Obama: Radical in Liberal Clothing

[cwo_ghwebb]

..in order to position himself for the general election, Obama has been running furiously toward the center-- deemphasizing his liberalism with the adroit use of linguistic jiu jitsu.

Yet even with his recent attempts at moderation he retains positions on several significant issues indistinguishable from those of Dennis Kucinich. Most of those positions are opposed not only by overwhelming majorities of all Americans, but in several cases, majorities of Democrats as well.
Whenever a proposition polls in the 60% range, it's considered to be in landslide territory. That doesn't necessarily mean that someone supporting the minority viewpoint is a nut or an extremist, but at some point it may fairly be said that a person on the short end of several of these propositions is out of the mainstream. Here are just some of the issues in which Obama's on the fringe of American opinion:*

Obama opposes offshore drilling for oil. Voters support drilling by 67% to 18%. (Rasmussen, June 2008).

Obama supports giving driver licenses to illegal immigrants. Americans oppose this 76% to 23%. (CNN/ Opinion Research, Oct. 2007)

Obama supports affirmative action in public employment, contracting and university admissions. Americans oppose giving an advantage in these areas on the basis of race by a margin of 82% to 14%. (Newsweek, July 2007)

Obama says that he will cut funding for research and development of missile defense systems. 89% of Americans support development of or research for missile defense -- 8% don't. (Program on International Policy Alternatives, March 2004) It's worth noting that Obama's closer to a pre-9/11 view of missile defense. An August 2001 Bloomberg News poll showed only 49% favored missile defense at that time whereas 41% opposed it.

Obama voted against a ban on partial birth abortions. Americans support a ban by a margin of 66% to 28%. (CNN/Opinion Research, May 2007)
Despite his equivocal statements regarding the recent Supreme Court decision striking down the D.C. gun ban, Obama has never met a gun ban he didn't like. Although many Americans support certain types of restrictions on guns, they oppose broad bans by a margin of 68% to 30%. In fact, 58% insist no new gun laws should be passed.(Gallup, Oct. 2007)

Obama opposed the Induced Birth Infant Liability Act while in the Illinois state legislature. The measure is designed to prevent abortion providers from withholding medical care and sustenance from infants born after surviving an abortion attempt. There's no national polling data on this state issue, but when the Senate voted on a analogous piece of legislation -- the Born Alive Infant Protection Act -- the measure passed unanimously.

Obama voted against a bill that would make English the official language for conducting business with the U.S. government. Americans support making English the official language 85% to 11%, including 79% of Democrats. (Rasmussen, July 2006)

While in the Illinois state legislature, Obama voted against parental notification requirements for abortions for minors. Americans support parental notification laws by a margin of 79% to 17%. Even 64% of those identifying themselves as pro-choice support such laws. (Fox News/Opinion Dynamics, April 2005)

Obama maintains that the Supreme Court's recent decisions prohibiting the use of race in determining public school assignments are wrong. In contrast, 71% of American agree with the decisions and only 24% disagree. (Quinnipiac, July 2007)

*(Obviously, the surveys cited above aren't the only ones on the respective issues but are generally representative of the latest polls on the topics.)

I believe Obama supporters don't really care what position he takes. They are looking to win in November, at any cost. After losing the last two elections, they're smarting and the feeling of anger has overwhelmed any common sense they might once have had.

American Thinker: Obama: Radical in Liberal Clothing

[Bann (Premo)]

Originally Posted by cwo_ghwebb

..in order to position himself for the general election, Obama has been running furiously toward the center-- deemphasizing his liberalism with the adroit use of linguistic jiu jitsu.

I believe Obama supporters don't really care what position he takes. They are looking to win in November, at any cost. After losing the last two elections, they're smarting and the feeling of anger has overwhelmed any common sense they might once have had.

But last part is a contradiction in terms, if I ever heard one!

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Bann

But last part is a contradiction in terms, if I ever heard one!

...another fascinating aspect of this years race. I really can't figure out if McCain is the GOP nominee so that he will lose or if Obama is the Dem nominee so he will lose.

The Dems have their Super delegate control as a last line of defense in order to prevent a candidate like Obama from getting the nomination, yet, they are terrified of stopping him. He truly shapes up to be a disaster precisely because of his record.

McCain, well, it was his turn even though no one actually wants him. If he wins, the GOP may be out of power for a generation.

On top of that, McCain is a terribly campaigner and simply can't and won't take Obama to task on his largest weaknesses. And for Obama's part, he can't make an argument against McCain on 4 out of 5 of Obama's biggest issues;

There is clear success in Iraq that can be directly attributed to McCain for his long and public argument to increase troop levels.

The economy, though not great, is OK. It grew again this last quarter.

McCain is on board the Algore man made global warming bus.

McCain, the GOP Maverick and thorn in the party's side for over a decade, is clearly change to a fair degree and is decidedly not Bush III.

Healthcare seems to be the only real difference and I'm not sure about that.

And there, on the sidelines, with everything to lose with an Obama win is the Clinton's, like two sharks, circling, looking for the slightest hint of blood.


Just fascinating.

[Bann (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

...another fascinating aspect of this years race. I really can't figure out if McCain is the GOP nominee so that he will lose or if Obama is the Dem nominee so he will lose.

The Dems have their Super delegate control as a last line of defense in order to prevent a candidate like Obama from getting the nomination, yet, they are terrified of stopping him. He truly shapes up to be a disaster precisely because of his record.

McCain, well, it was his turn even though no one actually wants him. If he wins, the GOP may be out of power for a generation.

On top of that, McCain is a terribly campaigner and simply can't and won't take Obama to task on his largest weaknesses. And for Obama's part, he can't make an argument against McCain on 4 out of 5 of Obama's biggest issues;

There is clear success in Iraq that can be directly attributed to McCain for his long and public argument to increase troop levels.

The economy, though not great, is OK. It grew again this last quarter.

McCain is on board the Algore man made global warming bus.

McCain, the GOP Maverick and thorn in the party's side for over a decade, is clearly change to a fair degree and is decidedly not Bush III.

Healthcare seems to be the only real difference and I'm not sure about that.

And there, on the sidelines, with everything to lose with an Obama win is the Clinton's, like two sharks, circling, looking for the slightest hint of blood.


Just fascinating.

I agree with everything you said - and you're right - it is fascinating! That's what is really at the core of the election process for me this year -how fascinating it is.

[cwo_ghwebb]

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

...another fascinating aspect of this years race. I really can't figure out if McCain is the GOP nominee so that he will lose or if Obama is the Dem nominee so he will lose.

The Dems have their Super delegate control as a last line of defense in order to prevent a candidate like Obama from getting the nomination, yet, they are terrified of stopping him. He truly shapes up to be a disaster precisely because of his record.

McCain, well, it was his turn even though no one actually wants him. If he wins, the GOP may be out of power for a generation.

On top of that, McCain is a terribly campaigner and simply can't and won't take Obama to task on his largest weaknesses. And for Obama's part, he can't make an argument against McCain on 4 out of 5 of Obama's biggest issues;

There is clear success in Iraq that can be directly attributed to McCain for his long and public argument to increase troop levels.

The economy, though not great, is OK. It grew again this last quarter.

McCain is on board the Algore man made global warming bus.

McCain, the GOP Maverick and thorn in the party's side for over a decade, is clearly change to a fair degree and is decidedly not Bush III.

Healthcare seems to be the only real difference and I'm not sure about that.

And there, on the sidelines, with everything to lose with an Obama win is the Clinton's, like two sharks, circling, looking for the slightest hint of blood.


Just fascinating.

I agree with your assessment. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out. The MSM is already trying to neutralize Fox with the NYT leading the charge. They really don't want to get off message with their support for Obama. I think that may tip the scales in this election for Obama.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by cwo_ghwebb

I agree with your assessment. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out. The MSM is already trying to neutralize Fox with the NYT leading the charge. They really don't want to get off message with their support for Obama. I think that may tip the scales in this election for Obama.

...but who knows???

The fact of the matter is Obama's record and what he's done with his life; lawyer, neighborhood organizer, political opportunist, his super slick used car salesman shtick. His mad at the world for no apparent reason wife. His dubious friends and allies. He could hardly have a worse resume for main stream Americans or a better one for the left. The left just doesn't win the White House.

The other part is McCain; war hero. Maverick. Fought with his own party. Not an ideologue at all on law and policy. Moderate views on the environment, taxes, social issues and he is a leader on what is starting to look like winning in Iraq. Hell, there's not even much difference between them on illegal immigration.

Look at recent winners; Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II. We don't go left in this country.

I can see Obama not even coming close and I can see him winning big.
Same for McCain.

[ImnoMensa]

You call this election fascinating. I suppose it is.

But its also frightening.

Neither of these two clowns should get any closer to the White House than Lafayette Park. Yet one of these Turkey's will be leading the country. Thats frightening.

We vote this year to pick the one who will do the least damage, with Reid and Pelosi sitting in the cat bird seats and cowardly Republicans afraid to speak up in the Congress we dont have any real checks and balance this term.

Look for higher taxes, Green envirowhacko business killing regulation ,and illegals running wild at the borders. Fasten your seat belts, its going to be a rough ride.

[RadioPatrol]

Originally Posted by Bann

I agree with everything you said - and you're right - it is fascinating! That's what is really at the core of the election process for me this year - how fascinating it is.

Ugh I am glad you find it so fascinating ... I am throughly disgusted by the whole affair ...

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by ImnoMensa

You call this election fascinating. I suppose it is.

But its also frightening.

Neither of these two clowns should get any closer to the White House than Lafayette Park. Yet one of these Turkey's will be leading the country. Thats frightening.

We vote this year to pick the one who will do the least damage, with Reid and Pelosi sitting in the cat bird seats and cowardly Republicans afraid to speak up in the Congress we dont have any real checks and balance this term.

Look for higher taxes, Green envirowhacko business killing regulation ,and illegals running wild at the borders. Fasten your seat belts, its going to be a rough ride.

...but what's the point of being scared about it? Where's the better choice? Someone is gonna win.

We've had Wilson who ran one of the darker presidencies in our history and he hardly gets talked about. That doesn't mean he wasn't a stain on we, the people.

FDR was the closest we'd come to a king since 1775.

JFK was way out if his element.

LBJ got us into a stupid war.

Nixon beget the beginning of deep public cynicism about government.

Carter seems pretty bad because many of us actually remember him.

The left lived in terror of Reagan.

Bush 41 set the stage for our Korea style embroilment in the middle East.

Clinton ran a frat house for 8 years.

Bush has us mired in two idiotic wars that seem designed to continue the Korea or, worse, Vietnam model. Throw in illegal immigration, an economy built on housing that has popped, his globalist mindset, I mean, I guess anyone can find reason to be terrified of any candidate. I just look at what we've had as a whole and shrug. It seems to be we'll likely be OK 4 years from now.

We, the people, are what makes this thing go; not some puny president.

[Bann (Premo)]

Originally Posted by ImnoMensa

You call this election fascinating. I suppose it is.

But its also frightening.

Neither of these two clowns should get any closer to the White House than Lafayette Park. Yet one of these Turkey's will be leading the country. Thats frightening.

We vote this year to pick the one who will do the least damage, with Reid and Pelosi sitting in the cat bird seats and cowardly Republicans afraid to speak up in the Congress we dont have any real checks and balance this term.

Look for higher taxes, Green envirowhacko business killing regulation ,and illegals running wild at the borders. Fasten your seat belts, its going to be a rough ride.

Originally Posted by RadioPatrol

Ugh I am glad you find it so fascinating ... I am throughly disgusted by the whole affair ...

I can see both of y'all's points. But I still find it fascinating. I love politics and this is part of it. Human nature at work. Not always at it's finest, but human nature, nonetheless.

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

...but what's the point of being scared about it? Where's the better choice? Someone is gonna win.

Sitting next to Larry on this bench.

We, the people, are what makes this thing go; not some puny president.

WE are not powerless. It really is true that "ALL politics is local" and that's really where it starts. With you and with me. Us.