My concerns of Obama as a Obama supporter

[BigD_95]

I understand he wants to change the way politics is played and wants to stay above the fray and I respect that...

But the truth is that negative AD's and attacks work. Thats why Politicians use them. There is no doubt that if he attacked her the last week in Texas he wins easy. Or if he attacked her in PA he cuts that win to a 5pt or less instead of a 10pt win.

Ever since Hillary used the "kitchen sink" strategy it has worked for her because it lowered him. It created doubt in him as a person and one of the reason late deciding voters always go to her because people vote safe.

Im a little scared because after he gets the nomination, the Republicans will come at him full force with negative attacks like he never seen. Which puts him on the defense. He needs to attack and put McCain on the defense. And yes he needs to negative attack him in order to win. McCain has a standing as some kind of war hero and maverick. He needs to bring him down.


I would like to see Obama go after Hillary hardcore in Indiana and put a end to this process. I want to see Sniper fire AD's & NAFTA Ad's showing how she supported it & now is against it. AD's about all her lobbyist ties. I don't even care if he makes up some half truths in the process. She doesn't mind doing this crap.

Obama needs to understand that negative AD's and attacks work. That is the one point Hillary is right on and in some ways would make her a better candidate because you know she will be relentless in attack McCain. Its also why Im so unhappy with her because she did it to another Democrat.

[shadowknows69]

1. I agree somewhat

It's possible that a good chunk of the electorate want to see a WWE throwdown. I wish we had the luxury of saying we don't need those voters but we don't.

[NC_Nurse]

2. I know what you mean.

I don't want him to go as far as she has. But I would like to see some of the ENDLESS
footage that exists of her touting NAFTA back in the 90's. Her lying about it has been really
disgusting.

[LakeSamish706]

3. Although I understand your post, I personally hope that Barack stays above the fray....

He think his charisma comes from his being able to refrain from mud slinging.

[KittyWampus]

19. the Truth is not mud slinging. NAFTA, Bosnia isn't "mud", it's unfavorable reality to Clinton

as are the Clinton pardons, some of which were to buy votes for Hillary with people she actually met in the White House.

[TwilightGardener]

4. Obama understands the difference between attacking a fellow Democrat

with a scorched-earth policy, and doing the same to a Republican. The former hurts our party--he won't hesitate to brawl with McCain, however. The SD's know that. They know he's got it wrapped up, and that he doesn't want to trash Hillary--because he doesn't NEED to. The vitctories she's gotten since March are pyrrhic.

[BigD_95]

6. If he is

holding out because its another Dem thats ok...I guess.


But he needs to go after McCain hardcore.

[BlooInBloo]

5. That's why this practice round is so good for him. He's got more up his sleeve...

... to increase his lead.

[gcomeau]

7. Obama understands perfectly well....

...that negative ads work. If all we wanted from our politicians was to do whatever got them a personal advantage in an election what we'd get would be... well... what we've been stuck with in Washington for many a decade.

The whole damn point of Obama is that he doesn't use "it works" as his guiding moral principle. Leave that to the Republicans and Clinton thank you very much, keep it the hell away from Obama. You can't keep complaining about the ethical bankruptcy of the government and then demanding that your guy play at the exact same level if it helps HIM win and expect anything to ever change.

[Coexist]

8. he will use them against McCain.

he needs Hillary's supporters in the GE, so he won't go negative on her now.

[redqueen]

10. Not all "negative" ads are equal.

I doubt Obama will stoop to using the gutter tactics Hillary has been using against him.

[madwivoter]

14. Exactly.

I think his campaign will go all out against McCain, he can't afford to go negative against Hillary because there's already such a rift, he will need everyone to be on board once this insane primary season is finally over with.

[redqueen]

9. Disagree. She went negative before PA and blew a 20 point lead. (nt)

[Aloha Spirit]

11. Why do people think that Obama doesn't understand politics? Confused.

[bowens43]

12. Bottom line - I'd rather lose with Obama then win with Hillary.

Voting for Obama is the right thing to do. Period.

[msmcghee]

13. You have it right.

People make purchase decisions because of emotion - not reason. Fear is a far more powerful emotion than love. Politicians who need to get people to "buy" them rather than the opposition need to plug into the strongest emotions available - especially when they have less to spend than their opponent. Every nickel has to be spent to get the greatest impact. That means tapping in to fear emotions - and that means negative ads that make people fear what would happen to them if their opponent wins the contest.

In a sense Obama's strategy is to use his greater resources to get less per dollar on his ads than Hillary by not going as negative as Hillary is being forced to do - and then attempting to compensate for that by highlighting that contrast to his advantage. Nothing wrong with that.

BTW - I prefer HRC but will support whoever wins the nom. I appreciate seeing an Obama supporter analyze things like you have. By that I mean you can step back and see what's happening on another level - while still keeping your emotional attachment to Obama. Keeping those separate in your mind is a wise thing to do. It's a very interesting contest if one rises above the partisan emotions and takes a wide-angle look at it. :thumbsup:

[PA Democrat]

15. Did anyone hear Matthews talking about the SEIU ad that ran supporting Obama?

Has anyone seen it/ Matthews mentioned it at least twice, saying THAT was the type of ad Obama needed to run in PA. I was curious as to the content of the ad.

[BigD_95]

18. here it is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug9Dncj_I98

[PA Democrat]

23. Thanks. I hadn't seen that one.

[crispini]

16. He's already said he's not going to be anywhere near as nice to McCain.

They know all this. They're smart people. They just can't totally blam blam blowout on Hillary because they need her base. But sometimes I wish he would.

[graycem]

17. Of course they work..

That's why they were able to turn John Kerry, the real war hero, into a "pansy" up against the fake hero, George. I do agree with the idea that he's showing restraint towards Hillary so that he doesn't polarize the people voting for her, past the point of no return. I think it's a wise decision, because while negativity works in a general election, I don't believe that fellow democrats, or super delegates are particularly fond of it, no matter which side it comes from. That's why both of their negatives have been going up. So even if it "works" it's unneccesary in our primaries, and does more harm than good.

[Frances]

20. To me, the real challenge is to get white blue-collar voters

to understand that Obama will fight for them.

Obama appeals to the young and the well-educated because of his idealism.

The factory workers need to know that an idealistic person can fight for them just as hard as a practical person--and win.

[Indenturedebtor]

22. I agree and he will show that when he is the nominee

He's already wrapped up the primary though. Why go negative against a fellow Dem? At least half of all Dems understand that to slime a fellow Dem is disgusting, immoral, and contradicts your supposed dedication to your policies. That's why we hate Clinton so much.

[Nedsdag]

21. He's in a lose-lose situation.

If he doesn't go after her, it looks as though she's setting the agenda despite the fact he's ahead in the delegate count and the popular vote.

If he does go after her, then it goes against his whole campaign. Also, if he beats up on her too much, it'll give some white women voters second thoughts about supporting him because he looks like a menacing black man (allegedly) mugging a white woman.

It's a real pickle for him. I hope he finds a way to get out of it.