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The Obama guide to how not to lose a presidential debate
Made Popular Feb 28 2008
The video above is one of the ‘highlights’ of last nights debate. Obama was asked a blatantly unfair question about Nation Of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.
Everyone already knew what the answer was going to be. Finding politicians who support the racists rants of Farrakhan is like finding a million dollar check in your mailbox. It ain’t happening.
As one blogger noted:
The question was the classic lose-lose proposition. Diss Farrakhan and you will maybe gain a few skeptical white supporters and lose some blacks (maybe you drop from 80% of the black vote to, say 75%). Approve of Farrakhan’s endorsement, and your political career is pretty much toast. Just ask Arsenio Hall how well that one panned out.
The word from Clinton’s camp is that the media is treating her unfairly. That the mainstream media is biased against her. I think the whole Farrakhan question disproves that. Either way, Farrakhan has other problems to deal with. His health being one, and who he takes pictures with, being another.
Despite what Russert implied by playing the F card, Obama has a significant amount prominent of Jewish support. Of course not everyone agrees that Obama handled this question the right way. But no matter what your opinion is you have to agree that he “ran out the clock” in the final debate and made it very hard for Clinton to stage a comeback at this late date.
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Absolutely, Just see how smartly Obama accept the difference between the word ’Reject’ and ’denounce’ by saying ’I would reject and denounce’. He showed future contestants the way how to win the presidential debates.
(Global Perspectives)
Obama considered Clinton's objection so fast and changed his stand so humorously. He is clever leader.
(Local Perspectives)
Obama is proving everyday he is better person to lead America than Hillary. There is no doubt in it,
(Local Perspectives)
This election is turning out to be one of the worst in US history primarily because the focus is too much on race, gender, sexual orientation etc. Who is getting whose votes, who are the blacks voting for, who are the whites voting for, who are the males voting for, who are the females voting for. Again, in this debate we see oblique takes on each other about Islam and Judaism and things like that.
This time the focus has shifted completely out of the Hispanics. They are a huge group but the worst off in the US, yet no one seems to be talking about them. At least Al Gore was sensitive enough. He even made speeches in Spanish. Perhaps he was the best president USA never had.
This time the focus has shifted completely out of the Hispanics. They are a huge group but the worst off in the US, yet no one seems to be talking about them. At least Al Gore was sensitive enough. He even made speeches in Spanish. Perhaps he was the best president USA never had.
(Global Perspectives)
"Obama was asked a blatantly unfair question about Nation Of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan."
Why do you think this is a blatantly unfair question? Obama aspires to be the President of the United States and not the President of Vanuatu. As the most important world leader, his views on Farrakhan is critical. The American public who are going to vote has a right to know what his stand is. The world wants to know too.
Did you see his choice of words? He has 80% of the black vote bank in his pocket. Also, he didn't want to lose the strong support he enjoys with the Jewish community. He looked nervous despite his best attempts to hide it. On the other hand Hillary Clinton could afford to go all out against Farrakhan, which she did. It was a no-loss-win-some situation for her.
I reckon the full debate ended in a stalemate.
Why do you think this is a blatantly unfair question? Obama aspires to be the President of the United States and not the President of Vanuatu. As the most important world leader, his views on Farrakhan is critical. The American public who are going to vote has a right to know what his stand is. The world wants to know too.
Did you see his choice of words? He has 80% of the black vote bank in his pocket. Also, he didn't want to lose the strong support he enjoys with the Jewish community. He looked nervous despite his best attempts to hide it. On the other hand Hillary Clinton could afford to go all out against Farrakhan, which she did. It was a no-loss-win-some situation for her.
I reckon the full debate ended in a stalemate.
(Local Perspectives)
Lemme remind you of the relationship between the US and Israel. It can be best summed up by saying Israel is the 51st state of the US.
That makes the question on Louis Farrakhan very important. Since I know you are a black and you are gonna vote for Obama, you thought the question was unfair. Well, my American mom who too is an Obama fan doesn't think so. Wonder who she's gonna vote for now....
That makes the question on Louis Farrakhan very important. Since I know you are a black and you are gonna vote for Obama, you thought the question was unfair. Well, my American mom who too is an Obama fan doesn't think so. Wonder who she's gonna vote for now....
(Global Perspectives)
it will be neither black nor female. it will be a neo-con prez
(Global Perspectives)
The debate wasn't a draw Darrin. I think Obama pipped Clinton. Nonetheless Obama would take a draw. He has already taken the poll position.
(Local Perspectives)
It is settled now - McCain versus Obama.
Then it will ultimately boil down to what skin color one is wearing. A liberal black ain't a sexy prospective.
It will be President McCain.
Then it will ultimately boil down to what skin color one is wearing. A liberal black ain't a sexy prospective.
It will be President McCain.
(Local Perspectives)
No difference between Obama and Hillary, after all both are democrats
(Global Perspectives)
The contest between Obama and Clinton largely be determined by intangibles like image, charisma, personality and overall support.
(Local Perspectives)
Obama looks more youthful and charismatic. He is the next US president....
(Local Perspectives)
Obama and Clinton both are fairly new in the Senate and it gives republicans good chance to score over Democrats in US presidential poll.
(Local Perspectives)
Obama and Clinton are same not only in voting response but also in their rhetorical approaches to different issues. Both have never shown a desire to use their little political experience of taking risks to solve the issues like economic inequality.
(Local Perspectives)
Absolutely right Kate..Both Obama and Hillary can't defeat a Republican opponent as experienced as Senator John McCain in US president election.
(Local Perspectives)
US will be US always. It doesn't matter which moron sleeps in White House.
(Global Perspectives)
More Clinton focusing on race, religion and other silly issues, the more Obama is focusing on serious issues. He is cleverly gaining reputation across the US.
(Global Perspectives)
Obama says - "If I'm talking about the issues that matter to people, if we do a good job in letting people know who I am and what I stand for … they'll make their judgment not based on my race but based on how well they think I can lead this country".
(Local Perspectives)
African-Americans know more Clintons than Obama. Those numbers would matter most in deciding the fate of both leaders.
(Global Perspectives)
race is just a balancing act for Obama. He is not worried at all.
(Local Perspectives)
I think the question was unfair because it was...silly.
Ann Coulter says she’ll vote for Hillary. Why wasn’t the question of Coulter’s support asked of Hillary? Easy, because it would be seen as a silly/stupid question.
People cannot control who supports them. Something tells me McCain will get the white supremacist vote. And there is nothing he can do about it.
Anyway, I am looking forward to the rest of the race.
Ann Coulter says she’ll vote for Hillary. Why wasn’t the question of Coulter’s support asked of Hillary? Easy, because it would be seen as a silly/stupid question.
People cannot control who supports them. Something tells me McCain will get the white supremacist vote. And there is nothing he can do about it.
Anyway, I am looking forward to the rest of the race.
(Local Perspectives)
@ Prince:
Comparing Ann Coulter with Louis Farrakhan is preposterous. One is a Playboy model and asking Hillary Clinton a question on her support for her would have been silly and triggered a laughter among the audience. On the other hand Farrakhan is a well known anti-Semitic black Muslim radical with millions of supporters within the American black community. This man had been denied visa in the UK and other countries for his vitriolic hate speeches and his extremist stance. Don’t forget that this man has the capacity to swing a large chunk of black votes from one camp to another. Being a black, Obama had to take a clear stance that he seemed to have failed so far. It was not just a fair question but a very relevant one too. Obama clearly goofed up there and was grappling for words.
Hillary can antagonize Ann Coulter and get away with it. She can also antagonize Farrakhan and get away with it. However, the billion dollar question is can Obama afford to do so?
Comparing Ann Coulter with Louis Farrakhan is preposterous. One is a Playboy model and asking Hillary Clinton a question on her support for her would have been silly and triggered a laughter among the audience. On the other hand Farrakhan is a well known anti-Semitic black Muslim radical with millions of supporters within the American black community. This man had been denied visa in the UK and other countries for his vitriolic hate speeches and his extremist stance. Don’t forget that this man has the capacity to swing a large chunk of black votes from one camp to another. Being a black, Obama had to take a clear stance that he seemed to have failed so far. It was not just a fair question but a very relevant one too. Obama clearly goofed up there and was grappling for words.
Hillary can antagonize Ann Coulter and get away with it. She can also antagonize Farrakhan and get away with it. However, the billion dollar question is can Obama afford to do so?
(Global Perspectives)
@Jonty
I think you under estimate Ms. Coulter. She has much more influence than Farrakhan.
She’s on US television almost everyday. She has several best selling books. I don’t know if she was in Playboy though.
She spits out the same hateful stuff like Farrakhan. She’s just prettier and not black.
I think you under estimate Ms. Coulter. She has much more influence than Farrakhan.
She’s on US television almost everyday. She has several best selling books. I don’t know if she was in Playboy though.
She spits out the same hateful stuff like Farrakhan. She’s just prettier and not black.
(Local Perspectives)
Besides, Ann Coulter is closer to the Republicans with her ideology. Why on earth should Hillary take cognizance to the rabid lawyer’s support (if there was ever any)? She is a neo-con’s dream moll.
(Global Perspectives)
@Prince:
The Playboy thing was intentional (I am sure you must have guessed it). She is more of an entertainer with a substantial number of listeners. But followers?
The Playboy thing was intentional (I am sure you must have guessed it). She is more of an entertainer with a substantial number of listeners. But followers?
(Global Perspectives)
Jonty -
You sure do know how to degrade a respectable lady....
You sure do know how to degrade a respectable lady....
(Local Perspectives)
For me Obama is better choice from democrats. We don't want Clintons please.
(Local Perspectives)
Obama’s views are nothing but prose. Unfortunately they carry little weight as far as my opinion is concerned. His views on everything, Healthcare, Iraq War, Economy, are misty at best. The thing that is pulling him through the debates has been his ability to be poetic. He plays with words, something that sits pretty with media and voters alike. I hope to see some substance in there very soon. he’s emerging as front-runner now and maybe he ought to get more focussed on tackling McCain soon.
(Global Perspectives)
The video shows how smart Obama is. He is innocently scoring over Hillary in almost every debate.
(Global Perspectives)
Defying racism, Obama from being an underdog in the race has come a long way.
America may be one of the shining examples of democracy just in case it does elect an woman or a black as the next president, it will be only a sign that the system is just maturing.
Countries with lesser experience in democratic norms have thrown up wider section of people, including those considered marginalized or hold a minority status in a given nation to don the mantle of the top executive position in the state.
The US has in all its democracy has only been a white male dominated presidency.
Obama has just proved that he is not only more articulate than fellow candidates but has brought in newer thought, like why not break ice and have a dialogue with known enemies of America.
That is some change in stance which Washington has resisted for decades.
The arrogant stance of ‘With us or against us” needs to have middle ground also.