Texas Dem debate....

[lendaddy]

Anyone else watching? I think the crowd would applaud Obama if he ripped one into the mic. Is he the ultimate pop culture candidate?

Thing is though I can't help but like the guy, I have buddies that are total libs and we get along great......he reminds me of them.

[mattdavis11]

Sounds like both are kicking a$$ judging by the crowd applause. Keep in mind this debate is in Austin, and most Austinites will cheer after hearing the hourly growth rate of a tree.

We Texans are in a unique position this time, and it's a do or die situation for Hillary here. I'll be practicing a strategy that I think is starting to catch on. I'll vote in the Democratic primary for the candidate I think has a better shot at losing to McCain.

[Rearden]

It's interesting that Obama is against NAFTA *and* wants to help the Mexican government create jobs south of the border.

[red-beard]

No. It's a "throw-up"

[speeder]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

Thing is though I can't help but like the guy, I have buddies that are total libs and we get along great......he reminds me of them.

I'm definitely not with him "down the line" on issues, but he is one of the most impressive public figures I've seen in my lifetime. I saw him speak one year ago in L.A., (first time he was here), he has the gift of connecting with people that is something that cannot be learned. Clinton had it, Reagan had it, Obama seems like he actually cares about the concerns of the working person and that he has given it more than a moment's thought. There is a goodness to him that comes through and wins over people, it's sort of the opposite of Hillary, who puts people off for reasons that they can't always put their finger on.

[legion]

Originally Posted by speeder

Obama seems like he actually cares about the concerns of the working person and that he has given it more than a moment's thought.

Yep. He is an excellent liar.

[hytem]

Looked like a love-in. Too bad McCain wasn't there. They could have all hugged.

They were sitting too close together. And the questions sucked--as usual. They should just let the candidates talk about anything they want, if they want real issues to get discussed.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'm watching it on Tivo as I was out walking while it was on live.

I have no animosity against Hillary but I am very clear that a lot of people (and especially guys here on PPOT) do....for reasons I frankly don't understand. Yeah, I get that a lot of people think she's living in a sham marriage or that she's a lying politician. Frankly, I don't know if her marriage has any love left in it but NEITHER DOES ANYONE ELSE but she and her husband. And of course, it's a good thing she's the ONLY politician living in a sham marriage and that ALL other politicians - on both sides of the aisle, are perfectly truthful, huh?

Anyway, there's no question that Obama has a lot of personal charisma and is a moving speaker. For me, I want to vote for a President that can lead and frankly, I want someone that I think has some intellectual weight unlike W. I do NOT think W is a stupid man. But my fear is he isn't any smarter than I am! For these reasons I like Obama.

My issue with Hillary is the "Bush-Clinton-Clinton-Bush-Bush-Clinton scenario that could result with her election and also that she's just too polarizing, whether I understand it or not.

[jyl]

Obama connects with people much better than Hilary. He converses, she lectures.

Hilary is a hard-working, driven, intelligent, articulate person - but she is just not a natural. And the harder she tries to deliver her lines, the more she grates on me.

On the issues, there is a lot of similarity, but as I investigate, I realize there are also some key differences. Take health care.

Hilary says you make health insurance affordable, and then compel adults to purchase health insurance.

Obama says you make health insurance affordable, and then leave it to adults to make their own decision to purchase it or not.

The second approach sits a lot better with me.

What about the "experience" attack that Hilary is using against Obama. Sorry, but she does not have "35 years" of experience that matters. And who says that long Washington experience is important or desirable in a President?

And she is the most polarizing figure in US politics after G W Bush. I think a Hilary Administration would be one long "Swift Boat" episode.

[Rearden]

Originally Posted by jyl

Hilary says you make health insurance affordable, and then compel adults to purchase health insurance.

Obama says you make health insurance affordable, and then leave it to adults to make their own decision to purchase it or not.

The second approach sits a lot better with me.

Sadly, I fear that Hillary is correct here. If millions of people can't be bothered to take an interest in their child's education, then I'm sure there are millions who will decide to buy 22" rims rather than purchase affordable healthcare. Personal responsibility has left the building.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Rearden

...I'm sure there are millions who will decide to buy 22" rims rather than purchase affordable healthcare.

Man, I HATE this opinion.............and regrettably agree with it.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by Rearden

It's interesting that Obama is against NAFTA *and* wants to help the Mexican government create jobs south of the border.

Recipe for disaster.

I agree with the "being against NAFTA" part. One of the biggest failures of Bill Clinton's presidency. I still can't believe he levied that abomination upon our country. I don't easily forgive or forget as far as that goes. . .

As far as "helping the Mexican government create jobs", why don't we worry about creating jobs here in the good ol' U.S.A. first, and let Mexico worry about creating its own jobs.

Any effort by the U.S. to "help" would result in exactly two things:

(1) Lots of dollars leaving the U.S., never to return, and being spent on worthless and corrupt initiatives that ultimately are a waste and

(2) Mexico more screwed up than before we got involved. Think about it - when has U.S. involvement in ANY country since about WW2 resulted in a better outcome than before we started monkeying around in it?

Seems to me we start minding our own damn business and let everyone else mind their own damn business and we'll have a lot fewer problems. Oh, but wait - that makes me an "isolationist" and that's politically incorrect, right?

[Hugh R]

Rearden, I fear that you nailed it. When I was on my own consulting, I bought health insurance for my healthy family of four to the tune of $10K/year for a pretty bare bones policy, and we were pretty healthy, a few extra pounds here and there, but nothing really bad at the time. That's an awful lot of jack for an average working class family. IF either Hillary or Barack could even get it down to a few thousand a year, I believe people would still go for the 22" rims.

[dd74]

Am I mistaken, or did Obama sound a little...um...Reagan-like, or somewhat conservative? I mean, he mentioned personal responsibility in health care and education quite frequently.

Conversely, Hillary sounded pure tax and spend.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

As far as "helping the Mexican government create jobs", why don't we worry about creating jobs here in the good ol' U.S.A. first, and let Mexico worry about creating its own jobs.

Mexico has a lot of resources, particularly oil and natural gas. I think Obama meant help Mexico create jobs for Mexicans so they'll stay in Mexico and stop coming north to the U.S. Also, (again possibly), Mexico will have more opportunity to be an equal trading partner with the U.S. if their economy is more viable.

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

Sounds like both are kicking a$$ judging by the crowd applause. Keep in mind this debate is in Austin, and most Austinites will cheer after hearing the hourly growth rate of a tree.

We Texans are in a unique position this time, and it's a do or die situation for Hillary here. I'll be practicing a strategy that I think is starting to catch on. I'll vote in the Democratic primary for the candidate I think has a better shot at losing to McCain.

So you are writing in Al gore?

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by dd74

Am I mistaken, or did Obama sound a little...um...Reagan-like, or somewhat conservative? I mean, he mentioned personal responsibility in health care and education quite frequently.

Conversely, Hillary sounded pure tax and spend.

he has to look like he is moving to the middle a bit if he wants to do well in the general, too far out in left field to start.

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Recipe for disaster.

I agree with the "being against NAFTA" part. One of the biggest failures of Bill Clinton's presidency. I still can't believe he levied that abomination upon our country. I don't easily forgive or forget as far as that goes. . .

......................

(2) Mexico more screwed up than before we got involved. Think about it - when has U.S. involvement in ANY country since about WW2 resulted in a better outcome than before we started monkeying around in it?

Ummmm...why don't we start with Japan.
And most of western Yurp.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by dd74

Am I mistaken, or did Obama sound a little...um...Reagan-like,

lol, yea...just like two peas in a pod

[Flatbutt1]

I'm not "down the line" in agreement with Obama either AND I really would like to hear more precise content from him since I am virtually convinced that he's my choice for POTUS so far.

Why do I dislike Clinton? First of all the history behind the Clinton career , IMO she is proven to be nothing new, in any way. I am firmly convinced that her administration will, at the very least, be business as usual. Perhaps worse.

As stated earlier her experience in the WH is a non-sequitor to me. Further, the experience she does have I view as more proof that her way woul be the same old way. Just another old,white face in a long line of old white faces.