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GMA Interview: Obama Would Change Voter 'Perception' of Dems Social Issues
GMA/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

Posted on 06/29/2006 6:44:19 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest

by Mark Finkelstein

June 29, 2006

Do you know the joke about the guy who goes to the doctor and is informed he needs an operation that would cost $25,000? When he asks if there are any cheaper alternatives, the doc responds, "well, for $75, I can touch up your X-rays."

That's Barack Obama's approach to healing the Dems' affliction when it comes to dealing with religious conservatives on social issues He's not looking to change the substance, only the appearance.

In introducing Obama, GMA's Robin Roberts did describe him as "one of the Democrats' rising stars." But I think that might be some kind of required FCC labelling, so we'll cut Robin slack. Particularly so in light of the very probing question with which she ultimately hit Obama, and the telling response she elicited.

The topic was the Dems' uneasy relationship with religion and religious voters, and the speech Obama gave yesterday exhorting Democrats to "compete for the support of evangelicals and other churchgoing Americans."

Frankly, I expected Roberts to accord kid-MSM glove treatment to Obama. But after some nice chit chat, she landed this blow:

"We saw, of course, in the last presidential election moral values very much on the minds of voters who went to the polls. But it's also, when evangelicals talk about the way Democrats traditionally vote, when it comes to gay rights and abortion. So it's not so much the family values that you talk about, but about how Democrats vote. Does there have to be a change there?"

Bada-boom!

Obama: "There are going to be differences and issues and not all these issues that touch on religious faith are easily resolved. I mean, the fact of the matter is that there are going to be contentious debates around abortion and gay marriage and that's part of our democratic process. My simple point is to make sure that we don't get so locked into a particular perception about how one party or the other thinks that we miss the enormous complexity and diversity of religious views across the country."

Translation: "When it comes to social issues, we Democrats are going to keep voting like the liberals we are. But we have to figure out a way to change the religious voters' perception of what we're up to."

Give Barack high marks for candor, however unintentional, and kudos to Robin for cutting to the chase.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: abc; gma; muslim; obama; osama; religion; religiousright; robinroberts; socialissues

1 posted on 06/29/2006 6:44:21 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
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To: Behind Liberal Lines; Miss Marple; an amused spectator; netmilsmom; Diogenesis; YaYa123; MEG33; ...

GMA/NewsBusters bada-Barack ping to Today show list.


2 posted on 06/29/2006 6:44:54 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

A Liberal is a Liberal is a Liberal. They don't change their stripe. It runs right down the middle of their backs.


3 posted on 06/29/2006 6:46:25 AM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

I saw Obama talking about the New York Times/banking surveillance yesterday. He said they were only doing their job. If this guy was ever decent ....... he isn't now!


4 posted on 06/29/2006 6:47:49 AM PDT by beyond the sea (Scientists Are Itching to Blame Poison Ivy's Effect on Global Warming)
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To: ExTexasRedhead
They don't change their stripe. It runs right down the middle of their backs.

Yup, a big yellow one!

5 posted on 06/29/2006 6:48:27 AM PDT by tiredoflaundry (The right wants victory, the left wants surrender. It's that simple.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

I would keep a close eye on Barack. We saw how easy it was for someone with good speaking skills, an engaging personality and self-confidence (Clinton) to sway enough votes to get himself elected - if Obama decides to run, he could be a serious contender and resonate quite well among those wanting 'change'.


6 posted on 06/29/2006 6:50:39 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic (Man was made in the image of God, not pond scum)
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To: beyond the sea

This guy is the DEMs new Mario Cuomo. Their new Bill Bradley. Which is to say, someone the DEMs imagine can win the presidency, but in reality can't even come close. Being socialists, the DEMs never stop to think about the customer, and so they fall for their own delusions time and again. This is just the latest in a long line of delusions, as time will tell.


7 posted on 06/29/2006 6:51:18 AM PDT by Huck (Hey look, I'm still here.)
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To: ExTexasRedhead
"one of the Democrats' rising stars liars."
8 posted on 06/29/2006 6:52:16 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: reagan_fanatic

Obama is not a good speaker and he doesn't have a prayer. He can't hold a candle to Bubba. He's stiff and nerdy and boring. Bubba was loose, with a southern drawl, a rockin' hairdo, and a talk-show host's gift for "connecting." I hate the guy, but I remember seeing him on CSPAN in a small gymnasium in New Hampshire when Paul Tsongas was in the lead (lol) and you could tell the guy had mojo. Sad but true. Obama has no mojo. It's smoke with no fire. Time will bear this out.


9 posted on 06/29/2006 6:53:40 AM PDT by Huck (Hey look, I'm still here.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

They have no desire to *get* religion, only to *appear* religious. And they don't bother to hide it. Beautiful. He is the perfect spokesman. A true ObamaNation.


10 posted on 06/29/2006 6:57:40 AM PDT by small voice in the wilderness (Quick, act casual...if they sense scorn or ridicule, they'll flee)
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To: small voice in the wilderness

zactly ! that's why john F'n Kerry used to give the media a heads-up when he was going to church.


11 posted on 06/29/2006 7:02:45 AM PDT by stylin19a
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To: small voice in the wilderness
They have no desire to *get* religion, only to *appear* religious. And they don't bother to hide it.

Yes, and the are trying to change the minds of the religious

Kind of like that line the Dems always use .. I would never have an abortion personally ... BUT

12 posted on 06/29/2006 7:03:33 AM PDT by Mo1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePb6H-j51xE&search=Democrats)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Robin didn't have to dig very deep to get that transparent answer, which confirms my first, second and last opinion of Obama...very shallow.


13 posted on 06/29/2006 7:07:45 AM PDT by Txsleuth
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To: reagan_fanatic

A reminder: Clinton never won more than 49% of the vote and as 43some% in the '92 election. Without Periot he'd have remained the non-entity that he so richly deserved to be.


14 posted on 06/29/2006 7:08:27 AM PDT by An Old Marine (Freedom isn't Free)
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To: beyond the sea
"I saw Obama talking about the New York Times/banking surveillance yesterday. He said they were only doing their job. "

The job of The Slimes is to supply classified, vital, US intelligence information to Al Quaeda?
Who knew?
15 posted on 06/29/2006 7:13:54 AM PDT by Jameison
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
That will be "the one" tough question Osama bin Barack gets in his affair with the media. Next up: a barrage of softball questions, fawning profiles and a bevy of lovefest interviews.

He might get another single tough interview in 10 months. Just to keep up appearances, you understand.

16 posted on 06/29/2006 7:14:48 AM PDT by SoFloFreeper
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To: reagan_fanatic
"I would keep a close eye on Barack. We saw how easy it was for someone with good speaking skills, an engaging personality and self-confidence (Clinton) to sway enough votes to get himself elected - if Obama decides to run, he could be a serious contender and resonate quite well among those wanting 'change'."

Ah, but did he serve in Vietnam? /sarc

Stands 0 chance in 08. In 2012? Who knows. Depends on a lot of water under the bridge between now and then.

17 posted on 06/29/2006 7:24:01 AM PDT by seasoned traditionalist
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
This is yet another rehash of the same old tired dhimmocRAT theme...you voting rubes are just too simple-minded in your perceptions to grasp the complexities of higher thought emanating from the dhimmocRATic Party.

This is just so condescending...

18 posted on 06/29/2006 7:31:56 AM PDT by kromike
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Ted Kennedy said it best....

"Osama Obama"

(I kid you not! He *really* said that.)

19 posted on 06/29/2006 7:38:31 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative
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To: reagan_fanatic

I bet Harold Ford, Jr. hates Obama for beating him to the U.S. Senate. Both are silky smooth, and both learned well the lesson: "it doesn't matter what you say, just say it slick."


Obama is famous for one speech, the one at the 2004 convention. And he laid it on thick about his religion, conservatives not owning God, blah blah, it's a theme he will ride to hell and back.


20 posted on 06/29/2006 7:45:54 AM PDT by YaYa123
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Don't make the mistake of underestimating this guy. We never see him in Illinois because he is at every big Dem fundraiser. He is a big draw and able to raise huge amounts of money. He is also smart. He is the darling of the Far Left and Hollywood.


21 posted on 06/29/2006 7:53:06 AM PDT by Merry
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To: reagan_fanatic

I would keep a close eye on Barack. We saw how easy it was for someone with good speaking skills, an engaging personality and self-confidence (Clinton) to sway enough votes to get himself elected - if Obama decides to run, he could be a serious contender and resonate quite well among those wanting 'change'.


Yep! You are 100 percent correct. He is a great speaker. Does not matter that crap comes out of his mouth. He is incredible. That is scary. Who do we have who can beat him? I don't know. Allen? I really never heard him speak.


22 posted on 06/29/2006 8:16:52 AM PDT by napscoordinator
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Almost all of the Leftist discussions about how to improve their appeal to the mainstream revolve around perception and spin rather than substance because they know that how they really think and vote holds no appeal with the mainstream. What I find amazing, however, is how the mainstream media goes along with charade and generally does its best to help them spin rather than pointing out the lies (e.g., the Democrat love-in on Meet the Press last Sunday). But fortunately, the looney Left actually believes the spin and keeps forcing the Democrats to retract and clarify, which only spoils the effect, as does access to information that makes it nearly impossible to give different messages do different audiences without being caught.
23 posted on 06/29/2006 9:20:06 AM PDT by Question_Assumptions
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To: Huck

Yes Sir!


24 posted on 06/29/2006 9:29:14 AM PDT by beyond the sea (Scientists Are Itching to Blame Poison Ivy's Effect on Global Warming)
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To: Jameison
The job of The Slimes is to supply classified, vital, US intelligence information to Al Quaeda? Who knew?

LOL.

Obama made a pretty good speech at the convention a while back .......... but it turns out he's just another sick lefty, con-artist liar ........... talking out of the side of his mouth just to get along with the socialists in his party.

He's a LOSER!

25 posted on 06/29/2006 9:32:21 AM PDT by beyond the sea (Scientists Are Itching to Blame Poison Ivy's Effect on Global Warming)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

"... one of the Democrats' rising stars." Isn't amazing how the ratmedia thinks we are such children that we would just sit there and nod our head at stupid shiite like that? What exactly has this bum done that makes him "star like"? Answer nothing. Anybody who thinks this guy could be elected president ( that MUST be the implication of this "star" crap), of THIS country is a drug abuser.


26 posted on 06/29/2006 10:47:20 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (John Spencer: Fighting to save America from Hillary Clinton..)
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