SF Chronicle column by Willie Brown: "Democrats are in Trouble"

[featherman]

Sorry to do this to DU but here is diehard Clinton supporter Willie Brown, former CA House Speaker, doing his "I told you so:

"The Democrats are in trouble. Sarah Palin has totally changed the dynamics of this campaign.
Period.Palin's speech to the GOP National Convention on Wednesday has set it up so that the Republicans are now on offense and Democrats are on defense. And we don't do well on defense.

Suddenly, Palin and John McCain are the mavericks and Barack Obama and Joe Biden are the status quo, in a year when you don't want to be seen as defending the status quo.From taxes to oil drilling, Democrats are now going to have to start explaining their positions.Whenever you start having to explain things, you're on defense.

I actually went back and watched Palin's speech a second time. I didn't go to sleep until 1:30 a.m. I had to make sure I got the lines right.Her timing was exquisite. She didn't linger with applause, but instead launched into line after line of attack, slipping the knives in with every smile and joke.And she delivered it like she was just BS-ing on the street with the meter maid. She didn't have to prove she was "of the people." She really is the people."....

.... As for Palin herself, she is going to be very, very effective on the campaign trail, especially if McCain's people can figure out how to gently keep her from getting into confrontations with the press. If she can answer questions like she handled herself at the convention, Palin will turn out to be the most interesting person in all of politics, and the press will treat her like they treated Obama when he was first discovered. And remember, the Palin bandwagon needs to roll for only two months.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/07/BALU12OCMV.DTL&type=printable

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. You Are A Brave Man For Posting That

Braver than me.

DSB

[thestrugglecontinues]

65. If you don't like this thread, don't go to this link:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/06/INB312NP3M.DTL&type=politics

[Sensitivity]

74. Whoa. Some of us are have been crucified for even daring to hint. Good luck.

[Danger Mouse]

2. What a load of stupid bullshit. Why even post this?

[Unsane]

8. Because this place doesn't need to be some sort of head in the sand, fairyland.

[Danger Mouse]

12. Head in the sand? Fairlyland? No, this is chicken little 'the sky is falling' garbage.

I am SICK of hand-wringing ninnies who spend more time bitching about how we're going to lose than focusing on how we're going to WIN>

[DemocratSinceBirth]

16. Agree And Disagree

Fear is a primary emotion...How you respond to it defines you...

That being said I think Sarah Palin is for real...I think a plurality or majority of Merikans dig her Davy Crockett with ear rings shtick...

[Danger Mouse]

20. She's a thread but she can be taken down. Our greatest weapon is our ground game

and our GOTV.

[okieinpain]

61. agree. n/t.

[totodeinhere]

49. Because a respected mainstream Democrat said it?

[butterfly77]

52. There are RepubliCONS on board...

to frighten the ones on board who are afraid. I am tired of hearing from these same old people who have worked on the same ole campaigns, using the same old maps,same old strategies, and the same old people.

NOT THIS TIME!

We are going to :dem: :dem: :dem:

[intheflow]

60. Self-delete.

[Xipe Totec]

3. Palin is the world's shortest joke - one word.

Palin.

:rofl:

[dkf]

4. That is why Obama should have been attacking from the beginning.

He should have shot down her credibility BEFORE her speech. Then she would have been seen as the hypocrite she is.

But he was using kid gloves on a GIRL. That is the dynamic the Repubs counted on because they saw he didn't want to hit Hillary.

[the Sundance Kid]

17. the 'attacker' lost in the primaries and now you think that's the strategy to win?

You never had any faith in Obama to begin with if you want him to cast aside everything that has made him win thus far.

[dkf]

28. I can't stand Hillary. Obama was my guy from the beginning.

But he let her slide in the end and if she had been in that mode earlier, she probably would have won.

Don't get me wrong, I love the way he governs and the way he thinks, but sometimes he doesn't have the killer instinct that we need to win elections.

[the Sundance Kid]

30. we don't need a killer, we need a President

and everything Obama has demonstrated to us proves him to be just exactly that.

would you really be satisfied if he started behaving like a Repuke?

[Dawgs]

32. Bullshit!! The attacker lost because people wanted change.

Obama attacking the status quo candidate is entirely different.

Wake up America!!

[girl_interrupted]

33. the 'attacker' won in the general election in 2004

John Kerry was a better man than Bush, but being "nice" got him no where. Obama & Biden need to go after Palin & they need to do it quickly. She has a lot of vulnerabilities. This isn't the primaries anymore, where the democratic agenda is being sold to other democrats & we decide who we like better to carry our message. The "message" now has to appeal to voters across the board. It almost like McCain has been removed from the equation with the introduction of a new face like Palin. This is going to require a new strategy.

[Cha]

50. Please chill..

[dkf]

58. How long am I supposed to chill?

I've been waiting for weeks now.

[Democat]

59. Obama's campaign is reactionary!

They take a beating and then try to figure out how injured they are before fighting back.

That strategy is a loser because the Republicans will hit hardest at the end.

Obama should be going after Palin right now, trying to define her to voters while they are still figuring her out. Instead, he's letting McCain define her - and letting Palin throw punches at Obama at the same time.

Either Obama gets a new fighting strategy or say hello to four more years of Bush.

[dkf]

62. Yep. We put ourselves into his hands in terms of strategy.

GOTV is all nice and good, but even the people we get to vote will be affected by whats going on in the MSM.

[yourguide]

5. considering the source

and willie brown can take his puma ass and shove it.

[totodeinhere]

54. Willie Brown is no PUMA. He is an enthusiastic Obama supporter.

[Imagevision]

6. In the end? I believe Palin will contemplate crying, she is a woman... note:

this comment is directed at Palin only ladies...

[the Sundance Kid]

7. What do you know, Will the Shill comes back to bite at Obama's heels again

What an utter piece of trash!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. ROFLCOPTER

"There is one thing she should have done: announced when her 17-year-old daughter and the teenage father of the girl's unborn child are getting married and invited all of us to the wedding. It should be like Sunday at church."

[Sebastian Doyle]

10. Willie Brown was warned not to fly on 9-11-01

I haven't trusted a goddamn thing the man has to say since then. He's in on it, whatever you choose to believe "it" is.

[shanti]

43. EXACTLY!!!!

he is "in the know", i wouldn't trust him any further than i could throw him! :grr:

[ClarkUSA]

11. Willie Brown is pulling for Hillary 2012, I see.

How unsurprising. Brown was one of the worst of Hillaryland apologists during the primary.

[Starry Messenger]

13. What is that? His twitter?

The real title should be "Willie Brown: The Struggle for Relevance"

MPK

[dana_b]

14. admitedly, the man doesn't favor Obama BUT

his point that we can't get lazy or take things for granted is true.

I still don't see how great her speech was though. She's personable and "of the people"? If you like mean, vindictive people, I guess.

[the Sundance Kid]

he's a tool and should be wholly ignored

[dana_b]

22. oh, okay

except a lot of people in the Bay Area still like him

[the Sundance Kid]

24. I live in the Bay Area, and I can say he is an unrepentant shill

He is still undercutting Obama weeks after his buddies have endorsed Obama.

If he was loyal to his Party, he would keep his mouth shut.

[ErinBerin84]

15. it's important for Dems not to underestimate the marketing of Palin.

but at the same time, It's kind of hard to stomach from Willie Brown and his "Obama shouldn't have said that (about McCain saying at the Rick Warren forum that 5 million was considered rich), McCain was clearly joking." I'm sure that Obama has access to better advice than Willie Brown.

[still_one]

18. So what brown is saying is that people do not care about the facts or the issues

Maybe he is right, but what is he basing that on?

mccain has voted with bush 90% of the time
Their position on gender rights is disgraceful
Their position on civil rights is disgraceful
Their position on education and healthcare is disgrceful

What brown SHOULD have been doing is questioning palin's positions from the bridge to nowhere, her association with the buchanan campaign, her lack of foriegn policy knowledge, her avoidence of interviews

We don't need the MSM and the republicans to attack us, we have willie brown

[BlooInBloo]

19. You fail.

[bbgrunt]

21. ...the enemy within.

[Overseas]

23. Willie Brown is Out To Lunch again. Maybe he hasn't gotten enough press lately

and wants to say something to stir things up and get himself invited on TV again.

That's all I can think of regarding this ridiculously exaggerated editorial.

And I guess he wrote his commentary before reading the stack of scandals uncovered within four hours of her selection.

But the RNC manipulates every step of the process and Willie knows conservatives own the leading TV media now, so he can imagine their controlling all the remaining steps til the RNC steals the next election. Then the conservative corporate media will show sincere panel discussions about "America's lingering racism," and call Willie on to talk about it.

[Paladin]

25. I'm With The Mayor On This One

We're all sneering at Sarah Palin being a no-nothing hick, while she's single-handedly dragged the Republican Party out of the morgue, making what should have been a slam-dunk election for us into a nail-biter. Face it: the Stupid People have found their candidate and rallied around her. And there are lots and lots of Stupid People in this country. We have to redouble our efforts; this has turned into the most important election of our lifetimes, probably the most important election in the history of the nation.....

[BlooInBloo]

26. Are you sure it's not "no-knothing"?

:rofl:

[dkf]

29. John McCain has discovered the American Idol society.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

42. John McCain's "Handlers" have discovered the American Idol society.

FIXED...

He wanted Lieberman or Ridge...

[dkf]

57. Obama took advantage of it, but he doesn't really understand it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

66. A Man As Bright As Senator Obama Has To Understand The Power Of Superficial Appeals

~

[dkf]

67. If he did, he'd have done something about Palin sooner.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

69. We Think She's A Joke But I Don't Think A Plurality Or Majority Of Americans Do

[dkf]

70. Oh, no. I do not think she is a joke. She is scary as hell.

In this world of superficiality she and her family will do well. Even the drop-out baby daddy is good looking.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

71. I Call Them Palin Place

But I can see their appeal...


I once had a professor explain to me what he thought Nixon's appeal was...He said the fact he was ordinary made people feel better about themselves...

So all the foibles of the Palin family make them or make them (seem) like everybody else...

[dkf]

72. I don't think they are ordinary...they are more like a reality Spears family.

[the Sundance Kid]

31. so you're with the backbiter? not the best of company...

[RememberWellstone]

75. Weird

I was thinking the same thing. She has single handedly breathed life into the corpse. Reminds me of a few of our best Dem stars from past years. So, they got lucky with a golden goose, it does'nt mean they will win. Worried? yes. Unstoppable? No.

I got a feeling the Hill likes her too...just a hunch.:shrug:

[BlueJazz]

27. What Willie says is (partially) true.

If We (Democrats) take her as a joke that couldn't possibly be elected, we MIGHT let our guard down a little too much.

Reminds me of an article on Advertising that stated some ...ah... thoughtful conclusions:

Wonder why some ads show a Mom getting great approval from her husband and Kids just because she uses a certain brand of Mayo?
It enables one to let their "Guard Down"..(Oh,come on, that Ad is pure bullshit, I have nothing to worry about..)..
When you think your opponent is weak, You just don't (Physiologically) set up a Strong defense.. So...When "Mom" goes shopping
a part of her thinks....Well...what the heck..it sure wouldn't hurt to buy that brand of Mayo....(Forgeting the Ad is a bunch of CRAP!) :)

[Chloroplast]

34. I admire Obama and Biden for the way they are treating Palin.

Let her think that they don't know how to approach her, let the media and the supporters fill her head with grandeur and then kick the chair out from under her. There's little more effective than giving someone enough rope to hang themselves. Willie Brown can kick rocks.

[kristopher]

35. Thanks for posting this

I value Browns opinions, he has strong political instincts.

That said, the vulnerability that goes with Palin lies in one area - her religious extremism and her penchant for exaggeration.

The radical right won't mind, but the race is for the middle. Obama isn't going to go to the religious argument, but that shouldn't stop up from questioning beliefs like talking in tongues, exorcism, end times, and who, exactly would be in charge if she become president - her or her husband?

Doesn't that head of household thing have a name in christianity?

[malik flavors]

36. He's right about the only two months part. She only has to keep this going till November.

There's hardly even enough time to really reverse what's been started.

[mitchum]

41. I agree with both you and Brown...

the Palin myth only has to make it through a two month run. She has a major advantage there. And that is why we can not let up on her for a second. The fleas in her dog and pony show must be exposed.

[stevietheman]

37. Let's call him "Nervous Nellie" Brown. n/t

n/t

[DCBob]

38. It might help if Democrats like Willlie Brown would stop praising McCain and Palin.

Does he not realize the McCain campaign will seize on this article and use it against Obama. What is wrong with these so called Democrats?? Do they want to lose again? Stupid.

[otohara]

39. He's Always Saying This

he sure doesn't act like a democrat anymore.

West Coast Lieberman.

[Shine]

40. I read this in today's SF Chronicle and it pissed me off.

I completely disagree with his analysis and don't appreciate his claim of Obama/Biden being seen as "the status quo". :thumbsdown: That's such bullshit!

[democracy1st]

44. Please tell me you're not dumb enough to be believe this bs

[truebrit71]

45. WGAF what that tool says?

...

[1corona4u]

46. I guess if they say it often enough, everyone will buy it....

I highly doubt the democrats are in trouble.

[Bubbha Jo]

47. I'm thinking he's not considering the rallying her selection

did for those her type repels.

[Sugarcoated]

48. I just don't buy it

McLame's speech was terrible, and Palin's appeals is to fundies and die-hard RW'ers. No matter how much the MSM falls for that Repub talking points and propaganda I'm not buying it.

[Joanne98]

51. She would have changed the game with Hillary too. In fact, we are lucky

to have Obama. People underestimate the fucking religious looney's. She's bring them in and they don't care about anything but Jesus.

[bridgit]

53. He's right, "Palin has totally changed the dynamics of this campaign" even DU...

has been yammering in tongues non-stop we can't fucking stop talking about her. It's some of the strangest idol worship I've seen. Talk about the shadow of a murder of crows.

[quiet.american]

55. I wonder if Obama is as "worried" as we are. nt

[MadMaddie]

56. Yawn..Palin is under investigation

And her church is 10 times worse than anything Rev Wright could have done.

Currently she is hiding out until people and the press respect her. Like she fucking earned something.

Willie Brown another who needs to STFU!

Oh and good for Palin for reading the teleprompter better that * some how in Willie's mind that makes her a better candidate.

I am getting sick of people like Willie and Ferraro, are they getting paid?

[Binka]

63. Willie Brown Stinks

More jealous pratter from an also ran.

[MadMaddie]

76. Exactly!

[Donald Ian Rankin]

64. He's quite right, especially about the Republicans only needing to keep the momentum for two months.

[FrenchieCat]

68. No Mr. Brown,

But You like they MUST THINK WE ARE STUPID.

That's the letter I'm writing.

[TheKentuckian]

73. She has been hit relentlessly and will continue to be

but she can not be elevated by our ticket.

If women are going from Obama to her then they are without question, voting with their plumbing and should be bashed into embarrassment, made into stupid children, and a disgrace to womanhood. If anyone thinks that's too harsh, then deal with another four years of GOP rule and prepare to lose Congress in 2-4 years as they turn their might spin powers on to "do nothing/obstructionist Democrats.

She's a new toy and our job is to take that luster off. Once that luster is off, she impacts the big picture marginally.