David Letterman/Obama song & dance went vey well for Obama - Dave's quiet soft

[papau]

pitches set up Obama's set answers very nicely and Obama came across as, dare I say this?, presidential!

There was zero policy information or policy direction or why I want to be President info, and Dave's "questions" were just easy set ups for the Obama (and Democratic Party ) standard answers - but Obama delivered the standard answers quite well with a natural speaking style that goes over very nicely.

I suspect it will be up on YOUTUBE in an hour, if it is not there already.

[mtnsnake]

1. Obama did not disappoint. He was impressive, to say the least. nt

[BeyondGeography]

2. He loved Barack's suit...

Said the suit was definitely presidential.

Come to think of it, that WAS a good looking suit, wasn't it?

[papau]

14. The suit was great - but it was on a thin body - highly unfair :-)

:-)

[BeyondGeography]

15. Since it was a fluff-fest, one should also note the camera

doesn't exactly dislike Obama.

[papau]

21. Great suit great body great smile - what can a camera do? :-)

but for some reason on my cheap non-flat screen TV his ears looked like they did not belong with the rest of the image.

I was thinking about what could do that but I came up with nothing. The solution may be just long hair is needed.

[BeyondGeography]

22. The jug ears are for real

no amount of hair will hide them. It's been a lifelong battle for Barack...Heck, even the great Maureen Dowd :puke: wrote about his ears.

And here's a blogger who writes, "Barack Obama can actually pull in his ears when he wants to, just like I can suck in my gut."

http://feedlot.blogspot.com/2006/12/dont-tease-barack-obama.html

[papau]

35. LOL - thanks for the smile. I live with short and fat and hope no one notices! :-) n/t

n/t

[Colobo]

I know you are a Hillarite and Obama is your candidate's main opponent, but

don't you think it was just a nice interview and that's it? It's the Letterman show, not a freaking political debate! Why try to put down one of the Democratic candidates just because he performed well in a TV show?

[papau]

13. ? - no put down - and I'm more Edwards than anything at the moment because I want specifics - but

Obama did well. He has great stage sense - and his voice became nervous only once and it was missed if you blinked (I go into ah's etc at a drop of a hat myself, and my pitch changes just from tension - I admire those that can pull off such an excellent interview the way Obama did).

As to Hillary, unlike many on DU I find her a great candidate, but I also find her like Obama short on specific policy details - which is why Edwards comparatively looks better to me.

[illinoisprogressive]

3. Obama got in some good jabs. But, it was not meant for anything heavy

And now that we are rolling into the 2nd portion of the campaigns he is planning on rolling out his policies in the coming weeks and months.

[papau]

16. I am really looking forward to his policy rollout - and it would be nice if

included in the rollout was a revised energy policy that dropped coal conversion and pushed alternative solar harder while endorsing nukes with breeders as stop gap for the next 30 years - the French solution.

I know soft coal is important in southern Illinois, but this is for the presidency. The ethanol pushers, who include Hillary, need to drop that idea also as food costs will inflate - and wait for algae based cellulose conversion technology.

But most important to the country - and therefore to me - is single payer national health - deficit and other problems are just kicked down the street until we bite the bullet and convert our massive insurance infrastructure into a massive claims service infrastructure with a smaller health insurance infrastructure that focuses on Medi-gap and rich coverage for the rich if they want such coverage (they will want the coverage and the insurance co's will have good sales and profits - it just will not be large enough to destroy the economy, destroy life choices and lifestyle, and destroy our grandkids future like it is today).

[hfojvt]

4. I suffered through Letterman just to see Obama

but I thought he was fairly lame. Noticed that he rarely generated applause. Also the comment about his suit being electable made it seem like he was willing to be seen as an empty suit. I guess they can't pick on his earth tones if he runs as a suit.

[papau]

17. I saw the interview as a great job - not "lame" unless the lack of specifics is what you're

referring to.

[loyalsister]

5. He used language I have been waiting for

"Humanitarian"
No one has been talking about our humanitarin obligations to the people of Iraq.
He also mentioned Kucinich's contribution and said his "devil may care" approach is good for the campaign.
I couldn't help but come away impressed.

[jbnow]

24. He did?

I didn't see it but I have been aching for someone to talk about what we can do to help quell the hell we unleashed. We ravaged that country...we're training the death squads (through Ware the squads are made up of Iraqi troops and police)

Our staying hasn't helped but we owe them so much. I don't know what helps besides complex diplomacy in the area (and money) but I hope our candidates have ideas. We should be focusing on our humanitarian obligations to the people of Iraq. If Obama really is and keeps it up he might be winning me. (Unless Gore comes in. I think of all candidates he'd have the understanding of the people and area and diplomacy to do the best in this horrible situation)

[loyalsister]

38. I am not sure what other people were watching

But during the segment I saw he said that he wanted to pull our troops out because the are creating death squads.

One line I remember in particular was that he said that we should not leave as "carelessly as we went in."

I am sure that in paraphrase he said that the focus needs to be on complex diplomacy- with other countries involved and rebuilding.

He said something along the lines of this is our mess and we need to fix it first by recognizing what is wrong. He mentioned that we have first noticed that our presence is making it worse and we need to deal with that.

[jbnow]

39. Thanks for the report! n/t

[illinoisprogressive]

6. hfojvt, it was in New York. Of course he would not get big applause.

Hillary country. He is her big rival. New Yorkers are not going to go gaga for him.

[Colobo]

7. Exactly.

[Bullet1987]

8. I like how...

Obama gave kudos to Kucinich and everyone else...while Letterman seemed hellbent on only talking about him and Clinton.

[papau]

18. I also liked the mention of the others running - although I was amused that

there are so many he didn't have time to mention everyone, or he couldn't remember everyone's name! :-)

[Just-plain-Kathy]

9. I wished I taped the segment.

Obama who is my favorite out of all the dems who threw their hat into the ring, said something about America and "world order"...did anyone catch that? What exactly did he say?

There's just something about the term "world order". It sounds so PNAC.

I'm NOT saying Obama's connected to PNAC (so don't jump down my throat)... I'm just saying, the main reason we as Americans are in so much trouble is our government's concern with "world order".

I want a president who treats other countries as equals. We could be stronge yet hummble.


edit to say NOT

[lpbk2713]

10. He was relaxed, personable and affable.

Great Presidential material.

[chalky]

11. May I congratulate you on

your skill at damning with faint praise? :P

[Bullet1987]

12. Hmm...

Obama who is my favorite out of all the dems who threw their hat into the ring, said something about America and "world order"...did anyone catch that? What exactly did he say?

There's just something about the term "world order". It sounds so PNAC.

I'm saying Obama's connected to PNAC (so don't jump down my throat)... I'm just saying, the main reason we as Americans are in so much trouble is our government's concern with "world order".

I want a president who treats other countries as equals. We could be stronge yet hummble.

I must've missed it. Which means he probably just said it on the fly and not as something that should be over-analyzed.

[papau]

20. I caught the "world order" phrase but the context was being a good world citizen -nothing PNAC about

it.

[papau]

19. Let me re-state - the Obama presentation was as good as it gets - I want

policy specifics - even in passing with only buzz words giving his direction something would have been nice - and that being missing is my only criticism.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

25. It was Letterman

You aren't going to get much policy discussion on a late-night talk show hosted by a comedian.

[snowbear]

23. I'm watching it right now in Anchorage & Obama did GREAT !!!!

And there was plenty of applause!!

They liked what he had to say.

[saracat]

26. I disagree. He was vacuous. No specifics and bland.

Obama came across as a nice guy but presidential? He didn't even have a solution for Iraq.He sounded like he would keep the troops there.He said it was "our mess". Sorry this is the second time I have been disappointed in Obama.There just doesn't seem to be any substance.

[regnaD kciN]

27. Wha...???

He didn't even have a solution for Iraq. He sounded like he would keep the troops there.

He talked about his support for the military spending bill that would set a time limit for withdrawal, and how he had sponsored a similar bill beforehand. How does that mean "he sounded like he would keep the troops there"...???

:wtf:

Or were you unable to watch the interview because of the "Hillary '08" blindfold you had on?

[saracat]

40. Don't read my post much if you think I have a Hillary Blindfold.!

He also said rthat it was unlikely that Iraq would still be an issue for a new aADMIN. AND THAT WE HAD TO FIX OUR "MESS".

[yellowdawgdem]

28. Well, this was the first time I've seen the guy

in any kind of normal talking situation. Usually I've just seen him in front of huge crowds. I really wasn't that impressed with him up close, and thought he made a slight faux pas in saying that he might need to blow smoke at the pres of Iran. I know he was trying to be funny, but he really isn't that funny of a guy. I really would've rather been watching Gore joke around with Letterman. I really think Obama's potential is going to get bogged down at some point by his inexperience. He does have a lot of charisma though, and tall good looks. I'm just not sure that's going to be enough to win in this very impt. election.

[Ninja Jordan]

31. "I really would've rather been watching Gore joke around with Letterman."

uk, ok...

[Uncle Joe]

37. I agree with you, however I did like Obama's answer to the money issue,

when Letterman brought up how money was corrupting the system, Obama promoted public campaign financing and how the head of CBS would probably be against it, Letterman changed the subject real quick.

I believe that was Obama's finest moment. We cannot sit idly by while the mass corporate media trash our candidates for raising money, when the media are the primary cause and beneficiary of it. Clean up your own house mass corporate media, and quit charging the American People an arm and a leg just to get information on the candidates for the highest, most powerful job in the nation.

[yellowdawgdem]

46. I have to say, I'm with you on that one

He did bring up a sorta touchy point, and Letterman did blush a little. Well, I'm thinking let's just wait and see. It's probably just too early to get a sense of things.

[unlawflcombatnt]

29. Policy

"There was zero policy information or policy direction "

This is Obama's major shortcoming. His speech style is very impressive, as he sounds like someone who is actually thinking while he talks, instead of regurgitating well-rehearsed sound-bites.

However, his speaking tonight on Letterman was completely devoid of any policy positions. Though he may sound good speaking, he's not saying anything.

Does anyone know what he stands for, or what his positions are on anything?

[Ninja Jordan]

32. Yes, because Letterman is the place for deep policy discussion.

[bling bling]

45. Didn't you know? Letterman's target audience is DU.

And quite frankly it appears we could really use a stiff drink or two before watching Letterman. Or maybe we should just stick to C-Span 24-7 because the concept of casual time and light-hearted humor apparently eludes us.

[elizm]

34. Maybe....

...You could read one of his two books he has out now if you want to know what he stands for?

[Radical Activist]

44. It isn't Obama's shortcoming.

Its a bogus talking point that gets repeated regardless of how much Obama constantly talks about policy and despite the fact that he released a book last year that is full of policy ideas.

I heard Obama say a lot about Iraq on that show, including mention of his plan to get out by March of '08. That isn't policy all of a sudden? bullshit

[Connie_Corleone]

30. Why are people expecting a policy discussion on Letterman??

It's an ENTERTAINMENT show. Letterman asks the questions. He sets the stage for what he wants to talk to the candidate about.

If you want to hear about policy, the debates are coming up in a couple of weeks.

[Colobo]

33. Those who were expecting Obama to talk policy on Letterman's show

are the same people that never planned to vote for him in the first place.

[dflprincess]

41. Letterman's show is a chance to reach a demographic that won't watch the debates

I expected more from Obama and I didn't like his response to Iraq. I thought his comments on Iraq sounded like Clinton's, keeping troops there indefinitely.

[Radical Activist]

43. Obama's plan to get them out by March of '08

sounded like keeping them there indefinitely to you? Perhaps you should look into getting a hearing aid.

[dflprincess]

47. Repeating the same statement again and again and insulting other posters

doesn't make what you're saying true.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/30/AR2007013001586.html

Obama's legislation, offered on the Senate floor last night, would remove all combat brigades from Iraq by March 31, 2008. The date falls within the parameters offered by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, which recommended the removal of combat troops by the first quarter of next year.

The Obama plan, called the Iraq War De-escalation Act of 2007, would begin a troop withdrawal no later than May 1, 2007, but it includes several caveats that could forestall a clean break:

It would leave a limited number of troops in place to conduct counterterrorism activities and train Iraqi forces. And the withdrawal could be temporarily suspended if the Iraqi government meets a series of benchmarks laid out by the Bush administration. That list includes a reduction in sectarian violence; the equitable distribution of oil revenue; government reforms; and democratic, Iraqi-driven reconstruction and economic development efforts. Obama's proposal also would reverse Bush's troop-increase plan.

He may be against the escalation, but there are enough loopholes in his plan to keep some troops there well past March 2008.

[Radical Activist]

48. Even that article

shows that your claim about Obama's plan being like Clinton's is disingenuous. It sounds as though you weren't depending on Letterman for substantive policy debate either.

I have to repeat the same statement because several people keep repeating the same ridiculous claims which should be corrected.

[dflprincess]

49. They are both leaving the door open to troops being there with no end date

I don't find either position acceptable.

No, I don't depend entirely on Letterman (or Stewart or Colbert for that matter) for all my information - I wouldn't be on DU and other boards if I did. But, again, all three of them do hit a demographic who may get a lot of their information from those sources and candidates who appear on any of those shows should keep that in mind.

[Czolgosz]

36. GO OBAMA GO!

[Radical Activist]

42. I saw policy discussion. I don't know what show you were watching.

Dave is easy on all his political guests. He's a talk show host, not a journalist. It isn't supposed to be Meet the Press.

[UnyieldingHierophant]

50. Dave wants to have Obama's baby*