I love the post-caucus spin. Truth be hold, Obama wasn’t the winner last night. Democrats were the winners. More than 200,000 Democrats showed up for the caucuses last night, only 100,000 more than expected. Republicans mustered about 125,000. This from a state George W. Bush carried by a whisker in 2004 ands lost in 2000.
The Democrats love their candidates. I’m backing Hillary, but will have no problem voting for Obama or Edwards (or a ham sandwich) should they be the Democratic nominee. Iowans are clearly tired of the failed policies of George W,Bush and the Republicans who would pretty much carry out his agenda for another four years. Obama got 18 delegates. Edwards got 17. Hillary got 16. Not too shabby. So notions that there was a massive rejection of Edwards and Hillary is off base.
Young voters came out in force. Young voters voted Blue. You voters care.
Matt Cunningham had an illuminating post at Red County where Matt admits he’s nervous about Obama. While admitting his been busy with the blog and his consultancy, Matt dismissed John Edwards’ arguments that things are not all swell in America. Hate to break it to you Matt, but Edwards is right and he’s right on a number of fronts. You sometimes need to leave the bubble that is Orange County to see it. My out-of-state family assume just because I live here, I’m rich. They think everyone in OC is and you can thank reality TV for that perception.
As far as Hillary sucking enthusiasm out of a speech, you’re wrong again Matt. I’ve heard her in person and watched her on a number of occassions. She can electrify the crowd and she did so in Newport Beach by on 2005 when someone is the crowd shouted out for her to run for president. Let’s stop comparing her to Bill. She’s a bright woman, an experienced senator, a longtime advocate for education and a lawyer who is very capable and credible as a presidential candidate.
I laugh out loud when I read these lines in Matt’s post:
“Edwards, Clinton and Obama are all liberals (no, Clinton is a moderate centrist), while most Americans are either moderates of(sic) conservatives (no, they aren’t). But in my opinion Obama is the only one of them with the presence and way of talking about America to nullify the disadvantage of being slapped with the liberal label. (It’s a disadvantage to be a liberal?! how so?)
I’ll unhesitatingly vote for anyone of the GOP candidates over Barack Obama. His policies would be harmful to the American foundation of liberty, limited government and self-governance.”
I know Matt’s been busy, but just how have the conservative Republican policies of George W. Bush advanced the cause of liberty when America is one of the world’s most surveilled nations. How has George W. Bush advanced the cause of Limited Government with unprecendented growth of the federal government on such a massive scale and the government instrusion into the private lives of Americans through unwarranted wiretaps. And how does George W. Bush uphold concepts of self-governance? Signing statements?
Anyone? Bueller?
Fear Obama. Fear Edwards. And fear Hillary.
A longer response will have to wait for later, Dan, but I’d like to address your George W. Bush red herring.
I have written numerous times about my dissatisfaction with Bush and the former GOP Congress for abandoning GOP principles of limited government by growing the size and scope of the federal establishment.
But you citing Bush’s failure on the front is absolutely no defense of Clinton, Obama or Edwards.
Now, I’m going to take the kids to a movie — unless corporate greed somehow puts the kibosh on that plan.
Red Herring, oh I thought it might be a straw man.
Yes you have expressed dissatisfaction with Bush and the Republican Congress but you will still vote for a presidential candidate who will embrace those very same principles. You know Matt, can you give me a single example in the last 50-75 years of a Republican who actually shrunk government or governed by the principle of limited government, cause I’d really like to know.
Have fun at the movies. I’m looking forward to the release of “Cloverfield” on 1-18-08; the massive ego of Rudy Giuliani attacks New York. Check out the trailer…..
Dan-
Just ignore Matt/Jubal right now. He must be in an AWFULLY bad mood, now that everyone’s (at least in OC GOP Machine Land) favorite Willard didn’t do too well in Iowa last night. While our girl Hill can still pull a “Comeback Kid II” in New Hampshire next week, poor Willard might have a harder time on the GOP side with complete chaos ensuing and a “reinvigorated” McCain staging a comeback. Oh yes, and the bad news is only made worse when we remember that Iowa Dem turnout was DOUBLE that of the Reeps. When we remember that, we can see why Jubal might be in a poor mood right now. 😉
I think we are giving obama a good hike .. this can really change the people mind set up … i feel we should watch out now .