Word is that Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will endorse and campaign with Barack Obama tomorrow in Kansas.
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Sebelius To Appear With Obama Tomorrow
28 Jan 2008 10:33 pm
Comments (25)
I'm an Obama supporter... but I hope Governor Sebelius' tele-prompter is a bit faster tomorrow morning.
It will be a great event for the Obama campaign I am sure!
Another translation: "Like most people who live in middle-America, I know that the only thing that can unite the Republican Party in 2008 is Hillary Clinton."
There was a lot of Obama's unifying, post-partisan message embedded in Sebelius's SOTU response. I am guessing this was not exactly accidental. I also wonder if another prominent woman, Nancy Pelosi's hand was involved a bit to make the response great messaging for Obama.
I watched it on NBC and right after Sebelius was done, HIllary got interviewed and I found it a striking contrast between two female dem leaders with very different styles. Sebelius exudes a midwestern genuineness and realness, while HIllary is shifty, slimy,and fake. I wonder if viewers less biased than I will pick up on the contrast and be interested to see her endorsing Obama tomorrow.
I wonder if a lot of women voters have put aside all of Hillary's faults because she seems like the only woman with a chance to be president. I hope they would take a look at Sebelius, a credible VP choice for Obama and possible future President, as a credible alternative to HIllary as the first female President or VP.
Gov. Sebelius's speech was pleasant enough, but I am now definitely of the mindset that she should not be Obama's VP. She comes off as too conciliatory, too de-fanged, as it were. Because Obama himself is an above-the-fray type whose image will be tarnished if he himself raises his voice against the GOP slime machine, he's going to need a VP who can act as an attack dog, calling out the GOP on every foul move, while simultaneously not seeming unhinged. As far as I can tell, Brian Schweitzer is the only potential candidate who fits that description.
As far as making sure women don't turn away if Obama beats Hillary to the nomination . . . well, as a woman myself, albeit a twentysomething, I find it difficult to see what any woman finds compelling about Hillary to begin with. She got where she got because of her husband. How is that progressive? I like the fact that Obama has amassed the endorsements of women who have made it on their own, whether in the political sphere (Sen. McCaskill, Gov. Napolitano, and now Gov. Sebelius) or in business (Oprah Winfrey, obviously). As long as these notable women continue on the campaign trail as vocal surrogates for Obama, I doubt he will need to pick a female VP in order to bring in any voters who would be sore about Hillary's loss.
Of course, this is all speculation of the most audaciously hopeful sort-- may it come to pass!
"Sebelius exudes a midwestern genuineness and realness, while HIllary is shifty, slimy,and fake."
Shorter: Sibelius exudes Mom, and Clinton exudes ... well ... it's best left unsaid.
Obama turns away from Hillary Clinton at the SOTU.
AP Photos:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwAZfoVaIxMG3gK2KY4tpS9QN0NQD8UF9GT01
If you want to know about HRC or the two Clintons, see this essay by Dick Morris. The Clinton (male one) attacked him:
http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/?p=244#more-244
I agree with JBS, and here's something I've been struggling with.
It doesn't take a great deal of common sense and political instincts to know that Barack Obama is more electable than Hillary due to being a less polarizing figure. And that as the nominee and later as President, Obama could do what a President Hillary could not - use his inspirational/truthful nature to enlist a coalition of Americans behind his proposals for health care, energy, etc. The kind of coalition that would force members of Congress to work with him or face being ousted by their constituents.
Everybody knows that you can't sharpen a pencil in Washington without 60 votes in the Senate. So here's my point/question:
Don't smart people like Hillary and Bill realize that they THEMSELVES may be one of the biggest obstacles to the policy goals they talk about on the campaign trail? And if so, is it pure arrogance/entitlement that keeps them in the race?
And if so, why haven't more people asked this question?
Obama supporters, just try to convince each other Obama is electable. That is called an echo chamber.
Word is that Gore will not make an endorsement until after Super Tuesday. I'm not sure what Gore's contemporary views are with regards to the Clinton'. Do any of your guys have any info? I'm in Chicago and I volunteer at Barack's Chicago HQ. We're phoning and some volunteers are working in other states. The polls show Obama leading by a few points in Georgia. Out of the 6 largest states, he is up by 2 (Illinois and Georgia). We have a lot of work ahead!
Hey SRK - You've got a typo in your post. I've corrected it below ...
"Clinton supporters, just try to convince each other Clinton is electable. That is called an echo chamber."
No need to thank me. I was happy to help out!
Echo chamber my tuchus, SRK. I've been out convincing everyone I know of Obama's electability . . . and I've gotten quite a number to believe it!
Hillary Clinton cannot win a General Election.
I love the comments all over the blogs railing against "Obama-ites" being kool aid drinkers because you know they are all written by Hillary voters who buy her whole "35 years of experience" mantra and don't think she's cynical.
By the way I'm for Edwards.
But even I can see if anyone is drinking kool aid, it's anyone who adores the nasty Clintons.
The Clintons only care about themselves.
SRK, perhaps you could explain what might make HRC more electable (think general election) than Obama to those of us in the "echo chamber." I'm being a pill, I know, but I would honestly like to hear what HRC's electability argument(s) might be. Specifically, the effect of her name on the ballot upon Republican (and Democratic) turnout, as opposed to Obama's name.
Good question, JBS. Sorry, SRK - but you asked for it.
If Obama is the nominee, I can picture Republicans turning out in lower numbers than if Hillary is the nominee. Think about it - Obama's kind-of tough to hate. People don't get pumped up to vote against him, in fact, we've seen quite the opposite.
However, it's easy to picture Republicans coming out in droves if Hillary's name is on the ballot, and alienated/deflated Democrats not turning out the way they would if Obama were the face of the party. And if McCain were the nominee for the Republicans, he would destroy her among independents, whereas Obama would likely win Indys.
Who was it that said Hillary mobilizes people to vote Republican more than Satan himself? I'm not saying that it's fair, I'm just saying that if you want a Democrat in the White House, Obama's your guy.
Do we want to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory AGAIN?
Obama just doesn't speak the truth, he knows it.
according to Michelle Obama.
and you know what, I'm not going to let any facts or any other politician bamboozle me or hoodwink me into believing otherwise. I'm telling Ray Ray and Pookie up the block too.
Because you know Senator Clinton never cried for Katrina. Those tears melted the granite state, but "as we move on to South Carolina, where 45% of the electorate is black, we have to ask where those tears were during Katrina."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNrlSn7ndAA
Oh wait.. South Carolina already happened.
Oprah asked.. is he the one.. "Yes South Carolina, I do believe he is the one."
Well. gosh darn it, if Oprah says it, then he must be "the one."
It really is fascinating to me that Obama managed to completely script the events surrounding the SOTU in his favor. Of course he had a lot of help, which is why it seems to me he has somehow taken over de facto leadership of the Democratic Party.
It really is fascinating to me that Obama managed to completely script the events surrounding the SOTU in his favor. Of course he had a lot of help, which is why it seems to me he has somehow taken over de facto leadership of the Democratic Party.
My understanding was that the Democratic response was offered to Sebelius by Nancy Pelosi (who made it conditional on not endorsing until afterwards). This is the same Pelosi who is assumed to be a supporter of Obama -- it seems like Rep. George Miller's endorsement (and advocacy, as he's serving as a leader of Obama's CA Truth Squad) was interpreted as a symbolic sign of approval on Pelosi's part.
So yeah, interesting. It really did play out in his favor. I watched the SOTU and response on CBS, and right before she went on, they mentioned how Sebelius is expected to endorse Obama tomorrow. After Sebelius was done, they just kept going on about how she used much of Obama's rhetoric and message.
jbryan,
Indeed, and the images of Obama entering the forum with McCaskill and the various people swarming to greet him also reinforced the same narrative (Obama as {arty leader).
DTM - I'm also getting the impression that Obama was annointed by the high priest and drew the sword out of the stone today. Such is the power of Teddy Kennedy. Whether this will swing the votes of women over 60 in California....?
Ted Kennedy endorses Barack Obama, Check out the video. Wow!
http://www.seferm.com/news/us/governementelection/elections.asp
Rachel Q,
I have the same question. As I would put it, will all this be enough to decisively win the delegate battle on 2/5?
Which, incidentally, is still a long ways away, and I think it is a safe bet that the Clintons are not going to take all this gently.
Here's one more for the echo chamber: Independents decide elections, so any party should nominate candidates with an eye on who has support among independents.
Neither party has a good track record with that. The Republicans seem to be coming around toward McCain, though Romney still has a good chance. If the Republicans do go with McCain, suddenly they have a leg up with independents.
Hmmm, who do the Democrats have who could compete with McCain in this arena?
Obama is not electable. He waves his hand like a magician telling the people he will solve all their problems. He is so naive. The American people should wake up and put someone in the White House that will truly do the job and that person is Hillary Clinton. If not, we will have another ineffective Chief Executive. John McCann is not electable due to his support of the Iraq war.
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And now you know why she ended her Obama-esque speech with the words: "God bless and sleep well. And in the morning, let's get to work." Translated that means: "And in the morning I'm endorsing Obama."
Posted by Callimaco | January 28, 2008 10:57 PM