Liberal Oasis advice to 2008 dems

[whometense]

I found this to be intelligent - and very interesting - advice: http://www.liberaloasis.com/2007/01/after_obama.php

...With the informal entrance of Sen. Barack Obama into the race, the primary season is heating up faster than expected.

But it is still LiberalOasis' view that the bulk of this year is better focused on articulating our vision than getting caught up in the personality game. That will best set the stage for 2008.

In fact, this should be a truism for any non-election year.

We need to get out of the habit of sitting back and waiting for a sweet-talking savior to do all the heavy lifting, since it's a years-long team effort to communicate an overarching vision and build trust with the broader electorate.

But it is especially so this year, because every prospective Democratic candidate has plenty to prove.

And candidates, here's a way not to prove it:

Trying to put a little wrinkle into a non-binding anti-surge Senate resolution so you can have your own super-special Iraq position to distinguish yourself from your rivals.

Here's a way to prove it:

Directly challenge the fundamental goals and objectives of the current neoconservative foreign policy, in Iraq and beyond, and offer an alternate vision so compelling that the party gets behind you.

In other words, show some real leadership skills.

And in the meantime, we in the grassroots should do the same.

[wisteria]

1. Sounds like JK to me, but the party backing is a problem. n/t

[Mass]

2. It seems Obama just did what LO says not to do.

He just presented HIS plan for Iraq:

I listened, hoping he would present something original. His plan was a mixture between the Dodd bill (to his credit, he recognized that), and a plan that was very reminiscent of what Kerry propose in Nov 2005.

[whometense]

3. I agree -

I took this as a slap at Obama - and possibly HRC as well.

[MBS]

4. my hope (prayer?) for 2008 is voters will finally grow up

and finally make a presidential choice based on substance, in both the primaries and the general election. I've heard more and more people talking about the importance of substance and specifics and experience. . on NPR yesterday, even Barbara Ramsay (sp??) . a professor of AA studies at U Illinois Chicago, and (I think) a supporter of Obama at least in his Senate racee (and likely also to be at least friendly to the idea of his presidential ) , nevertheless declined the opportunity to give public gushing, uncritical support to his presidential race. Instead, she said that the time for supporting a president based on personality alone had past. Much more important is to start a movement.; also, she said that everyone, including Obama, is going to have to answer specifics on Iraq war, etc, etc. I'm working from memory, may have gotten the subtleties and even facts wrong. But, for whatever it's worth, I thought she was really good.

I predict (OK, hope) that substance will be in fashion in 2008.

[wisteria]

5. Me too! n/t