Braun: Pumping life into improbable bid

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/elect/cst-nws-braun26.html

HENNIKER, N.H. -- After taking on the war in Iraq, civil liberties and health care here at New England College, Carol Moseley Braun steps out from behind the podium to deliver what is clearly a favorite line.

''The final reason to vote for me is that I'm the clearest alternative to George Bush,'' she says, turning on her signature smile and opening her arms wide to drive home the point. ''I don't look like him. I don't talk like him. I don't think like him. And I certainly don't act like him.''

The crowd, an eclectic mix of backpack-laden students, health care activists and curious locals, laughs appreciatively. But a sense of restraint pervades the room, too. It's pouring rain outside, and many are just now drying off. And despite this being a presidential candidate, there is little novelty here. Braun is the sixth Democratic contender to pass through the college's Great Hall, jokingly referred to in Henniker (pop. 1,627) as ''the launching pad of presidents.''

In other words, it's a crowd you have to work for. But Braun, a longshot contender, has caught their attention.

<snip>

One helluva Democrat.

[RC]

1. I'll vote for her.

She makes more sense then the front runners.

[Pale Blue Dot]

2. Kick

To highlight a real alternative who is not getting enough press, even on DU.

[Beaker]

3. Carol Mosely Braun is a SCUMBAG

ask any Illinois citizen who voted for her in her first Senate election. The woman does not deserve to be on the same stage with the other contenders.
How does pissing away a Democratic senate seat qualify someone to be President of the United States?
If the choice was between CMB and GWB, I'd be forced to abstain from voting.

Anybody that supports Carol Mosely Braun, obviously knows nothing about her past exploits.

[Pale Blue Dot]

4. Please read my post in GD

Then, if you would like to try to convince me, please respond with specifics.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. Would you care to enlighten us?

[Beaker]

7. sure.

how's this for openers?

http://www.blogstudio.com/archpundit/12_15_02___12_21_02_Archpundit.html

Carol Marin is one of the more respected, if not heavily watched, news people in Chicago and she sets out the case against Carol Mosely-Braun.

Some choice graphs:

One example. Before freshmen senators go to work in Washington, there is an orientation program to help them learn the lay of the land. You skipped it. Rather than roll up your sleeves right away and show you were both symbol and substance, you hopped a flight to Nigeria and paid your respects to the dictator of the most populous country in Africa, Gen. Sani Abacha. Despite Abacha's hideous record on human rights, including the assassination of his enemies, you remained a periodic visitor to the country and you were the lone member of the Senate and the lone member of the Congressional Black Caucus who opposed sanctions against that repressive regime.


Then there was the campaign finance mess. The Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service argued that you and your campaign manager and then-fiance, Kgosie Matthews, spent as much as $270,000 of campaign donations on Armani outfits, jewelry, Jeeps and vacations. Three times IRS investigators tried to impanel a grand jury. But the Justice Department did something experts say it virtually never does in this type of case. Citing "insufficient evidence," it refused to grant the IRS the subpoena power it requested in order to gather the evidence. You dismissed the whole thing as a witch hunt.

That's all in the past, of course. So what about today? Two words: Bill Shaw. Voters only have to look at this most recent election to scratch their heads and ask, "What were you thinking?" OK, as President Bill Clinton's ambassador to New Zealand, you'd been away for awhile. But why would you choose the Nov. 5 election to mark your re-entry to Chicago politics with radio and newspaper ads supporting Bill Shaw, of the politically notorious Shaw brothers, over Rev. James Meeks for a seat in the Illinois Senate? This is progressive politics?

Adding to this fine column, let's not forget when she left her position in Cook County she fired the entire staff on one of the last days and replaced them with political hacks. This was gratuitous even by Chicago Standards...

Sounds like quality presidential material...huh?

[Beaker]

8. whatsa matter? no response in defense of your candidate?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

9. Sorry. I was out for TDay with the family. Point 1.

This is LBN and I have posted stories on several different candidates. I make it a point not to personally endorse the candidate or "diss" them. The purpose is news over opinion. I'll try to keep any opinion on one of our Dem candidates on a positive note.

2. You're assuming a lot.

3. Please keep the candidate flaming in GD. I won't participate in a flame war.

4. I normally don't consider a blog to be a news source.

5. Have a nice day.

[Beaker]

10. "...I normally don't consider a blog to be a news source."

The "blog" in question is posting part of an editorial by Carol Marin(a very well respected Chicago newswoman and journalist) that appeared in the Chicago Tribune. The full editorial is still available in the trib archives, but you have to pay to get it, and CMB isn't worth wasting the time or money on...if you want to go ahead. If you'd rather continue supporting a losing proposition, go ahead- it's your right...but know what kind of woman you're supporting.
BTW- when was the last time a Democrat won the white house without winning in Illinois? 'Cuz CMB doesn't stand a chance of carrying this state- Once bitten, twice shy.

Later.

[0007]

6. Your the second person I heard that put a jacket on Carol..

Guess I'll have to google.