http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL_43SJ-KJ4

When the experience question comes up, I have to ask myself, what is it that people really want? It seems to me that what they want is someone who is going to be effective. And experience is one way of judging whether this will be the case.

My issue is that it is only one way. But Republicans are working very hard to make it the only issue because it plays to McCain's strength.

If Obama can reframe this to be about who has the opportunity to be most effective, I think his position is much stronger. Partly because I think he can make a good case to the people and put pressure on Congress.

But in order to do this, he has to stick to his values. It's very similar to the temptations that artists face once their work becomes popular. Do you continue to innovate and stick to your values or do you sell out? The temptation is high to use the system once you become part of it.

This is one of the reason's I'd like to see Obama stick by his pledge to use public financing in the campaign.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23179541/

I think Obama would be making a mistake to not stand on principles. Of course this would even the funding race for McCain, but it would show that Obama is serious about his principles.

If he wins the nomination, he'll have some serious thinking to do.

On the same wavelength, here (doesn't make for good conversation, though, does it? Agreement).

I have never agreed with Reagan's administration and he made bad more than one bad decision (Air Traffic Controllers, Selling technology to the Far East, etc) - he, for the most part, made Americans (and the world) feel good about America. His morale-boosting was what we needed in the 80's.

Same with JFK in the 60's - after being behind in the space race to the Soviets and other negative feelings in America - JFK had great policies - but he also had a persona which made us feel good. Not much stuck to him either.

Could say the same for FDR. Bringing us out of the depression, putting America back to work after the war rebuilding America's infrastructure, Social Security, etc - but his greatest ability was to keep America's morale strong.

Clinton - for all the baggage he carried - was very similar as well. He wasn't teflon-coated, he kept moving forward carrying all of charges against him, hanging off him like linebackers trying to stop the juggernaut of a tight-end going for the touchdown. The crowd cheered him on (except for the far-right commentators).

America needs the inspiration that Obama offers. He has experience (not [cough,cough] 35-years worth [gag]) - but more than that - he has the ability to help Americans (and the world) feel more positive about America. Because of where he grew up (in Hawaii & Indonesia), his "pulling himself up by the bootstraps" background, his grassroots successes in Chicago, and his family roots in Africa - he is on course to be seen more than just the American President - but also as the world's President (similar to how people called Guiliani "America's Mayor").

Here's one more where we agree. Must be the lunar eclipse or something.

Hillary showed both class and humanity in the way she dealt with this tragedy, I agree. Kudos indeed...

-CW

http://cbs11tv.com/local/clinton.motorcade.crash.2.660392.html

Granted, being a former police officer myself, I cannot be objective in this matter.

But this was classy, no matter how you slice it.

Kudos to you, Mrs. Clinton.....

Michale.....

When I saw Barack speak early in the campaign, he answered this charge using the experience vs. judgment argument. Do you want someone with good judgment or someone with more more experience? He was, of course, referring to his early opposition to the Iraq War.

I think his real strength, though, is inspiring people and reminding us that we can bring about change.

I love the quote from his website:

"I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about change in Washington ... I'm asking you to believe in yours."

It reminds me of the old adage that the only person you can really change is yourself. And that each one of us has a responsibility for our government. Even if our individual contributions are only small.

So he recognizes that the way to bring about real change is to get outside the politics of Washington. Like Reagan, I think he reaches the people. I've never seen as much letter writing or canvasing or people just coming out of the woodwork to help as I have with Barack's campaign.

Great comparison, Chris! Hadn't thought of it that way before.

- Dave

And THAT, in my not so humble opinion, is Obama's greatest attribute.. He is a great speaker, of that there is no doubt.

But, his ability to actually get people talking instead of fighting, is what will make him a great president.

He just has to learn two things..

1> That he will have to beat the "status quo" out of Washington, least Washington beats the "status quo" INTO him.

2> That the great oratory that gets people talking instead of fighting won't work with terrorists. Sure, it may help in the POLITICAL process, but when it comes to the actual terrorists themselves, he better be prepared to take actions that he now decrys in Bush.

If Obama can learn these two simple things, then he will be a worthy successor to Reagan..

Michale.....