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Obama and Political Hardball

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 01:46:00 AM EST
Tags: Barack Obama (all tags)
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A reader sent me the link to this four page Chicago Tribune article from April, 2007 about Barack Obama's first campaign for U.S. Senate.

It's quite an interesting read.

A close examination of Obama's first campaign clouds the image he has cultivated throughout his political career: The man now running for president on a message of giving a voice to the voiceless first entered public office not by leveling the playing field, but by clearing it.

I'll let you all take it from there.

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    Obama and Political Hardball | 21 comments (21 topical)

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    Alice Palmer (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by athyrio on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 01:27:12 AM EST
    Apparently she was a well respected black lady who worked tirelessly for years and years to help the poor....She is to this day well respected in that community....Now she hasnt even endorsed yet and instead is waiting to see what happens...I am sure that whole episode hurt her....Obama should have tried to make peace with her long ago...After all she was the one that gave him his first chance at politics...very sad...

    ballot challenges (none / 0) (#7)
    by ogo on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:48:17 AM EST
    I think the bigger issue is the ballot challenges.  Justifying that comes across like the "present votes" -  thats just how we do it in Illinois isn't a very convincing argument when it seems so undemocratic (small d) on its face.  (even though apparently that is how they do it in Illinois)

    WRT Alice Palmer - agreed he should have made peace with her earlier but the article says he told her that he would not back away once he had started his campaign and she backs him up on that.  

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    oops (none / 0) (#8)
    by ogo on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:50:15 AM EST
    Using "earlier" makes it sound like I think he has made peace with her - I realize he hasn't  - he should and he should have.

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    Clearing the playing field (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by xjt on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 09:34:39 AM EST
    I read the Tribune article a couple of weeks ago. Now every time I hear Obama whine about having to campaign against two Clintons, or that they're taking his words out of context, I think of this.

    Between this article and his running for the Senate against a candidate as weak as Alan Keys, I feel as though he's never been pit against a tough campaigner. Welcome to the real world, O. If he can't hold up under the pressure now, he'll fold in the general election. So much for the "he's more electable" baloney.

    Bill Clinton must have gone inside his head (none / 0) (#11)
    by felizarte on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 09:48:03 AM EST
    and can't get him out.  Since the debate, he has taken every media opportunity to make further comments.  It seems, he is not nearly as positive as he has projected himself previously.  This is continuing reactionary mode v. the clintons is taking him away from his "positive, sunny, hope, unity," message.  Obviously he has difficulty moving on.  

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    Chills (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Stellaaa on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 10:40:28 AM EST
    This and the Rezko stuff is giving me chills.  How easy it is with sweet words and artificial charisma to fool so many.  This is the audacity of arrogance.  Hope?  

    The Obama's (none / 0) (#5)
    by ding7777 on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:18:14 AM EST
    political networking with the Daley machine(link)

    Every... (none / 0) (#21)
    by mindfulmission on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:16:41 PM EST
    ... Dem in Illinois has some relationship with the Daley machine.  

    What's your point?

    Do we really need to point out all of Hillary's political networking?  Come on...

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    Well, you made my point for me (none / 0) (#24)
    by ding7777 on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 05:20:07 AM EST
    Obama is a Chicago machine politician - not the so-called CHANGE candidate he says he is.

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    I´m Sure (none / 0) (#6)
    by Randinho on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:46:04 AM EST
    I´m sure that Nita Lowey feels her pain.

    Whatever happened to Mena? (none / 0) (#9)
    by Bob In Pacifica on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:59:33 AM EST
    I know that Barry Seal is gone, but are they still dropping duffelbags of cocaine there?

    Also, Diebolds in the fifth ward of Nashua gave Clinton 71 extra votes and took five votes away from Obama. That's a 7.5% error rate in favor of Clinton. How'd that happen?

    So it goes.

    The Trib has a long history of (none / 0) (#12)
    by byteb on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 10:16:59 AM EST
    endorsing the Republican nominee for President. It hasn't endorsed a Democratic candidate for President since backing Horace Greeley. It's editorial board espouses the principles of limited government and other traditional conservative beliefs. With that fact in mind, I find it interesting that the Trib has been running generally critical stories about Obama during this primary season while leaving Clinton alone. I find it especially interesting since the Trib endorsed Obama for Senate and yet, now, they seem focused on publishing negative pieces about a man they backed during his senate run.
    Perhaps the Republican leaning Trib is more interested in seeing Clinton as the Democratic candidate than Obama because a Clinton candidacy is a much more pleasant prospect in terms of getting a Republican elected.
    full disclosure: Yeah, even though I voted twice for Hillary for Senate, I'm backing Obama.

    Why are you backing Obama now? (none / 0) (#13)
    by oculus on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 10:24:42 AM EST


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    Besides overall Clinton fatigue. (none / 0) (#16)
    by byteb on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 11:28:49 AM EST
    and the disquiet that comes from knowing that two families will have controlled the White House for almost three decades if Hillary is elected for two terms, I didn't like her vote or rationale for Iraq nor did I like her vote for Iran...in foreign policy, I feel she's more hawkish than I want in a President. The idea of the DLC gaining new prominence and power is sad and depressing. The prospect of knowing that the likes of Terry MacAuliffe (who always reminds me of someone who might runn a Dodge dealership in N.J. with his sunny obsequious), Wolfson, Mark Penn, et. al. are again in at the top of heap is disgusting. Her corporate ties are staggering. The BillHill method of campaigning and their enjoyment of blood sport is offputting. If she is the nominee, I truly think she will unite the ailing Republican party like nothing else could. She maintains she's vetted and perhaps she is a the powerful wife of a President but I think the level of 'vetting' that she will receive as a possible President from the Republicans will give her pause, raise her negatives and possibly cost us the election.
    These are some of my reasons for not supporting her Presidential run. I think she's a fine Senator but in Peter Principal terms, I do not think she will be a good President. That being said, I will vote for her in the general..w/o enthusiasm or much hope..but I will vote for her.
    More full disclosure: I do not think Obama is perfect. I do not view him as the Messiah. I become angry as some of his missteps.
    I am not a cultist. Btw, Kid Oakland has written some articulate, non-flaming diaries on the "whys" of supporting Obama. If you wish to visit the Big Orange Satan, avoid the candidate diaries and do a search for his stuff...he's much more articulate than I could ever hope to be.

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    Thanks for your reply. (none / 0) (#18)
    by oculus on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 12:15:51 PM EST
    I worry about Hillary Clinton's vote for the AUMF and Kyle Lieberman.  I think she will be able to withstand the Republic attack machine if she is the nominee and that many Republicans will vote for her over McCain or Romney based on public opinion supporting getting out of Iraq as soon as possible.  I have read some of Kid Oakland's diaries in support of Barack Obama, but find your response more "meaty."  Thanks.

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    She just may sway Republican voters (none / 0) (#19)
    by byteb on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 12:55:27 PM EST
    over John (100 years in Iraq) McCain. I hope you're correct. The Republican field is just down right frightening.

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    If the Trib favors republicans (none / 0) (#15)
    by Kathy on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 11:15:44 AM EST
    then why did they back Obama for the senate?  Or was it a choice between him and Keyes, in which case, I'd take Obama, too.

    I am much more troubled by the fact that Obama states, on his own website, that he had to meet Michelle's potential employer before she took a job.

    Holy crap.  Women need to know about this.

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    hmm as a woman, i did not at first (none / 0) (#17)
    by hellothere on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 11:54:20 AM EST
    feel any empathy for hillary. i have always thought of her as very intelligent and gifted. some of her votes and so forth since becoming senator bothered me. i felt her campaign for the senate was a marvel to behold. she did her homework. i favor edwards with my heart but my head tells me hillary will receive my ultimate support. i don't care for the dislike of hillary and mean putdowns just like i don't care for the bandying about of obama's name or misuse of his religeous background. with that said, i have great concerns about obama and many of his own comments have lead me to that feeling.

    this is an interesting (none / 0) (#20)
    by athyrio on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 01:16:54 PM EST
    analysis of Obamas campaign in South Carolina

    non-story (none / 0) (#22)
    by mindfulmission on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:20:42 PM EST
    While I admit that I am a biased Obama supporter, I really think that this is a non-story.

    Obama rightfully and legally challenged petitions that included hundreds of names that were not legitimate.  That seems pretty valid to me.  

    He might lose that one-up delegate over HRC. (none / 0) (#23)
    by oculus on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 08:27:27 PM EST


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    Obama and Political Hardball | 21 comments (21 topical)

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