Comments on: Why Obama would likely lose to McCain

By: Michael Matulka

Michael Matulka — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:59:53 +0000

And what might Uncle Charlie (Karl M.) have to say about your prognostications? Do you not see the internal contradictions built into capitalist politicians trying to “win” a nomination by conventional political and economic standards yet holding a hidden agenda of freedom, liberty and technical proficiency? You can argue about who might win, Obama or Hilary or Mcain, yet to not see that there is no great difference between them is to be lost in esoteric train spotting (I mean no disrespect to legitimate train spotting enthusiasts). The are simply political differences in degree, not kind. Re-read Marx, it’s very helpful. Cheers, Mike

By: Binh

Binh — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:48:15 +0000

I disagree that Obama would likely lose to McCain.

It is exactly this kind of evenhandedness that keeps losing elections for the Democrats.

This argument was true for the last few elections, but it doesn’t hold now. Obama is not trying to be McCain-lite, unlike his predecessors Kerry and Gore who tried their hardest to be Bush-lites. Obama is trying to say that he and McCain are night and day - Obama wants out of Iraq (not true), McCain is ready to fight for another 100 years, Obama wants to help homeowners keep their homes while McCain says let the market rip, etc.

Polls show that between 60-80% of voters want a change candidate, and McCain is not that candidate. I think the race will be closer than it should be, but Obama will beat McCain by a hefty margin come November. The permnanet Republican majority envisioned by Rove is turning out to be a permanent minority for the time being, and besides, who would want to vote for a crazy mixed up cranky angry old white man when you could vote for a smooth seemingly straight-talking young black guy?

By: Martin Wisse

Martin Wisse — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:27:55 +0000

Herbert doesn’t get what Obama’s trying to do: campaign as a non-Beltway president.

By: plato's cave

plato's cave — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:59:31 +0000

I take back any suggestion I might favor HC. Lenin has this quote from her today:

“I want the Iranians to know that if I’m the president, we will attack Iran,” Clinton said. “In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them.”

By: plato's cave

plato's cave — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:40:54 +0000

Obama has been so un-forthcoming with any specifics about any issue at all that I’m beginning to think HC might be a better candidate.

However, I disagree that the weak economy automatically puts the Dems in office. People who believe that are underestimating the Republican attack mentality and the electorate’s gullibity, not to mention the electorate’s already present susceptibility to fascist solutions.

By: MFB

MFB — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:04:08 +0000

No, the present Democrats are not Eisenhower Republicans, or at least they are not Eisenhowers. Eisenhower knew his stuff, had commanded a real army in the real world, and had the chutzpah to end his career with a warning against the “military-industrial complex”. The present-day Democrats seem to be like toddlers playing with matches in a petrol depot.

Beware of underestimating the power of Democrats to alienate their base and lose elections. Especially with a recession coming on, which (as in 2000) might lead them to throw the race.

Yes, America needs a left-wing party. Everybody needs a left-wing party. Bring lots of balloons and corn chips.

By: Michael Matulka

Michael Matulka — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:11:41 +0000

I disagree. The Democrats will not win in November and the consolidation of a post-Fascist state will be further entrenched. We are so deep in a hole, the only option is to keeping digging further down and come out the other side. Nothing short of a momentous revolution will suffice. How many years have you been lamenting Democrats and stating that they’re not truly “Left” enough or really represent the “old” Democratic party? As if the old Democratic party (let’s put on our rose colored glasses) was all that much to be proud of. I suggest that monkey warfare on a grand, world-wide scale to assist with change, for direct confrontation by violence or military might is foolhardy and short-sighted. Sabotage along the lines of monkeying with the system is a far better, strategic choice. Attack them with 10,000 balloons, set up tables with coffee and donuts when the cops arrive, roll balls at their vehicles by the thousands, blow bubbles at their public relations meetings, throw pies…You get the idea - and the media attention. Cheers, Mike

By: Renegade Eye

Renegade Eye — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:47:59 +0000

A broomstick could beat Bush, oops I mean McCain. The Karl Rove strategy has built up a visceral hatred for anything associated with the GOP. Obama has more donors than McCain, and more voters are registering as Dems.

It is not Obama’s intent, but he is raising expectations. The next period should be interesting.

At my blog I reprinted a post at WSWS about Charleston Heston that was quite good. I hope you can comment.

By: Jim Farmelant

Jim Farmelant — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:34:29 +0000

I have to agree with Richard Greener on this. While the capacity of the Democrats to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory should never be underestimated, given the state of the economy, the Democrats could run a dead dog for president and still win in November.

By: Richard Greener

Richard Greener — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:55:27 +0000

Any Democrat (of course that’s limited now to only Senators Obama and Clinton) will win in November because the economy is in REAL danger, not bullshit danger - food prices are soaring; gasoline is headed to $5 bucks a gallon; “Bank Owned” signs are outnumbering “For Sale” signs - and we’re stuck in Iraq. It hardly matters if you favor the war or not, nobody supports being stuck and nobody believes “we’re winning!” As they’ve been saying for decades down here where I live, a yellow dog could be elected President this year - if he runs as a Democrat.

The only thing that can keep the Republicans in the White House is a “Homeland Security” disaster between now and the election.