I can't believe I am saying this but Hillary has really toughened Obama up

[ej510]

she has made him a more dangerous canidate against the republican party. Her scorched earth policy has gotten him ready for the general election. Whether you like her or not this true. Her toughness has made him alot stronger. McCain did not go through that and that may not be a good thing.

[shadowknows69]

1. Bullshit

His strength was there before, sorry.

[ginnyinWI]

3. Maybe a bit of both.

I do believe he was tough enough before; running against Hillary has certainly allowed him to hone his skills, which were already considerable.

This guy doesn't just tell us he's tough and ready on day one-he's showing it to us by the way he responds to attacks from the right. He's doing great. Every time he whips their butts, I gain more and more confidence that he's going to go all the way to the White House.

[calimary]

26. I think it's a pretty good assessment, though.

Obama is a gentleman. It has roughed him up a little and perhaps given him permission to hit back and hit back hard.

I've read and heard it before - here, too - that perhaps Obama knew, wisely, not to hit at Clinton too hard because he knew he'd need her supporters if he wound up as the last one standing. Some DUer's grandma voiced that here not long ago, and I think it makes sense.

But Obama, hopefully, also understands that it should be gloves OFF against mcsame. So far, he's doing rather well, too.

[ginnyinWI]

32. Agree.

He is taking a different tack with McCain--he's come out swinging. His voice sounds a lot tougher, more stident (although still controlled). He's always extremely polite to Hillary--for the reason you mentioned--party unity and being able to gain votes from her supporters. And he'll do it too--especially when she endorses him at long last.

Funny how the right is saying he's hysterical. If he were not responding this way, they'd be calling him a wimp or worse. Whatever he does they'll twist it as wrong. Secretly, they are probably sweating and swearing over the prospect of trying to beat him.

[JuniperLea]

37. I agree

He played this whole primary season very well indeed. I can't wait to see him get tough with McCain. I'm sure he will be "gentleman tough" in his handling of the old psycho geezer... as it should be... pull no punches, but keep the fight clean.

[calimary]

40. Psycho-geezer!!!!

Dang, that's a good one!

Juniperx - SCORES!!!

[JuniperLea]

42. Psycho Geezer... Psycho Killer

I can’t seem to face up to the facts
I’m tense and nervous and I can’t relax
I can’t sleep because my bed’s on fire
Don’t touch me I’m a real live wire.

Psycho Geezer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
OH OH OH
Psycho Geezer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa better
Run run run run run run run away
Oh OH oh
AY AY AY AY AY Um
You start a conversation you can't even finish it.
You're talkin' a lot, but you're not sayin' anything.
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed.
Say something once, why say it again?

Psycho Geezer,
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
OH OH OH
Psycho Geezer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
OH OH OH
AY AY AYA AY UM

Ce que j'ai fait, ce soir-là
Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir-là
Réalisant mon espoir
Je me lance vers la gloire ... OK
We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they're not polite

Psycho Geezer,
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
OH OH OH
Psycho Geezer,
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
OH OH OH
AY AYA AY AY um
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh....



You inspired me, calimary!

[TBF]

38. I completely agree - Barack has grown up in two worlds (black and white), and

if anything toughened him up it is that reality. He has been kind to Hillary because she is a dem, but he is ready to pull punches on Bush, McCain, Romney and the rest of the right-wing idiots. To suggest Hillary is responsible for his strength is arrogant and silly.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[slinkerwink]

7. Please don't call her a skank. That is wrong.

[JuniperLea]

39. I'm glad I didn't see that

I think the time has come for some of Obama's supporters to practice being good and gracious winners... like Obama. I think Obama deserves to be supported in a manner that is befitting him as a gentleman. Crass language and behaviors here are a heinous way to show support for the next president of the United States.

[Fredda Weinberg]

4. You'll see we are right about a lot more n/t

[Lerkfish]

5. in what regard?

[democrattotheend]

6. I would agree with that

I am glad she has stayed in until now. I think if she had dropped out after Wisconsin, her supporters could have made the case that he coasted to the nomination with a wave of good press without being fully vetted and tested. But I don't see how they can argue that now...he survived Reverend Wright, he went through weeks of bad press before North Carolina and Indiana and still came out on top, he has gotten better at debates, and he will likely lead in all measures when it's all over, even with Michigan and Florida. So now there's no way to say that he hasn't earned it, there's no way to say he is illegitimate as the nominee (though it seems like some of her supporters seem determined to try). He will come out of this process stronger, and maybe a little bit of the aura is gone, but he has been tested, he has been vetted, and he has survived and gotten stronger.

[ej510]

8. Because of her scorched earth style he is ready for the republican bullshit.

The elitsit, racist bs that he will face.

[FrenchieCat]

14. No. He wasn't able to attack Hillary the way that she attacked him

because he has integrity and certain "standards" when it comes to his fellow Democrats. The only thing that she did was make our electorate that much more divided. She didn't do anything good. Obama would have always kicked McBush's ass.......as he doesn't need to go lightly with them. Please note that he is after all a badass regardless that he was called a wimp for the courtesy that he paid to Hillary Clinton.

And no, Hillary Clinton is not a "skank".....and I believe that language to be inappropriate. She is, however, a user; and she'll use whatever means are required whenever.....regardless of the harm caused to this nation.

[ej510]

18. I don't like that bs either but elections are always digusting.

Race will play a major factor in the general. I look at it like this if her supporters want to vote for McCain hey that's on them. I would hope that they get over there hurt feelings. I will tell you this as a black man I will be alright regardless. Of course I know that we as americans will be better off with a president Obama.

[DevonRex]

9. He was already tough. JMHO. The only thing is that people

got to SEE how tough he is.

[Texas Hill Country]

10. she has made him stronger, but her tactics were not scorched earth by a long shot.

[ej510]

11. I agree he was tough but, she has made him the toughest ge

canidate since Pres. Clinton.

[Texas Hill Country]

19. i think she is tougher, but he beat her in the small states with a better ground game, but oh well

[ej510]

23. I don't think that she is tougher. I think that he is tougher,

smarter, and more organized. But she is tough.

[Texas Hill Country]

28. well then, there you go. we can amicably agree to disagree. but you are right about ground game.

[PBS Poll-435]

12. You would think that people have never seen a primary election before.

Were people so fooled by the tenderness of the 04 cycle that they have forgot how the game is played?

Scorched Earth? Not even close.

[Rosemary2205]

13. I can't believe you are saying anything that silly either.

Obama is tougher than her and smarter than her. He's out fought, out manuveured her at every turn. Obama isn't stronger because of Hillary - quite the opposite. Hillary may not REALLY be weaker, but she LOOKS weaker because of Obama.

He'll do the same to Grandpa too.

[ej510]

15. I agree he was already one tough canidate but he is stronger now

because he has had practice with dealing with crisis. He will now be able to deal with the situation more swiftly.

[Rosemary2205]

20. I don't agree

I doubt any of this was a crisis to him. Obama is tougher and smarter than you can even imagine. Hillary, as wonderful as she may be, was just a snack to Obama. Grandpa won't be much harder.

The only hope they have of stopping Obama is to convince the white folks Obama is a secret muslim terraist hell bent on rapin' all the white wimmin. I thought it was a joke at first but after hearing a few choice things from people I myself know and the insanity that came from white folks in WV on the teevee I am left scratching my head on how that garbage got any traction.

[ej510]

24. It's just a way to hide behind racism.

[Renew Deal]

16. I agree

I don't know if it was worth it, but I agree.

[sandnsea]

17. He beat her shit because he was always tough

Fuck this bullshit rationalization for Hillary's gutter campaign.

[JI7]

22. exactly

[politicasista]

31. Thank you n/t

[BlooInBloo]

21. She was an excellet practice game for him, which he won because he was tough....

Hopefully that satisfies both sides.

[ClassWarrior]

25. Yup, she didn't toughen him up, but gave him a chance to prove his toughness.

NGU.

[PurityOfEssence]

27. This is PRECISELY the value of a long primary season

Here's another element of the dynamic: when somebody hits you in a weak spot, you get a chance to fight back, but the damage is somewhat done and somewhat sticks. If you're being hit by someone else on something you've already taken fire on, you can say that it's "been resolved", or at least have better rejoinders on tap. This can also be turned back upon the accuser to tar them as unimaginative, vindictive, etc.

The problem with this season is that some of the really nasty things they're going to throw at this guy are pretty much out of bounds for a fellow Democrat to raise. They're going to slag Mr. Obama as unpatriotic with his wife, Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers, Raila Odinga, Nadhmi Auchi and who knows what else. It's completely predictable because it's their standard operating procedure, and whether fair or not, he's provided plenty of ammunition.

People were enthusiastic about the Mississippi election because these attacks didn't seem to stick, but that doesn't mean much because the case was not made tying him to Obama. Obama IS Obama, so these relationships DO stick.

We shall see.

Nonetheless, the seasoning of the primaries IS A GOOD THING, and those who prefer coronations do us no favors.

[4themind]

29. He's plenty tough... as McBush found out this week

:evilgrin:

[AtomicKitten]

30. When she drops out, I'll consider not hating her for the way she has run her campaign.

Til then, battle stations shall remain manned.

Barack has prevailed IN SPITE OF her.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[JoFerret]

34. She has schooled him

throughout the process. Helped him become a stronger debater; shown him how to begin to stand up and be counted, and given him the way to talk about policy in depth.

[DangerDave921]

35. what did Hillary do?

It's more a reaction to the MSM's handling of Wright. Hillary didn't do anything to toughen him up. She's gone pretty easy on him actually.

The MSM had given Obama a huge pass till recently.

[Life Long Dem]

36. The same Clinton who couldn't stand up to Bush and apologized

when Bush demanded an apology is stronger than Obama? Sorry, but it takes standing up to Bush, and not playing on his side.

[Lord Helmet]

41. well that's really letting her off the hook, isn't it?

me, I hold her accountable for running a jerk campaign

[ej510]

43. I do not like the campaign but it allowed some distractions to be

overplayed during the primary season.