Obama raising huge money since Super Tuesday...

[knucklesplitter]

Originally Posted by Dean

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker endorsed him and is rumored to be advising him in some capacity.

Volker is a pretty damn sharp guy when it comes to economics.

Really? Can't believe I missed that endorsement. Interesting. I remember Volker. He was the Fed, Chairman through most of the Reagan years. I think he was originally appointed by Carter though.

Ah... here's an article:
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/0...obama-backers/

“After 30 years in government, serving under five Presidents of both parties and chairing two non-partisan commissions on the Public Service, I have been reluctant to engage in political campaigns. The time has come to overcome that reluctance,” Volcker, a Democrat, said in a statement today. “However, it is not the current turmoil in markets or the economic uncertainties that have impelled my decision. Rather, it is the breadth and depth of challenges that face our nation at home and abroad. Those challenges demand a new leadership and a fresh approach... It is only Barack Obama, in his person, in his ideas, in his ability to understand and to articulate both our needs and our hopes that provide the potential for strong and fresh leadership. That leadership must begin here in America but it can also restore needed confidence in our vision, our strength, and our purposes right around the world.”

[sperry]

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

Whoever wins in November will have several real messes on their hands to deal with. That is for sure. It will be daunting. Wouldn't it be great if he/she rose to be the great president of our time? I just don't get that vibe from any of the candidates though.

I think Obama could be that president. Not really because of who he is personally, or because of his policies... but more because of what he represents. If the US has a black president, with the exception of the racist minority in the country, I think most people would feel good about turning a page in history. I think people from both sides of the political spectrum will want him to succeed because his success is also success for the nation as it moves into a new era of higher equality, rather than the current political process where the winning party wants to step all over the losing party as much as possible until they lose the next election when the tables are turned.

I also think that a woman president could have the same effect, but I think that Hilary is too much of a partisan politician. I think she'll have a hard time getting republicans behind her because of all the mutual history of hate between her camp and the republican camp. Obama isn't so stigmatized like that.

[Dean]

Why the US Presidential Election is just like the West Wing:

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/politic...hewestwing.htm

[knucklesplitter]

Originally Posted by sperry

I think Obama could be that president. Not really because of who he is personally, or because of his policies... but more because of what he represents. If the US has a black president, with the exception of the racist minority in the country, I think most people would feel good about turning a page in history. I think people from both sides of the political spectrum will want him to succeed because his success is also success for the nation as it moves into a new era of higher equality, rather than the current political process where the winning party wants to step all over the losing party as much as possible until they lose the next election when the tables are turned.

I think you are too optimistic, especially about the opposition party wanting him to succeed. That is fine though. I could be convinced if he wins the nomination and continues to show promise in this regard.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

I think you are too optimistic, especially about the opposition party wanting him to succeed. That is fine though. I could be convinced if he wins the nomination and continues to show promise in this regard.

I'd rather get burned by the candidate who preys on my optimism and idealism than give in to the one who doesn't mind being part of the problem.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

I think you are too optimistic, especially about the opposition party wanting him to succeed. That is fine though. I could be convinced if he wins the nomination and continues to show promise in this regard.

I didn't say I think Obama will trigger that result, I just said I think he could trigger that result. I'm pretty damn sure Hilary can't unify the parties. I'd rather vote for the possibility of success than the guarantee of failure.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by sperry

I didn't say I think Obama will trigger that result, I just said I think he could trigger that result. I'm pretty damn sure Hilary can't unify the parties. I'd rather vote for the possibility of success than the guarantee of failure.

Yeah, that's kinda what I meant to say.

[Libila]

Although this is slightly off-topic I thought I'd share since it was a rare opportunity...

I had breakfast with Michael Wynne (The Secretary of the Air Force) and General Brady this morning and another Airman asked a question along the lines of "If a presidential candidate that claims he or she will 'get us out of Iraq' wins, what do you think the outcome of our presence in the middle east will be?"

Secretary Wynne assured us that we'll have a presence in in middle east for a LONG time to come. Even if things "go our way" we won't be able to pack up and leave. The higher-ups foresee one or more of the current bases becoming a "short" one year tour much like Korea is right now.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Libila

Although this is slightly off-topic I thought I'd share since it was a rare opportunity...

I had breakfast with Michael Wynne (The Secretary of the Air Force) and General Brady this morning and another Airman asked a question along the lines of "If a presidential candidate that claims he or she will 'get us out of Iraq' wins, what do you think the outcome of our presence in the middle east will be?"

Secretary Wynne assured us that we'll have a presence in in middle east for a LONG time to come. Even if things "go our way" we won't be able to pack up and leave. The higher-ups foresee one or more of the current bases becoming a "short" one year tour much like Korea is right now.

For political reasons, I bet "getting out of Iraq" will involve removing all troops and bases from Iraq's borders and maintaining bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. We'll still have a military influence in the area for years to come even if we're "out of Iraq".

Also, that's pretty cool you were kicking it with the big guys. What was to occasion?

[Libila]

Originally Posted by sperry

For political reasons, I bet "getting out of Iraq" will involve removing all troops and bases from Iraq's borders and maintaining bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. We'll still have a military influence in the area for years to come even if we're "out of Iraq".

Also, that's pretty cool you were kicking it with the big guys. What was to occasion?

Even if that were the case, there is no way we'd pull out anytime in the next four years. We're just now getting "alligators" (think neighborhood watch) on our side and talking to our intell people. That's a big step for sure, but for the overall goal we're still crawling. Horrible analogy, I know...

In regards to the, "What was the occasion?": The high-ups are finally realizing that they're becoming outdated by us newer and smarter Airmen that come in with a few years of college under our belts, and new blood means new ideas just as was said about the presidential candidates in this thread. Every once and a while a DV likes to sit down with "the brightest young Airmen" and hear what we have to say and what we're finding wrong with today's Air Force. I was recently awarded Airman of the Year and promoted early, so I was chosen to represent my Civil Engineering squadron.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Libila

Even if that were the case, there is no way we'd pull out anytime in the next four years. We're just now getting "alligators" (think neighborhood watch) on our side and talking to our intell people. That's a big step for sure, but for the overall goal we're still crawling. Horrible analogy, I know...

In regards to the, "What was the occasion?": The high-ups are finally realizing that they're becoming outdated by us newer and smarter Airmen that come in with a few years of college under our belts, and new blood means new ideas just as was said about the presidential candidates in this thread. Every once and a while a DV likes to sit down with "the brightest young Airmen" and hear what we have to say and what we're finding wrong with today's Air Force. I was recently awarded Airman of the Year and promoted early, so I was chosen to represent my Civil Engineering squadron.

Due to political popularity issues back here though, we'll be removing troops from Iraq and have virtually none left a year after a democrat takes office, regardless of the reality of the situation. The Iraqis will have to fend for themselves. We'll keep a "reactionary force" nearby in Kuwait if we feel a need to protect our selfish interests on short notice in the future. At least that's my guess.

IMO, we'd do much more good over there spending half the money it costs to keep fighting on aid to the Iraqi government. It'd be cheaper, and they'd be able to take care of their own issues themselves. Withdraw all troops by 2010, then pay them $50B in reconstruction assistance in 2010, $25B in 2011, and a final payment of $10B in 2012, with performance and accountability contingencies for receiving and spending the money.

On the other note, it's really cool to hear the AF is doing stuff like listening to the advice of their own up-and-comers. Sounds nothing like the stuck-in-their-ways image the military branches have.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by sperry

On the other note, it's really cool to hear the AF is doing stuff like listening to the advice of their own up-and-comers. Sounds nothing like the stuck-in-their-ways image the military branches have.

In some ways, the military is pretty good about that stuff actually. Their leadership is well trained in identifying goals and mission requirements, and planning accordingly without a lot of barking about the old ways. The US military has learned several times that planning to win the last war is a bad idea; they are receptive to forward thinking. It's when it gets to the political level that it bogs down.

[knucklesplitter]

"Mittpocalypse Now"

The beginning made me chuckle. I do love the way McCain alienates the Laura Ingram types (as shown in her speech at the end of the video).

[AtomicLabMonkey]

I for one am tired of old fucking baby boomers like the Clintons & Bushes being in charge of everything. I know I'm not alone here either. That generation has done nothing but fuck this country ever since the 60s. Obama is at the tail end of it, but he's still the youngest & closest to my generation that's come along to date.

If the race is still contested by the time our primary rolls around (in May, goddammit), I'll swallow hard and actually register as a Democrat just so I can vote for him.

[knucklesplitter]

Looks like Obama is kicking some serious ass in my home state of Virginia!

[k-dogg39]

Saw this today and it made me think of this thread.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

Looks like Obama is kicking some serious ass in my home state of Virginia!

And Maryland. And DC. And a bunch of other states in the last few days. Not only is he taking the Ws, he's kicking the crap out of Hillary in most of them. The Dem race might be over in 2 weeks or so.

[AtomicLabMonkey]

It could still swing either way. If she does well in Texas & Ohio this race will go through all 50 states, and maybe even beyond.

[knucklesplitter]

Originally Posted by AtomicLabMonkey

It could still swing either way. If she does well in Texas & Ohio this race will go through all 50 states, and maybe even beyond.

Yes, and the Clinton machine will start some real ugliness now that they're backed into a corner. I hope Obama keeps the relative high road and wins.

[sperry]

I'm kinda surprised that Clinton even has a chance... hasn't everyone seen Passenger 57?

Cory, I'm setting you up on this one!

[AtomicLabMonkey]

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

Yes, and the Clinton machine will start some real ugliness now that they're backed into a corner.

I wouldn't be surprised. They've shaken up their campaign staff already because of these last few losses.

[knucklesplitter]

Originally Posted by AtomicLabMonkey

I wouldn't be surprised. They've shaken up their campaign staff already because of these last few losses.

She should have gotten rid of that loser Mark Penn a long time ago instead of the ones she did axe. She seems to value his loyalty over his competence. Does that sound like anybody else we know/loathe?

[knucklesplitter]

Because the Clinton campaign stragety [sic] is going so well... her senior stategist Mark Penn took time out to promote his new book the other day. In a q&a session he was asked about Obama's success. Penn says all you Obama supporters are just "impressionable elites" relying on "hearsay".

http://www.observer.com/2008/why-cli...red?page=0%2C2

[sperry]

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

Because the Clinton campaign stragety [sic] is going so well... her senior stategist Mark Penn took time out to promote his new book the other day. In a q&a session he was asked about Obama's success. Penn says all you Obama supporters are just "impressionable elites" relying on "hearsay".

http://www.observer.com/2008/why-cli...red?page=0%2C2

Look at these douches. That my friends is the definition of the fat-cat white male slimy career politician.

[knucklesplitter]

Update: Mark Penn says only 8 or 10 states matter anyway, so you elitists don't count anyway.

“Could we possibly have a nominee who hasn't won any of the significant states -- outside of Illinois?” Chief Strategist Mark Penn said. “That raises some serious questions about Sen. Obama.”

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archi...13/662535.aspx

Nice way to alienate everybody in the swing states. And she's paying this guy $5M for this crap.