The Obama camp needs to get off the TERROR B/S immediately

[bigdarryl]

The rethugs are trying to replay the 2004 election with TERROR scare tactics and change the subject because of there failed policies. Obama is taking the bait right now and needs to get the hell off the topic NOW!!! he's not going to win this argument in fact he doesn't have to because Terror isn't what the American people are talking about its the economy stupid again. this is my opinion what do other DU'ers think about my topic?

[fasttense]

1. McCain sounds like he's in the way back machine when

he talks about terror. What is terrorizing the American people today is the economy.

[earthlover]

2. This issue is all the Reps have!

Obama made a good point yesterday when he pointed out that the Bush administration got diverted attention away from the terrorists to go into Iraq. I think the only way to face this issue is turn it on the Republicans, showing how it was them who dropped the ball.

We can't ignore this issue. When McCain raises it, we can't just be quiet and talk about the economy, etc and give McCain response-free air time.

[bigdarryl]

4. I here what your saying but Kerry made the same exact argument in 04 and lost the argument on TERROR

we cannot blow another election with this bullshit. There is to much at stake.

[Window]

12. Kerry made a few mistakes and we all learned from them. He is now advising

Barack, along with others who are at the top of their game. I don't see how he can ignore McWar when he makes these stupid statements. He must answer him, but not allow it to dominate his message/campaign. Besides, it's a different ballgame this time around.

[karynnj]

23. The difference was the country was not ready to believe Kerry

that you could control non-state terrorists and minimize what they could do through smart actions - actions Kerry incidently was lobbying for BEFORE 911. His comments on terrorism, even in the months after 911, were more accurate than anyone's. By 2006, even George Will, of all people said that Kerry was right. Not to mention - national security and Iraq WERE the issue in 2004, not the economy.

The fact is that Kerry came extremely close to defeating a sitting President in a time of war, at a point where Americans were still extremely traumatized by 911. Even in 2004, Kerry said calling it a war on terror was a poor name, but I would bet that even 7 years later saying the war on terror is a bumper sticker is clearly not going to sell the voters in the middle that we need.

As to now, Obama needs to pass a threshold where people are comfortable with him keeping them safe. As to economics being the big issue - consider this - the economy is always a bigger issue for Democrats in times like this than for the entire population. The one who ran almost entirely on the economy was Edwards - and at his best was at about 15%.

[greyl]

3. Contrary to right-wing marketing spin, terror is one of THEIR many weaknesses. nt

[hokies4ever]

5. I completely disagree

First, McCain was leading in the polls when voters were asked who they trusted more on national security. It is wise for Obama to welcome this debate about national security and terrorism. Think about it like the underdog in a state in the primaries challenging the frontrunner to a debate. Nothing to lose, everything to gain. All indications are that Obama is breaking even or doing better than McCain, so he's gaining ground on the national security issue everyday.

Also, it's important to prepare for an October surprise from Bush. We all know that Dumbya is contemplating bombing Iran sometime before he leaves office. If that does happen, it would be too late to start up a national security debate at the last moment before the November election.

[Youphemism]

6. Don't listen to the pundits, especially Buchanan...

They suggest that Obama is "playing their game" on the terror issue. Obama has a lot of good arguments about how to go about handling terrorism.

It's true that Obama has other strengths, and should focus on them over the terror issue. But stuff is going to come up, and he's going to have to talk about it.

What matters most is that he makes terror a proportionally smaller part of the debate and that he doesn't allow McCain to control most of the news cycles. McCain, being the one-note wonder that he is, will only mention staying in Iraq and terrorists when he gets the initiative in the news cycle.

Don't get too worried about it. There are over four months to go, and some days the topic will be terrorists. It's a major issue. He can't, and wouldn't want to run from it.

[polichick]

7. imo he did the right thing by pointing out that the Reps have no standing...

...since they engineered a distraction rather than going after the 9-11 terrorists.

That's the truth other people are afraid to speak.

[hardbop]

8. I agree

...and we can't keep coming back with: "Well, they screwed things up to begin with!" as a defense. While true, it makes it seem like that's all we have in the arsenal. The simple fact is: Things are as they are. How would Obama deal with it? That's what the independent voters are looking at.

[dkf]

9. NO. I want to hear how he is going to change our policies.

He needs to win this argument...WE need to win this argument.

I'm tired of being considered a bunch of pansy know-nothings on the issue of terrorism.

If we want to run away from this issue we don't deserve to run the country.

[DeeDeeNY]

10. I agree with you, but he can't ignore the "terror" topic either

He needs to re-frame the argument to show how the billions being spent are actually making us less safe, and then go on to the economy, etc.

[Maureen1322]

11. The talking heads are really playing this up,

and I think Barack needs to face it head on.
Avoiding it will show weakness.
I hope he hits McCain and his "politics of fear" hard and fast.

[Peacetrain]

13. The neo cons so totally blew post 9/11 and all the aftermath

..and remember John McCain said they messed it up, now to try and keep us on the same path??.. I think Obama is handling this just fine.. he has done a yeoman's job so far..

[mtnsnake]

14. Right Wing neocons are terrorists in their own right & should be strung up by their nuts

and left to dry until they come to their senses, and that includes Ann Coulter.

They've terroized the voters into doing what's wrong.
They've terrorized the environment.
They've terrorized our wildlife.
They've terrorized other countries into civil war and are doing their best to terrorize their own country the same.

Obama cannot ignore those assholes and thank goodness he isn't so far.

[olkaz]

15. I'm really glad you're not in charge of the Obama campaign.

Considering that they engineered the biggest primary upset in ... I don't know how long, I'm going to go ahead and say that they probably know what they're doing.

The sky is not falling.

[old mark]

16. Saw one of Obama's advisors on CNN this morning

addressing this issue. She was great! Very tough, get out of Iraq, get it finished in Afghanistan. She even said" Kill Osama Bin Laden. "

She went after McCain, called the Iraq war "Stupid", and a "diversion" from the real terrorists.

This woman was reading my mind.

I think Obama will gain over McCain as more of his concrete ideas are brought out.

mark

[niceypoo]

17. I would agree with the OP at least partially...

Democratic candidates have a bad habit of picking up on idiotic RW talking points, like 'terra-ists' or mindless tax cutting, or biggoted immigration policies. We need candidates who arent afraid to stand up and say what is necessary, not what they think will be popular or poll well.

[KittyWampus]

18. As Wes Clark said- Democrats are a FULL SERVICE party. We will NOT back down on this issue

[barack the house]

19. It also trys to drag in old division from the primary we must work as one and ignore it....

Obama wants that.

[blondeatlast]

20. Hit. Run. Take the trash out because Mom's getting pissed. Giggle. Repeat. nt

[Bluerthanblue]

21. I'd like us to turn to the 'elephant' in our world- called NATURAL 'terror'-

and how bush's insane wars have been responsible for the poor responses to many urgent and devestating events that aren't getting any less frequent.

That and the VERY DEADLY TERRORS of homelessness, inadequate non existant health care- poverty, hunger, unemployment, etc.


peace~

[New Earth]

22. you live in my home town

:o :wtf:

[IndianaJones]

24. I say sense when does terrorists control the democrat party? nt.

[CreekDog]

25. said Mark Penn to anybody that would listen

:eyes:

[PoliticalAmazon]

26. Obama has to counter GOP attacks on security issues...

If he comes back strongly now, in the beginning, they will be less likely to continue it.

He cannot afford to do what Gore and Kerry did--lag in responding to their attacks until their lies, standing unopposed, become the perceived truth by voters.