I am definitely an outlier, even among my Republican brethren. But I believe that Barack Obama, who is the Democrats' leading candidate, is eminently beatable.
So far, he has not been subjected to any scrutiny and the only attacks on him have been from the left. He has been able to energize the liberal base, but has not been tested on policy or his record (skimpy as it is). I think McCain will be able to reveal Obama to be an empty suit with no substance behind the smoke and mirrors of his banal rhetoric. His voting record is the most liberal in the Senate, which is saying something. He toes the old-fashioned liberal line on every issue, hardly offering anything new. By proposing ever higher taxes, spending and regulation, Obama will easily be identified as more of the same and hardly any kind of real "change."
On foreign policy and national security, voters will recognize a stark contrast between Obama and McCain on who is best qualified to go toe-to-toe with Putin, Ahmadinejad, Chavez and the other bad actors around the world. And when it comes right down to it, I do not believe Americans will hand the keys over to an unqualified, inexperienced, naive and untested neophyte who happens to give a good speech. We know that the world is tougher than that. Obama's preference for lining trial lawyers' pockets over allowing our intelligence services to intercept terrorist communications should be an easy target to hang on his back (and McCain ought to hammer this point now).
And in the end, Democrats will regret nominating a snake-oil salesman who was able to bamboozle them with faux excitement in the primaries but who will prove unable to convince the rest of America that he is capable of being our Commander in Chief. I know this is not conventional wisdom, but the liberal Democratic base is not representative of the nation as a whole and come this fall, Americans will start to focus more intently on the race and the candidates. When that happens, and when they think about the seriousness of what is at stake, the messianic euphoria that beguiles the far left will fail to attract the general electorate. Barring some unforeseen catastrophe or deep, prolonged recession, Reagan Democrats will put states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey into play (possibly even Illinois and Michigan) and we'll see a repeat of 1988.
Of course, I could be wrong and the conventional wisdom could be right. Then again, Hillary was supposed to cruise to the nomination and McCain was toast only a couple of months ago.
I also think that Obama is beatable. I also agree that his speeches have no substance and he isn't really scrutinized enough. However, after listening to independents call radio talk show hosts, they say they are voting for Obama because, well basically, he speaks well. His unsubstantive bromides are winning over the uninformed. The problem is that there are so many uninformed that he could get elected president. I try to educate as many as I can so that they can make an informed decision. In fact, I was able to do so today. I suggest we all do the same.
Boomer
www.rightwingsquadron.com
Posted by: Boomer at February 20, 2008 10:21 PM
The Pope of Hope
His speeches on the campaign trail are becoming more and more like a Billy Graham Crusade:
"The change we seek is still months and miles away we need the good people of Texas to get there." ........
Here he is transformed.
A fusion of Moses and MLK leading them to the promise land.
The Obama campaign is a tsunami.
He could announce he made a deal with Al Qaeda to blow up the Chrysler Building and still get votes.
"I'm for change. I'm for hope.".........Next town......"I'm for change. I'm for hope."..........Next town......."I'm for change. I'm for hope"........after a while this sounds like a broken record. The only thing his supporters love more are "HeadOn" commercials.
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Posted by: Merchant of Venom at February 22, 2008 09:58 AM
I hope you are correct in your analysis that Obama doesn't stand a chance. The only thing that worrys me on this, is, does the GOP have the gonads to attack (or reveal) Obamas record? Don't forget you are talking about republicans who would rather put on ballerina shoes than boxing gloves.
Posted by: Dan at February 27, 2008 05:43 AM
Fellow Dems destroy the service economy! Dont eat out or drink at bars for six months. they are the most exploited with no healthcare.
And I DO (did?) want Hillary!!! She can beat John like a drum with the economic meltdown
Posted by: Thaddeus Buttmunch at February 27, 2008 08:18 AM
I fully agree with this article. Obama hasn't received any real criticism yet, but the lovefest will end soon enough. The media has babied him to no end, and sooner or later some real attacks are going to be launched. Then we will see what he is made of (nothing.)
Posted by: Eric at February 28, 2008 04:47 PM
