Wisconsin Primary

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by we vs us

I gotta tell ya . . . I watched Obama's victory speech tonight, and whoever's masterminding his campaign is a straight up genius. Put the guy in front of 20k screaming fans in a freaking stadium, not in some hotel ballroom, playing to 200 of your richest and possibly drunkest donors.  Play up the populism, the rock-starism, get the Obama phenomenon all wound up and screaming, signs that say "Texas," and "Change," and that's it.  All that's missing are the fainting teenage girls in the front row and you have the Beatles doing Wembley.

He looked tired, and the speech, I thought, was pretty weak by his standards.  A little rambly, not much force behind it.  He was repeating well-worn lines.  But even on a bad day, the guy's got the chops.  

His candidacy more and more brings up an interesting thing about American politics.  That is, our President must also be our Prime Minister.  We expect one man to be both a manager and a figurehead.  Obviously, you could send Obama around the world simply to make speeches on behalf of the US and we'd be hugely lucky.  But it's the managerial part that no one knows about.  Day to day mastery of facts, policy advancement, putting Congressional coalitions together to get things done.  Does he  have the long view in mind?  The dexterity to deal with Iran at breakfast and farm policy at lunch, and three things in between? Does he know when to hold em, know when to fold em?

I dunno, but it's becoming obvious that a couple glasses of red wine and politics makes me pretty chatty. [)]

Its a matter of comparison with the previous 8 years of management and diplomacy by a guy who isn't particularly good at it. Both McCain and Obama have shown managerial and marketing skills by being able to come from near obscurity or loser status to being front runners. I wouldn't worry too much about whether they can handle the job. Shrub had his people do it, these guys probably will too.

[Conan71]

WB,

There is the reality of the position.  When you are the head of a government of 300mm people, you have got to be surrounded by people you trust, be a good delegator, and a swift decision maker.

It would be interesting to know in advance who all a President would pick for their cabinet prior to even their nomination as those people are the un-elected officials who weild a lot of influence over the President and therefore a lot of the countries policies.

[Breadburner]

quote:Originally posted by FOTD

I was sitting in a bar/restaurant in Tulsa tonight with around a dozen people. OU was playing on the two TV's when I asked if they would turn the channel on one TV to news to see what happened in Wisconsin. The bartender gladly turned one and when Barack came on two other patrons asked for volume. The place hushed. Despite OU blowing their lead against Baylor, attention was on CNN and Barack. Truly amazing. OU came from behind to win in overtime. Won't happen for Hillary. Done deal. Yes he can!

"Well, baby used to stay out all night long
She made me cry, she done me wrong
She hurt my eyes open, that's no lie
Tables turn and now her turn to cry

Because I used to love her, but it's all over now
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now "

(B. & S. Womack)

I did not know the Tool Box served food....

[cannon_fodder]

Say what you will about Bushes management practices, (I'm not a fan but) there is at least room for debate.  But does anyone think he did well on the foreign stage?  Argh.

I'd rather  have a smooth figure head who gets nothing done than a crappy figure head who gets bad things done.

[FOTD]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Say what you will about Bushes management practices, (I'm not a fan but) there is at least room for debate.  But does anyone think he did well on the foreign stage?  Argh.

I'd rather  have a smooth figure head who gets nothing done than a crappy figure head who gets bad things done.

Maybe a padded room for debate. What's a smooth figure head?  I know what a crappy figure head is....its its GEORGIE DUMBYA BUSH. And you are right. Shrubco did bad things as a result of being a total loser crappy head. sad thing is he's not over yet.


Worse than Watergate: Bush scores lowest presidential approval rating EVER!
http://www.attytood.com/2008/02/worse_than_watergate_bush_scor_1.html

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by Double A

The Barack star just Baracked the vote.

I know this is all over the nets, but here is a funny take on that Texas democrat who supports Obama that got owned by Chris Matthews:

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/02/20/photoshop-texas-state-sen-kirk-watson/

[rwarn17588]

He said he had a brain fart. His response:

http://www.kirkwatson.com/media/whats-new/2008/02/20/msnbc-and-me/