Posted on 08/02/2008 3:19:30 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
To pile on Matt's earlier post, Obama's flip on drilling strikes me as a major error. Even when analyzing it entirely as a political move, where the specifics of the legislation and the popularity of drilling are irrelevant, it still comes off very poorly. Straight up, it just looks like he caved. That is a terrible image for any politician to radiate.
It isn't about moving to the left, right and center. It is about not moving away from yourself. That looks bad, no matter what the bill is, and no matter how popular is may be.
This won't help him get elected. This will do the opposite. Last week, after the Berlin speech, I thought there was no way Obama could lose the election. Now, I worry it might be a toss-up.
About the only thing that could save Obama in this case is that McCain did the exact same thing on this issue earlier in the year. So, they look equally bad, and it is mentioned in the coverage:
Republican rival John McCain, who earlier dropped his opposition to offshore drilling, has been criticizing Obama on the stump and in broadcast ads for clinging to his opposition as gasoline prices topped $4 a gallon. But, that is in the third paragraph, while title reads "Obama shifts, says he may back offshore drilling."
Oh yeah, it is a really sucky idea, too. While allowing Republicans to go through with all of their sucky ideas has actually been an electoral boon for Democrats of late, since the ideas cause major problems. Then again, there is also the problem that those ideas cause major problems. In this case, Obama will help the creation of a major problem along, but actually receive a negative electoral benefit from it. And that is a big-time political error.
They just don't get it, do they? Solar, wind, ethanol and all that won't get the job done, neither will tune ups and proper tire inflation.
The choice couldn't be more drastic.
Obambi was painted into a corner. He chose to throw his supporters under the bus so he can chase some of the swing votes.
Hard to see this working out well for him.
The democrat national convention will be interesting.
plus, the poor this time truly are disproportionately affected. The Democrats are starving the poor with the commodities run-up, and encouraging less technically capable and less environmentally careful exploration in other places around the world.
Just you wait. The Clintons have something up their sleeves, and this could be the biggest backstab since Judas turned on Jesus.
**The democrat national convention will be interesting.**
To show my mean spirited, cold hearted side, I hope 2008 Dem Convention makes the ‘68 Convention look like a “CHURCH PICNIC”.
With the attitudes of the Liberal Stalinist Left, I’m expecting to see a “BODY COUNT” outside this convention.
I can’t wait to hear how Pelosi and Reid react. Will they openly oppose the the presumed democratic nominee?
The question is whether the political benefit of supporting drilling will be less than the political fall out from being viewed as a flip flopper. Unfortunately, with the media’s assistance, he will probably weather the storm.
I’m afriad there might be a body count inside the DemocRATic Convention....let’s just hope nothing happens to the annointed one! Seriously, no sarcasm intended. I hate to see him have a deadly wound healed!
It’s the timing that matters...The Dems go on vacation with no solution and VOILA....Obama the Messiah comes up with the solution...
I’m sure Pelosi and Reid are grateful to Obama to be left holding the bag.
The Gang of 10 proposal isn’t so much about drilling as it is about taxing the oil companies. Obama never met a tax he didn’t lurve.
Methinks if McCain just keeps campainging well (which he’s been doing lately), pushing drilling, running his ads, and we just sit back, observe, and vote, that Obama will dig himself into a hole and get beat pretty badly come November.
That should read:
Obama never met a tax he didn’t hike.
I completely disagree.
Obama stalling on flipping would be a major mistake. Every American knows we need to drill and he is going to tell us to inflate our tires until election day?
It's all about timing
Obama flips on the most important issue facing this country just as the do nothing Congress leaves town? Right!
Now that he has flipped his position, he has 5 weeks to be open about drilling, re-defining the fine socialist nuances of why he, "the one", knows what plan will work best for America.
When the Congress reconvenes, you will find the dems are ready to pass drilling legislation with a Obama plan, which will look very much like a McCain plan.
Obama will be the hero, living up to his "oneness"
Don't ever forget, the rat party needs Obama to get filibuster proof majorities in both the House and Senate.
They will play the game by his rules, he waited to get Congress out of D.C. so he can manipulate the events when they come back
Pelosi knows it Reid knows it. Both these assclown must be gritting their teeth playing by the magic negro rules. Acting like morons spouting inanities about saving the planet and other horseshit
I think ol’ hillary is going to bide her time and mount a challange in ‘12-regardless of who wins in Nov. She will challange an incumbent sitting dem-of that I have NO doubt. It will be Carter\Kennedy ‘80 all over again, but I think she pulls it off.
The writer is a bozo. He takes Obambi’s flip-flop at face value, ignoring the fact that DEMOCRATS LIE!! This flip-flop of Obabi’s is just for effect; he has no intention of allowing off-shore or any other kind of drilling, or, if he does, it’ll be hidebound with so many regulations that oil companies will never be able to comply.
One was the surge and the drop in recent polls reflects the American people losing their confidence in BHO. Now, the number one issue in this election again has him and his compatriots on the wrong side with the American people. His change now in light of his tire pressure solution reveals to the electorate that he does not exude self confidence and that translate into weakness. Critical thinking Americans will not elect a weak minded CIC. Not in this day and time in world affairs. He is toast....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.