The Daschleization of Barack Obama - or, How to Lose Your Balance By Centering Yourself

[depakid]

Barack Obama's candidacy is an ongoing series of calculations and adjustments with a single desired outcome: victory. And, controversial as this may sound, I have no problem with that - if (and this is a big "if") it doesn't do lasting damage to itself or the political discourse in the process.

He hasn't come near that point with the actions of the last week, but he is playing "chicken" with his own fate and that of his party. Obama appears to be a extremely centered person. But, as any meditator can tell you, the process of "centering" can paradoxically cause you to lose your balance. How? If you try too hard.

The real problem isn't that Obama indicated he'd vote for a so-called "compromise" FISA bill that gives the Right 90% of what it wants. The problem is that he'll gain absolutely no benefit from having done so. Here's why:

* The GOP will still hammer him as "soft on terror." They'll use his willingness to negotiate with hostile leaders, his Iraq withdrawal plan, and anything else they can get their hands on.

* With these changes, they'll also hit him as a "flip-flopper" who'll change his position for political expendiency. In fact, they've already started.

They're already treating him the same way they treated former Majority Leader Tom Daschle, a fine public servant who bent over backward to work with the GOP on issues of war and terror. Daschle had genuine military and intelligence credentials as an Air Force intelligence officer, too - yet he lost to a businessman with no military experience. John Thune claimed Daschle was a virtual traitor who "emboldened the enemy" by questioning the Administration's execution of the war.

It's the same Republican Party now that it was then. That's why frequent Obama collaborator Sam Brownback is now falsely claiming Obama's never worked in a true "bipartisan" fashion, ignoring their extensive joint efforts.

The FISA vote's been delayed. That means Obama still has an opportunity to do several things differently:

More: http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/1554

[JackORoses]

1. c'mon deepak, don't you have another metaphysical tome to be writing?

or do you find it absolutely necessary to continue attacking the Democratic Nominee?

lame.

[depakid]

2. Read the whole article- it's not an attack at all!

It's a game called chess. A game for winners.

Here's some more:

That means Obama still has an opportunity to do several things differently:

* Make a new assertion - if we sacrifice our freedoms and our laws, the terrorists win. Obama's been eloquent on this point before, and he can say it again here even more strongly: We can protect ourselves and still be the America we love. In fact, to do anything less is a betrayal of our principles.

* Come up with an approach that's really new and bipartisan. If the Obama campaign has decided it's too risky to oppose telco immunity, than accept it - but with conditions. He can say that he's willing to consider immunity for the telco's if full details of their activities are revealed to a bipartisan working group, and the group then recommends it. That would address any suspicion that the Republicans are hiding some dirty dealings. (They probably won't take the deal, either, which means he can call them obstructionist and raise questions of corruption and cronyism.)

* Link this issue to McCain's integrity problem. Everybody wants to put those accusations of McCain infidelity behind them. It's a sleazy topic (and an icky thought.) But the real story of his association with Vicki Iseman is his ongoing use of lobbyists' airplanes and money. Surrogates should be discussing the unseemliness of seeking financial relief (which is what civil immunity really is) for companies that have been wining and dining Sen. McCain.

And that raises the (rhetorical) question: Has McCain been granted "retroactive immunity" from the press for his associations with lobbyists for telco's and other big businesses?

Here's the bottom line: Obama's in danger of making the same mistake Democrats have been making for the last eight years. He's running the risk of letting them define the narrative. That's exactly the criticism some of us levelled against the Clinton campaign's Kyl/Lieberman vote and hawkish rhetoric....

More: http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/15545
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I may never have been a member of the Obama fan club, but one thing I hope no who's ever read my posts doubts is that I HATE Republicans for what they've done to this country. Just as they hate the likes of me.

[JackORoses]

3. it's ok, we all know what your aims are

[depakid]

4. Getting people to critically would be a start

[JVS]

5. Yup. It's very clear.

[depakid]

6. The sig line is apropos, I'll say that

How about a few thoughts on the issues and strategy choices that the article raises? Any comment?

[ulysses]

7. I'm getting a permission error on the link, depa.

[wyldwolf]

8. What I think you're experiencing is..

.. the reallization Obama is a centrist and always has been. If blaming it on Daschle makes you feel better, have at it.

[styersc]

10. This is an ABSOLUTE TRUTH. Obama is no progressive.

[quickesst]

9. As the first reply....

to the op indicates, stating basic truths and facts have no place in helping Obama prepare for the onslaught of the Republican Slime Machine. Putting one's fingers in thier ears, and screaming "NA NA NA NA NA NA" to deafen the sound will neither change the reality, nor will it aid in the fight to correct the perceptions being propogated by the right wing. The inablility to differentiate between criticism, and an attack on a candidate's character and prinicples is the defense of an ostrich sticking his head in the sand, and believing they are safe because they cannot see their antagonist, and doing so without the ability to assess the danger, if any, of said antagonist. The op offers an article on a very real danger Obama faces if it is not dealt with intelligently. Attacking the messengers won't silence the source. The more "avid" Obama fans need to wake up and smell the reality. Thanks.
quickesst

[BlooInBloo]

11. Yes, you guys are doing it for Obama's own good. How charitable of you.