Obama Warns Against Divisive Politics

Source: Assciated Press

By BETH FOUHY

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Democrat Barack Obama on Monday sharpened his critique of lead rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, warning against a return to "divisive, special interest politics" that had demoralized the country even before President Bush took office.


Sen. Barack Obama,D-Ill., delivers a speech at a campaign stop in Lexington, KY., Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)


"As bad as this administration has been, it's going to take more than just a change in parties to truly turn this country around," Obama told supporters at a Labor Day rally.

"George Bush and Dick Cheney may have turned divisive, special interest politics into an art form, but it was there before they got to Washington. If you and I don't stand up to challenge it, it will be there long after we leave."

It was the latest volley in the "change versus experience" debate that has dominated the dialogue between Clinton and her top rivals in recent weeks. On Sunday, Clinton unveiled a new campaign speech where she argued that only a president experienced in the ways of Washington could bring about real political transformation.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070903/D8RE51N00.html

And a good tactical approach - notice the none too subtle linking of Clinton (albeit a different one) to divisiveness. A bit on the triangulating side for those who claim to be above it (of course no politician above dogcatcher really IS above it!) but a shrewd move.

I wish Democrats would stop using "special interests." That's so vague it essentially means any interests the listener doesn't like.

meaningful legislation to end the war and restore Constitutional law?

Please? MKJ

There will be a SFRC hearing on Iraq today - should be interesting.

IRAQ: AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT

HEARING
before the

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Time: 2:00 PM
Place: 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Presiding: Senator Kerry


Witnesses:

+The Honorable David M. Walker
Comptroller General of the United States
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Washington, DC

You sure got a lot of room attacking Hillary of "divisive, special interest politics" politics when you yourself have joined the DNC using the "rogue" slur against Democratic voters in Florida and Michigan.

In case you haven't figured it out, pandering to the ethanol industry in Iowa is "divisive, special interest politics."

Thanks for showing that despite the nice packaging as an agent of change, that beneath the packaging you are no different from anyone else.

Since they are no different than anyone else? MKJ

As to your snide remark, which is more typical of the authoritarian bots we find every election year, I'll say this:

I like my Indiana Democrats. Sorry about yours!

Don't you guys even know what the term "democratic" means? Does the term "participatory democracy" ring a bell, somewhere?

:toast: MKJ

BUT, if there is one condition under which I would not vote for the Democratic ticket is this:

Joe Lieberman as VP as part of a "national reconciliation" ticket.

I won't vote for any ticket that has Holy Joe in it.

that had demoralized the country even before President Bush took office."

Where'd he get the demoralisation from? I thought both elections brought record turnouts of new voters.

:grr:

intelligent options come their way (Obama) they're to use expecting nothing but a positive outcome,
like umm... Nancy Pelosi?

That is more true than even Obama will admit, I suspect.

Good speech, I think, but can we please get beyond the word "change"? Unless he's planning to do something specific about corporate lobbyists, media consolidation and campaign finance, his "change" is going to look depressingly familiar.