaching senility and will be easily be confused in live debate.I'm afraid he won't joelieberman there to whisper in his ear!

[zulchzulu]

96. Obama is winning against the two-headed Hydra of the Repigs and the Clintons

Yeah, Hill and Bill had to call Barack Obama "unAmerican" this week.

I can't wait until this White Trash heads to Punjab and stay there.

[Cha]

98. Salud!

:toast: :bounce: :kick: :party: :patriot:

This picture..a thousand words..

[Yes We Did]

101. Obama is tough and he's smart! K&R

Finally a smart and inspirational president!!!!!!!!

[FrenchieCat]

103. We couldn't have asked for better.....

I can't wait!

[greyghost]

104. Bill Richardson did the right thing, Barack is THE MAN.

[Enthusiast]

106. He did the right thing!

Like Bill Richardson I get the sense that Barack is honest in his desire to improve the nation. I simply don't feel that honesty from Hillary. I'm dead serious.

[greyghost]

116. You are DEAD RIGHT!

[Sarah Ibarruri]

107. I love Obama! The more shit they throw at him, the more I like him nt

[thoughtcrime1984]

108. Rec. #100, I'd like to thank....

Barack Obama, for inspiring me to delve into Democratic politics at a much deeper level. I hope he has that influence on many others as well, for the good of our Party, and the majority of Americans!

[understandinglife]

110. # 101. And, you betcha he's here to lead and he knows how.

[hogwyld]

111. He's the perfect candidate at the perfect time

He's got the calm, thoughtful demeanor that a true leader needs to have in a crisis. He doesn't get flustered when things don't go his way, but rationalizes the correct course to navigate the stormy waters. He doesn't lose his temper, and shake the stick as a first option. I also want to salute Bill Richardson for his courageous endorsement.

[Catherina]

112. Woohoo! And his wife too. She's no "cupcake"

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/02/09/obama10207_narrowweb__300x387,0.jpg


Obama hints he won't run a 2nd time

BY MICHAEL SAUL
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Saturday, December 29th 2007, 4:00 AM


WILLIAMSBURG, Iowa - Barack Obama told Iowa voters Friday that if he doesn't get elected President this time, he might not try again.

Turning the "experience" argument with Hillary Clinton on its head, the 46-year-old first-term senator said eight more years in Washington could make him a less desirable candidate.

It's now or perhaps never, Obama and his wife, Michelle, concluded, because, "We still remember what it's like to be normal," he told a crowd here six days before Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.

...

"My wife and I were talking the other day, and she said, 'We're not doing this again,' " Obama said. "Those of you who have met my wife or heard my wife, you know she doesn't mince words. I mean, she's a tough cookie."

Obama said their stance has less to do with the grueling campaign schedule that separates the family for large swaths of time, and more with the couple's belief that eight years from now, they wouldn't be the "same people."

Washington insiders, Obama said, lose touch with reality because "you think your worth is tied up with a title, or a chauffeur or people opening doors for you." Obama regularly portrays Clinton as a Washington insider.

Just five years ago, the family was living in a condo that was getting to be too small. Obama, not yet a senator, regularly bought the groceries and his wife was "still shopping at Target." (Obama noted that "she still does.")

"Eight years from now, we will have lost a little bit of touch with what ordinary families are going through," Obama said Friday.

...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2007/12/29/2007-12-29_obama_hints_he_wont_run_a_2nd_time.html

[Misanthrope2]

115. Skipping votes is not tough. Hiding calenders is not tough.

Adopting Republican frames is not tough. Trumpeting free trade is not tough. Voting to fund the Iraq War is not tough. Calling the Iranian Guard a terrorist organization is not tough. Advocating nuclear plants for your contributors is not tough. Attacking your typical white grandmother while giving a pass to your racist friend is not tough. Obama is just a slick, hypocritical politician that has never demonstrated toughness, just a swaying in the wind of his contributions and ambition.

[Tellurian]

117. Oh, please. The guy has never even held a summer job..

tough alright.. Hillary is way tougher than him plus she can beat him at pinochle.

[GeorgeGist]

118. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hallelujah!

HE IS RISEN ... from a shitstorm.


How about some tequilla, hombre?

[stillcool]

120. Yes We Can!

the audacity to hope is no easy matter...

[boppers]

121. Not quite most watched video of all time...

Impressive number of views, but it'll take a while to get here:
http://www.youtube.com/browse?s=mp&t=a&c=0&l=&b=0

At least it's in the top ten for this month:
http://www.youtube.com/browse?s=mp&t=m&c=0&l=&b=0