The "thoughtful liberal act" does not win presidential elections

[wolverinez]

Someone from Obama's camp please tell the good Senator that. Yes, it's *by far* the best way to govern, there's no question about that. But please understand that direct answers and repeatable soundbytes are your friend.

[eleny]

1. "act"

I don't think you saw Obama acting tonight.

[wolverinez]

5. No, I saw John Kerry-like answers to simple questions

Sorry, but it's the truth.

[eleny]

8. That doesn't mean it's an act

[OmahaBlueDog]

12. True, but Obama can make reading the phone book sound good

He's a better speaker than Kerry; he's a much better speaker than McSame.

[masshole]

18. what truth?

just your opinion.

[Drunken Irishman]

20. And Kerry's debate performance in 2004 was the only reason we had a race.

Prior to the first debate, Kerry was down by nearly 10-points to Bush, yet a week later, after the first debate, he was tied.

You underestimate the American people.

[MarjorieG]

22. He trained for these to be succinct, which will be Kerry's and others' advice, as well.

Know your points and stick them in, regardless of the question. Like McCain tonight, which was not supposed to be that kind of forum, but Mccain made it standard shtick.

[TheFarseer]

27. that's because Bush looked like a complete dumb-ass

who hadn't spent one second preparing for the debate. Kerry looked incredibly crisp. There's no doubt about that, but McCain is not a pushover like Bush.

[Drunken Irishman]

34. Yeah and I doubt McCain will be leading by 10-points, either.

So that kind of counters that.

[wolverinez]

29. That was one of the worst debate performances in history by Bush

And even then the media did it's best to cover for Dubya.

McCain will be nowhere near that bad.

[BlooInBloo]

2. Utter fail.

[cliffordu]

3. Yep. But thanks for your Concern!!!! (IBTL)

:popcorn:

[blogslut]

4. McSame was the one with the act

I believe the bit is called "Give the People What They want". It's a classic.

[wolverinez]

7. Agreed. It's all an act....

Some get you votes, some don't.

[blogslut]

11. I'm voting for him

Who is this rhetorical "you" that we're speaking of?

[Ichingcarpenter]

30. Well, you an't getting votes here Wolverine!

Go peddle you spittle somewhere else.

[wolverinez]

31. Don't O.D. on kool aid

nt

[Mz Pip]

6. It is unfortunate that the

American people seem to only be able to understand quick sound bites that reflect opinions in black and white.

Sadly, we will get 4 years of Grandpa Simpson if people don't want to take the time to listen to our candidate.

[dkf]

9. If he were at a women's forum he could have said

yes I am pro-choice and leave it at that.

But he wasn't.

That means he had to explain a little bit more. Ditto for the rest of the answers.

[Wheezy]

10. my undecided, Independent hubby chose Obama tonight

because of Obama's sincerity and thoughtfulness in his answers.

Not a failure in this dem's opinion.

[wolverinez]

15. Of course it wasn't a failure to people with IQ's over 35

But unfortunately those aren't most voters.

[Beregond2]

21. Oh, come on.

If Americans were as bad as you say, why are we bothering with anything at all? It would all be hopeless.

May I remind you that they voted for Clinton twice and Gore once? Were they equally moronic then?

Even the last election would have gone to Kerry had the voting not been rigged; and he was a TERRIBLE candidate.

[wolverinez]

28. Good point

Why bother with anything? I guess because there are actually some good people out there.

Clinton won in 1996 thx to Perot. Gore "won" because the economy was doing fine and people still had their retirement funds.

[Median Democrat]

13. You Are Missing The Point Of This...

There was one overriding goal. To discuss religion. That's why this was at a church. John McCain had the luxury of telling war stories. He does not have people smearing him as the anti-christ. Rick Warren, the most popular pastor in the US, called Obama a friend, and vouched for the fact that Obama is a Christian. Mission accomplished.

[MarjorieG]

14. These were more personal about policy, about morality and life's lessons. Debates different content.

[Arkana]

16. *slams head against wall repeatedly*

Goddamnit, Democrats trying to be soundbite Republicans doesn't win elections either. Obama is being honest--and that's the best thing he's got going for him. Fucking A, I am so SICK of hearing this talking point. He doesn't need to dumb it down, dammit.

[wolverinez]

23. people said the same thing about Kerry 04

It's the same trappings.

[Arkana]

25. I don't remember saying that.

I recall the saying "If you give up your principles in the hope of winning, you end up losing and having no principles--so you keep losing."

That was Howard Dean, I think back in 2004--and it could not be more true. If we want to engage the American people we must do it without trying desperately to imitate the Republicans.

[wolverinez]

26. It has nothing to do with immitating Republicans....

But it has everything to do by playing with the rules the media have come up with. That's how the game is played. If you don't want to win, feel free to go the other route.

[Speck Tater]

17. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king...

but in the land of the stupid, the intelligent, thoughtful man is ignored.

[wolverinez]

24. that's right

you can either adjust a campaign to that reality or you can "windsurf" back home.

[Arnold Judas Rimmer]

19. You think you're tough for eating beans every day?

There's half a dozen PUMAs in Denver who'd give anything for one mouthful of what you got. They've been under siege for about three months. They live on rats and sawdust bread and sometimes... on each other. At night, the pyres for the dead light up the sky. It's medieval.

[AuntPatsy]

32. I cannot believe even one person recommended this thread? Bizarre and ignorant.

Your a strange cookie.....

[DU GrovelBot]

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[SoCalDemGrrl]

35. Yeah, I hate to admit it, but McCains direct answers resonate with the masses

unfortuntely I believe that the American public suffers from collective ADD and Obama's answers
although thoughtful and correct (and long) don't stand a chance with the Americans used to
a 10 second sound bite.

Be afraid, be very afraid......