Shanghaiist: Barack Obama and the Global Primary

EL JEFE

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:44:26 +0800

Anyone that has survived having electrodes strapped to their nuts gets my vote. Yeah Hillary in 2008!

nanheyangrouchuan

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:06:42 +0800

Obama smashed Billary/Hilla-monster 55% to 26%.

Andy Best

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:52:54 +0800

Here's how I'm cynical about US politics. The concept of Democracy is about government by the people, not going partisan over rich people's popularity contests. As for pro-war, Chomsky points out frequently that if the precedents set down by the Nuremburg Trials were followed then every US president since WW2 would have been hanged. The same goes for my native UK too.

Les Izmore

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:19:46 +0800

T- Here are my two main points without all the other confusing words; "the pro Wall Street corporatist line that both the Clintons and Obama represent..... From my point of view the cynics among us see this business as usual as some sort of change." How you get from this to whatever you are believe I wrote is beyond me. Here is my point in a nutshell. Hillary = big business and Wall Street. Obama not very much different from Hillary. People who think Obama and Hillary = change - cynical Hoping for hope is what I think the Obama people are doing. If you care my preferred candidate would be Edwards.

T

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:43:04 +0800

so. .. the cynics are the ones being hopeful. . . and those who believe it's business as usual arn't cynical? That pretty much goes the opposite of the definitions, no? I mean, I realize it's all PoMo to be flexible with one's definitions, but this isn't like bad meaning good (cf. Run DMC) - those hoping for a better day and a new brand of politics from Obama are far from cynical about the whole process. Those believing it's "business as usual" are, BY VERY DEFINITION, cynics. And honestly, the "being proud" is a throw-away line . .. a joke if you will. I'm not sure why you preceive "cynical" as being "insultingly dismissive" - hell, I watch the Daily Show. I know about being cynical. Anywho - Obama '08.

zjemi

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:56:02 +0800

Even Slate doesn't point out that Hillary's "experience" as a Senator includes only 2 minor bills--against flag burning (US flags only, others are OK to burn) and sex videos for minors. In contrast, although Barack Obama has had fewer years in the Senate (but more total legislative experience), he has cosponsored and negotiated important legislation on immigration (with McCain), health care for children, curbing lobbyists, limiting campaign finance abuses, helping wounded vets and their families, and lots more. I don't agree with everything he's done, but at least he's done stuff. HRC has put in her time but this experience claim is a joke. BTW, all my information about them is from Wikipedia. Check it out, because apparently the media haven't.

Les Izmore

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:37:59 +0800

T - Read my last sentence again, slowly. You are having trouble with your reading comprehension. I didn't call myself a cynic. Being proud of being dismissive and insulting is like saying you're proud of being an ass. If the Republicans win this one we really are in for WW III...

ddrkk

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:40:12 +0800

Just like 2004 people are acting like the republicans don't exist. That is why the international press was shocked that Bush handily won in 2004. The coverage in Europe alone was 4:1 in volume of reporting on Kerry versus Bush. Same thing here, this race is wide open and Hillary or Obama both can lose to a Republican. It is far from over.

T

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:39:04 +0800

So on one hand, I'm insultingly dismissive, but on the other hand you call yourself a cynic. Er, so I was right in calling you cynical? Anyways, if you knew me personally, you'd know I deal with EVERYONE in an insultingly dismissive way. It's how I roll.

Les Izmore

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:18:23 +0800

Actually T, your insultingly dismissive attitude toward anyone who doesn't accept the pro Wall Street corporatist line that both the Clintons and Obama represent as cynical is why many progressives are dreading another Clinton presidency. I have very good reasons for disliking their pro war, pro business policies. (And yes, I do know that Obama was against the war and Bill was too but never said so and that Hillary never imagined that GWB would actually use the 'authorization of force' to attack Iraq) Both of them want to increase the military to protect the homeland from the shadowy terrorist menace and both would keep a military presence in Iraq for a very long time. Their position is that we should start removing troops soon but very slowly. From my point of view the cynics among us see this business as usual as some sort of change.

Eric Hu

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:08:26 +0800

Re: loads more experience than Obama... http://www.slate.com/id/2182073/ Glad you're an Obama guy, though. See you on Tuesday

T

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:53:50 +0800

Hilary just doesn't know what she's talking about - Actually, everyone (except for the rabid Hillary haters/Repubs) thinks Hillary would make an exceedingly competent president. She's experienced, tough, and has loads more experience than Obama. But what she doesn't have is the mantle of leadership that Obama (and her husband, to be frank) had. I would like to feel confident in my President again - Obama makes me feel that way. If Billy Bob were able to run again, I'd probably vote for him though - but Obama represents (hopefully) a new era of politics in the US. At least for those of us non-cynics.

James Creegan

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:13:59 +0800

I don't know much about US politics, but I do know that if the states had a black president- Americans could really have fun rubbing that in the faces of us European liberals!

Alec

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:48:49 +0800

Given the current crop of candidates I am for Obama as well . . . but I'm curious, Sienna, what exactly are you referring to? Hillary actually has a far more substantial record and firmer policies than Barak. My problem is simply that I feel that we need someone with as few links as possible to the entrenched establishment, but isn't a total kook like Kucenich.

shopgirl

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:32:40 +0800

As a non-american citizen I would definitely vote or Obama if I had the chance. I think America needs a break now from the Republicas, Hilary just doesn't know what she's talking about, she's good at talking crap with no importance in it.

nanheyangrouchuan

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:53:12 +0800

Yeah! Obama '08! Boot that tired bag Billary back to bra and draft card burning!

Les Izmore

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:48:04 +0800

Harold Stassen for me..

T

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:20:19 +0800

I'm a Jimmy Carter man, myself.

moneyinabox

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:07:32 +0800

I am voting for Mondale again like I do every four years.