"But what has he done?" people say of Obama. "All he talks about is change. Unlike Hillary, he's not a policy wonk."
Well, that's never been true. In fact, I've always liked Obama because he was a little wonkier than Hillary - but as I've noted, nobody comes to a stump speech to hear policies. But now that Obama's the Democratic Presidential Candidate, it's time to introduce you to who the man is.
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cmpriest, that steampunk-writin' menace of an author, has written an excellent post summarizing Barack's achievements and current policy stances that I suggest y'all read. And this DailyKos post, written oh so many months ago, dissects the differences in approach between Hillary and Obama when it came to designing bills - which, to me, was one of the reasons I was enthusiastic. When you scratched the surface, Obama seemed a little more ambitious in what he was trying to do.
Now mind you, I don't expect you'll all fall in love with Obama based on what he says. He is a liberal, no doubt - but as a liberal moderate myself reeling from the eight-year excesses of a neoconservative government, that's what I want right now. It may well be that you want something different. So be it! But to claim the guy's an empty suit? No. He's got ideas, but they're just not as marketable as inspiring speeches.
Also, one note: I would have voted for Hillary if she'd gotten the nod. But if you're angry about the loss and are considering switching to McCain - who is, in effect, Bush 2.0, a man who's voted more conservatively than almost anyone in the Senate, a man whose opposition to Roe Vs. Wade is pristine - then I'd kindly suggest you think again. Conservatives have complained about Obama's "free pass" in the media, which has some substance, but they never mention McCain's unwarranted reputation as a "maverick" when really, he's Bush 2.0 - a man who wants to keep doing just what Bush has been doing.
If you like what Bush has been doing? Great. Vote for McCain. If you'd prefer a more conservative choice to the liberal stylings of Obama? Go f'r it. But if you've been with Hillary because you liked what she wanted to do and now you're going to vote for a man whose main desire is to tear Hillary's goals to shreds - and do it out of some misguided pique - then you're not thinking straight.
Well, that's never been true. In fact, I've always liked Obama because he was a little wonkier than Hillary - but as I've noted, nobody comes to a stump speech to hear policies. But now that Obama's the Democratic Presidential Candidate, it's time to introduce you to who the man is.
cmpriest, that steampunk-writin' menace of an author, has written an excellent post summarizing Barack's achievements and current policy stances that I suggest y'all read. And this DailyKos post, written oh so many months ago, dissects the differences in approach between Hillary and Obama when it came to designing bills - which, to me, was one of the reasons I was enthusiastic. When you scratched the surface, Obama seemed a little more ambitious in what he was trying to do. Now mind you, I don't expect you'll all fall in love with Obama based on what he says. He is a liberal, no doubt - but as a liberal moderate myself reeling from the eight-year excesses of a neoconservative government, that's what I want right now. It may well be that you want something different. So be it! But to claim the guy's an empty suit? No. He's got ideas, but they're just not as marketable as inspiring speeches.
Also, one note: I would have voted for Hillary if she'd gotten the nod. But if you're angry about the loss and are considering switching to McCain - who is, in effect, Bush 2.0, a man who's voted more conservatively than almost anyone in the Senate, a man whose opposition to Roe Vs. Wade is pristine - then I'd kindly suggest you think again. Conservatives have complained about Obama's "free pass" in the media, which has some substance, but they never mention McCain's unwarranted reputation as a "maverick" when really, he's Bush 2.0 - a man who wants to keep doing just what Bush has been doing.
If you like what Bush has been doing? Great. Vote for McCain. If you'd prefer a more conservative choice to the liberal stylings of Obama? Go f'r it. But if you've been with Hillary because you liked what she wanted to do and now you're going to vote for a man whose main desire is to tear Hillary's goals to shreds - and do it out of some misguided pique - then you're not thinking straight.
