Barack Obama, do your job...

Look dude, my wife has supported you for 4 years and I've been on board since I thought you had a reasonable shot at winning the nomination. We've given you lots of money, because, as a professional family, that's what we have time for and thought that's how we could help the most. Even then, we've contributed very LITTLE compared to the people that have poured their hearts, souls, and their last dollars into your campaign. Real, regular people have donated enormous amounts of time based on the promise that if we unite, believe, and work together, we really can change the world.

Well, the corporate establishment doesn't want to change the world because the world as it is works for them. It's that simple. The other unfortunate part of that is that they own the mass media. Non amount of carping here on the netroots will compare to you, Joe, and the rest of the Dem leaders making the issues known and standing up to the RW machine.

You've had McCain on the ropes for a while so he went for the cynical "base pick" and the female vote. It was really bad leadership, but might turn out to be smart politics. Palin, as an image or an archetype, resonates with a lot of people. The problem is that her record and personal choices show that she's big self-serving fake, phony, and flim-flam artist. She's a spokesmodel for extreme pro-oil, pro-corporate, and pro-fundamentalist views.

Just calling her a "good politician" isn't enough. Trotting around and complementing her on her political skills, her motherhood, and her "compelling story" isn't good enough.

In fact, I'm accusing you of not doing your job.

Are you guys so afraid of women that you can't tell the truth about her?

You need to get tough and tell the truth, over and over. You need to enlist every surrogate, man, woman and child to send her back to Alaska in a heap of pathetic and wilting shame for being such a liar, extremist, and hypocrite.

We have less than 60 days to decide which way this country is heading.

If you let the Right "define" McCain and Palin as "the original mavericks" and the "reformers" who offer "real change" you will lose.

I don't care how high minded you want to be or want to seem, you can't let them get away with it.

Change does come from the bottom up, however leadership comes from the top down.

Every decent board and blog is saying the same thing: Sarah Palin is a Trojan Horse full of lies, extremism, incompetence, and ignorance. We can scream all we want until we are blue in the face but we will still be the "looney left" until you, meaning the LEADER of our party, stands up viciously and vigorously to these assholes and validate our concerns.

Enough!

Do not be afraid of women. They aren't that stupid. Well, they aren't any more stupid or less stupid then men. However, don't overestimate the intelligence of the average American voter. People vote on hazy gut instincts, not on a careful weighing of the pros and the cons of bulleted policy positions. However, politically attacking a woman is not off limits. They can take it. The cool thing about it is that you don't have to do anything other than tell the truth, loudly and often with the moral courage and resolve that you expressed in your acceptance speech.

Enough is enough!

A lot of us are depending on you. It's great that you've tried to move politics in a positive direction but you can't fix 40 years of trixterism with one campaign. Right now is not the time to prove a point. Right now is time to win. You have fought valiantly and boldly at all odds. However, it's time to stick the knife in and twist it.

I don't want to hear any more of this "good politician" mealy mouthed crap. I'm preparing to write one of my last two checks to your campaign, my September disbursement. Please don't make me waste my money and please don't let my children's future, and my daughters' reproductive freedom, slip into darkness.

===========================================

On edit:

To all the naysayers below who tell me to "have patience" and to give Barack the benefit of the doubt I have a few things to say. First and foremost, I want to point out how campaigns in which the Democrats play defense end: EXTREMELY BADLY. Second, remind me how many national elections Obama, Plouffe, and Axelrod have won? Third, it's not rocket science to know that if your opponent is a liar and a phony, you don't hesitate to say so and you certainly don't compliment them, expecting the same American people who twice got snookered into voting for Bush to elect you.

Complementing Palin or trying to damn her with faint praise comes off as insincere and weak. Since when did being insincere and weak help win the Oval Office?

Obama needs to be bold.

So, what is the purpose of this post?

It's my belief that the blogosphere and the netroots are a place to generate the "buzz" out there. This buzz is then captured and distilled by more prominent writers, who actually get heard. I just don't see the point in acting as if everything is just fine because the polls are essentially tied when we actually have very little time left to define Palin as she should be. I also don't see the point in acting nice when the truth leads any discerning pol in the opposite direction.

It's one thing to "go negative" on an otherwise good person and respectable leader. I don't condone that. However, that is not what we are dealing with here.

I agree 100%.

He has demonstrated his political skills over and over again.

I'll leave the back-seat driving to you.

Why aren't we allowed to have an opinion?

The First Amendment covers free speech quite nicely IMO.

It's what you do best.

We'll see who was right in a few months.

I'm not weeping tears over things I can do nothing about.

hmmm... sounds like you HOPE you're right and Obama loses. Pitiful.
Go cry somewhere else.

What he's doing is more along the lines of backseat complimenting.

:P

But either way, I agree with those that say it would be a bad idea to attack her too strongly. If he upsets the morons out there buy "bullying" her (I.E. asking her things), then there is a VERY good likelyhood he would be seen as "the scary black man attacking the poor white girl". At that point it would be campaign over.

I agree with others, he has to focus on McCain.

that it's a she who's "backseat complimenting":)

He needs to get his ass in gear if he is going to win. McCain and that pathetic creature Palin are hammering away.

Your "fierce urgency of now" itch is self-inflicted. Obama has demonstrated a completely different political timing. He's sizing up the opposition and allowing them to hang themselves with their own lies. It's a beautiful thing, really. Patience.

YOU!!

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I remember reading on this board several times four years ago about how we shouldn't get too worried because of what a great "closer" Kerry was. Those who are concerned about how this campaign is going less than two months before Election Day have solid ground to stand on.

I wasn't here in 2004 so I cannot comment on how the chatter then and now compare. But the circumstances in 2004 were very different than they are now. Obama and Dean have built a breathtaking political machine.

That is not to say you and others aren't entitled to carry on with the negativity, but I find some of this knee-jerk criticism purposely self-defeating and reeking of an agenda.

I choose to devote my time and resources to actually helping the ticket and apparently to the annoyance of some hang-wringers here, I see a righteous victory ahead in November.

Reeking of an agenda? How about I don't want another fucking republican in the White House. Obama needs to start being a bit more proactive. No hand-wringing here.
Luckily for us, dumbass Palin is being shown every day giving the same speech from the r-convention and her repeated lies are hopefully going to be exposed by more of the MSM that just KO. Furthermore, if I have to see Palin's smarmy husband one more day, I am going to puke.
Oh, I WAS here in 2004 and many people felt the exact same way that I do now. Kerry sat there and let himself get swiftboated. His campaign sucked. Being from Boston, I saw firsthand how screwed up his campaign was.

Democratic primary voters value things the general electorate doesn't.

For instance, that quality of being "above the fray"? Huge asset in Democratic primaries. But the general electorate wants to see you throw a punch. I think Obama can be better than McCain in not basing his attacks on lies, but he does need to hit harder, at least in my opinion. I want to trust Obama, but this feels like Kerry felt in '04, when you knew he hadn't struck back about the Swiftboats hard enough.

It's really quite spectacular.

I think some people are so bent because of the last 8 years that they want Obama to CRUSH McBush and Caribou Barbie NOW. Understandable. I, however, want to win and I don't give a good goddamn how we get there.

Apparently you missed the bit in Obama's bio about how he knocked all three primary opponents off the ballot in Chicago by challenging signatures.

The man has skills that some here just aren't seeing. There is much to be said for a man that uses finesse to eviscerate his opponents.

He's dealing with forces that are monstrous now. All bluster & bullshit aside, we'll find out for sure just how good he is in the next 60 days, won't we?

Apparently you missed the bit in Obama's bio about how he knocked all three primary opponents off the ballot in Chicago by challenging signatures.

The man has skills that some here just aren't seeing. There is much to be said for a man that uses finesse to eviscerate his opponents.

Calls for an adjustment in game plan.

And DAMMIT, I am SICK TO DEATH of hearing my Dems compliment mcsame, and palin, too.

ENOUGH with the compliments!!! You do not give ANY tip of the hat, in ANY way, to the enemy. You do NOT cast ANYTHING about him or her in a positive light. DO NOT thank him for his service ANY MORE. Don't even mention it. We know already. DO NOT "damn her with faint praise about her marvelous motherhood. For heaven's sakes, whose side are our people on, anyway?

did run the most spectacular primary campaign in history. But we are talking about the General Election Campaign now ... and he is losing ground. He needs to change his tactics for the General otherwise we will be looking at another 4 years of McShame. He must stop complimenting McCain and his new VP for starters. I was disappointed with him on the Sunday morning show yesterday. I contribute to his campaign and I love him, but I agree with this diarist.
Obviously, we do not all have the same point of view here.

Now....the real thing.

how much does he pay Axelrod?

He should fire all of them and get all his advice from DU. :sarcasm:

What if the media spins it into "Angry Black Man"?

Then what?

Did you see how fast the Hillary crowd (not necessarily Hillary herself) jumped all over Obama for ANYTHING negative he said about Hillary? Do you realize what happens when a black man says ANYTHING about a white woman? We used to get lynched for it.

Only Biden can go after Palin. And WE can go after Palin. Obama cannot.

So, what are YOU waiting for???

And, why are we afraid of her just because she's a "white woman"? Are we that fucking weak?

The Republicans have made a living of going after Hillary. It hasn't hurt them.

Let's beat these thugs, not take a beating!

All he has to do is tell the truth.

This whole "Angry Black Man" theme is so overhyped.

camps every move (re: Veep)BEFORE Barack made his decision to go with Biden? Someone in the Obama camp had to know that Newt Gingrich, Rover and Cheney were "floating" RwingNut Palin's name in order to (as they always have) "rally the base" with this sinister plan-if the Obama camp thought Palin would be a 'so what' or an impossibility on the GOP tix...they were/are mistaken. Gingrich even stated that he was floating Palin's name for a month before she was picked. Obama & Obama advisors should have taken that cue very seriously. Joe Biden is wonderful, but he could have easily been promised Secretary of State--his influence in this area would be an incredible asset.

Obama should have come out strong against her after the "community service" remarks.

I think this strategy of IGNORING McCaint's VP pick might be one of the dumbest moves we seen in this whole campaign.

There are eight weeks of campaigning left with four debates, beginning near the end of the month.

It's right after the Convention and now they have hit their high water mark. Don't panic.

The outdated method of polling, the demographics, the voter registration totals and the economy still favor us.

Give and do whatever you can.

The Palin glow will fade and McCain's frailties will show. Barack will stand tall and Biden will give 'em hell.

Just remember this: A lot will happen in the next eight weeks and I think most of it will be good.

I posted in another thread that I think the Obama campaign is lulling both the opposition and the media right now......and waiting for the debates. One outburst from McCain and one gaffe by Palin (that is severe enough it can't be brushed aside by the media) and this election is ours. In every election, things change after the debates. Just the image of Obama up there facing off McCain is going to be a HUGE winner!

a million posts about McCain's VP?

Let's push the media to cover Obama and his ideas instead of gossiping about Palin.

Haven't we learned that the only person that can push the media is Obama himself.

And, who the fuck is gossiping about Palin. She's the Republican VP nominee for Christ's sake.

Now is the time to define her; which may be too late. Why aren't we seeing ads go after her on POLICY, OR LACK OF?

WTF!!

after being named VP. Til then it will be tough for the Obama campaign to go after her on her own words.
Wait... the attacks will happen.

Til then, just go about wringing your hands and expecting the sky to fall.

Why not do it then?

And what's with the 'wringing your hands' talking point with you clowns? It sounds really wimpy. Of course, you guys are afraid to go after Palin.

I've never said we shouldn't go after her. She's no different than any other VP candidate.

But tell me... How does that egg feel on the faces of Palin obsessors over her 'fake' pregnancy?
Or her daughter NOT being pregnant?

Was it worth the embarrassment (and a million really lame, ignorant posts) when there are REAL issues to after her about?

As I mentioned above, my biggest complaint was deciding not to try and define her from the beginning. And, they certainly didn't need to do it with 'fake' issues.

You are a shit. Enough. Fuck you Dawgs.

Do you think Kerry's mastery of the issues helped him with his own Swiftboating?

point out her dumbness.

Obama has run an absolutely outsanding campaign. The mantra of change is the prescription the doctor ordered for America. The Repukes by putting up McCain who has gone against his party had no chance to beat obama because his base was not solidified but McCain does have the record of working across the aisle and Obama does not...

The trick is to get America to BELIEVE that OBAMA can follow thru with the change that he promised to bring...It doesn't help when Obama goes on Oliely and says the Surge worked beyond our wildest dreams and it doesn't help when Obama pick Biden a D.C. insider....

We need to revamp and do it quick before its too late... My recomendation... ask Joe Biden to step aside and have Obama put Hillary on the Ticket....

Its not too late but soon it will be...

Its just my opinion so flame me if you will but it may be our only chance...

HRC didn't run a good campaign. SHE LOST.


I'm sooooo thankful you don't give advice to Obama.

Shying away from the truth doesn't change the facts. Hell thats exactly what Bush did for 5 years in Iraq. I thought more people in this forum really understood that.

By a lot more.

Obviously I'm not advocating for a change in VP but your logic doesn't hold.

Attacking Palin might be a good start.

Quit moaning and get out there and knock on doors.

have the same impact as a vigorous defense laid out at the top.

Also, I don't know how much you gave to Obama, but I am almost maxed out. I think I've put my money where my mouth is.

Some soundbite on the evening news won't matter shit compared to organizing at the community level.

Have you even signed up for the fucking Obama e-mails?

If I say "Neighbor 2 neighbor" does it mean anything to you?

some of your own advice and go knock on doors instead of "wasting your time" here?

And probably no clue.

First off, I have an excellent record here of supporting Obama, even in his darkest time during the Rev. Wright flap (check my journal and go through all of my posts). Second, you don't have any idea of how much money I've given to Obama directly. Third, you don't know how many of my patients that I have talked into giving Obama a serious second look (here's a clue for you, it's a lot).

I think your character is evident when you make such strident attacks based on next to zero information.

If you think that applies to you, perhaps you've got some personal issuews to work out.

"First off, I have an excellent record here of supporting Obama, even in his darkest time during the Rev. Wright flap"

Well la dee fucking da.

"Second, you don't have any idea of how much money I've given to Obama directly."

Since it looks like you don't even knock on doors, I'm guessing not much.

"Third, you don't know how many of my patients that I have talked into giving Obama a serious second look"

How many patients have you complained about Obama to?

he came out this weekend swinging about their lies and assholes like Harold Ford came out first thing this morning attacking him and got his own ass kicked by Pat buchanan. We don't need mealy mouth Dems like Ford speaking for Obama.

Yesterday, I saw the same McCain ad over and over while I was watching football.
Where were the Obama ads? I know this isn't the be all and end all, but it does make an impact. Especially when the ads are reaching a national audience.

but the campaign has to figure a way to hobble the McGambler's winning streak.

Lies aren't ok. Never. Especially now.

You can't win by being nice.

How many fucking national campaigns have McCain and Palin won?

Some of the people around here need to stop fucking bitching all the time. Stop being backseat drivers and believe in our team.

Not that I'm surprised. The same small class of super-rich are pouring in endless millions of dollars to both campaigns. But they want McCain to win, so Obama gets to play the nice guy who comes up short in a close election.

we have less than 2 months left. Let's all walk the walk and leave the talk to the tv.

I agree that Dems in general have to stop responding to and being defensive. What the repubs do is start attacking and once they make a point, they keep on that talking point and send out waves of repubs on networks to repeat their talking points. BO can't do it alone. We need to hear from Biden and BO's spokespeople, whoever they are, and then the dems' talking point needs to be reiterated again and again. I know Wasserman-Schultz? was a Hilary person but she's pretty frickin great from what I've seen and having a woman attacking palin and revealing her for the anti-science (creationist), anti-environmental extremist she is would be great.

If they keep being defensive, then the repubs control the entire conversation and play.

Didn't Obama watch Dukakis, Gore and Kerry? If he doesn't start tearing McCain down and STOP THE FUCKING COMPLIMENTS, we are all going to lose again. Unfortunately, this is probably our last chance to avoid completely destroying our country for generations to come.

. . . it does trouble me when I see lots of McCain/Palin LIE-filled campaign ads, and no ads whatsoever for Obama/Biden. None. Nada. Zip.

There's a strategy at work here, I know. But unless it's WAY different than some notable Democratic strategies of the not-too-distant past . . . well, you know the rest.

:dem:

Meanwhile, I am working my hardest to spread the good word. And I have hope.

else does one explain George W. Bush in the WH!

Obama is channeling the Kerry campaign and he is going to lose, just like Kerry did! The race will be close enough for them to steal and they will steal it.

He needs to start hammering Palin and McCain yesterday!