Reply #40: Here's what I found...

[jaybeat]

Obama finds his stride at NAACP debate (Chicago Sun-Times)

July 13, 2007
BY MARY MITCHELL Sun-Times Columnist

DETROIT -- Sen. Barack Obama is indeed a quick study. After looking surprisingly unpolished in a nationally televised forum targeting black audiences nearly two weeks ago, Obama held his own against his closest rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, at the 98th NAACP National Convention at Cobo Hall in Detroit on Thursday morning.

Obama, who is pitting change against experience in the 2008 Democratic primary, got off more than a few crisp one-liners while crafting a message that at times elicited thunderous applause that drowned out some of his words, but obviously bolstered his confidence in the debate arena.

"If you are poor in this country, it is hazardous to your health. If you are black and poor, that's downright deadly," Obama said in response to a question about health care posed by a delegate and given to the candidates in advance of the forum.

"We will not close the gap until we create a system of universal health care. The way to do that is to ignore the insurance companies and drug companies. In negotiations, it's OK for them to have a seat at the table, but they can't buy every single chair."

It was the kind of retort that Obama, who tends to be long-winded when addressing policy questions even when the cameras are rolling, has had a difficult time firing off in past debates. On Thursday, Obama seemed to have found his stride.

The crowd erupted into shouts more common at a tent revival than a forum when Obama pointed out that though convicted, Scooter Libby didn't have to spend one day in prison, while poor people who are found guilty go to prison for years.

To my ear, it does sound like he's leaving out a key piece, namely, HOW do you keep health care (or any other industry's) lobbyists from "buying every single chair." Maybe by, uh, making it illegal for politicians to accept lobbyist's contributions, along with the other things in Edwards' proposal? You can talk about health care, energy reform, tax reform, etc., all you want, but you won't have the votes in Congress to effect real change that benefits real people unless you stop the cash flow. (Are you listening, Hil?) Senator Obama certainly knows this; is he playing us for fools, or just leaving out the details?

Either way, I think Edwards' efforts at drawing distinctions between himself and Clinton and Obama are working.