Obama had me sitting up with "HOPE" during his Faith Base panel talk!

[FrenchieCat]

I watched the 3 "frontrunners" just now on CNN (I'm sure that it will be replayed)....and I have to say that I was really, really impressed with Barack Obama. He appears to be an original thinker who has vision. When asked what he would do as President in terms of solving the issue of poverty, he nailed it while providing much insight on his thinking as well as how close to the ground he recognizes the problems. He quoted MLK several times in a way I haven't much seen from others.

I can't really describe the difference between his presentation and the others (although Hillary impressed me as well), and so I recommended that folks watch this panel forum if they can this eve.

PS. Rep. Barbara Lee was in the audience.....and she was nodding yeah, when Obama was talking! :)

[More Than A Feeling]

1. and the other candidates are on now. Happy?

;)

[FrenchieCat]

3. Yes....although it is a trunkated format and still not part of the "panel".....

but I'm sure they believe it better than nothing....as do I.

It's set up kind of like what "Separate but Equal" meant back in the days....separate and unequal.

[More Than A Feeling]

6. I was right, though, wasn't I?

They pretty much are saying the same types of things.

[FrenchieCat]

7. How it is articulated is not the same.....

Just found out that Dodd's wife is Mormon. Interesting. How can she be married to a Roman Catholic? She wears magic underwear and he doesn't? Sound strange to me somehow.

[More Than A Feeling]

9. *shrug* I'm a Humanist (and going to be Unitarian Universalist)

and the woman I love is an American Baptist(which I used to be as well. It's where we met, actually). Both Dodd and his wife believe in God, that has to be easier than a non-believer and a believer being together, when neither is going to change their position. We get by.

[jaxx]

2. His presentation was different because he spent the time...all his time....

on getting his thoughts out on how he will bring this nation back together. On our responsibility to each other. When told his time was running out, he said this is important and went on. The more I see him, the more I like what I hear.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Yes.....I was spellbound with the way that he was getting his thoughts out.......

He made it interesting, and not so much about him but about us...and that is important to me; how someone processes information and how they articulate their thoughts.

I must point out that is why I didn't care as much for Edwards' responses....it was well I did this, and did that, and I will always as long as I live fight for this, this happened to me, and that, and this is what I did about it, etc.... I wanted to scream, it ain't about you!

[loyalsister]

8. That was smart!

He used all his time on that question and didn't get put on the spot.
No abortion question, etc.

[FrenchieCat]

11. It's call "taking Command"......

and with these media folks and things, that is the best way to handle it....doing things "your" way.

One of the point he made was that as President it would be his job to have the bully pulpit.....and the whole trick of changing the discourse in America is to be in charge of the "agenda" sorta speak. That's what he did...and he did it in an outstanding manner.

[Ethelk2044]

12. Oh so you are mad at him because he cares

about the poor?

[FrenchieCat]

14. I would have to think that Loyalsister would be impressed at the type of command

Obama took. Why should a potential Leader of the free world act any other way than being in full control.

It's the difference in attitute between those who are intimitated by the salesclerks at Saks versus those of us who understand that a Clerk is paid to meet our needs. It's about approach and perspective.

[Kingstree]

21. Is is also known that

He appeals to those who are educated. They understand his thinking. I am watching a show here locally about the debate. A guy clearly stated He likes Obama because you can tell he is an intellectual and he clearly has thought out his vision for the country. It is not about him. It is about us. He feels for his country and All the people in it.

[loyalsister]

49. Not in the least!

I was sincerely pointing out that it was a smart way to use his time.
I was also very impressed by the way he answered the question.

[illinoisprogressive]

4. the audience loved him. he really nailed it and you are right

about his thinking which is why people misunderstand or think he is whatever. They do not understand that he has deep intellect and thinks outside the box. And he does not go for the cheap and easy applause.

[durrrty libby]

10. As usual , Hillary was the best.. Obama came in second

[FrenchieCat]

13. Musta been a "CLose" second.....like right on her heels......

in fact, he may have stepped on her heel, as he passed her to regain first position. :)

[Ethelk2044]

15. Obama came in First

Hillary did not show she was religious. It seems she was trying to stretch her answers. Like my Pastor use to say. You can tell if someone is religious by the life they live. When they walk in the wrong and start talking you can tell if someone is really religious. I agree.

[durrrty libby]

17. You are assuming I want a religious president. No thanks,

we already had a phony baloney god fool in the WH.

Keep stupid religious zealots out of politics.

It is all a crock anyway.

[Kingstree]

23. I want someone with Moral ethics.

We have been missing that for the last 12 years. I want someone who cares about the people. Someone I can believe that once they take the office they will look out for the people not corporations.

[BeyondGeography]

24. If Obama is a "stupid religious zealot"

then you win The Most Mindless HRC Supporter of DU award.

[Colobo]

26. This "durrty liberal" guy is why Hillary gets too much hate

[FrenchieCat]

16. Hopefully, I can watch it when I get back from the Gym......

I want to see it again.

But I'm telling you, I had tears coming out of my eyes......and that ain't no easy feat.

[mckeown1128]

18. Faith is one of Obama's strong suits

This was a pretty good performance for him.

[jcrew2001]

19. If Obama wins NH - he knocks Hillary out of the race for good

so go Obama!

[ElizabethDC]

20. Are you just posting this in all the threads that mention Hillary or Obama? n/t

[Telly Savalas]

32. Yeah, we split it up.

I'm supposed to make that comment in the Biden and Dodd threads.

[ElizabethDC]

33. LOL, good to know

I hope someone else is covering threads involving Edwards, Richardson, Kucinich and Gravel.

[TeamJordan23]

22. Does anyone know when they are going to replay this?

nm

[draft_mario_cuomo]

25. What did he say?

==When asked what he would do as President in terms of solving the issue of poverty, he nailed it while providing much insight on his thinking as well as how close to the ground he recognizes the problems.==

What solutions did he offer to solve poverty? If he "nailed it" I am sure he laid out several serious policy proposals.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

39. Ladies and gentleman, I think we have an answer nt

[Colobo]

27. I'm happy he did so well; too bad I didn't get to see it.

[Colobo]

28. Kickin' for Obama!

[Pushed To The Left]

29. I worked the Obama booth at the Tustin Street Fair and Chili Cookoff

We were amazed at the support there was in a relatively conservative part of Orange County for Barack Obama! By the end of the day, we were totally out of literature, buttons, and small stickers, and about 75% of our bumperstickers were gone! I have worked booths before, and this has to be the most support I've experienced at a booth for an issue or candidate.

[flpoljunkie]

40. Great to hear this! Thanks for your report.

[AtomicKitten]

30. Obama has a fresh perspective.

Obama is brilliant speaking to huge crowds; he's still not entirely comfortable in these debates, although this format is better. I realize some here are anxious to pigeon-hole him, but he's fresh, he's smooth, he's smart (Michelle has promised to prevent him from thinking he's all that :) ), and he has plenty of talent within the Democratic Party to call upon for help and advice.

I am, however, becoming more convinced that Hillary just might be running away with this thing, so much so one can't help but stop and applaud because the campaign is virtually flawless. She took charge of the debate last night when Wolf was asking obsequious questions. It was a great moment.

I can't help but feel good as a Democrat because of the range of opinion represented in our candidates - from one end of the spectrum to the other and a lot in between - the proverbial big tent that many complain about here but I have always thought was fabulous.

And as always I remain hopeful that Gore will jump in.

[Robson]

31. Op-Ed - Obama and Romney have similar views on foreign policy

Interesting comments from Fred Hiatt. I'm not familiar if he is Bush apologist. According to the article......

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/03/AR2007060300951.html

<snipped>

(1) The two candidates' programs are strikingly similar to each other.

(2) Both are strikingly similar to Bush administration policy.

(3) And both, far from retreating to isolationism in the face of Iraq and other challenges, set forth their own wildly ambitious calls for American leadership and the promotion of American values. "Boldness" is an operative word for both of them.

Obama begins: "After Iraq, we may be tempted to turn inward. That would be a mistake. The American moment is not over, but it must be seized anew."

Romney writes: "In the aftermath of World War II and with the coming of the Cold War, members of the 'greatest generation' united America and the free world around shared values and actions that changed history. . . . Our times call for equally bold leadership."

<snipped>

And the similarities dwarf the differences. Both want bigger, not smaller, armed forces: Obama calls for an additional 92,000 ground troops, Romney for 100,000.

<continued>

[Colobo]

35. Obama is real, Romney likes like a toy that came out of a cereal box

[Robson]

36. The USA needs to enhance and project itself inward ...not outward

Hopefully Obama is not promoting the same tired neocon foreign policy of those that wish to project our USA presence around the world. We need to keep our nose out of other's business and begin looking inward and get our country back on a footing that enhances the middle class and stabilizes the financial position of our country. IMHO We don't need to project our presence anywhere or expand our military.

[eridani]

45. All of the "major" candidates are imperial cheerleaders

I'd like to know what 700+ military bases around the world have to do with "defense", and why social work at gunpoint is the way these candidates think of "engagement" with the rest of the world.

[Sparkly]

34. I didn't see any of it, Frenchie, but...

... the idea of it seems weird to me. They'll shun the CBC, but accept a forum based on "faith?" I dunno... But I've only read the AP story, and I don't much trust Nedra Pickler.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070605/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_religion

She does say, "Obama's appearance focused more on policy than the personal." That's good.

How much of it was about religion?

[FrenchieCat]

42. OBama didn't deal with the religious aspect very long......at all....

He was asked if God was on our side in this war.....and he pulled out the ol' Abe quote....."we should be asking if we are on God's side".

Most of what he talked about was poverty and how he would make "things happen" to alleviate the plight of the poor as President. He took that one question and used up most of his time. I think that Soledad O'Brien, as annoying as she was, fell in love with the guy. :)

[Ethelk2044]

46. And the Bible teaches to give to the poor

[Ethelk2044]

47. Religion is about taking care of the Sheep

God's people. He was talking about taking care of the poor. All of what he was talking about is in the Bible. That is one of the reason the people kept applauding him. God wants people to take care of the poor. He outlined what he would do to take care of them. Better education, better jobs etc.

[JI7]

37. many people don't know about Obama's work

in the community outside and before he was elected to office.

no question, he gets it.

[MGKrebs]

38. Didn't see this, but I thought Obama was impressive in the debate

last night.
He seems to be gaining confidence.
I still think that due to his relative inexperience he runs a high risk of making a disastrous gaffe or just a strategic campaign blunder that costs him. But who knows, maybe not.

[KoKo]

41. What do you know about him and why do you trust him?

:shrug:

[FrenchieCat]

43. I'm learning about him......and

I trust him as much as most politicians. I look at what they have done, what they are doing, and why. I also use my BS meter, cause it's good as gold...far as I'm concerned!

[eridani]

44. Since the questions were pretty lousy--

--all the candidates had to do the silk purse from sow's ear thing. I suppose we should be grateful that the questions were at least not as stupid as Wolf Blitzer's on Sunday.

[zulchzulu]

48. Many people I know have told me that they have cried watching Obama speak

The man is inspiring...and will make a wonderful President to show to the World.

[GeorgeGist]

50. It appears to me ...

that Obama, Clinton and Edwards believe religion is more important than their souls.