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Is it ABC's Fault that Dems looked Bad?
New York Times ^ | April 17th, 2008 | David Brooks

Posted on 04/17/2008 9:29:41 AM PDT by The_Republican

The journalist’s job is to make politicians uncomfortable, to explore evasions, contradictions and vulnerabilities. Almost every question tonight did that. The candidates each looked foolish at times, but that’s their own fault.

We may not like it, but issues like Jeremiah Wright, flag lapels and the Tuzla airport will be important in the fall. Remember how George H.W. Bush toured flag factories to expose Michael Dukakis.

Second, Obama and Clinton were completely irresponsible. As the first President Bush discovered, it is simply irresponsible statesmanship (and stupid politics) to make blanket pledges to win votes. Both candidates did that on vital issues.

Both promised to not raise taxes on those making less than $200,000 or $250,000 a year. Returning the rich to their Clinton-era tax rates will yield, at best, $40 billion a year in revenue. It’s impossible to fund a health care plan, let alone anything else, with that kind of money.

The consequences are clear: if elected they will have to break their pledge, and thus destroy their credibility, or run a minimalist administration.

The second pledge was just as bad. Nobody knows what the situation in Iraq will be like.

To pledge an automatic withdrawal is just insane. A mature politician would’ve been honest and said: I fully intend to withdraw, but I want to know what the reality is at that moment.

The third point concerns electability. The Democrats have a problem. All the signs point to a big Democratic year, and I still wouldn’t bet against Obama winning the White House, but his background as a Hyde Park liberal is going to continue to dog him.

(Excerpt) Read more at campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: abc; abcnews; davidbrooks; demdebates; dyke; hillary; marxist; obama; pa2008
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To: italianquaker

Good, then we are both happy. :)


61 posted on 04/17/2008 9:10:34 PM PDT by cubreporter
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To: cubreporter

10-4


62 posted on 04/18/2008 5:56:19 AM PDT by italianquaker (Odumbo the buffoon)
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To: AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; george76; ...

uh, no? Duh. ;’)

Obama Shaken, Rattled, and Rolled
Real Clear Politics | April 17, 2008 | Dick Polman
Posted on 04/17/2008 10:00:00 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003309/posts

Bitter: the gift that keeps on giving
Pittsburgh Tribune Review | salena zito
Posted on 04/17/2008 12:34:23 PM PDT by Salena Zito
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003046/posts

Mainstream Media Oblivious to Relevancy of Many Obama-gates
davidlimbaugh.com | 04/17/08 | david limbaugh
Posted on 04/17/2008 4:56:42 PM PDT by lancer256
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003174/posts

Finally, the Media ‘Discovers’ Obama-Ayers Relationship
[political career launched at Ayers home]
American Thinker/AP | 4-17-08
Posted on 04/17/2008 11:24:46 AM PDT by SJackson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003012/posts

Obama Supports Total Handgun Ban
The Husaria: For Our Freedom and Yours | 4/17/08 | Winged Hussar 1683
Posted on 04/17/2008 3:36:06 PM PDT by Winged Hussar
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003134/posts

-and-

SUSA Does a Poll Drop(bad news for Barry & Hill)
Red state
Posted on 04/18/2008 9:21:10 AM PDT by obamahorror
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2003528/posts


63 posted on 04/18/2008 11:13:19 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_____________________Profile updated Saturday, March 29, 2008)
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