My Introduction, First Post, and Some Thoughts.

[ajh60]

Since I have answered a few post I thought I would use my first as a sort of introduction. I recently joined this website. My political leanings over many many years have gone from somewhat republican (ish) to my present state which to the horror of family and friends, I have stated that as I get older I am getting more liberal. After a few days of looking at the different resources on this site I am reminded of the old joke "I don't belong to any organized party, I'm a Democrat. There seems to be such a diverse opinion on almost everything.

I have been surprised and saddened at the same time over some of the post I have read. Some seem to fall right into, what I thought, were nothing but stereotypes about Democrats. However many of the post have been thought provoking, excellent pieces that would not look out of place in any newspaper. They look at the subject they are writing about and analyze it from all sides. I hope in time I may post like that. I will be honest that there are some post that even as a Democrat infuriate me. None so much as the questioning of Senator McCain's experience in Vietnam. Four years ago I was stunned at the treatment of Sen John Kerry. I am from Massachusetts, in fact John Kerry's first run for office was in the 5th Congressional district that included Lowell Ma, my home town.. A district he moved into after shopping others in Massachusetts. To have his experience in Vietnam questioned, mocked and said to be fabrications was simply out of line. For every vet who claimed one thing, there were others who said Kerry was who he said he was.Just as McCain I am confused that Democrats who found that experience to be nothing but gutter politics are the same Democrats who think to question McCain's service is ok. I would hope that Democrats today, at least the majority of them, also find that type of politics a disservice to the men involved but also themselves. If Barack Obama cannot win this election, this year, on the issues, the white house will be absent a Democratic President for a long time.

This brings me to this election. I think Mr Obama is in a bit of a trouble. His opponent has attempted to portray him at best as inexperienced and at worse nothing but an empty suit. I think to some degree he has succeeded. During the Primary one issue that was being bandied about was the gas tax holiday. Both Clinton and McCain were in favor of this and Barack opposed. He took a week or two of heat, but he held firm. It was that issue that showed a lot of folks that perhaps this Obama guy was different. Maybe he is not simply another politician who will say anything to get elected. Maybe, just maybe he is looking to solve some problems rather than provide the usual lip service and move on. Last night most newscast mentioned the "flip flop" on the drilling question. It does not matter if Obama's plan is in fact the one that makes the most sense. It is the perception, not the reality, that counts in winning elections. You take this and add it to the issue of Obama's camp "ducking" town halls or his admission that the surge had some benefits, after simply not answering the question for a couple of days and this in my mind, presents some problems.

Please do not forget I think Obama is the better candidate, Is on the right side of the issues, and will make a tremendous impact on the world stage as President of the United States. I simply think he is running a lousy campaign. He has to be more aggressive, hit back and hard at every BS statement that comes out of the McCain camp or surrogates.He must not , must not, pay attention to any polls. I also believe (this is a Hugh leap for me) that he must take a serious, serious look at HRC for the VP slot. She can be let loose on McCain and as her final moths of campaigning shows, she can be very good. Also it would not hurt to have Paul Begala and the Rajun Cajun, James Carville, to help get this thing on track

Anyways that is me in a few paragraphs.

[dionysus]

1. welcome to DU...

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Welcome to DU!

We need thinkers like yourself...

I agree that Obama needs to start hitting McCain hard on the issues.

Kerry allowed himself to be swift-boated, and that must not happen this time.

Obama is certainly the better candidate, and to allow wrong messages and trivialities to derail him would be a tragedy of huge proportions.

This is an excellent first thread for you, and I look forward to hearing more!

K&R

[politicasista]

20. Kerry did not allow himself to be swiftboated. He responded. The media buried it.

Timeline and more.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x2555

It's amazing that people still believe the lies of the media rather than go to a nice DU research forum. Not to mention, realizing that Obama is learning from the mistakes of the past. Plus, Kerry has Obama's back (more than many Democrats had his in 2004). It would be nice if some of Obama's supporters would show more respect for that.

We can help Obama without putting Kerry down

[ajh60]

28. I did not put Kerry down

I said is was BS what was done to Kerry just as I find similar things about McCain BS. About the response it was 2 weeks before Kerry himself spoke out on it with any force. He should have come out the next day, held a press conference and ripped them a new one. Kerry himself has said he responded later than he should have. It is not a put down. Its a critique of the campaign not the candidate.

[politicasista]

31. No, not you.

I was replying to the poster above that Kerry allowed himself to be swiftboated, when there is a timeline that debunks the media lie and media myth that many are still buying into. Often times to promote Obama and put Kerry down.

You should check out the link. He did not wait two weeks to respond. The media refused to cover it.

This link says it all, but if you choose to believe and accept the corporate media spin, go ahead.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x2555

[ajh60]

33. This is a bit old

The first ad ran aug 5th according to this link-"On Aug. 19, 2004 Kerry himself responded directly in a speech to the International Association of Firefighters' Convention in Boston" So the candidate did not "respond directly" until Aug 19. That is the two weeks I am referring to.

I Am certainly not going to argue an event 4 years old, my point is even Kerry has said he could have responded differently and more quickly. In my mind Kerry should have responded the next day himself and in no uncertain terms. -not send letters etc. This is all I meant.

[quakerboy]

29. Why is it that the only acceptable way of fighting back is

to pay the major media for advertisement?

Obama HAS been hitting McCain hard on the issues. McCain has also been hitting McCain hard on the issues. The problem is it barely sees the light of day, where anyones muzzy attempt at a smear gets plenty of care and a loving attention to make sure every little detail(but not a rebuttal) are clear in our minds.

[blondie58]

3. welcome to DU, ajh60!

this site is a wonderful place to vent and to learn. The Democratic party really is the party that will bring positive changes to America, but unfortunately, the Repubs are good at propaganda- the ideas that they are the party of God and that they are the financially responsible party. It drives me crazy.

[bain_sidhe]

4. Adding my welcome! ...and a rebuttal, of sorts.

First, :hi: !!

I don't see many people "questioning McCain's service" in Vietnam. Most people have said that they honor him for his service, and respect his heroism as a P.O.W. I do see some people questioning whether his experience as a P.O.W. is relevant to the skills necessary to be President. Is that what you mean by "questioning his service"? Because, if so, I have to say, I come down on the other side. I don't think being a P.O.W. has anything to do with the skills necessary to being a President. At least, not any more relevant than any awful experience is--it most certainly will teach you something about yourself, and that's a good thing in general. But it doesn't relate *specifically* to the Presidency.

IMHO, of course!

[ajh60]

21. I questioned

those here who say McCain was not tortured, was treated with kid gloves etc. To me it is a non issue just as Kerry was. It is also an insult to both McCain and Kerry. (in mu opinion) I agree being a POW or medal of honor winner does not give special consideration when one is running for president/

[SwampG8r]

25. there have been several

as a former war protester of the era i reply to a lot of them
i always advise not to try to use it as an issue
feelings still run deep and its a no win issue for someone with zero military experience
it highlights mccains military background AND his status as a POW war hero

[FrenchieCat]

5. Thanks for your thoughts.

You advise the campaign to not pay attention to the polls, and yet you make the statement that you believe that McCain's attacks are working. What data are you studying to arrive at your conclusion, if I may ask?

[ajh60]

35. Not to pay attention

to the polls- I simply means even if the polls show a 35 point lead-run like you are 10 down-

[musicblind]

6. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Avalux]

7. Your post leans heavily on what the evening news broadcasts.

It seems you are influenced by it and I would urge you to not give them that much power. Obama is running a brilliant campaign and a lot of people (especially younger people), don't watch the evening news. National poll numbers are not accurate and I think they are strategically designed to make us believe the race is close when it isn't.

On your desire to see Obama be more aggressive - I disagree. Democrats do not fight dirty like Republicans. They simply don't have the diabolical brazeness to do it and that's one of the reasons I am a Democrat. I don't want them to act like Republicans. I want our candidates to win because of what they represent.

Obama's success will not be found in the media; it just isn't going to happen no matter what he does or says. It will be found in the grassroots - people who are working hard every day for the campaign, out in the commumity enthusiastically signing up new Democrats. Just because the media isn't reporting it anymore doesn't mean it isn't happening.

Please step away from the TV and visit your local Obama campaign office. Ask them how you can help. :hi:

[ajh60]

17. Hi

you say "I disagree. Democrats do not fight dirty like Republicans. They simply don't have the diabolical brazeness to do it and that's one of the reasons I am a Democrat"

Read a history of some of JFK's campaigns. "Dirty" was the operative word. I am not suggesting going out and simply lie etc. But to remain above the fray as the saying goes, means remaining out of the White House. "Dirty" is aggressive. In Massachusetts Obama went from 23 up to 9 up. He wont lose Mass but that is a hugh loss in such a Democratic state. As for the news I hardly ever watch the major news network I am more of a cable guy. Even there, the numbers are dropping. To suggest that the numbers of nearly every major polls showing an Obama slippage are not accurate is, in my mind, incorrect.

Obama has to get more aggressive, or he will lose. I talk to Democrats who are nervous about voting for him, plus having all three branches one party is a frighting thing to some folks. I am not saying he is going to lose but I have faith in what I see and trust my judgment. Being from Mass, I simply knew Kerry had little chance of defeating Bush. I was not shocked at all by his defeat. I have friends in other states who were stunned, but for alot of us in Mass it came as no surprise.

McCain has made this a campaign not about issues but Obama. Obama has to change that soon, or it will be over, in my humble opinion.

[SwampG8r]

27. come on dude

you know its only dirty when the other guy does it first

[ajh60]

34. So true

It always seems some one in one campaign yells foul----then some one in the campaign is fired for not coming up with it first. You have to love the process

[Avalux]

38. Why are your Democratic friends nervous about voting for him?

And why would having all three branches controlled by one party frightening?

How did you "simply know Kerry had little chance of defeating Bush"?

Have you looked at the electoral college numbers?

There are a lot of red flags in your post for someone who wants Obama to win.

That brings me to my original point -

Best way to insure a win is to work for his campaign in your community. Are you doing that?

[Whisp]

8. he's running a lousy campaign?

:rofl: :rofl:

:rofl:

hey, Cindy.
Your lipstick is smeared.

[ProSense]

10. What gave it away?

I think Mr Obama is in a bit of a trouble.

I also believe (this is a Hugh leap for me) that he must take a serious, serious look at HRC for the VP slot.

[blondeatlast]

11. Hugh. nt

[David Zephyr]

9. Welcome to the DU. I love Lowell!

Your hometown gave us Jack Kerouac, but what really endears me to Lowell is the Boott Cotton MIlls Museum.

As an avid student of the labor movement during the 1800's and early 1900's, I am so grateful that the good people of Lowell have this museum to working people where your "ticket" to enter is a "time-card" to be punched.

You will be pleased to find that liberals and progressives love their country and are patriots and always want to make a more perfect union. If I could recommend any book to you as you open your heart and mind to liberalism, it would be this: "The People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn.

Great town and a warm welcome to the DU from this old leftie. :hi:

[Egnever]

12. lol its like a concerted effort here all of a sudden to get hillary as vice president

A whole new influx of first time posting hillary proponents. Welcome to DU.

Obamas campaign is doing just fine. NO to Hillary.

[ajh60]

18. She;s tough

Has baggage for sure but an agressive campaigner. I voted Obama over her, but watching Obama's campaign I think they could use her.

[DailyGrind51]

13. Welcome and thank you!

You are right about Obama needing "attack dogs" like Carville and Begala on his campaign. "Taking the high road" tends to lead Democrats away from the White House.

[Independent_Voice]

14. What have Begala and Carville done in the past 8 years?

Since the Clintons left office, have they lent much help to the Democrats?

All Carville did was cover himself with a trash can on Election Night '02 and whisper into Matalin's ear when Kerry was considering challenging Ohio in Election Night '04. All Begala has done was pout like a little baby whenever those whom he's loyal to don't win.

"Get this thing back on track"????...Begala and Carville are part of the main reasons why HRC *SHOULDN'T* be on the ticket!

[ajh60]

19. MY

point with those two is they have been through his before. Say what you want about McCain but he is good in a street fight. This is what this election is. The last few Dem's all had significant leads at this point. With the war, economy, Bush's third term etc Obama should be up 10-15 minimum. He is not. This is not good news.

[AllentownJake]

15. Welcome to DU

and he is hitting back. The media just doesn't cover the response as much as they do the attacks or the attack by the democrat on the GOP. The media is kind of in the tank and owned by McCain's "base"

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

16. You were so stunned you still voted for that inbred little bastard, eh?

Well, birds of a feather.

Pull the other one. It's got bells.

[ajh60]

22. Was there

a point in this? Type first, drink second!

[QueenOfCalifornia]

37. You have just met

BornAgainHooligan.

Just use the ignore function. Trust me on this.

[CitizenLeft]

23. "I don't belong to any organized party, I'm a Democrat."

No truer words.

"this is a Hugh leap for me"

And you catch on fast!

Welcome! :hi:

[emilyg]

24. Welcome.

[SwampG8r]

26. welcome

and welcome aboard
dont let the dogs chew you too bad
dont take cheap shots personally
and you will be fine

[bridgit]

30. Willkommen zu DU...

:kick:

[Iwillnevergiveup]

32. What is your strategy

for handling all your Republican friends and family? I realize how lucky I was - we had 2 Republican uncles in my family, and they were mostly ignored.

Love Lowell, too, and have friends in South Egremont, MA. Gorgeous part of the country.

Welcome to DU.:hi:

[ajh60]

36. Its easy-

I dont-No actually my family has always talked/argued politics ever since I was a kid-so I have no problems discussing issues. In fact we do it so often it is a situation were we can disagree but never at the personal level. Disagree over a beer etc. Not all republicans are bad nor all dems good-so it is always interesting.