The 2008 Presidential Election (official)

[CookyPuss]

Originally Posted by fourteenandoh

what is obama's greatest accomplishment so far in his political career?

I'd say it is coming up with a strategy that appeals to both the far left and moderate republicans/independents. Plus setting up a positive campaign so that any criticism of him is bound to be painted as "racist" in the press. If you demand experience, then he will never win your vote. If you want someone who doesn't owe a ton of favors to a bunch of special interests and is more likely to look out for what he believes is best for the country than what his party wants, then he's going to appeal to you. I like a guy who is willing to [censored] off both sides to do what he thinks is "right." I've always thought McCain could be that kind of candidate, but it seems that he may swing more "right" to "shore up the base." Interestingly, I think with the way things are going that McCain is more likely to tow the party line despite his "maverick" moniker.

[BuckeyeMike80]

Originally Posted by fourteenandoh

what is obama's greatest accomplishment so far in his political career?

Part of it is he's managed to damage the other candidates and come out of it smelling like a rose I guess.....

The other is he hasn't had to end up making deals and owing people and he's right at the cusp of the very height of politics in the US.....as a freshman Senator from Illinois.....

[Muck]

Originally Posted by fourteenandoh

what is obama's greatest accomplishment so far in his political career?

His uncanny ability to never actually vote on any issue.

[BuckBackHome]

I refuse to vote until Dennis Kucinich is listed!

[NJ-Buckeye]

Originally Posted by BuckBackHome

I refuse to vote until Dennis Kucinich is listed!

sorry, but your uncle did not make the final cut

[Buckeye Maniac]

Originally Posted by buckeyegrad

Great candidate? Yes!
Great President? Not likely!

I think he'd be a great president as well. His plans actually have substance and are intelligent, unlike some candidates.

[BuckBackHome]

Originally Posted by NJ-Buckeye

sorry, but your uncle did not make the final cut

When the Mother Ship comes to get all the believers I will make sure your name is on the "special" list.

[buckeyegrad]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Maniac

I think he'd be a great president as well. His plans actually have substance and are intelligent, unlike some candidates.

Such as?

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by buckeyegrad

Such as?

He plans to be the one appointing Supreme Court Justices.

Genius!!! Has my vote.

[Flocka]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Maniac

I think he'd be a great president as well. His plans actually have substance and are intelligent, unlike some candidates.

Yeah, I am huge fan on his stance on national security. Just imagine a world in which there was no threat of using nuclear weapons.

Obama is a media fabrication, but if Hillary keeps crying it looks like Obama will get the nod.

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by bigballin2987

Yeah, I am huge fan on his stance on national security. Just imagine a world in which there was no threat of using nuclear weapons.

Obama is a media fabrication, but if Hillary keeps crying it looks like Obama will get the nod.

My thoughts. Yes, he's resume light. But he obviously has the sense to have really good people working for him. It is hard for any of us to imagine the complexity and organizational nightmare of a national campaign. He has surrounded himself with good advisers, and that is ultimately what the President has to do. I believe that Bush went awry in letting himself be put in a bubble inside the WH. He created the insular administration that is his legacy. The level of contempt for the opinion of those across the isle was palpable.

And that is fine, if you think it a sin and a crime to hold any of the views that the bestiality lovin' liberals do...but often it is good to explore other ideas, not matter what yours are. Bush never had the slightest desire to consider any way but his. But he is nothing if not steadfast. I will give him that.

Which is not to say that having good handlers in an election campaign is the same as having greater longevity in the Senate and more foreign policy experience, but it does speak to his decision making process at some level.

Those of you old enough to remember the many people laughing at the thought of Ron Reagan - the 20 Mule Team Borax/Bedtime for Bonzo actor -being President, can vouch for the fact that prior foreign policy experience is not always required.

[Flocka]

Originally Posted by Gatorubet

My thoughts. Yes, he's resume light. But he obviously has the sense to have really good people working for him. It is hard for any of us to imagine the complexity and organizational nightmare of a national campaign. He has surrounded himself with good advisers, and that is ultimately what the President has to do. I believe that Bush went awry in letting himself be put in a bubble inside the WH. He created the insular administration that is his legacy. The level of contempt for the opinion of those across the isle was palpable.

And that is fine, if you think it a sin and a crime to hold any of the views that the bestiality lovin' liberals do...but often it is good to explore other ideas, not matter what yours are. Bush never had the slightest desire to consider any way but his. But he is nothing if not steadfast. I will give him that.

Which is not to say that having good handlers in an election campaign is the same as having greater longevity in the Senate and more foreign policy experience, but it does speak to his decision making process at some level.

Those of you old enough to remember the many people laughing at the thought of Ron Reagan - the 20 Mule Team Borax/Bedtime for Bonzo actor -being President, can vouch for the fact that prior foreign policy experience is not always required.

Well the reason I don't think Obama deserves to be president is because he has done nothing yet. It has nothing to do with the fact that he is a horse-screwing liberal. He does not have enough experience, and I think this has already been shown with his comments on using nuclear weapons. It is easy to look like a great candidate when you have done nothing to warrant any controversy.

[CookyPuss]

Saw Colin Powell on CNN today, he said Obama is a very "interesting" candidate and complimented him on the excitement he has generated at home and internationally. Agreed with Obama's foreign policy approach that would open dialog with countries like Iran is the best approach. Said he hasn't made up his mind and won't be making any endorsements soon. Wants to see the platforms, the issues the parties will be pushing, possible appointments (including supreme court justices and cabinet). I really respect Powell, wish Bush had listened to him more. Anyways, I thought it was pretty interesting that he wasn't buying into the "lack of experience" argument about Obama and seemed to imply that his Iraq strategy is not "naive" as Hillary has implied, but is more or less the strategy he would employ. Didn't seem to have much use for McCain's "we might be there 100 years approach," basically saying that Iraq isn't anywhere near the situation Germany or Korea.

[MaxBuck]

If Obama were to be able to persuade Colin Powell to be his running mate, then liberalism and party affliation be damned, I might vote for the naive little twit. Such is my great respect and admiration for Colin Powell.

I'll say the same for John McCain if he were to run with Powell (I'll likely vote for McCain anyway if he wins the GOP nomination).

[CookyPuss]

Originally Posted by MaxBuck

If Obama were to be able to persuade Colin Powell to be his running mate, then liberalism and party affliation be damned, I might vote for the naive little twit. Such is my great respect and admiration for Colin Powell.

I'll say the same for John McCain if he were to run with Powell (I'll likely vote for McCain anyway if he wins the GOP nomination).

I don't know about that, but here are the quotes:

Even as Bush said he'd help McCain if he won the Republican nomination, the president's former secretary of State, Gen. Colin L. Powell, said in a separate interview that he was open to voting for a Democrat for president.

Powell, a Republican, praised Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

"I think he's been an exciting person on the political stage," Powell said on CNN's "Late Edition." "He has energized a lot of people in America; he has energized a lot of people around the world."

Powell backed Obama's proposal to open talks with Iran -- a key difference with Obama's opponent, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton -- saying it was important to engage with leaders of states in conflict with U.S. policies.

"You have to talk to folks that you may not necessarily like, and you can't put down impossible preconditions for conversations," said Powell in a clear reference to Clinton, who has said she would not open discussions with antagonists without ground rules.

"You can't say, 'Give me what I want before I will talk to you,' " Powell said. "That doesn't work. It won't work with Syria; it won't work with Iran."

If McCain is nominee, Bush will help campaign - Los Angeles Times