Yes, I'm going to believe Peggy Noonan and an unnamed "Senior Democratic Strategist"...

[FVZA_Colonel]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2909844/Barack-Obama-under-fire-for-ignoring-advice-on-how-to-beat-John-McCain.html

By Tim Shipman in Washington
Last Updated: 9:29PM BST 13 Sep 2008

Mr Obama has never won an electoral contest against a strong Republican candidate Photo: AP
The Democratic presidential candidate's slump in the polls has sparked pointed private criticism that he is squandering a once-in-a-generation chance to win back the White House.

Party elders also believe the Obama camp is in denial about warnings from Democratic pollsters that his true standing is four to six points lower than that in published polls because of hidden racism from voters - something that would put him a long way behind Mr McCain.

The Sunday Telegraph has learned that senators, governors and union leaders who have experience of winning hard-fought races in swing states have been bombarding Obamas campaign headquarters with telephone calls offering advice. But many of those calls have not been returned.

A senior Democratic strategist, who has played a prominent role in two presidential campaigns, told The Sunday Telegraph: "These guys are on the verge of blowing the greatest gimme in the history of American politics. They're the most arrogant bunch Ive ever seen. They won't accept that they are losing and they won't listen."
...................................................................................................................................................................

Given how notoriously right-wing the Telegraph is, I'm not surprised to see something like this. But it is disheartening to see that even the foreign press is trying to pick up on the "Obama is arrogant" meme.

[DefenseLawyer]

1. Well thanks for reprinting it verbatim!

given how "disheartening" it is and all.:eyes:

[FVZA_Colonel]

4. I just wanted to point out the idiocy of what we're dealing with, and how far away it can come from.

That's honestly the reason. This whole "people are secretly racist" meme is an attempt to dispirit Obama supporters into thinking why they ought to even bother. I must admit I was bothered by the "issue" it raises, but then gave it all the serious thought and examination it really required; now, the only bothersome part is that it still gets such wide traction.

[DefenseLawyer]

11. A humble suggestion

If you want to point out idiocy, you might consider just a summary. "Hey everyone, I read a ridiculous article that made a ridiculous argument." Explain what it was and maybe add a link. When you cut and paste a big chunk of a bullshit article, people might get the wrong idea that you just wanted people to read the bullshit article.

[FVZA_Colonel]

12. I don't know why I didn't consider doing that, but that was the reason.

What bothers me about this isn't it's possible validity, it's that people keep repeating a meme like this.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Provably False

He *has* won electoral contests against strong Republican candidates - he beat both Clintons in the primary.

[the_realist]

3. Calm Down

Really, Obama and his campaign have run solidly for almost 20 months. Campaigns have ups and downs. Last thing we need are more expert strategists in the kitchen who want to use old tactics. Stay focused, get people registered and then get them out to vote. We're still strong in the electoral college, the only measure that matters.

[melody]

5. dupe

dupe ignore

[sam sarrha]

6. THIS ELECTION WILL BE STOLEN BY THE MEDIA

[napi21]

7. Awe comeon folks. Remember Peggy's open mike comment?

"I'S OVER!"

[FVZA_Colonel]

9. That, amongst a wide number of other reasons, is why I thought this was crap.

She can't just pretend she never said those things.

[melody]

8. The end is near, it's all over, the fat lady has sung, we can pack it up

Yup, we're all convinced.

Just more GOP discouragement psychops.

[liberalmuse]

10. WTF is this shit?

Just how do pollsters determine 'hidden racism' at 5 or 6 points? I smell a steaming pile of turd.

[shraby]

13. I see one major flaw in their thinking..

why would racist people lie about voting for Obama and say they were and actually weren't? All they'd have to say is they are voting for McCain.
I've said it before and will say it again..this is a strawman argument.

[crimsonblue]

15. racists aren't smart enough to trick the pollsters...

But I, a liberal independent, am smart enough to tell the pollsters I am a Republican and do my part to fuck up their statistics. :evilgrin:

[crimsonblue]

14. What a disgusting "article"

There was not one single sourced "democratic" aide mentioned. I find it completely ludicrous that a powerful Dem aide, for example, would ever portray the attacks on Obama's community organizing work as effective and making Obama seem dangerous and a "campus radical" for it. The author of this piece needs to start naming his sources, or it's lights out. God, what a blatantly racist, bigoted, hateful, lying, no good, four flushing, snake oil selling, worthless, vomit inducing, whiney, vindictive, pathetic piece of HORSE SHIT. Holy Shit. Pass the tylenol.

[Aqaba]

16. Well thank you James Carville /sarcasm