Don't be afraid of the Democrats

[gottaB]

Carol Moseley Braun was on cspan's Washington Journal this morning (Archives here, Graham and Sharpton are scheduled next). A pro-Bush caller said he didn't trust the Democrats to fight the war on terrorism, to take the bull by the horns the way Bush had. Here's Carol's reply:

In the first instance, it's not a war--Remember Osama bin Laden?--I mean a real war on terrorism would have spent time and energy and resources on getting him. And working with our international allies around the world to not only get him but to break up al Qaida, to break up the all of the terrorist cells that pose the most immediate threat.

Instead this administration chose what I consider to be a misadventure, going into Iraq. Well, now it's water under the dam. We've gone in there. All we can do is pray for the well being of our men and women, our soldiers. Everybody, we all support our troops. We all hope that they get out of this quagmire and come home soon.

But the fact of the matter is that we have a responsibility now that we've blown Iraq up, to go and build it up again. So we're going to spend billions of dollars, tax-payer dollars, your money, on something that in my opinion was not calculated to represent a real war on terrorism. And in fact we have enfeebled our ability to fight such a war.

When you consider that the administration right now is asking all the countries that we thumbed our noses at, that they thumbed their noses at, to come on in and help us out now in Iraq. now that we've gone in and we've blown the place up. You know, it's kind of after-the-fact, and of course now they can sit back and be all bland about it, or well maybe we'll help you and maybe not, and would you come back to the United Nations, and all the rest.

So I just think that the policy decisions--these are bona fide policy disputes-- and I just say to you: Don't be afraid of the Democrats. We have a lot to offer. We can make this country healthy again. We can restore hope in this country again. And we can get this economy back on track, and repair, repair our relations around the world. My campaign, my candidacy is about rebuilding America. Both physically and spiritually. And I know that the others, my other colleagues who are running for the Democratic nomination want to do the best thing by this country.

We will defeat terrorism. But just going off and picking, you know, winners and losers if you will in kind of an American roulette around the world is not going to provide the answer.

[Cha]

1. That's good ...Carol is using reason and logic and truth

to get to the pod heads who think bush is the almighty protector when in reality he could give a damn.

[VTMechEngr]

2. Great Reply

Hope the others take note.

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

3. Her whole appearance today rocked

Everything she said was dead-on accurate and honest. She has the luxury, as does Sharpton, to speak the plain truth, not the political truth. It's refreshing to see, and I wish she had a better shot in this race. She's by far the candidate with the best speaking ability...calm, warm, honest, genuine.

[mndemocrat_29]

4. Carol Moseley Braun

I agree that she is a terrific speaker. If she had beaten Peter Fitzgerald in 1998, she wouldn't be viewed as the longshot that she is. She might even be leading in one of the early states. However, the electibility issue will keep her off the bench.

I do hope, though, that she continues on working in politics. I know it's a slim possibility, but when (we have to win) we win the White House in 2004, does anyone else think that she'd make a good representative to the United Nations?

[gottaB]

6. Oh ye of little faith

but anyway, yeah, she'd make a good UN ambassador.

[gottaB]

7. Carol's speaking style

I saw her reaching for that word "enfeebled" and when she hit it it was perfect. The downside to her laid-back conversational approach is that she sometimes hesitates or stumbles, and some of her arguments, when transcribed, don't come across as clearly as they sounded when she spoke them. You know?

Today I also saw evidence of handlers, or perhaps just her growing mastery of campaigning. She repeated some favorite stories of hers, and managed to stay on message while answering a variety of, uh, interesting questions. Still, she did come across as sincere and genuinely warm, which is a real skill, and a big part of her message. It was a good appearance, good for her and for the Dems I think.


Off topic: Hey, Teach, Should I call you Pavlovs DiOgie now?

[MercutioATC]

5. And the scales slowly tip further....

Carol Moseley-Braun is a great contender. Whether she wins the nomination or not, she is bringing forth issues that help the Democratic agenda. Her voice SHOULD be heard.