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Edited on Tue Apr-15-08 10:29 AM by Texas Hill Country
1. There is nothing that has turned me off more than the vitriol thrown at Clinton by his supporter. She has been at the forefront of womens rights, childrens rights, GLBT rights, healthcare, and more, as well as having been a part of many landmark events. She was the most politically active first lady since Eleanor Roosevelt. She deserves respect for her accomplishments both as a woman and as a human being. He should make ask his followers to stop with the hate, especially if he is all about hope and unity.
For me, these people are turning me off so much, it is getting to the point where I might refuse to vote for him even if he is the nominee because I refuse to support someone that implicitly allows for such vitriol and hate to be thrown at a party member.
2. He needs to address tough issues more clearly.
For example, his speech, while great, basically was an explanation of both sides and their issues. He explained the problems of black racism and white resentment, but did not distance himself from either.
Another example would be his stance on the issue of Pro-Choice in the Compassion Forum. He explained both sides of the issue and the feelings both sides had on the subject, and did so fully, but did not really give his own solid stance.
If he is gonna make it thru the GE, then he is going to have to be more firm on the tough issues. He seems to vote "present" too often.
3. He plays semantic word games to create differences with Clinton on issues. My favorite example is his substitution of the word "preparations" for "preconditions" and even though he defines them in a similar way, he vilified her requirement of "preconditions."
In addition, in almost every debate, it seems as though he either says "I think Hillary is right..." or basically re-words her answer and acts like he is saying something new and ingenious. I know that they have similar platforms, but the rationale behind and reasons for the conclusions they have both reached are different, just as anyones reasons for anything are different from person to person.
4. He needs to be fully vetted on the Rezko issue, that has now directly tied him to Auchi, who was convicted of corruption in France and was accused of laundering money of Saddam Hussein and Col. Khadafi by Belgian officials. Clinton has her issues with past shady dealings, they have been absolutely raked over the coals for 20 years and they left NO stone unturned. The difference is that Obama's shady dealings are ON TRIAL right now and little tidbits, like the tie to Auchi, keep popping up. I can see the RW attack ads in my head and they are BRUTAL.
5. He needs to further insulate himself from Wright. This poses a potentially very serious problem in the GE. I have seen some of the RW market testing for their adverts on this... and they are way harsh.
6. As many people suspect, I feel like the party is being torn apart, and I don't think it is mostly the fault of the Clintons. I do not think they have helped, but I feel like most of the destruction has come from the Obama camp.
The is one major difference between the attacks the Clintons have made and the attacks Obama has made. The Clinton has attacked Obama only on issues that would be used in the GE, and has brought them up much more kindly than the Republican 527s will. Obama's accusations, such as those of racism, have been issues that would not be used in the GE. His camp has unneccessarily torn down another democrat, while Clintons tend to be more the electability and vetting of Obama issues.
He needs to start bringing the party together now if he is expecting moderate democrat support, cause right now, he doesnt really have it.
7. He needs to effectively kill the midwesterners are bitter, racist, xenophobic, anti-trade, gun toting, bible beaters comment. That is an electablity issue, and a severe one at that. Percieved elitism is the major reason for the loss in 2000 and one of two reasons we lost in 2004.
8. He needs to be better and more clear on women's issues and GLBT rights. He has not been super great.
So those are the issues I have. This is meant in response to you on how I feel and what I see. This is not meant to be responded to by any Obama supporters on here. I really don't want to hear about how I am wrong about this or that. It will only guarantee I will not vote for Obama if I get flamed.
Thank you,
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