The closer Obama gets to the nomination - the more I fear for his safety

[RiverStone]

Great win for Obama tonight in Iowa! And I'll own I was rooting for Edwards --- though Obama was my strong number 2 choice.

As the thought of an Obama nomination moves closer to being a viable possibility, my fear is that the racist crazies out there will also take notice in a bigger way. Of course, it's WAY TO EARLY to predict an Obama victory (still rooting for Edwards here) - but the crazies won't pay attention to political nuance.

We really have no clue what degree of security is offered Obama, and that's a good thing. But I sure as hell hope that there are several well planned layers of security at ALL times. Barack Obama would represent the most radical shift in political direction that our country has seen in decades. Some folks will not like anybody so different (and inspirational) representing such challenge to the status quo - and some of those folks are really fucked up.

Do you fear for Obama's safety?

[demo dutch]

1. My husband has been saying this all along... Edwards would be a safer choice

[RiverStone]

6. I don't think safety should factor into our decision...

I just really hope the government is providing Obama with extra - extraordinary safety! And we all know it's not easy to trust our government these days.

[LibraLiz1973]

9. Again, I'm NOT an Obama supporter. I'm all Edwards. But PLEASE

don't vote for Edwards if the only reason you are doing so is because you think Obama would be assassinated.
That isn't fair to him (Obama)as a candidate.

[RiverStone]

25. Where did you read that?

I would NEVER-EVER suggest Obama should "not run" for fear of being assassinated.

I am saying we who don't trust our government as is, needs to hold them accountable to protect a man representing a threat to shake things up more than any politician in decades.

I'm demanding accountability for Obama's security - I'm not expecting Obama to do a damn thing differently.

[LibraLiz1973]

27. The 1st reply to your OP was that

voting for Edwards would be safer.

[RiverStone]

31. Your confusing posts...

I said Edwards was my first choice and yet gave congrats to Obama and feared for his safety. I've NEVER suggested I'd vote differently because of that fear.

demo dutch (post #1) below the OP said JE would be safer... Anyway LibraLiz, please get that my fear for Barack in way suggest he should do anything different - OK?

cheers~:)

[LibraLiz1973]

33. No no, I wasn't confusing posts

I never said that YOU said that!! Sorry, I wasn't clearer

[demo dutch]

26. Couldn't vote for Obama, Edwards has more substance

[rurallib]

13. I think our top 4 candidates all have a problem this way

we were discussing this on new years.
Obama- race
Hillary - woman and a Clinton (the VRWC has ginned up some powerful hate for that family)
Edwards - populist - he will be making some powerful enemies if he continues.
Richardson - race.

I hope nothing happens. I tend to over worry.

[hedgehog]

2. You don't have to be good or even exciting to get shot at in this country

Don't forget Wallace, Reagen and Jerry Ford! I hate to say it, but my memory of June 1968 shadowed my joy for a moment tonight.

[LibraLiz1973]

3. NO NO NO

WTF? Jesus people. Don't put that negativity in to it!!
He's not my candidate but I am just sick over people that put this out there.
He won the Iowa caucus about 90 minutes ago and already there are 2 threads
fearing for his safety.

Let's NOT put that out in the universe.

[cynatnite]

8. It was in the universe the second he became a household name n/t

[LibraLiz1973]

10. That doesn't make perpetuating it and spreading the idea OK.

He has a family. Putting negative shit out like that is no good.

[cynatnite]

18. Talking about it doesn't mean it'll happen either...

It's discussion and showing concern for someone's safety who is in the public eye. There is no harm in that.

[LibraLiz1973]

22. It's weird when it becomes SUCH a focus of conversation

I don't think he wants that.

[RiverStone]

23. Disagree - "negative" would be saying he should NOT run...

Due to fear.

I'm not saying any such thing.

He should run and run boldly and loudly and out there!!!!

I'm saying he should NOT run from fear - but no man (or woman) can do this on their own.

We need to hold our government accountable to levels of security that may be unprecedented - but we need to ask for that and expect it. I won't go into this being naive or negative - just realistic.

[originalpckelly]

15. Enough with the bullcrap.

Just because we're worried about it, doesn't make it any more likely it will happen.

[LibraLiz1973]

20. I think obsessing about it is sick.

He has security. He and his family discussed this before he decided to run.
Blathering on about him being killed only makes certain people not want to vote for him so they can "keep him safe".
That's FUCKING RETARDED. You don't decide not to vote for someone because you think
they will be killed because of the color of their skin.
Obama isn't stupid. HE considered the options and HE made the decision to run.
I really hope people aren't obnoxious enough to be harping on this in front of his children.

[RiverStone]

29. No one said they are NOT voting for him!!!

Out of fear.

Demanding accountability from our lame government is what I'm asking for - and expecting. Thats it!

[skooooo]

4. thanks for the buzz kill

[RiverStone]

12. No buzz kill - just being realistic

I don't want anything to happen to this remarkable man. And Obama represents a greater threat than any of the other Dems in the field to the wackos out there. Better to be a little paranoid, or realistic. I deeply wish Bhutto had been more paranoid as well....

[RL3AO]

5. There is no one I would trust my life into more than the Secret Service.

He will have an incredible amount of security if his success continues. The USSS is very good at their job.

[Imagevision]

32. JFK had a breakdown in security on 11/22/1963 that's why he needs a panel of security czar's to

provide top level of cover that would set the pace for the 21rst century. JFK-MLK-RFK "they did it then, if big biz is unhappy a 'lone crazed person' will manage to become available as has happened too many times before.

[originalpckelly]

7. Yes, that and the anti-Clinton crazies scare me too.

I can't help but worry, I just keep playing Bobby over and over in my head. A few months ago someone posted a whole long series of videos on the assassination, and it really brings back memories of the first time I saw it (albeit not live.)

I just posted something about this earlier tonight, I always worry about something like that, but even more so with these two particular candidates.

[cynatnite]

17. Some years ago...it was during Bill Clinton's term...

a truck driver walked into the office I worked at and the first words out of his mouth were this: "Someone ought to shoot Clinton". I told the guy that kind of talk would get him arrested by the secret service. He shut up.

There is always some crazy, who...for whatever insane reason...wants to kill. The secret service are the best in the world.

[silverweb]

11. He will have the best possible protection.

But there's always risk.

Obama knows the risks, and he and his wife made their decision together.

He chooses to go forward, which is a testament to his conviction and his personal courage.

To turn away from his leadership and vision because of fear would be craven of us, and I reject that whole meme ... as does Obama.

[Wiley50]

14. I've had the same thoughts about Edwards

He's so much like Bobby Kennedy.

The financial elite do not like to be attacked.

[yourout]

16. Just like David Palmer in the first season of 24.

I hope it comes no were near that script as far as his safety goes.

[Postman]

19. No, he's in the pocket of the corporations...

He's no Martin Luther King either.

[rtassi]

21. I would fear for any candidates safety

who would be intent on bringing about real changes to the power structure of this country. Modern history has shown us many examples of their desire to retain it at all costs!

[mwb970]

42. All Democrats are at risk.

It's a short stroll from ballots to bullets. If one doesn't work, try the other. But of course "it can't happen here"!

[Exultant Democracy]

24. I would feel better if he was in a Pope Mobile but lets give hope a chance.

[LeftHander]

28. Yes very much so...

Look at Pakistan. They murdered a progressive opposition leader and our government did nothing.

RFK, JFK, MLK were all murdered. That is what seperates the right form the left in civil society. The right will kill when the left will not.

[Imagevision]

30. Obama needs to emplace a panel of security czar's (3) 24/7 to protect him

with Michelle Obama personally in charge of his personal security.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

34. After Bhutto, I wonder what would happen to elections here

Postponed? Canceled? We don't have any contingencies in place. I wonder what would happen to the whole process, regardless of who our candidate is.

[Tektonik]

35. As a gay man, the closer he gets to the nomination, the more I fear for my safety

n/t

[readmoreoften]

43. No shit. My neighbors' kids already yell DYKE at my house. I don't need rocks through my windows.

[Chovexani]

36. Y'all been watching too much 24

The closer Obama gets to the nomination, the more I fear for my sanity, because the frothing stupidity on this board will finally drive me batshit insane.

[Tektonik]

37. Looks like you'll be talking to Mr. Daniels more often

:hi:

[Chovexani]

38. Swear to god.

I may just change my religious affiliation from Pagan to Whiskeyist.

[Tektonik]

39. If Obama or Clinton eventually win, I may become a Stolichnayan

or a cheap-well-vodkyan

[Chovexani]

40. I'll be at services with you comrade

I like to be ecumenical.

[mwb970]

41. I'm more worried about Hillary.

The crazies have hated her much longer and stronger than they hate Obama. Right-wingers so often turn to violence as their first resort - and they love them their guns!

[shadowknows69]

44. I think the way the country is polarized right now

That any Dem nominee will draw crazies out of the woodwork. Obama's color and Clinton's gender sadly does make them bigger targets, but I think you'd find plenty of wackos who would want to hurt Edwards too.

[malaise]

45. Yes n/t

[Political Heretic]

46. Radical shift in political direction? To what?

I have yet to see or hear anything of policy substance from Obama, and I'm genuinely looking forward to getting some of that.

I find him to be charming, brilliant and an outstanding and inspiring speaker with the characteristics of a leader who would represent us well in the world.... as long as all that can be combined with actual substantive policy that reflects real change.

It's why I've supported John Edwards. Because I don't have to look far to hear him say point blank: here is the policy issue, here is what I want to do about it step by step, here is what my plan will cost, and here is how I plan to pay for it.

To me --- THAT --- is what it takes to be a good presidential candidate. I really want to start hearing concrete specifics for radical change coming from Obama, with details. I'm already growing tired of the vacuous emotionalism. If I keep hearing the word "change" totally disconnected from any concrete specific plans for what that change will look like I'm gonna get frustrated really fast.

I sure hope his idea of a meaningful change isn't just electing a person of color. Because quite frankly that's not a good enough reason to vote for the next president of the united states. I really think he is capable of great ideas... I just want to hear them frankly and clearly.

[Trailrider1951]

47. Hell yeah!!

I lived through this:



and this:



:(