Obama: It's about people.
Charlie Burr
A few days before Obama's decisive Iowa victory, Matthew Sutton shut down his computer and headed to Nevada for the upcoming caucus.
Blue Oregonians probably know Matthew from his comments here -- I got to meet him just briefly at the Obama rally in September -- but before this campaign, Matthew was never that active in politics. In fact, Matthew wasn't even registered as a Democrat until recently. But supporters like Matthew -- and hundreds of thousands of others -- are at the core of what’s driving Obama’s campaign: everyday Oregonians committed to changing American politics and changing our country.
With Obama, Democrats have an opportunity to redraw the electoral map. We can bring more people into our democratic process, with eye-popping results. We can take Obama’s message of change and hope to every corner of the country. And we can create an electoral landscape that helps down-ticket candidates in all 50 states.
Under the Bush administration, we’ve had eight years of missed opportunities. A trillion-dollar war making us less safe and less secure. A skyrocketing debt threatening our economic health, and weakening our leverage with China. An environmental agenda of neglect and abuse, fueled by cronyism and special interest politics. And of course, a dangerous departure from the rule of law.
Historians may not even view Iraq, as tragic and disastrous as the war is, as the biggest blunder of Bush’s presidency. Following the attacks of 9-11, Bush squandered a truly historic opportunity to unite the country, call for patriotic sacrifice, and set a new course for energy independence. Every presidential contest is to some degree a reaction to the previous presidency, but those attacks -- and how Bush and Rove used them to divide our country -- still provide a lot of the context for this election.
Bush never seized the opportunity, never did a “Nixon goes to China” on energy security. More fundamentally, he never united us for a strategic purpose. It was within our grasp. Never have I been more deeply frustrated with our president than with his failure to take action during what I considered a once-in-a-lifetime policy window. But the failure wasn't just about energy policy, Bush failed to tap into our hunger to heal and work together against common threats.
We’re going to get another chance. Obama can help elevate our national debate and challenge us to do great things. It’s not just about being a gifted orator. It’s about uniting and rallying the country to take meaningful action on our most difficult problems.
Each day we wait, stopping global warming becomes more difficult, our health care crisis becomes more acute, and our international alliances grow a little weaker. Obama is the candidate best suited to cut through the partisan clutter and actually deliver progressive change. It starts with a campaign that brings together Independents, Republicans, and people like Matthew Sutton who've grown disillusioned with business as usual. And it continues with a people-powered movement and infrastucture that lasts long after November.
Iowa produced something special. And while I would never underestimate the Clinton machine, I don't expect the attacks to work this time. The problem is this: Hillary can't win without going negative, and can't go negative without personifying the status quo.
I like our chances Tuesday. With Matthew and hundreds of thousand of other grass-roots supporters, Obama's on the verge of pulling off something remarkable. As even Hillary Clinton said in Iowa, we’re fired up and ready to go.
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9:43 a.m.
Jan 6, '08
And Matthew, we expect reports from the field! Good luck.
8:07 p.m.
Jun 7, '10
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9:58 a.m.
Jan 6, '08
The organization of the Obama campaign in Southern Oregon was spearheaded by Medford based Matt Sutton and others. Matt's impact statewide and out of state reflects his leadership. Members from the group down here have gone to Iowa, to Obama's HQ in Illinois and now to Nevada. My understanding is; several Jackson County moderate Republicans have switched over and are active in the Obama campaign. Looking forward to Matt's report from Nevada.
Jan 6, '08
This is good evidence of the Obama phenomenon. It's a movement, not just a personal candidacy. He has a public persona that matches the movement and reinforces it. Many progressives may not trust it or understand it, but it's what successful politics is about. People want to feel good and feel hopeful about their country and their future, and join in the feeling with others.
Jan 6, '08
Obviously, the important thing about Obama is that he offers hope for a change for a better future. Those of us that have been around the block a couple of times have heard similar promises in the past to see them go nowhere after the politicians were elected. There was Lyndon Johnson's promise of no American boys fighting in Vietnam that sank in the Gulf of Tonkin, Newt Gingrich and company with their contract with America that became a contract on America, and the claim by George W. Bush to be a compassionate conservative with a humble foreign policy. On the other hand, JFK lived up to his promises to some extent with the Peace Corps and getting the nation out of its lethargy after Sputnik.
This is not to say Obama won't keep some of his promises, but if the people who are persuaded by his oratory want what Obama promises it will be essential for them to make sure he lives up to his words. It will also be very helpful if the people will elect politicians to Congress who will be inclined to help Obama keep those promises and, if necessary, make sure he keeps them. In this regard, I believe that Steve Novick will be the best man to send to the senate from Oregon.
Jan 6, '08
You mean:
Obama: It's about straight people.
Jan 6, '08
... and bent people.
Brown peoples. Yellow peoples. White peoples. Crooked peoples. Funny peoples. especially Hopeful peoples.
Obama loves all peoples.
Unlike Hillary, who doesn't love all people. Only Money peoples.
Jan 6, '08
Don't you get the gut feeling that an Obama presidency could be the life changing event of our era?
Jan 6, '08
Could someone please explain the "it's about straight people" line? Cuz I don't get it. Never heard any gay bashing form Obama or any other Dem candidate.
6:36 p.m.
Jan 6, '08
Obama sponsored legislation for employment non-discrimination protection for gays and lesbians in the Illinois Legislature and hate crimes legislation in the U.S. Senate.
Obama supports civil unions, and voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment. Obama opposes the Defense of Marriage Amendment from the Clinton administration, and favors repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Obama is also the only candidate in the race who's worked as a civil rights lawyer and constitutional law professor. In 2006, Obama scored an 86-percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign. (As a sidenote, Obama scored a 100-percent rating from Planned Parenthood rating in Illinois.)
The remark above references the participation of gospel singer with an anti-gay reputation at an event in South Carolina last summer. At the same concert, Obama also included an openly gay minister, and made clear to supporters that he believed strongly in civil rights for all members of the GLBT community.
6:47 p.m.
Jan 6, '08
I should have been more clear about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Obama supports repealing the Clinton era compromise and allowing gays and lesbians to openly serve our country in the Armed Forces.
Obama has said on the campaign trail, "The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve."
8:08 p.m.
Jan 6, '08
From a 2004 AP story:
"Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama said Friday that his Christian beliefs dictate that marriage should be between a man and a woman, although he supports civil unions that give legal rights to gay and lesbian couples."
8:09 p.m.
Jan 6, '08
Whoops, end of that got cut off...
Separate but equal is never equal.
Jan 6, '08
I just got back from Reno, NV where my family and I were volunteering for Barack for a couple of days.
I talked to potential caucusers on the phone and on their doorsteps. The Obama campaign is highly organized and carefully selected the folks we would be talking to. Anyway, many people I talked to we had ranked as "3"'s, which is undecided. However, after we were done we had many many "1"'s, people signing pledge cards saying they would caucus for Barack.
Lots of enthusiasm, and its growing.
Jan 6, '08
Charlie, thanks for the kind words. I just went back and read your post and realized, "hey, that's me."
It was really a great time as my wife, our two kids, and my mom all got to be part of history in working for the campaign.
I will try to put together a "tell all" guest column within the next couple of days once I get caught up.
Jan 7, '08
When did Obama say he favors repealing "Don't ask, don't tell"? I've read that he regards it as suspect and has promised a thorough review of the policy, but has categorically refused to promise repealing the policy if elected President. USA Today just had a round-up of the candidates' positions on GBLT issues that reiterated that point, and the NY Times in June noted that Obama's stance is that any effort to repeal the policy should begin with a review of how other nations handled the issue.
Obama's "Christian" belief that marriage should be between one man and one woman is exactly what disqualifies him from the "inclusive" moniker. There are plenty of Christians who have no problem with gay marriage; Obama isn't one of them. When a candidate make his religion a central issue in his campaign, I get nervous, since that is usually code for religious bigotry and intolerance. His willingness to embrace rather than repudiate the homophobic elements of the African-American evangelical community are disturbing -- compare that to the work an African-American like David Wilson in Massachusetts is doing. There's a world of difference. There are at least two Democratic candidates who support full marriage equality, and more who have pledged in no uncertain terms to repeal DADT, including Clinton and Edwards.
There may be all kinds of reasons why one might decide to support Obama's candidacy, but pretending he's about full equality for all isn't one of them. That's just a bald-faced lie.
Jan 7, '08
Am I the only person who kind of has the urge to puke when I hear candidates talk about "change"? How much change are we going to get with advisors like Richard Holbrooke, Madeleine Albright, and Sandy Berger (Clinton). Or Obama's team of Zbigniew Brzezinski, Anthony Lake, and General Merrill McPeak, not to mention all the money he gets from big corporate lawyers and bosses. The only thing I see changing is the rhetoric.
Jan 7, '08
I like that son-of-a-millworker, John Edwards, but there's no denying that the Obama campaign has already brought about at least one big change.
In 2004, the big story after the Iowa caucus was "the scream," a negative narrative that dragged down a campaign.
In 2008, the story after the Iowa caucus is "the speech," a positive narrative that is lifting up a campaign.
That's different.
2:35 p.m.
Jan 7, '08
You mean General Merrill McPeak who was, and is, admaanetly agains the Iraq war?
Jan 7, '08
Am I the only person who kind of has the urge to puke when I hear candidates talk about "change"? How much change are we going to get with advisors like Richard Holbrooke, Madeleine Albright, and Sandy Berger (Clinton). Or Obama's team of Zbigniew Brzezinski, Anthony Lake, and General Merrill McPeak, not to mention all the money he gets from big corporate lawyers and bosses. The only thing I see changing is the rhetoric.
I've seen too much of this over the years to puke, but your point, Chris, is perfectly valid except that McPeak is now on the right side of the issues, but I don't think he will ever be mistaken for a progressive. Zbigniew Brzezinski. Now there is somebody to be concerned about. Perhaps, Jimmy Carter should have a word with Obama about his experiences with Zbig.
7:38 p.m.
Jan 7, '08
People can download the candidates' responses to the Human Rights Campaign here. Obama supports repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" like I wrote above. Barack Obama, John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Richardson share the same positions on civil unions, btw.
7:54 p.m.
Jan 7, '08
Actually, I don't consider John Edwards' position and Barack Obama's positions to be the same.
Obama said that he is against gay marriage because of his Christian beliefs.
John Edwards said:
Another story covering this:
<hr/>To me there is a difference between saying you have trouble with it and saying that your Christian beliefs cause you to be against it. I'm a Christian (Southern Baptist) and I have no problem with same-sex couples having access to the exact same legal union available to heterosexual couples, whatever that may be. I have a huge problem with allowing your religious beliefs to dictate how you interpret and vote on the laws in this country - particularly when it comes to the rights of others. It's called the separation of church and state.
9:39 p.m.
Jan 7, '08
No, actually John Edwards has talked about his religion in response to gay marriage and civil unions plenty, to the point where he was called on it at the YouTube debate earlier this year. And Edwards's former media consultant (who's done extensive civil rights work for gays and lesbians) wrote that before Edwards's 1998 race, the candidate said that he "was uncomfortable around those people." The Edwards say this quote was taken out of context; regardless, Edwards and Obama <u>do</u> have the same position on civil unions.
Jan 7, '08
lestatdelc wrote: You mean General Merrill McPeak who was, and is, admaanetly agains the Iraq war?
I guess so, but big deal--lots of military brass knew that the Iraq war was a bad idea. The war is opposed by Ron Paul, Pat Buchanan and lots of other idiots. My concern with McPeak is his connection to some pretty awful human rights abuses in Indonesia in the early 90's.
Another one of Obama's advisors is old Harvard pal Sarah Sewall, a former Defense official, who (according to Allan Nairn) wrote the introduction to General Petraeus’s Marine Corps/Army counterinsurgency handbook, the handbook that is now being used worldwide by US troops in various killing operations.
I suspect that most people around here detest Ralph Nader for "stealing" the election from the amazingly non-progressive John Kerry, but if you are able to read his words with an open mind, you should check out this pretty scathing, yet funny piece on Obama's mantra of change: http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/07/6230/
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