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McCain to Congress: No Recess, Get Back to Work

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 05:53:17 PM EST
Tags: John McCain, Barack Obama, 2008 (all tags)
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As I was driving and listening to CNN on Sirius earlier this afternoon, they replayed segments of John McCain and Barack Obama's latest energy speeches.

McCain said members of Congress should interrupt their vacations and recess and return to Washington to pass an energy bill.

"Congress should come back into session, and I'm willing to come off the campaign trail. I call on Senator Obama to call on Congress to... Come off their vacation and address this energy challenge to America and don't leave until we do, Republican and Democrat joining together," the four-term senator said.

Other Republicans are joining the call. Is this just a ploy for the Republicans to reconvene Congress during Obama's scheduled vacation to Hawaii? He leaves Friday. Vacations before a convention can be hazardous to a campaign, remember John Kerry's winsurfing fiasco?

Who will campaign for Obama in his absence? You guessed it -- Hillary Clinton.

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    McCain to Congress: No Recess, Get Back to Work | 104 comments (104 topical)

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    I could say several things (5.00 / 5) (#1)
    by standingup on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 05:55:01 PM EST
    but I don't want to get banned ;-)

    Don't do it Hillary! (5.00 / 0) (#2)
    by Shainzona on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 05:56:29 PM EST
    Do not bail BO out on "his" responsbilities!

    Amazingly enough (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by RalphB on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:05:01 PM EST
    he'll probably go on vacation trailing McCain and come back ahead.

    Parent
    Nope - if McCain's challenge sticks, and BO (5.00 / 4) (#4)
    by Shainzona on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:07:40 PM EST
    is caught on the beaches in Hawaii, he's toast...and it won't be from the sun!

    This is a very clever move from McCain...and, oh, by the way, I agree.

    HEY CONGRESS.  DO SOMETHING!!!!

    Parent

    I can't blame McCain.... (5.00 / 3) (#7)
    by p lukasiak on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:14:58 PM EST
    ...for exploiting this.  After all, Pelosi "turned out the lights" in the House, rather than allow the GOP to continue to debate its energy (read: off-shore drilling) bill.  And I've said it before and I'll say it again --

    regardless of whether you favor off-shore drilling or not, the optics of Pelosi shutting down debate on an "energy" proposal so that congresscritters could go on vacation are just really awful.   If the GOP exploits this fully, it will probably mean at least a couple of fewer seats in Congress for Dems (its the kind of dumb move that can make the difference in close congressional elections.)

    Parent

    The person you should blame is Boehner, (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by Anne on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:40:40 PM EST
    Per Think Progress:

    In fact, there was a real up or down vote on gas prices just two days before. And Boehner is well aware of it because he was responsible for ensuring it didn't pass. Dan Weiss explains on the Wonk Room what occurred this week:

    During yesterday's vote on the Commodity Markets and Transparency Act (H.R. 6604) to rein in oil profiteers, House Republican leaders pressured 13 of their members to switch their vote from "yes" to "no." Thanks to these strong arm tactics and weak members, the bill to lower gasoline prices by controlling profiteers failed by a vote of 276-151, falling ten votes shy of the two-thirds majority required for passage under the suspension of the House rules. Once again, the GOP leadership used their power to help keep oil prices and profits high, while hurting the average driver.

    Boehner strong-armed his own conservative members to ensure a bill didn't pass because he wanted to engage in today's political theatrics. After killing a bill that would have addressed gas prices, House conservatives have decided they want to blow hot air in the dark.

    But you won't hear about that part of the story anywhere in the mainstream.


    Parent

    blame pelosi as she is tone deaf. (5.00 / 0) (#25)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:09:15 PM EST
    that lady needs to open her mind. we can all agree her eyes are open.

    Parent
    Watch for Clinton to be asked (5.00 / 0) (#8)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:15:55 PM EST
    1.  is she willing to go back to Washington and get to work?  Of course, she will say yes.

    2.  but is Obama willing to do so, too?  How she will handle that question, I cannot predict.  But she will be left to handle it, not him.

    It's not as if Hawaii is part of his electoral strategy, as his home state and with so few votes.  He will be working there, though -- working a fancy fundraiser.  That will not work well for him now.

    Parent
    Hillary doing solo campaigning for (none / 0) (#56)
    by JavaCityPal on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:39:07 PM EST
    a vacationing Barack may not be good for him. His own supporters will be booing her at every stop. They don't think he needs her help, and I don't think she should be giving it.

    He is entitled to a vacation, no one begrudges him that, but his timing doesn't seem to be good for him, and this isn't the first one he's taken in the past 3.5 months.


    Parent

    If his supporters show up to boo her (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Valhalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:03:35 PM EST
    it'll be another nail in the coffin for BO, methinks.

    Parent
    wow (1.50 / 2) (#33)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:15:52 PM EST
    questioning that Barak is a man for taking a few days off for a vacation during the most stressful and intense time of his life?  that's low.

    Parent
    Uh, if this is stressful (5.00 / 4) (#36)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:18:04 PM EST
    just think about if he wins.  Not everybody can make it look quite as easy as Bush does. :-)

    Parent
    No (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:26:58 PM EST
    This isn't the most stressful part of his life.  Being president would be the most stressful time of his life.

    If he can't handle campaign stress, he can't handle presidential stress.  It's as simple as that.

    Parent

    say all you want to (2.00 / 2) (#43)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:38:32 PM EST
    about him not deserving a vacation or it showing his weakness.  Though I disagree entirely, I still think it's a cheap shot to question his manhood.  Imagine if someone had said "if you trust 'her'," writing about Hillary.

    Parent
    Where in this thread (5.00 / 3) (#46)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:49:10 PM EST
    was his manhood questioned?  Please cite comment.

    Parent
    LOL (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:50:51 PM EST
    You're reading imaginary things into my post.

    Parent
    not responding to your post, (none / 0) (#92)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:49:42 PM EST
    but this one:  Don't do it Hillary! (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Shainzona on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 05:56:29 PM EST
    Do not bail BO out on "his" responsbilities!

    Parent
    And exactly jow os this (none / 0) (#105)
    by echinopsia on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:08:21 AM EST
    "questioning his manhood"?

    Sorry, I don't see it.

    Parent

    So now we've moved on from (5.00 / 2) (#61)
    by Valhalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:05:54 PM EST
    faux outrage about race to faux outrage about questioning his 'manhood'?  

    lol.  Okaaaaay, if you think that's a good tact to take, go for it.

    Parent

    here you go (none / 0) (#64)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:28:51 PM EST
    Do not bail BO out on "his" responsbilities!

    Parent
    Why bless your heart, inkybod (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by caseyOR on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:58:43 PM EST
    That's what you're all a dither about? There are still months to go in this campaign. Best to conserve and ration your outrage.

    Parent
    so if Barak isn't a "him" (none / 0) (#88)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:25:29 PM EST
    then what exactly is he?  what kind of insult is that?

    Parent
    i said nothing about race n/t (none / 0) (#66)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:31:02 PM EST


    Parent
    And you still have said nothing (none / 0) (#82)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:05:36 PM EST
    that clarifies why you think there was questioning of his manhood.

    Or -- you mean "his" manhood?  Quotation marks make a guy cross his legs in self-defense or something?  Ya gotta be kidding.  

    Parent

    putting something in quotes (none / 0) (#89)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:27:14 PM EST
    means that it's not the case.  It's like when you see "chicken" sandwich on the menu.  Not chicken.

    I just don't see the point.  What's the insult here?

    Parent

    the thing that bothers me (none / 0) (#94)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:51:55 PM EST
    most is that by putting "him" in quotation marks, you are insulting Obama by saying that he's not really a "him," right?

    Because if I'm incorrect about this, then I apologize.

    Parent

    you are reading things into these comments (5.00 / 1) (#97)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:56:43 PM EST
    that aren't there. please stop! it is insulting and wastes everyone's time.

    Parent
    if I'm wrong (none / 0) (#98)
    by inkybod on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:00:55 AM EST
    tell me what putting quotes around "him" means.  please.  cure my ignorance.

    Parent
    by the way, putting something in quotes (5.00 / 1) (#100)
    by hellothere on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:09:24 AM EST
    means you are directly quoting a source. got it!

    Parent
    wow that's a blatant lie. (1.00 / 2) (#102)
    by inkybod on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:24:38 AM EST
    No one directly quotes one word like "him," and I've seen "his" on this site too.  I know what quotes are for (I'm an English major and have a Masters in library science).  

    What it seems like you all are doing is insulting Obama by calling him a woman, which is supremely ironic.  Think about that for a second.  And, if it's true, it's sad.

    If anyone has evidence to the contrary, then by all means let me know.  I'm open to the possibility that I'm wrong.

    It's low, it's ridiculous, and like I said, insulting.

    I'm not contributing to any other threads on this site again (I know you're excited I'm leaving).  I will finish up replying to this thread but then I'm done.

    Parent

    I'm a journalism major (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by echinopsia on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:15:38 AM EST
    and an editor, and you are wrong.

    Quotes are for quoting. And when used by the uninformed, for emphasis.

    And when interpreted by the uninformed, apparently for faux outrage.

    Parent

    i was an english teacher and have a (none / 0) (#103)
    by hellothere on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:27:48 AM EST
    masters so can the resume. you don't show much knowledge of the english language by the misuse of quotation marks or even worse you are playing a game that wastes all our time. which is it?

    Parent
    furthermore i haven't called obama anything. (none / 0) (#104)
    by hellothere on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:34:37 AM EST
    i am weary of seeing your argue about the use of words and misuse quotation marks in the manner you are. i can tell you are educated by your use of language, but the rest leaves me saying wth! so let it rest and if you come back, just state your case.

    Parent
    "his" responsibilities (none / 0) (#115)
    by kelsweet on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 08:57:18 AM EST
    Gawwwd.......  what was meant by putting his in quotation marks meant that they were his RESPONSIBILITIES. His not hers. She would be taking on the responsibilities that he should be handling........  
    Seriously, get a grip.

    Parent
    please! you go and check out an (none / 0) (#99)
    by hellothere on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:08:37 AM EST
    english book and learn for yourself. this faux reading of a meaning into a post that isn't there is boring. faux charges are boring. stick to the facts and stop arguing the meaning of words here.

    Parent
    OMG (none / 0) (#106)
    by echinopsia on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:10:17 AM EST
    You know who thinks calling a man a woman is insulting?

    Sexists.

    I highly doubt if the poster had that intention.

    Parent

    Plus a vacation now, regardless of Hillary (5.00 / 2) (#65)
    by Valhalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:30:53 PM EST
    just won't play so well with a large part of the voters from whom he does not have support.

    Especially not to Hawaii.  I know it's his home state (sort of), but Hawaii is a destination most people only dream of going to.  This years lots of folks are canceling their not-nearly-as-glam destination vacations because of gas prices.

    Combined with the Republican protest vs Pelosi's 'let's shut off the lights and run off to vacation' deal at the same time, it really doesn't look so much like Democrats care about the average person who's trying to figure out how they'll pay their d*mn bills this month.

    Parent

    A vacation? (none / 0) (#114)
    by ccpup on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 07:38:38 AM EST
    As in ONE?  Try this is his second vacation.  To a glamorous spot.  In two months.  He frolicked in the surf in the Caribbean in May (I think) and now he's off to Hawaii.  I imagine his campaign -- seeing the inevitable fall-out -- tried to dissuade him, but evidently Barack really can't handle hard work and stress.  And, in the end, it's All About Barack.  And Barack needs a'break.

    The Republicans are going to have a field day with this.  Especially, as you say, during a time when many are foregoing vacations because of the high price of gas.  If he takes his private jet -- you know, the one with "President Obama" emblazoned on the back of his seat? --, expect to hear how much gas was used for he, Michelle and their two daughters to hit the beaches.  And then they'll juxtapose that with how many tanks could have been filled and how many families could have benefited.  All for Barack's vacation.

    And anticipate the mood surrounding any pictures we get -- and we're sure to get some -- to be decidedly different than it was when he went the first time.  The Media Mood around him has changed and I suspect he may catch some flak.  The painting of him as a Celebrity Who Gets Something For Doing Nothing has been fairly successful and this just reinforces it.

    At least people seeing Hillary on the stump will remember just why they preferred her over him.  And perhaps the SDs will wake up and realize SHE'S the one who can bring in the voters without having to take multiple vacations.

    Parent

    McCain reminds me of the opposing (5.00 / 0) (#5)
    by oculus on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:08:21 PM EST
    counsel who intentionally sends out discovery so it is due while the responding attorney is on vacation.  Or Christmas Eve.  

    or a certain administration that always (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:07:48 PM EST
    released bad press on Fridays...ring any bells?

    Parent
    hmmm, sounds like you might have been (5.00 / 0) (#26)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:10:23 PM EST
    there. i am reminded of the oppoosition asking for discovery and being buried in it also.

    Parent
    Good play by McCain (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:12:10 PM EST
    as a way to fight the low public opinion of Congress, the Obama line that McCain is just D.C. politics as usual -- and puts the onus not just on Obama but on Pelosi, who gaveled the House off to vacation against the protests of the GOP types who stayed on for hours.  It was a good play, too.

    So this would not be D.C. politics as usual.  It's a way to remind the public that Obama is part of D.C. politics, too.  It's a test to see how willing Obama is to show, not just tell.:-)  

    And it's a setup so that next week, when there will be more Obama beefcake on the beach, McCain can keep saying that one of them wanted to get back to work in Congress while most Muricans can't afford to go on fancy vacations, etc.  Which, of course, is true.

    And (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by NJDem on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:26:00 PM EST
    McCain can fight the age meme by saying something like 'I may be old, but I don't need a vacation'


    Parent
    I got one (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by waldenpond on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:23:23 PM EST
    My current kick is how McCain can relate things to Bush...... two vacations and he hasn't even made it to the convention?  If elected, Obama could break the Bush record for vacation days. {insert McCain's beevis and butthead grunt-laugh here}  

    Obama doesn't have openings where he can take time off.  He can't take time off in the GE and the church non-debate for he and McCain is scheduled for the 16th, convention is the 25th.  So this is about it.

    Parent

    if he can't handle (5.00 / 1) (#42)
    by ccpup on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:31:22 PM EST
    the stress of a campaign, what's to make us believe he can handle the stress of a Country listing toward disaster?

    All we need is a MIA President while we spiral clockwise down the drain.

    Hillary would NOT be on vacation right now.  She'd be solidifying her support in PA and OH, CA and MI, FL and NJ.  She'd be rolling toward an electoral triumph and THEN she'd take a break in late-November/early-December before the Inauguration.

    Which is when I'm sure Barack will take ANOTHER vacation should he win which is looking more and more doubtful week after week.

    Parent

    if i were on the mccain campaign, i'd have (5.00 / 0) (#27)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:11:57 PM EST
    a picture of repub senators in dc with mccain working on some bills. dang, democrats have degrees and say some very smart things. why do they allow themselves to be shot down so successfully so often. i have puzzled over that a number of times.

    Parent
    So wrong. (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by nycstray on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:48:54 PM EST
    Is he ever going to make a flat out effort to go after her voters? This looks BAD.

    no! he won't! (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:17:01 PM EST


    Parent
    Yes, little noted in the video of her (5.00 / 5) (#17)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:51:19 PM EST
    talking about the VP spot, in the video last week, was her note that no runners-up had done as much and as soon.  

    The guys get to wait until after the convention -- since the guys get to have their names put in nomination at the convention.  See Kennedy, Teddy; Jackson, Jesse; et al.

    Of course, no guy has been subjected to the crap that came down on Senator Clinton for staying in the fight for me.  I don't plan on forgetting that -- as it fits perfectly into my research and more.  So I will make sure that at least some students don't forget it, either.  And I've got such a list of Youtubes and the like, too, as we ponder the politics of this country and its "progress" for women.

    While I would trust her as VP (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by nycstray on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:14:48 PM EST
    this illustrates why I want her far, far away from him. Watching 4-8 of her playing second fiddle to him is not something I want to go through.

    If he goes through with the Southern White Guy for VP, who then goes on to run for President, I think we'll (gender and race) be back to square one on progress, lol!~

    Parent

    So Amrerica will see (5.00 / 7) (#18)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:54:52 PM EST
    Bill Clinton in Africa with the poor, fighting AIDS, and with Chelsea right there with him.  And America will see HIllary Rodham Clinton here on the campaign trail, fighting for us.

    And America will see Barack Obama on the beach?  When he's not at the fancy fundraiser, that is.

    Is Axelrove earning his pay?

    Yeah (5.00 / 3) (#21)
    by chrisvee on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:01:59 PM EST
    these optics aren't good. If I were Obama, I'd start re-thinking the vacation.

    Parent
    don't forget (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by ccpup on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:27:03 PM EST
    that the SDs -- who may be horrified by Barack's performance so far -- may wake up and see Hillary is much better and more beloved on the stump than Obama is with an effortless ability to connect with those voters Barack has trouble with.  

    They may also notice "his" numbers going up when she's campaigning and begin rethinking this whole supporting Barack thing during the convention.

    Hasn't Obama's campaign realized it's a bit like letting the fox into the hen house?

    :-)

    Parent

    Smart politics (5.00 / 5) (#24)
    by nell on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:07:53 PM EST
    on McCain's part...

    Had Obama been running against anyone but Hillary, I think Obama's first vacation to a warm island might have hurt him too...do you guys realize this is not his first, but his SECOND vacation to a luxurious destination this year...SECOND vacation...most Americans scrimp and save and even then cannot go on one vacation a year, but this guy feels the need to take two...all while leaving the little tireless woman behind to campaign for him...I wonder how smart his campaign will be about this...they won't be able to keep reporters away, so will he go swimming? Will we see more shirtless Barack photos as we did in People magazine awhile back? It helped up his celebrity before, but now that the GOP has started to turn his celebrity against him (and yes, I think it is working), it would be very bad...Obama frolicks on the beach while you struggle to buy gas and groceries at the store...

    Bad move on the Obama campaigns fault. He should not go on vacation, he can catch a few days of R&R in Chicago at home if he is really that much more exhausted than the 72 year old McCain....

    hillary can work her heart out but when those (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:15:20 PM EST
    bitter cash strapped voters see obama lounging on a beach, it won't help.

    Parent
    I can see the commercials now (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by ccpup on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:15:34 PM EST
    Americans facing huge piles of bills, stuck in traffic while burning $4 gas and voila! there's Obama on the beach in the Caribbean ... no, wait, this time it's Hawaii!

    And here's John McCain talking to a group of people at a factory, working while Obama plays in the surf with his girls.  Oh, and there's John McCain again asking Congress to get back to work and settle the problem of high gas prices -- another cutaway to an exhausted driver filling up her tank? -- while Obama watches the sunset with Michelle surrounded by palm trees.

    I don't know how any of this is good for the Dems.

    I also wonder why Obama would get Hillary out there to do his work for him.  Won't it remind people how much they preferred her over him and how much better she is at campaigning?  Also, won't it be tempting to look at his numbers while she's campaigning for him and then compare them with his when he returns?

    Doesn't seem too smart to me.

    Parent

    Yes, but if all we have read at NQ is true, (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by PssttCmere08 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:46:05 PM EST
    he can pick up a valid copy of his birth certificate while he is there...


    Parent
    this is pelosi and reid's doings rather (5.00 / 0) (#28)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:12:45 PM EST
    than obama though i am not impressed with his work schedule at all.

    when he tanks, it won't be her fault. (5.00 / 0) (#29)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:13:22 PM EST
    oh that's right, she never does enough to suit some.

    Love the visuals (5.00 / 2) (#71)
    by Roz on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:25:04 PM EST
    And I am not happy that Hillary is hitting the trail for him, especially while he's on vacation.

    If Obama continues to slide in the polls while on vacation, I guess we know who will get the blame.

    quite a stunt (4.00 / 3) (#13)
    by CoralGables on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:34:24 PM EST
    Since McCain has the worst voting record in the Senate over the last year, doesn't he come off as a bit two-faced?

    Republicans don't care about looking (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Valhalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:47:29 PM EST
    hypocritical.  It's one skill the Dems just have never been able to master.

    Republicans say the absolutely most bizarre, untrue, two-faced wackadoo things with total confidence, if not passion, and it works for them.  Meanwhile, Dems recite policy papers and quibble over things like, yes, their opponent's hypocrisy.


    Parent

    Just this morning (none / 0) (#9)
    by Lil on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 06:19:26 PM EST
    I said I thought Obama would lose. Feeling better tonight; he is smart to leave her holding down the fort. Maybe he will win.

    Odd. (none / 0) (#35)
    by OrangeFur on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:17:13 PM EST
    McCain, even more than any of the other senators who were running for president, missed a ton of votes during the primaries. That's to be expected of candidates, but it makes for an unusual line of attack.

    I'm kind of surprised at how much support there is for offshore drilling. Maybe I'm too much of a latte liberal. Even with gasoline prices this high, if you'd asked me in January, I would never have guessed that being in favor of drilling would be a political winner.

    Yep. Whether the press points that out (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:19:59 PM EST
    will be telling.  I don't think that Obama can do so, though -- not with his vacation plans.  Nor his voting record.

    Parent
    Isn't Obam's record about equal (none / 0) (#72)
    by nycstray on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:27:50 PM EST
    and that doesn't go over as well with such a new senator.

    Parent
    why doesn't everyone here (none / 0) (#39)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:26:16 PM EST
    think that Hillary is somehow disingenuous by campaigning for Obama?  

    Don't you trust your favored candidate to campaign for who she supports?  Hating Obama more than Hillary hates him really makes very little sense.  They're for the same issues.

    I really didn't care who won the primary -- I thought they were both great.  

    I say, if you supported her then, the least you can do is support her now.

    You are the disingenious one (5.00 / 3) (#48)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:51:37 PM EST
    with your comments.  Btw, please go upthread and point to where Obama's manhood was questioned.

    Parent
    Disingenuousness (5.00 / 3) (#63)
    by Valhalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:19:07 PM EST
    By slanting your question using that word, you reveal some disingenuousness of your own.  A bit of concern trolling, I think.

    Almost no one here has accused Hillary of disingenuousness in campaigning for Obama, or characterized it as anything like disingenuousness.

    If you were really 'concerned', you could have simply asked why people weren't following Hillary's lead, without insulting both her and those who support her.

    Parent

    definition (1.00 / 1) (#80)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:59:48 PM EST
    disingenuous: 1.  Not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating.

    Why else would Hillary "do Obama's dirty work," as people have asked?  Extolling the man for the sake of towing the party line is insincere, as is vying for the 2012 election.  Hell, I doubt you could be a politician without being genuinely disingenuous.

    I, for one, actually believe that Clinton is enthusiastic about Obama because he'll help to achieve the same goals that she would have.

    The thing that really makes me sick on this site is the mean-spiritedness, like constant use of "his" when referring to Obama.  That is insulting to me as it should be to everyone who reads it.

    If he's not a "him," what is he then?  What are you calling him?

    Parent

    sanity violator: inkybod (5.00 / 3) (#83)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:07:36 PM EST


    Parent
    evidence please (none / 0) (#86)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:10:50 PM EST
    how was my post in any way insane?

    Parent
    Sick of the mean-spiritedness? (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by IzikLA on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:21:02 AM EST
    On THIS blog?  

    Don't get me wrong, it gets testy here sometimes, but I really think you might want to check out some of the OTHER blogs first.  

    In addition, your "outrage" is a little too much to handle as you spew vitriol about Hillary running for 2012 while also trying to convince us that she is enthusiastic about supporting Obama.

    One of these things is not like the other.

    Bye.

    Parent

    hillary is a politcan and doing what her (none / 0) (#78)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:57:10 PM EST
    party expects but supporting him? naw! get real.

    Parent
    Let's turn it around. (none / 0) (#111)
    by echinopsia on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:33:00 AM EST
    Obama is for FISA, no mental health exception for late-term abortions, offshore drilling, the death penalty, and public financing.

    Most progressives, Democrats and liberals (take your pick) are against these things.

    Aren't you disingenuous for still supporting him?

    Parent

    will anyone take a chance (none / 0) (#45)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:46:19 PM EST
    and reply to my post?  I bet the response will be something to the tune of, "politicians lie when it's crunch time and it's time to support the party."  Or "Hillary's just choosing the lesser of two evils."  Or maybe, "Hillary doesn't tell me who to support."

    I'm just curious, because you'd think that since Hillary now supports Obama, you'd trust her choice.  As someone who was neutral during the primary, I'm concerned about the animosity here.

    We trust her choice (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 07:56:38 PM EST
    It's her choice to make.  Congratulations to her for making a choice.  We all have our choices, but we aren't borg assimilators who do something just because Hillary tells us to.  And we've made our own independent choices.  Some of us have chosen a different path than hers.

    Liberalism is about free-thinking and making your own decisions.  It isn't about becoming robots who fall in line.

    We didn't support Hillary for personality reasons, we supported her for her policy and her strength. That doesn't mean we necessarily feel the same about whoever she supports.  She likes Lieberman too.  Do you think we should get behind Lieberman?

    Parent

    Hillary likes John McCain (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by samanthasmom on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:08:51 PM EST
    They work together quite well.

    Parent
    thanks (none / 0) (#76)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:38:14 PM EST
    I, too, agree that we shouldn't do what we're told, even if we admire the person doing the telling.

    Liberalism is about making your own decisions.  I just think that too often liberals end up tearing each other up on minute differences in policy.  Then a repub waltzes in and wins the election, enforcing his/her own horrible agenda.

    Republicans do a much better job of maintaining a united front w/their candidates and I think it's something we could learn from.

    Parent

    We shouldn't do what we're told (none / 0) (#84)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:09:18 PM EST
    you say -- yet you also say you're "definitely pro-Obama (woulda been pro-Clinton too if the people had chosen her)."

    Uh huh.

    Parent

    yes because (none / 0) (#116)
    by inkybod on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 09:08:11 AM EST
    no one tells me who's issues to believe in and who will ruin everything.  I mostly believe in Dem issues and know that McCain will ruin everything.

    Parent
    10 comments per day (none / 0) (#117)
    by waldenpond on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 09:21:46 AM EST
    Just a reminder.... Yesterday you had 21 comments.  New commenters are limited to 10 comments per day.    Thanks.

    Parent
    I am supporting Obama already (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by IzikLA on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:23:18 PM EST
    I don't need Clinton to tell me who to support, and just cause she is supporting someone doesn't mean everyone here should.  We also don't necessarily agree with everything Clinton ever stood for or against and this decision is no different.

    And although I do not support him as enthusiastically as I did Clinton, I am still supporting him.  

    Either way, it doesn't mean he gets free pass on everything.

    Parent

    thank you (2.00 / 1) (#73)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:29:43 PM EST
    for all of your thoughtful responses.  I know that my first comments on this site were rather confrontational.  You see, I used to check this blog quite frequently and even posted a couple of times 3 years or so ago.  I admired the progressive slant on legal issues.

    I came back a little bit ago when I saw that the discussion had picked up on the board (used to only see a few comments a day).  I was taken aback by all the (often irrational, IMO) negativity towards Obama.

    Now that I see that this is an anti-Obama site, I suppose I'll leave you guys to it.  I don't want to troll since I'm definitely pro-Obama (woulda been pro-Clinton too if the people had chosen her).

    Good luck to you all and I truly hope that your progressive agendas are enacted into policy.  I still think that the best bet for achieving that goal is electing Obama, but I'll leave the choice up to you.

    Parent

    Thank you too then (none / 0) (#110)
    by IzikLA on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:31:55 AM EST
    Just so you know, a lot of people, like myself, discovered this site during the primaries as a safe place to express our reservations about Senator Obama.  People like myself were driven off of other blogs, bullied and banned because we stated reasonable arguments in favor of Senator Clinton.

    There is some irrational hatred towards Obama on this site now, you are right about that, but for the most part there are very intelligent, rational people here.  And, even more importantly, there are tons of people here just looking for reasons to support Obama but some of that is going to include some understanding.  It will not be accomplished by bullying, name-calling or underhanded comments because that is why we are here in the first place.

    We have all got to be more accepting, more open and more understanding of each other.  If we don't, we'll likely end up with a McCain presidency, and I seriously doubt many of us want that.

    Parent

    For eight years... (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by p lukasiak on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:26:51 PM EST
    Hillary Clinton did what she had to do to win the Presidency, often "betraying" progressives who supported her in the primaries.

    I know that a lot of us started out as "Anyone but Clinton", and chose her over Obama when it came down to just the two of them after Edwards dropped out -- based on the fact that she was prepared to be President, and Obama wasn't.  We supported her reluctantly, but we've come to admire her a great deal more during the primary season.

    In other words, a lot of us have nothing invested in Hillary Clinton -- she was merely the lesser of two evils who turned out to be less "evil" than we'd thought.  She'd earned our votes for her as the Democratic nominee, but not our undying alligience.

    Parent

    thanks (none / 0) (#74)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:32:28 PM EST
    for your response -- it's helped me see the perspective on this board.

    Parent
    not all of us by the way have your point of (none / 0) (#96)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:53:44 PM EST
    view. as btd likes to say, you speak strictly for you.

    Parent
    the search tool is useful (5.00 / 3) (#57)
    by waldenpond on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:42:04 PM EST
    link

    link
    link

    Concerned about the animosity?  From others?
    Here's your very first comment here:  {what's more important, the issues, or your hurt pride?} You claim you liked both candidates but... {her mud-slinging became too much}


    Parent

    Looks to me (none / 0) (#58)
    by Nadai on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:42:36 PM EST
    like you've already decided to dismiss anything anyone says, so what's the point of answering you?

    Parent
    frankly i don't believe you were neutral (none / 0) (#79)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:58:26 PM EST
    during the primary and then turned overnight into a very zealous partisan supporter of obama. we are not fools on here.

    Parent
    no, you're right (none / 0) (#81)
    by inkybod on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:04:55 PM EST
    I stopped being neutral in the primary when it was statistically impossible for Hillary to win, yet she kept insisting that she was the only one who could get the "white" vote.  I shifted to Obama when he was the Dem candidate, just like I would have if Clinton had won.  And you know what, if he had come out and said that he was the only one who could get the "black" vote, I would have turned against him as well.

    Parent
    tell you what, i still don't believe you. (none / 0) (#93)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:51:19 PM EST
    i know and communicate with hillary supporters both before the end and after the primaries. none of them sound like you. hey it's your post, so stay with it.

    Parent
    Oh God (none / 0) (#112)
    by IzikLA on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 01:36:58 AM EST
    You are really all over the place here aren't you??

    First of all, it was never statistically impossible for Hillary to win and, in fact, it's still not.

    The racial claims you're making are just ludicrous, that never happened and you know it.

    Parent

    I will be waiting with eagerness (none / 0) (#87)
    by blogtopus on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:15:54 PM EST
    The vote tally for her nomination during the convention, should they allow it at all.

    Until the everything is in the bag, and Obama makes his acceptance speech, I will be living in tinfoil heaven. Afterwards... well who cares about that part?

    Well, the GOP, I guess. At that exact point they'll know Obama is the confirmed target, and let go with everything they've got (except for the blockbuster, which will hit 10 days before the election).

    Parent

    Katie Couric tonight (5.00 / 3) (#91)
    by caseyOR on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:34:55 PM EST
    On CBS News tonight Katie was chatting with Jeff Greenfield about Obama's problems with Hillary supporters and the whole Hillary's name in nomination/roll call vote negotiations. At the end Katie said some folks were wondering if the move to Invesco Field was so that Barack supporters could overwhelm and drown out Hillary supporters.

    Apparently, approx. 40% of Clinton supporters have not jumped on Obama's bandwagon.

    Parent

    You have to love Hillary (none / 0) (#59)
    by DemForever on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 08:56:11 PM EST
    She's such a selfless trooper.  Her campaigning will help not only Obama, but also increase the opportunity for the Dems to pick up more congressional seats.  

    It's good to be loyal (none / 0) (#62)
    by BrianJ on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 09:15:16 PM EST
    Even when the object of your loyalty doesn't deserve it.  I'd like to think the superdelegates will be watching her be a much more effective advocate of Obama than Obama, but I know they're not.

    Ninety-one days from now, this will be your party, Hillary.  Win or lose.

    Parent

    No. (none / 0) (#69)
    by daryl herbert on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:08:16 PM EST
    Is this just a ploy for the Republicans to reconvene Congress during Obama's scheduled vacation to Hawaii?

    It's a stunt to take advantage of a winning issue (drilling).

    Notice how Bush won't order Congress to return. He wants to make sure that this doesn't have his fingerprints on it. (Not that he's secretly pulling the strings--he just wants to make sure he doesn't taint McCain on this issue.)

    I don't think Bush can order Congress to (none / 0) (#77)
    by Valhalla on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 10:50:51 PM EST
    return, can he?  Not constitutionally, anyway (yeah, yeah, I know that meant zippo to him but I'm asking a legal question).

    Parent
    Prezzes can call back for special sessions (none / 0) (#85)
    by Cream City on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:10:48 PM EST
    historically, anyway.  Maybe not any more.  I think I know more about how this country ran a century ago.:-)

    Parent
    What if Pres. Bush called a Congress (none / 0) (#90)
    by daryl herbert on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:34:08 PM EST
    and nobody came?

    Parent
    if bush called them back re: energy and they (none / 0) (#95)
    by hellothere on Tue Aug 05, 2008 at 11:52:18 PM EST
    failed to show, the democrats could kiss the presidential election goodbye. they'd never do that.

    Parent
    don't take it too seriously. this has been a (none / 0) (#101)
    by hellothere on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 12:14:46 AM EST
    bitter campaign with a lot of heat. if you step across the line the moderator for the blog will step in. also if you have a question about it, send a private email to jeralyn or whoever is moderating the blog.

    McCain to Congress: No Recess, Get Back to Work | 104 comments (104 topical)

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