Obama’s moment of truth (Dick Morris Alert)

The Hill ^ | May 2, 2007 | Dick Morris

[Zakeet]

Soon it will be time for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to face a moment of truth and decide whether he is going to lead the anti-war movement or cave in under administration pressure.

As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) move toward an accommodation with the White House over funding for the war in Iraq, they are also moving toward a civil war within their own party. If Pelosi and Reid agree to give Bush a new bill providing funding for the war without a deadline for troop withdrawal, they will redeem their party’s image nationally and show their support for the troops, but they will alienate their left wing. A bitter and divisive battle will ensue — one that could cost the Democrats the White House in 2008.

The left, led by John Edwards, is not about to accept mushy language holding the Iraqi regime accountable for its lack of progress, especially if the provision leaves Bush in charge of assessing what progress is being made. Why, they will ask, did we elect a Democratic Congress if the war is just going to drag on?

If Pelosi and Reid cave in to Bush, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) will most likely support their compromise to preserve her hawkish credibility and offset doubts about a woman’s ability to be commander in chief. With Edwards leading the chorus of critics, the question is: Will Obama join the compromise or ally with the left in voting against it? On this question the success or failure of his candidacy may well hinge.

[Zakeet]

According to the Toe Sucker, Obama is in a bit of a quandry.

Should he oppose the spending cutoff in Iraq and look presidential, or should he cave in to the hard left and knock out Edwards?

[Kay]

Pelosi and Reid both have bodies that have already caved on them. The words “cavern” or “cadaverous” comes to mind. Who was that old senator from California who looked like a cadaver?

[Thebaddog]

The only predictable thing is that Morris hates Hillary. On any other subject, he’s out in left field. Maybe it’s a gay thing for Bubba.

[dawn53]

Obama is in a bit of a quandry

---

Somebody sent me this youtube link. It’s a scene from a TV show...they’re discussing Obama...pretty funny stuff, especially the comment about Hillary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu4Wdz_3Ac8&mode=related&search=

[Michael.SF.]

The only predictable thing is that Morris hates Hillary.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend?

One reason Morris hates Hillary so much is that he knows her too well, or:

If everyone knew Hillary
Like Dick know's Hillary
everyone would hate her too!

[Seven Minute Maniac]

Obama will abstain from voting on the issue and won’t say anything about it.

[bert]

Hillary will support the troops, turning to the center.

Obama will straddle, having it both ways.

Edwards will continue to play disadvantaged poor boy to curry the union money.

[saganite]

they are also moving toward a civil war within their own party. If Pelosi and Reid agree to give Bush a new bill providing funding for the war without a deadline for troop withdrawal, they will redeem their party’s image nationally and show their support for the troops, but they will alienate their left wing. A bitter and divisive battle will ensue — one that could cost the Democrats the White House in 2008.

What a wonderful thought!

[spokeshave]

Maybe he will veto it again to unload the pork

[El Gato]

As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) move toward an accommodation with the White House over funding for the war in Iraq, they are also moving toward a civil war within their own party. If Pelosi and Reid agree to give Bush a new bill providing funding for the war without a deadline for troop withdrawal, they will redeem their party’s image nationally and show their support for the troops, but they will alienate their left wing. A bitter and divisive battle will ensue — one that could cost the Democrats the White House in 2008.

So who's got the popcorn, nachos and cokes (or other beverage)?

OTOH, this sort of assumes that Stretch and Dingy Harry are *not* part of the left wing of the DemonRat party. I think they are, and always have been.

[El Gato]

Who was that old senator from California who looked like a cadaver?

Don't know who you are thinking of. However, Sheets Byrd is not only looking like one these days, he's also sounding and acting like one of the undead.

[billybudd]

On one hand, Obama's natural constituency is relatively moderate, so it would make sense to be accomodating. On the other hand, Hillary is situating herself as a moderate, so it would make sense for Obama to swing left and knock out anybody in the anti-war niche.

The first strategy has a low chance of getting him the moderate constitutency or the nomination. The latter strategy has a good chance of getting the hard left, but low chance of getting him the nomination. He would end up being the VP candidate.

Of course, all of this assumes Al Gore won't run. If (when) he runs, all bets are off.

[Kay]

I remember now. It was Senator Alan Cranston, the ultimate cadaver!

[ryan71]

Obama will be against ANY military action against muslims, no matter the circumstances.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Who was that old senator from California who looked like a cadaver?

Perhaps you mean Alan Cranston. The interesting thing about him is that, despite his "cadaverous" appearance, he was in tremendous physical shape, as he demonstrated repeatedly by winning his age group in Masters sprints.

[Kay]

Yes, you are right, I had just remembered 2 posts before you. I did not know that he was in good physical shape.

[notdownwidems]

I think the traitor you are referring to is Rep. Alan Cranston...why are leftists always so ugly?

[Kay]

Hey! I just heard McCain on the radio say that since Reid says that we have lost the war that Reid should tell the American people who we lost to. Did we lose to Al Quaida? The Americans have a right to know who Reid says we have lost to.

WAY TO GO, guys! You’re getting the hang of it. This is getting fun tonight.

[dragonblustar]

[BenLurkin]

Alan Cranston