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Lizahana -> RE: How did Obama get to where he is today? (6/29/2008 11:06:14 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: saved9201
The democrats' most loyal base has been black voters, however word has it, that a growing number have become somewhat disillusioned with the party. Meanwhile, it was the republicans who appointed the first black secretary of state (arguably the second most important position in the free world), AND the first black female secretary of state, with Rice most recently being mentioned as a possible future presidential or vp nominee.
Perhaps some in the democratic party did not want the GOP to become the first to nominate a viable black presidential candidate and felt desperate to find and actively promote someone of color before that happened. After seeing he was good at saying speeches, kissing babies and didn't scare white folks near a much as Jesse Jackson (at least not at first) Obama, as someone already posted, just happened to be the "Hey, you," guy, in the right place at the right time.
Why did they diss Hillary and female voters? I think because white females aren't as loyal to the democratic party as black voters.
But also I think the Clinton's must have made some enemies and some, not wanting to trek through those still smoldering ruins of scandal that plagued that administration, may have been desperate for a "savior" to keep Billary out of the White House at all costs.
- Julius
That's a very interesting point that I had not considered before. Although Kennedy and LBJ are credited with the Civil Right Act, affirmative action laws, Voting Rights Act; and although LBJ appointed some of the first African American cabinet members - I have never thought the Democrat party was that much better than the other on the issue of civil rights, since Republicans have appointed African American cabinet members as well.
I think that bringing Hillary as the Democrats choice to the table in '08 would have been way too polarizing - she definitely would not have gotten the independent vote, IMHO, because she is too much like McCain in SOME issues. They are both of the machine, the old guard. I have never heard so many of different parties say that they are tired of the old Washington ways of doing things.
And, IMHO, I think Patti Doyle or whoever the Hillary's campaign manager was at any given time during her bid for the Dem nomination - I think they should have put a muzzle on Bill. I don't know what happened to him, but, IMHO, he lost something between 2000 and now. His speeches no longer even had a touch of honey, from what I heard, but a lot of bitterness. I think he hurt Hillary's chances.
I think people downplay the gift of communication - just like Reagan, Obama gives hope with his words - listening to his speeches, you really do feel his words motivate you. Not only does he give hope, but it almost seems that he is saying that it is YOUR repsonsibility - not the governments (though I know I'm going to hear it for that remark !) - to help make this country great again. He calls for people to not accept the same, but to have hope again. At least that's what I take away from his speeches. And, his movement is what I would consider a grass roots movement.
Peace and God bless,
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