Ken Burns, filmmaker and NH resident, endorses Obama because of negative attacks from Clinton

[maximusveritas]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/primarysource/2007/12/ken_burns_endor.html

"For a number of reasons I had intended to remain neutral throughout the New Hampshire Primary process, but I find I can no longer do so. Recent events compel me to declare my support for and endorse Barack Obama," Burns said. "As the tone of things changed last week I think it was time to step up."

Burns, a 30 year resident of the state, said he's known the Clintons for at least 15 years, but he said he has been "disappointed" by the tone the Clinton campaign has taken and that Hillary is "getting some bad advice".

I suspect he's not the only one who's been turned off by the Clinton negative attacks.

Given his great knowledge and interest in history, it's no surprise he also compared Obama to Abraham Lincoln.

"If you were a pundit in the 1850s you would certain that the country needed an old pro like Clay or Calhoon or Chase or Stanton or those folks, but in fact what the country actually needed a relatively -- or so it seemed -- inexperienced youngwiry figure from Illinois. And I am willing to accept, at least in this case, that history does repeat itself.

Burns is a longtime Democrat. He gave 25 grand to the DNC in 2004 and he seems to have a good track record of picking winners.

In 2000 Burns introduced Al Gore and in 2004 he supported John Kerry.

[tekisui]

1. The Clinton's have overplayed their hand.

They are running scared and making a lot of mistakes.

At this point her voting history, positions, and experience are paling within her unprofessional campaign.

The Machine has blown a head and the Hill-o-copter is in a tail spin.

[maximusveritas]

3. That's how I see it

I think it was a huge mistake and it's one they'll be regretting if they end up losing the nomination. We'll see if Obama or Edwards can take advantage.

[blm]

2. Great news - I have no doubt he likely discussed this with both Gore and Kerry

as anyone would who understands the true positive impact of these two men on our nation's historic record.

[madrchsod]

4. geez, i have someone that agrees with me

about lincoln`s and obama`s mutual "inexperience". boy did i catch shit for stating the fact that both of them had the same experience before they ran for president

[maximusveritas]

7. It's true; We're not saying Obama will be the next Lincoln

which is how people will try to take it so they can feign outrage.
It's just a simple example to point out that the experience argument is weak.

[madrchsod]

15. that was my point but of course many do not see that

[jgraz]

5. Ooh, that's gotta smart

Too bad he didn't go with Edwards, but at least he's joined the ABH camp.

[NYCGirl]

6. That's wonderful. Ken Burns is a national treasure.

:thumbsup:

[BigDDem]

14. He is?

How so?

[NYCGirl]

18. He's a brilliant filmmaker, and one of the best documentarians ever. NT

[mod mom]

8. I really enjoyed seeing KO interview Ken Burns on countdown. Seems like a great guy besides

great film maker.

[maximusveritas]

10. I missed that

Was he talking about this endorsement?

[mod mom]

12. Here you go from Sept 20, 2007:

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=91d60e3e-4bca-41de-9a0e-53e9089351bc

[maximusveritas]

19. Thanks

You were right. He was very good. I can see why he supports Obama.

[SoxFan]

9. K&R

[Adelante]

11. What Burns said about Obama

From The Swamp:

Burns said he liked Obama right off the bat and felt he could stamp out society’s “creeping cynicism” with his “unironic posture.”

“I have been attracted from the beginning to his authenticity,” he said. With the country facing difficult times, he said, the nation needs “someone able to dream and suggest a future without being tied to the past.”

He also said he appreciated Obama’s stand against the war when other candidates supported it.

“I think this is a human being who knew in advance how unnecessary and foolish this war was,” Burns said, adding that Obama knows how to distinguish between “fraudulent wars,” and “those that really need to be fought.”

As a state senator, Obama spoke out against the invasion of Iraq, while Clinton voted for the use of force resolution.

“His record is utterly clear and unassailable on this point,” said Burns.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/obama_brings_out_a_heavy_nh_hi.html

Nice, huh? :)

[Uncle Joe]

13. Regarding Ken Burns, this quote really jumped out at me from a Vanity Fair article.

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/11/clinton200711

"During his all-night conversation with Ken Burns in June, Bill "spoke movingly of the Democratic National Convention that was coming," Burns recalled, "and how because he was on the backside of scandal and impeachment he had a more delicate role to play."

Now couple that statement of Clinton’s own awareness of his political stature, with what seemed like a ten minute self aggrandizing walk down the hall way just so the camera could gaze at him during the 2000 convention; that was to nominate Al Gore for President, when Bill Clinton could have spent that precious, prime time, air time using his Elvis like charisma and oratory skills promoting Al Gore for President. I believe every second of that walk cost Al Gore votes in the moderate to conservative sections of the nation and Clinton knew it.

And now here is where the circle becomes complete, I believe at some point in the 90s the Clintons joined the "vast right wing conspiracy" and betrayed Al Gore in order for Hillary to run for President in 08, because they knew Cheney had announced he would never run for President.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3105451&mesg_id=3105451

“Former President Bill Clinton said Monday that the first thing his wife Hillary will do when she reaches the White House is dispatch him and his predecessor, President George H.W. Bush, on an around-the-world mission to repair the damage done to America's reputation by the current president — Bush's son, George W. Bush.

"Well, the first thing she intends to do, because you can do this without passing a bill, the first thing she intends to do is to send me and former President Bush and a number of other people around the world to tell them that America is open for business and cooperation again," Clinton said in response to a question from a supporter about what his wife's "number one priority" would be as president.”

[K Gardner]

16. Backfire from Obama, and if they go after Edwards it will backfire again..

Hillary is going to be down for the count before Super Tuesday. This shit won't fly down South, not for a minute.

[tammywammy]

21. What "shit won't fly down South"?

Can you explain?

[ellisonz]

17. History is for Obama.

[Hieronymus]

20. Good for Ken Burns .. people will pay attention to what he says.