Daily Kos Diary: Do You Want Obama to Lead?

[Pirate Smile]

Do You Want Obama to Lead?

by Sun dog
Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 08:03:27 PM PST
If you're supporting Barack Obama in this campaign that means you want him to be a leader. So, Obama supporters, think more about following his lead.

Sun dog's diary :: ::
The last few weeks the Clinton campaign has begun taking over in terms of setting the tone of the race. And it hasn't been pretty. It's been so ugly at times that people are puzzled about how ham-handed they have been in trying derail the campaign of Barack Obama in Iowa. We know that negative campaigns tend to blow up in the face of the candidate taking the shots, so why are they being so obvious about it?

Many suspect they see the writing on the wall and know that Hillary will not win in Iowa. The one thing they can't afford though is having Barack Obama win. The righteous indignation of Edwards supporters aside, it actually seems pretty obvious that this is what they are trying to do. They could hardly have tipped their hand any more that they're going negative. You don't have to look much further than the 'fun' remark or the kindergarten paper 'joke.' You can't be a professional campaigner and not know how that stuff will play in a caucus state like Iowa.

We could debate until after the election whether or not the Clinton team is trying to throw the thing to Edwards by taking Obama down in a death grip to the mud. But we don't have that much time to figure it out and I'm an Obama supporter and I care. So, I'm going to assume this is what they're doing and look at it in terms of how to answer this threat. Because it is a threat.

This is very real to me because I'm an Iowa caucus-goer and I'm involved. If your campaign is seen as negative or angry, it's really hard to bring people over on caucus night. That's part of why I believe Clinton/Penn are actually trying to do this. Just judge by what we've seen on DK and you can tell how it works. Obama supporters have been getting more and more angry as they try to wrestle with Clinton's 'plausible deniability' and they suffer the consequences. When you're getting mocked as hysterical it gets kind of difficult to draw people in to your campaign. DK doesn't matter in the way that Iowa matters right now but it is providing a decent microcosm of how this stuff plays out.

So I say to Obama supporters, quit being so freakin angry! Here in Iowa the professional staffers who talk with us volunteers are totally unflappable about this stuff. They show amusement, not anger when the subject comes up. And I realize, of course, this is coming right from the top. You want Obama to be a leader? Let him lead on this. Look at how he has been handling it. He speaks clearly about it but he doesn't take the bait. He doesn't accuse Hillary of floating the drug thing out there when she 'apologizes' but he mentions that the tone she sets may have something to do with the actions of her campaign. But he doesn't show any loss of control of his own emotions. The closest he comes to this is to laugh. "Hillary, I look forward to getting advice from you too."

So, do a little following of the one you want to make into a leader. He's leading already.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/17/223917/23/484/423607

If you agree with the Diary, follow the link and recommend it.

[Pirate Smile]

1. kick

[proudmoddemo]

2. I think he is; I agree

I agree. Listen to the JJ Dinner speech on YouTube, which is what turned the campaign around. He was leading--he was advocating a new direction.

As for battling Clinton over the tone, he's wise to get out of the way and let her implode...Never stand in the way of somebody that is committing political suicide, which Hillary is doing.

[calteacherguy]

3. K&R. nt

[FlyingSquirrel]

4. I don't think the Clinton campaign is trying to make Edwards win...

I just think they are incompetent and arrogant.

Besides, Obama could survive a second-place showing to Edwards in Iowa since he's well ahead of him in New Hampshire.

[babylonsister]

10. If you listen to the pundits, that is what they're doing.

The Clinton camp is trying to neutralize Obama because they view him as a big threat. If he has any success in Iowa, that would translate to further success in New Hampshire and South Carolina; the Clintons don't want to see that happen.

[K Gardner]

5. Excellent advise.. n/t

[Capn Sunshine]

6. Let's keep it together

If you haven't yet, stroll over to Obama HQ and see what needs to be done. Sign up at BarackObama.com Sign up! Take initiative! Host a party, table at the mall, contact your local Democratic Club, and sign up to PHONE BANK!

Above all, remain above the muck. We all knew it would come down to this. The members of the Clinton Campaign are known players when it comes to slinging the shit.

Fired UP!
Ready To GO!

[Hippo_Tron]

7. If that is their strategy it doesn't seem to be working

Edwards is third in every single poll I've seen and for better or worse, there's no media buzz about the possibility of him winning

Right now Obama really has an opportunity to break through if he plays his cards right. Sending Bill out to attack Obama's lack of experience was not a smart move. If she wanted to make it effective, she should have done it herself. Sending Bill leaves her vulnerable to the response of "well if you're so capable and experienced, why are you sending your husband to do your dirty work?"

Hillary doesn't seem to be trying to present herself in contrast to Obama anymore, just trying to tear him down. If Obama can prove Hillary's attacks wrong in the next two weeks, then I think he has a damn good shot at winning the nomination.

[saracat]

8. No media buzz about the possibility of an Edwards win? Have you been under a rock?

Everything from the Newsweek Cover story to NBC CNN and ABC News is speculating an Edwards upset!

[Pirate Smile]

9. kick