What is it about Obama that makes his opponents do stupid things?

[scheming daemons]

First, he had Hillary doing it..... now McCain is.


They keep throwing live grenades... straight up.


Obama's like a freaking super hero.


He drains the smarts of the campaign staffs of his opponents, leaving them blathering on like idiots (Davis) or taking the exact wrong tactic at every turn (Penn, Schmidt).


He's one step ahead of the game at every turn.


Hillary and McCain are brilliant politicians who hired the best and brightest (and most expensive) their parties had to offer.


And Obama performs ju-jitsu on them and turns their best arguments against them.


We haven't seen someone like him in a long time. He has EVERY built-in disadvantage a candidate for U.S. President could have.... inexperience, lacking in DC connections, minority, "un-American" name, no military experience, no business experience, not much legal experience.

He's an ex-professor and ex-community organizer who's been a U.S. Senator less than the time it takes to potty train a baby/toddler.

...

And he's kicking their asses like he's been doing this his whole life.



Something absolutely special is going on here.

[Flabbergasted]

1. I just don't see McCain as a brilliant politican. He is mediocre at best. nt

[scheming daemons]

2. He was able to secure the nomination of a political party that is run by people that hated his guts

..6 months ago.


He had the forces of Hannity, Rush, and all the rest of the right-wing apparatus working to defeat him in the primaries.


...and he won their freaking nomination.



He was dead and buried prior to New Hampshire.... had 1/10th the money that Giuliani had at the time...


...and he won their freaking nomination.


Don't underestimate the man.

[Egnever]

5. In fairness they had a very flawed field

McCain just turned out to be the top of the pond scum.

[sourmilk]

26. Even Hillary could have beaten Hucleberry and Mittens for the 'Pub Nomination...

Heck - Ann Coulter said she would vote Hillary over McBrainDead...

[Alter Ego]

27. Right. When your biggest competitor

is a guy who eats squirrels you ain't exactly taxin' your oil reserves, if you get my drift.

[Starry Messenger]

48. I'm laughing so hard here I'm crying.

Good zinger.

MPK

[NanceGreggs]

7. True that, but ...

... the fact is he won because he was the 'best' they had to offer. And that's saying something about where they're at.

As far as the OP goes, it's so true. What a GREAT time to be alive - to see a Dem candidate who somehow causes his opponent to sink further into the mud, and never gets his own shoes dirty while it's happening.

To paraphrase a line from Monsters Inc., "It's like he picked me up with his mind powers, and shook me like a dog." Amazing how McCain is getting shaken like a dog these days ...

[Virginia Dare]

29. That right there should make your tin foil tingle...n/t

[madeline_con]

3. He's cool like that.

He has a presence like no one I've ever seen. Very impressive.

[Hatchling]

57. Jedi Mind Tricks

Obi Wan Obama is strong in the Force and twists the weaker minds of his opponents.

[anonymous171]

4. Hillary is at least 10 times more politically and mentally competent than McCain

Debating McCain will be a cakewalk compared to debating Hillary. At least she was coherent and knew what she was talking about.

[elehhhhna]

51. True, but her camaign staff SUCKED ROYALE, and

that's her responsibility.

[Egnever]

6. I asked the same sort of question a week or so ago

it is amazing isnt it? I love the grenade thing it describes what his opponents seem to do continuously.

They throw a big bomb pat themselves on the back then get blown to bits. Never seen anything like it. Maybe he has moles!

[Mopar151]

18. I seen something like it

In them Road Runner cartoons they show at the Army War College - the ones where Wile E. shows us how to lose a war

[MonkeyFunk]

8. I ask the same question about some of his supporters

[Occam Bandage]

10. You mean Democrats?

[scheming daemons]

30. Exactly. I'm wondering what monkeyfunk considers him/herself... an Obama supporter or not?

[MonkeyFunk]

31. No

I mean some of his supporters who seem to encourage very stupid political tactics, and pursue actions that continue to divide the party.

People who argue that he should spread known lies about McCain. People who say he should publicly disrespect both Clintons. People who suggest he court Paris Hilton's endorsement.... really dumb things like that.

[Occam Bandage]

32. Yep. Some Democrats say dumb things.

That's because some people say dumb things, and party affiliation doesn't require an entrance examination. Fortunately, Obama knows the difference between dumb Democrats and smart Democrats. He has a sharp inner circle; you won't find him wasting millions of dollars and months of time on the dumb ones.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

41. Mm hmm.

[polmaven]

49. LOL!

When I was at the MA State Convention this year..June 7, actually, the day that Senator Clinton gave her speech suspending her campaign, I was able to get a few minutes with Governor Patrick.

I said to him that I hoped he would speak with Senator Obama and/or the campaign office, because if Democrats went away form the anonymity of a board like this, or a blog, and into neighborhoods with the attitude of: "If you're to stupid to already know why Obama is better than McCain, then fuck you - we don't need your stinkin' vote anyway, you fucking asshole"....That might not convince too many independents or fed up sane Republicans to come over to our side.....!

That still frightens me some. Saying those things here, covered by the anonymity, is one thing. Bringing it "out there" is another.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

33. pwn3d!

:rofl:

[LowerManhattanite]

34. Well...that's going to leave a mark. Ouch. n/t

[DevonRex]

35. Are you not one of his supporters? Aren't we ALL his supporters

here? That is the basic requirement for this forum, that we support the democratic nominee.

Saying "his supporters" certainly indicates that you are not among them. Otherwise you would have said "we" or "some of us."

Just sayin... :shrug:

[dionysus]

38. he's one of those..... uh.... not so subtle non-supporters...

:hi:

[DevonRex]

42. Oh yes. I tawt I taw a puddy tat.

:evilgrin:

:hi:

[polmaven]

52. May I point out ...

I ask the same question about some of his supporters contains the word "some".

Just sayin...:shrug:

[DevonRex]

58. This isn't a "some" versus "all" debate. It's a question of whether

the poster has defined himself as not belonging to the set of Obama supporters. Therefore, the question has been asked, as it naturally would.

[polmaven]

61. You apparently have trouble comprehending

what others write, but do you also not fully comprehend what YOU write?

MF wrote that he/she asks the question of "SOME of his supporters".

You then opine that MF isn't a supporter because: Saying "his supporters" certainly indicates that you are not among them. Otherwise you would have said "we" or "some of us."


When I point out to you that MF did INDEED say "some" of his supporters, now you tell me that it isn't a some vs all debate, and indeed the poster has defined himself as not belonging to the set of supporters.....:shrug:

Do you get dizzy going around in circles that way? :crazy:

[LowerManhattanite]

67. Point's moot now, kid...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=user_profiles&u_id=161433 :(

[40ozDonkey]

69. Heheheh.

[dionysus]

37. hookay resident puma...

:eyes:

[mrreowwr_kittty]

40. "His supporters"? Who do you support?

Do tell.

[xchrom]

9. mccain nor guilliani are the best repukes have to offer --

however it is what obama is running against now.

obama won because of his tactics that he ran in s.c. -- not thinking kindly of obama -- but have it your way.

[dionysus]

39. are you dusting off that tired old "obama only beat hillary cuz of teh blacks in SC" meme again?

:rofl:

[xchrom]

45. lot's of dusting off tired ol meme's go on around here.

and you are certainly guilty of that -- when you read that in my reply.

[dionysus]

46. oh, how so? when you say;

"obama won because of his tactics that he ran in s.c. -- not thinking kindly of obama -- but have it your way."

what the hell *else* could you possibly be implying?

[xchrom]

47. where do you see 'teh blacks' in that sentence? nt

[dionysus]

55. oh come on... "the tactics that he ran in s.c." ... don't try and play coy with your statement.

you know damn well what you said and apparently you're a smidge embarrassed about being called on it...

[xchrom]

60. i'm not embarrassed --

it's your childish projecting that been called out.



:rofl:

[dionysus]

62. okay. now elaborate on your statement, please

"obama won because of his tactics that he ran in s.c. -- not thinking kindly of obama -- but have it your way."

now let's see you describe the "tactic obama used in SC --not thinking kindly of him" in your own words. you won't because you will make a fool of yourself.

[xchrom]

64. look -- your guy won -- what the fuck is your problem?

i don't like how he won it -- and i take it personally.

but it's not about race -- that you can't see what the alternative might be makes you ignorant.

[dionysus]

66. the fact that you can't\won't lay out your opinion, and can only answer with insults, makes me laugh

my problem is people like you who can't stop bashing our nominee. a pack of spoiled babies. If you don't like it, you can go to capshill...

[xchrom]

68. i belong here every bit as much as you do -- and i'm not

going because because you feel like whining about what somebody says.

grow a thicker skin. big baby.

[slick8790]

11. I think it's a feeling of helplessness.

They know he's the head of more than a campaign, but a whole movement to take back the government for the people. And they don't know how to stop it because they seen the downsides of all their moves, and they'd prefer not to move at all but that's a loss too.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

12. Muslim, hell, if anything he's an advanced Zen Master nt

[boppers]

13. "Muslim, hell, if anything he's an advanced Zen Master"

One word: Rumi

[TexasObserver]

14. His ability to stand tall and take their taunts flusters them, and they go overboard.

The more angry they become, the more desperate their attacks become upon him.

That kind of angry badgering simply doesn't get support from many voters. The better he does, the more angry they become, and the cycle repeats itself.

[Peacetrain]

28. You have hit the nail on the head Texas

The better he does, the more desperate they become, and the siller the attacks. Even McCains own people know they are throwing up stupid attack ads that make them look childish. Yet they keep doing it. They can't help them selves apparently :)

[TexasObserver]

43. Thanks!!

He waits long enough until the other side has really made a fuss, then he steps up and says something that is humorous but biting, and that inflames them. Look at how he played Bill Clinton throughout the primary season. Bill is no lightweight, but Obama totally owned Bill in the primary season.

[arcos]

15. You forgot Alan Keyes :P nt

[Sugarcoated]

16. A sports comparison would be

Roger Federer. He's so good that his opponents get quickly frustrated. They feel they have to start going for the lines to win the point, they may get a few by him but he quickly figures things out and is on top of the ball, starts hitting it on the rise. So they start over-hitting, spraying balls, dumping it in the net. They start doing crazy things like trying to drop shot at the wrong time or come to the net on a lame approach shot.

Sports analogies work well for politics. McShame is sort of keeping up now, but he's going to make more and more mistakes as he tries to figure out how to beat an opponent who just keeps whipping the ball by him. He may win the first set in the tie break with junk shots, but he's gonna get trounced in the second and third by Obama's natural political skill.

[davidpdx]

17. Well with McCain and his staff

It isn't that hard. They are a pretty stupid bunch.

[VolcanoJen]

19. Kick and Rec!

Right on!

:dem:

[tomreedtoon]

20. That's the Chicago way!

He brings a tire gauge, you bring a tire iron. He brings his wife to a topless contest, you bring your wife to a big stadium and hug her for the crowd. All Obama needs is Sean Connery to step up and say it.

[opihimoimoi]

21. TRUTH, POSITIVE POLARITY, GUTS, KEEN MIND, TIMING, STRATEGIST

and a few other characteristics...thats killing McGrumps Team

[lamp_shade]

22. It's called "CLASS"

Can you even imagine Barack making such a demeaning remark about Michelle?

[old mark]

23. Obama is a very intelligent, polished speaker -

he has a lot of experience as a law professor in speaking to groups of intelligent people. Republicans seem to be lacking in intelligence, worship ignorance ("religious" right)and are afraid of intelligent discussion of any problem. They prefer a shallow, quick fix requirind no solution that can't be stated in a TV soundbite. See GWB for examples.
Repubs are scared to death of Obama, and deal with that by attempting to make fun of him, but don't do it very well.

I believe they are hurting themselves and don't realise it yet.

mark

[Raven]

24. Poise. :-)

[quaker bill]

25. Hillary was tough

Obama simply saw how the nomination race would unfold more clearly from the start. Hillary expected a fragmented left Obama / Edwards / Kucinich race to extend well past super tuesday. This was the scenario that would have had her coming away with a massive share of delegates as the opponents would have had a tough time being "viable" (15+%) in a significant number of the super tuesday states. If it had played out this way, her lead would have indeed been insurmountable. Obama managed the early states very well. He managed them well enough to prevent any real challenge from his left flank.

Once this was accomplished the die had been cast in his favor. Hillary was never going to win a two candidate race. She was not positioned to do so and even under the best of circumstances could not have fashioned a winning majority. She peaked at 47 percent sometime in December 2007.

Her vote for the war did her in. It was not so much the vote for war itself, as if Bush had managed the war competently, found WMD, removed Saddam, and had the troops mostly home by 2007, the IWR vote would have played out entirely differently for her. But then Republicans would now be in much better shape to win the election had this been the case. Her political mistakes were not made against Obama, her mistake was a failure to fully grasp the incompetence of Bush.

Hillary is a high order talent.

McCain is not. In a good year for Republicans, McCain would probably do fine. This year, he won't. Saying stupid and incoherent things is normal for a Republican candidate, it is just this year people are paying attention.

[butterfly77]

36. He tells the truth and...

he goes into detail and they are playing the same old game of beating around the bush,in other words they talk the political bullshit talk that has made these campaigns boring for years...

[NorthCarolina]

44. Ummm, because his opponents are stupid?

eom

[Orsino]

63. Not stupid.

Just paid well to do stupid things.

[gblady]

50. unflappable integrity

nt

[MadMaddie]

53. Hillary and McCain surrounded themselves with smart people

who opted not to change their tactics.

Obama has surrounded himself with Experts who are willing to adjust and be mobile when required.

Unfortunately for Hillary she resorted to Rovian tactics just as McCain is doing and it's is loser path to take.

Most importantly....the main difference between all three of them...

Obama has never become desperate.....Hillary did near the end and McCains campaign is now....McCain's campaign is in distress...

Yup something special is happening!

[goletian]

54. i know exactly what it is:

the truth is on his side and hes clever enough to know how to use it. its that simple.

[gordianot]

56. Obama generates crowds with minimal effort.

The GOP is ultimately afraid of people (the masses)and is definitely afraid of those with such appeal. Even those voters with low information quotients are beginning to question what the pukes have done. McCain has to use others to create attention, going to a biker event, making Rovian smear accusations against Obama, trying to use popular culture when he does not have a clue what it means. McCain does not stand a chance on issues and he knows it.

[freestyle]

59. He's smart, cool, and empowering, and they can't deal.

He has out organized everyone, stuck to a game plan, and never lets them see him sweat. It's the coolness that is most frustrating to opponents. This is an area where race works in Obama's favor. I'm not saying black folks are cooler. I am saying that black people who manage to be high achievers in environments where we are a distinct minority have managed to develop a high level of unflappability.

[confused08]

65. 2008?

Hi
I am working for my school paper and trying to write an article for the fall about each of the major presidential candidates and their strengths and weaknesses. I am pretty clueless when it comes to politics (pretty much all I know is that McCain is old and a Republican and Obama is Black and a Democrat)... I was wondering if some of you could answer some questions for me to better inform me. I plan on asking a conservative site (if anyone can recommend one) so I can try to get it from both sides... anyways, if you could answer these questions I would greatly appreciate it:

1. If any, which political party are you?
2.Who are you supporting for President in 2008?
3. What does that candidate believe on core issues (Iraq, the war on terror, abortion, gay marriage, universal health care, etc.)?
4. What is the most important legislative achievement of your candidate? Why?
5. If elected, who could you see in this candidates cabinet and for which position?
6. Following #5, who do you think would be the strongest choice for a vp running mate? why?
7. What are your candidate's biggest strengths?
8. What are your candidate's biggest weakenesses?
9. Who is the candidate's major opposition and what don't you like about him/her?
10. Do you think the primaries will have any effect in the general election besides the selection of your candidate? i.e. do you think Clinton supporters will try to throw Obama off course or Romney/Huckabee will throw off McCain?
11. Does your candidate have any questionable issues in their past or are connected/have been connected to questionable people? Do you think that is important to consider? Has your candidate's major opponent had any questionable issues or connections in the past? are they important? If so but your candidate's are not, why the disconnect?
12. What is your race, gender, region in which you live (new england, mid atlantic, etc.) and level of education?
13. What do you think is the most important issue in this election?

thank you very much for helping me write my article. If anyone wants some clarification on some of these questions, feel free to ask