CNN

Obambi electable? NOT

Well as a registered Democratic voter I do not feel Hillary or Obama stand a chance against any of the republican nominees. They are not even able to unite the democratic party. They are the Two most controversial canidate's of both party's. Their are democrats that will not vote for either canidate if they become the democratic nominee. The Republicans are united behind all their canidates and that should scare the democrates. Republicans may feel strongly about certain canidates but feel the top Republican canidates would make a good President's. The democratic party does not feel that way. Most democrates either hate Hillary or hate Obama. We can not unite behind one canidate. Our only chance of winning the White house is With Edwards, Biden or Richardson unless Gore decides to run. We need and democratic nominee that can unite this party. If not the democrat's are on a down hill slide. We are a party that is falling apart.

So much for running as a "Uniter of America" just same old – same old dirty politics as usual and a big bag of hot air to boot...

Word has it that if Obambi doesn't get the Dem nod – he will simply declare himself an Independent and run w/Bloomberg cuz he wants to be in the White House soooo bad

i always ask myself is Hillary really unelectable?
i am very suspicious when republicans tell me who they can beat in the general election. let me ask, if some one was not a threat to you would you bother spending money and time to bring them down, i think the answer is no. we have Rudy basing his campaign on the fact that he can beat Hillary, we have mccain spending money in new hampshire just to tell people that he is best equipped to beat Hillary, we have the republican candidates attacking Hillary in every debate they have and we have Karl rove giving obama advice on how to beat Hillary. can they really beat her or they are trying to get rid of her in the primaries? i personally think if they could beat her as they claim, they would let her win the primaries and then deal with her in the general election. i can't believe that Karl rove wants obama to win, that's ridiculous. the Republicans will do all they can to make sure they do not face Hillary in the general elections. democrats we need to wake up and open our eyes. we have the republicans and democrats attacking Hillary because they know if she wins, she will be unstoppable. stupids democrats are falling in the republican trap once again. she was leading in the polls and they attacked her left and right by making us believe she is unelectable. i strongly believe that she so far the best candidates the democrats have and they will be loose the elections if they elect someone else. i would like to see obama be our next prsident but the truth is, he can not win against any republican. do not believe the polls, polls lied that john kerry was going to win and they also lied that Howard dean was going to win the primaries. if polls were right bush would not be the president today. let's give the republican there medicine.

go Hillary

Im a life long republican voter – and there are parts of the republican platform that I do not agree with ie: gun control or as i call it "guns out of control" but it so obvious that Hilary Clinton is the best thing that could happen to the R's in 2008. We are all praying she gets the nom.

I WISH CNN WOULD ANNOUCE THE WINNERS
OF THE VARIOUS STRAW POLLS. THEY ARE
NEWS, TOO.

SEN Obama ascending to the Presidency will be good for America in many ways and for decades to come. The confusion over Obama vs Osama is part bigotry and well placed dirty politics. SEN Bob Kerry's comments were offensive, dirty politics and I am inclined to say deep seated bigotry. SEN Obama is a Christian so of what importance is his father's and grandfather's religious preference....very disappointed in SEN Kerry despite his apology to SEN Obama

lb

Hillary... electable? She is as much a divider as our current president. She would be as big a danger to Americans and our future as a nation as our current president is, and nearly as great a danger as Rudy.

Obama is not alone.

Bill's former strategist, Prof. Robert Reich also commented that Hillary (HRC he called her) lacks convictions of anything. That's a nice way of saying she is not electable.

My vote is too precious to throw away. . .that's why I'm voting for Clinton. GO HILLARY!!

Hillary makes me want to puke. How is that for "electability?"

Obama, don't confuse, yourself is not ready for the President, don't blame American, American voters are ready for the most qualified candidate, Hillary Clinton, that's why they are not ready for you.

People, people, people. Have you not learned you lessons yet? There is no difference between Clinton and Obama. They are the same. Once elected, they will both screw you, hard. The only difference between them and all the other candidates is any of the other candidates will screw you less. So the questions is, do you want to be screwed hard or less? That is the question.

Being an Independent, I want the best candidate from each party for the best of our country. Obama is right. Hillary is not electable.

Here is an article from an expert on foreign policy in this issue of Newsweek.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/78157

"The Power of Personality" – by Fareed Zakaria, Ph.D. in international relations and an Indian American from India.

"I never thought I'd agree with Obama. I've spent my life acquiring formal expertise on foreign policy. ... But when I think about what is truly distinctive about the way I look at the world, about the advantage that I may have over others in understanding foreign affairs, it is that I know what it means NOT to be an American. I know intimately the attraction, the repulsion, the hopes, the disappointments that the other 95 percent of humanity feels when thinking about this country."

Another expert, Prof. Robert Reich of U.C. Berkeley and Bill's former strategist, commented on December 3, 2007 as follows:

"If there’s anyone in the race whose history shows unique courage and character, it's Barack Obama. HRC’s campaign, by contrast, is singularly lacking in conviction about anything."

How can Obama get votes! He misses mosts votes on the floor and bags everyone else on what they voted for.At least we know where they stand. With Obama you get???????? All Talk!

Hillary is the only chance the republicans have. That's why the Rupert Murdoch papers (London Times, etc) are supporting her and attacking Obama.

Hillary was not president in the 90's, she does not have the experience she is trying to claim, unless she admits that she will just be a puppet and Bill will be running the show.

Go Obama, America's best hope.

If Senator Obama would quit with the attacks on Senator Clinton and stick to policy he might be a little more favorable. but he has been in the 20 29% for a year now and still not going anywhere If he would grow up a liottle he might make a good Vice President. Clinton / Obama 2oo8. Unbeatable

How could Hillary possibly be president? It would be a full time job keeping Slick Willy away from the Interns.

Why is CNN talking about a CNN poll that came out a week or so ago about Hillary double digit lead or whatever points when today is 12-21-07 and there's a new poll from today, USA Today/Gallop I believe that has them tied 32-32? Wow, so CNN is a Hillaryite, hm. OBAMA '08!!

Obama is often criticized for being a candidate of the blacks. Oprah was slammed because people assumed she was just supporting him due to his colour.

What is overlooked is the fact that most women support Hillary due to the fact she is one of their own. I mean, just the chance of having a female President is an orgasm for a lot of women.

I read someone telling that Obama wants to raise the minimum age to retire. Well, I agree with that. Have you thought that people actually live longer and better today than 20 years ago? It's a question of sustainability!

And about the "drugs" issue, who still lives in Wonderland and thinks presidential hopefuls are superheroes with no flaws? Gosh....

Clinton folks are terrible. This argument of trying to use Mr Obama's race as the electability measuring yard is worse than Rush Limbaugh. This is a slap on the face to all people of color.

In essence what they are saying to tell people of color is, "PLEASE, YOUR RACE DISQUALIFIES YOU FROM THE WHITE HOUSE"

But unfortunately for them american people have rejected and abandoned them, no one's race is by choice.All humans are equal before God .

The Clintons should be reminded of this.I personally dont support Mr Obama bc we disagree on issues not bc of his race.The Clintons are running a campaign of personal DESTRUCTION.

Provided Clinton gets the nomination she will lose the general election woefully. She would've disenfranchised all people of color, destroyed Obama, driven away independents to Repblicans,angered young people, who's left? Defeat in '08. Quote me in '09.

It is sad that Hilary and bama are the only Dems getting any coverage. I am very concerned that neither one of them is electable. I am with the other 2 posters who think Edwards is the most viable Dem candidate. I would be all for either Edwards/Obama, or even Edwards/Clinton.

The response to Sen Obama's remark is simple. He can NEVER win the general election. The other candidates do not waant to say it because they will be accused of racial comments. Sen Obama will not win a single southern state therefore all the electoral votes are out. How then can he win the general election? The reality is that the polls are testing popular votes nationally and does not put the most important variable into consideration. That variable is electoral votes. It is much more important than the popular vote. Sen Clinton remains the only democratic candidates that can will Florida which was the state that stopped Kerry and Al Gore from winning the general election. Take a look at which candidates are winning the opposition in Pennsylvania, Ohio and most importantly Florida. Without Florida we have lost the two past elections. Sen Clinton puts Florida, Tennessee and Arkansas into our folds particularly Florida. Sen Obama puts none of these states into play. nada! You folks need to wake and do not let sentiment affect your judgement. Check your facts well. Sen Obama's negatives will go up eventually if he gets the nomination though i cannot predict if it will as high or higher than Sen Clinton but that is not really relevant becuase he cannot win the electoral votes as i have explained earlier. Do not be fooled, all the candidates know that and choose not to discuss it for the reason i explained above. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. The liberal media are only interested in seeing Sen Clinton lose because of their obsession to cut Bill Clinton to size (whatever the reason, i am not sure but i suspect it has to do with the moneymen behind the liberal media who had issues to grind with the former president). So the liberal media will prefer Sen Clinton lose even if it means the dems losing the generaal election. Can you explain why the liberal media refuse to pick on the planting of question by Obama volunteer recently or why they refuse to pick on the story he had infants making maximum donations ($2300) to his campaign? Maybe we should re-evaluate media story about Obama being raised by a single mother – is that really true? Why was he in Indonesia at an early age? with whom? who was his mother with? How did the single mother get to live in Indonesia? How was she able to afford private school education for Sen Obama while living in Hawaii? These are questions that will reveal some truths as soon as he gets the nomination. The conservative media will reveal those answers and keep it in the news unlike what the liberal media is doing now – burying the information. It is to the advantage of the conservatives that Obama gets the nomination and that's why they are not interested in keeping the story in the front burner for now. Support the candidate you want but there's only one truth. While Sen Clinton is not the only democratic party politician that can win the general election she's is the only one in the crop of the candidates at the moment that will win the general election. Remarks and reactions welcomed. Please be constructive.

How can anyone say that CNN promotes Hillary? Have you people ever watched Chris Matthews on CNN. He slices her up for a full 1 hour each and every night. Its discusting!
Posted By John Smith : December 21, 2007 1:09 pm

Umm, John, Chris Matthews is on MSNBC, not CNN.

Hillary Clinton is the most unelectable democrat possible in a general election- besides maybe Kucinich (but at least he has convictions.)

I am a democrat, hate Bush (in 00 and 04), and still would NEVER vote for Hillary.

She is a polarizing person with absolutely no experience except for her carpetbag term as senator.

She is, however, "ready to lead on day one" the democratic party straight over the abyss, by losing BIGTIME in November, while at the same time allienating the core idealists (vs corporate interests) in the party.

No more Clinton/Bush-> twenty years of ego driven dynasties are enough.

Change. Scary as it, America. Change.

I agree with you,
Obama is already 4% higher in stats then Hillary.
We NEED changes, and improvment,
VOTE 0BAMA 08'

I admire Obama for what he is trying to do and if he were the DEMS candidate I would vote for him. But the Republicans will play EXTRA dirty to keep power and I think Hillary Clinton is the best to take them on.
If you're a sunny optimist and believe that politics are good and fair and that people will vote for what's best for them then Obama is your guy.
If you think it's gonna be a nasty fight and you want to come out on top then Clinton is your best bet.

I know of many conservative Republican voters that are ready for a new type of politics. They are not only voting for Obama but are also campaigning and fundraising. These are thoughtful Americans that know we have to get rid of the same old same old and get inspired to come together.

This is comical. Obama has NO CHANCE of winning the electoral college in the general election. An Obama nomination is a guarantee of another Republican Whitehouse.

270towin

Posted By RealTexan : December 21, 2007 11:57 am

wow its seems hrcs attack dogs are back, well just so you know americans are sick of the status quo, hillary is unelactable, americans can relate to obama as he is neither black or white (seriously) he is highly educated and with more elected experience on his resume he know hows to win when the odds are against him, his meaage resonates with the average american youth, (who by the way are the future of this country) he connects with the average joe and the wealthy upper class, he intends to reach across party lines to have the best folks working for him, cha-ching i just donated to his campaign again...God bless America!

Robert, Oregon:

The question is simple and you never answered it. Even with your out-of-place scenario of using emergency exits with each landing, most people will still fly or not fly at all with the pilot who had 100 hours than the pilot with 10 hours who nobody knows if they will be alive to even use the emergency exit. Wise up. Do not be blinded by media barrage of negativity on Sen Clinton. Have you met her? Have you spoken with her for a minute or maybe 10 mins? How do you know Sen Obama? From the pages of liberal media? What do you really know about him? To put you in order, have you observed that 99.99% of the polls this week have shown Sen Clinton surging ahead? Where do you see the surge in the media? They are hiding and surpressing the fact. It does not take long for voters to discover the coverage is biased and tilted against her. If i could see it so will others as it continues. You are free to support whoever you choose but there is only one fact no matter what your opinion is – Sen Obama is the making of the media and doe not possess half of the qualities being hyped. Review all the debates and it is plain obvious he does not have what it takes to be a president. The liberal media are doing his work for him. Will it be enough for him to get the nomination? Maybe, Maybe not. But for sure he will NEVER be elected president. With the entire southern state out of his reach, which state did Kerry or Al Gore lose will he win. You folks are plain funny. The polls are looking at popular vote and not electoral vote. He will NEVER win Florida, the two state we had lost in two past elections and lost the election. Beware of the liberal media!!! They are just against Sen Clinton and do not care about the Democratic party, if we win or lose the general election. In summary, i am not interested in whoever you support, i am only asking to look very well before you leap. leave liberal media BS, they are most hit piece journalist. Whoever wins our primaries, i will support though i will prefer Sen Clinton to win because she's the only democratic candidate that can win Florida. My measure of electability is not popular vote but rather electoral votes.

Casual voters who want very badly to believe Bill Clinton was truly a great President will toss their votes to Hillary Clinton for the obvious reasons. Too bad for Clinton that there are too few casual voters. Barack is right and the voters will bear that out!

You know- each time I listen to Barack Obama answers- We can see there is something special about that man! He is so honest and that's so desperately needed in our next leader

You Clintonistas that keep calling Obama a cry baby: look at yourselves in the mirror.

You forget so quickly of Hillary's staged cry fest.

I would be on of the 47% that will never vote for Clinton. Ever.

I was a registered Republican for most of my adult life, but, starting with the present administration's meddling in the Terry Schiavo affair and continuing thereafter, have decided to vote this time for the best qualified candidates, regardless of party affiliation.

The problem I have, which is one I share with many other voters, is that none of the present candidates is worthy of holding office. So, that leaves me with the choice of either staying at home on Election Day, or voting for the best candidate out of a sorry lot of under-qualified people.

For this reason, I will vote for Obama. Hilary ("Hilarious") Clinton is strident and divisive. Republicans like Huckabee are downright frightening, and promise more of the same enthusiastic lunacy we've lived with for the past eight years. So, while Obama has but two years of experience, and none in the foreign policy arena, he is smart enough to grow into the job – and quickly.

It is unbelieveable that this nation cannot offer its citizens any better choices than this group of mediocre candidates.

Certainly people will continue to run after their dreams for President of the U.S. but this dream belongs to Senator Barack Obama...

Electability is really up for debate. I think that someone has a chance if they make a good show of it with good policies and charisma. That is most of the time; there are factors that will shoot down a candidate no matter how good they are in everything else.

I am waiting to hear about the Clinton's campaign to say how they are getting the negative numbers down of those that would never vote for her. I am also waiting to hear from the Obama campaign for more why people should believe that he and his limited executive experience is better than any of the Republicans who do have it (that would be Giulinai, Romney, or Huckabee).

Posted By S. B. Stein E.B. NJ : December 21, 2007 9:39 am

simple answer, he has some of the best political minds working for him, folks who once worked for bill clinton and have now defected to the obama camp, also he intends to reach across the aisle to some republicans to work for the common good of america, what more can you ask?

How can anyone say that CNN promotes Hillary? Have you people ever watched Chris Matthews on CNN. He slices her up for a full 1 hour each and every night. Its discusting!

Posted By Ray, Ogden UT : December 21, 2007 12:32 pm

^^^^ His post was right on the money. Couldn't agree more. Obama would make a fine president.

Ok I dont care what people say Barack Obama CANNOT win the General Election the Republicans will attack him worst than they did John Kerry in 2004. The Only way i see Barack Obama in the White House in 2009 is as Hillary Clinton's Vice President

thanks "progressive people"!!!!

whites,blacks,asians & hispanics.....

whether you are republican, independent or democratic!!!!!

i . like you am supporting OBAMA, because i am tired of the "EXPERIENCED POLITICO'S in WASH.,D.C."!!!!

"neo-con repukes & undemocratic demorats"!!!

who are "BOUGHT & PAID FOR BY LOBBYIST"!!!

I WANT MY GOVERNMENT BACK!!!!

NO DRAMA WITH OBAMA IN 2008!!!!

For the man who cries that Senator Clinton is throwing mud on him needs to stop smoking so much pot and remember he and Edwards are the ones who started mudslinging and get praise from the medis . When Senator Clinton responds all you Obama people start screeming foul. Is that what there going to screem about the Republicans FOUL. Come on Senator Obama is slaming Senator Clinton as much if not more . nHe is just a poor inexperienced little boy who needs to go back to Illinois and do the job he was elected to do. Not just vote Present but stand up for your believes do not hide behind the political curtain and then call foul when some one else does. Now what we need is the Democrats stand behind the sure thing. Clinton/Obama 2008. Obama 2016-2024

Experience? Barack has more years of service in elected office than Hillary. Maybe some will discount that fact because it included his years in the Illinois legislature, but he got out there on his own and learned the ropes. As Maureen Dowd recently pointed out, everything Hillary accomplished after getting into Yale Law School came about because of her marriage to Bill Clinton. It's a fascinating debate above about whether Hillary's years as first lady count as experience. Some people point out her failures and say they count against her. Others say the failures are a positive because she must have learned from them. But has she? What is the evidence that she has learned integrity, truthtelling, or an ability to embrace differences with respect and persuasive persistence? I haven't seen any. Michael Moore's movie "Sicko" has a devastating clip of Hillary testifying before Congress about her health care program. She was unbelievably arrogant and insulting when she should have been courting those who differed from her. I think that is the real Hillary, and her anger and hostility at what she perceived to be the right-wing conspiracy directed against her have only pushed her farther and farther out on a limb of divisiveness. It's time to break with that pattern and to choose a president who will sit down with difficult and challenging adversaries, to speak confidently and firmly about the differences in an honest effort to narrow them. This explains Hillary's and Barack's differences in foreign policy: he will speak with our enemies and she won't. There's little chance to turn enemies around by perpetuating the Bush-and-Clinton mindset.

John: It seems to me that you are willing to accept the lies and deception going on in the Hillery campaign. And it’s finding. Please keep them within the confines of the lies and deception department. I was once like you, until I began to dig for the truth myself. It wasn't hard to do either. With the use of the WWW, I was able to find the info needed to make a constructive decision. My advice to those willing to believe the unfounded truths on the net, dig a little deeper, before you come to these sites with the untruths, as they say! “The truth will set you free”.
OOOBBBAAAMMMAAA 000888!!!

I really have to wonder when people are going to let the issues of race and gender die. When you look at the issues themselves, their legislative records, and the way that they intend to handle issues, I think Obama's a great choice, and probably the most electable candidate in years.

He doesn't point to specific things he's done because that's bragging and I would abstain for yet another election if he did.

However, calling self-defense "mudslinging" or even implying that this is a direct attack on Hillary seems to fly in the face of reason. He could be talking about almost any of them, himself included, but the interesting part is that there are more who are anti-Clinton than there are anti-Obama. It has more to do with who's against than who's in favor of, particularly because the "who's in favor" vote is tied at the moment.

Obama's lack of experience in the White House is a great asset, in my opinion, because that means that he's less susceptible to the corrupt political structures that already exist. Barack Obama has shown great resilience in this regard.

Fox News (aka Faux Noise) lost my attention almost four years ago when my local station reported that a woman had gone missing and compared this twentysomething victim to kidnapping victim Elizabeth Smart. Ms. Smart came from a privileged background in a wealthy neighborhood and a crazy religious zealot took her at gunpoint. This woman's disappearance later turned out to be a murder, and they once again tried to compare her to Elizabeth Smart (who was returned alive and in reasonable physical health). I haven't trusted them since. Not to mention, Fox has consistently attacked Obama and tried to raise Clinton's standing, as though they're on her campaign. I'd trust Gallup before I'd trust Faux Noise, and I have serious questions about the capacity of Faux to be impartial.

As far as doing things differently, he has. However, he also has to do what's necessary to prevent the attempts at kneecapping. Taking the high ground isn't always an option. He would have learned that in debates in the Harvard School of Law.

I have no faith in the Clinton Administration. I voted them into office in 1992, but they did not earn my vote in 1996: I actually abstained. I also abstained in the 2000 and 2004 elections for the same reason. The question of electability is clear to be: Obama is not only electable, he's the first candidate in 4 elections I've felt is so.

Hillary supporters always talk about her EXPERIENCE and I must admit I've always tried to figure out why Hillary thinks she has all this experience.

Well now I know!!! It's because she's delusional!!

Hillary secretly believes she was president already!!! Don't believe me? Check her interview with Candy Crowly ,

http://ianschwartz.com/2007/11/07/video-hillary-when-im-president-again/

Or go to:

http://www.campaignnetwork.org/default.aspx

and select the video from her speech at Council Bluff Iowa with Bob Kerry and listen to her again make the statement. It occurs while she is talking about health care. These are just two instances, there are more.

Did I miss something?? When was she elected the first time?? These statement really concern me. Said once maybe you say ohh O.K., but repeatedly?? Sounds almost Nixonian

Why are CNN and the other MSM not talking about this?? HEY CANDY WHY AREN'T YOU????

You guys print in great detail this shameless plug from Bill but refuse to report statements made by Hillary which if made by any other candidate would be front page news for days, i.e. Kucinich and U.F.O's.

Well what planet was Hillary on when she became president the first time???

Hmmmmmm maybe thats why Bill thinks she such a genius. Must be where those 35 years of experience came from too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8lQmA7c2ko&feature=related

Barack Obama's got SOUL POWER!!!

Jeff, I agree with you.Having a pilot with more experience does make a huge difference. But if we look at it objectively, what good is a pilot who has a hundred hours of experience, if every time the pilot lands the passanger/s have to use the emergency exit? It is one thing to have experience, but it is another thing to have passion. All the experience in the world will not amount to a hill of beans, if the pilot does not have the passion to drive him or motivate him to fullfill his obligation with a sense of pride and decency. Therefore, the choice is obvious. Obama '08.

Obami is running scared now. Wasn't he the same guy claiming to win the election. what a loser.

Posted By john, NY,NY : December 21, 2007 9:56 am

No, Hillary is. Watch some political shows once and a while and everyone on them, but on CNN, will agree it seems Hillary trying to kill Obama's momentum and is so desparate she'll even give her support to John Edwards to stop Obama.

There is a reason Obama looks electable – he has not yet been slammed by the Republican party. If he got the nomination, the attacks would begin nonstop. Obama is either duplicitous or naive – or both – to ignore that political reality.

hillary failed health care reform in 1993. but what was obama doing at the time? oh thats right, he was a college professor. even in hillary's failures, the experience she gained still counts. i don't know if you're familiar with the concept "learning from your mistakes"

and John M., you're right that experience does not guarantee against making mistakes, as you pointed out with bush. but it does reduce the possibility of making mistakes, no matter what profession you're in. if you were flying across the ocean, would you rather do it with a pilot with 10 hours of flying experience, or one with 100? i think the answer's pretty obvious.

The head-to-head polls mean nothing. What is more telling about who is more electable or not is who fares better in the swings states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, etc. Remember, only 270 electoral votes are needed to win. Hillary does really well in these states against all the Repubs. These are states that Kerry lost by 15, 20 points. Obama, on the other hand, does HORRIBLY in these states, not only against the Repubs, but Hillary creams him too. This points to HUGE problems for him in the general. I am sorry, but if this guy is the nominee, democrats can kiss the White House good-bye. What are you Obama people thinking????????????

Why is it that John Edwards is frequently overlooked in the battle for press coverage between Obama and Clinton? Edwards is the most electable vs. all Republican candidates in polling by a large margin.

Hypothetically, if the republicans
could not vote for a republican, they
would vote for Obama, not Clinton.
Go figure!

Illinois’ disabled veterans are at “rock bottom” — “dead last” — in benefits and claims processing of applications for disability. But Illinois’ veterans take a back seat because their junior senator is running for president. And that senator, Barack Obama, has missed an astonishing number of hearings and meetings of the Senate Veterans committee. ... ..

But Obama has skipped 19 of 37 VA committee meetings in the 109th congress. Obama’s attendance record was the second worst of all Democrats on the committee. He attended just 18 of the committee’s 37 meetings in Washington D.C.

... .. On the campaign trail, Obama stresses the importance of providing “the best care” for veterans and their families: “Providing the best care for our service members, veterans and their families is one thing about this war we can still get right.”

* But Sen. Obama has continually skipped hearings on the veterans budget. Chairman Craig opened a hearing Obama missed and said, “we will consider today … legislation touching on veterans insurance, housing, burial, compensation, and employee benefits.” Obama also missed all four committee hearings in a series that focused on the President’s proposed 2007 budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ranking Senator Akaka noted during the hearings that “we must learn a lesson from last year’s budget crisis and do everything we can to ensure that veterans and their family members have access to health care and benefits they have earned.” (From the GPO on 6/23/05, 2/28/06, 3/2/06, 3/7/06, March 9, 2006.)
This guy needs to be vetted,I pray for all those Vets,while this man votes present on important issues..i went listen to her radio show on the web..very interesting
http://www.taylormarsh.com

He is absolutely right on this point.

He can get all Democrat votes, the majority of independents, and some Republicans who are not happy with their field of candidates (think its obvious that that is a pretty large group of folks right about now).

She would get most Democrat votes, probably less than half the independents (because independents vote for who they think will be the best president and not who they feel has the best chance of getting elected), and NOT A SINGLE Republican vote (if you don't get this by now you never will).

It's pretty straight forward logic from there.

Clinton says Obama is not electable.

Obama says – the polls show you are not correct.

How is Obama being negative?

Fact Obama has NEVER been negative, he's pointed out that Clinton's attacks are false. How is Obama being negative.

Fact. Obama gave detailed policy positions that show he is a vastly superior candidate to Clinton, that is why he has so much support.

Fact. CNN doesn't report detailed policy positions, it reports things that might be controversial and therefore gain attention.

Question: Do the American people prefer ignorance and partisanship to informed democracy? If you want information, go to the candidates' web sites and inform yourself. You WILL NOT get real information for the news media/entertainment industry.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!

This is comical. Obama has NO CHANCE of winning the electoral college in the general election. An Obama nomination is a guarantee of another Republican Whitehouse.

270towin

Obama has higher favorables.

Hillary has the highest unfavorables ever seen.

Obama has an added advantage because he won't be a senior citizen at the end of his first term the way Hillary would be if she won.

Face facts... The Babies aint got that much Boom left in 'em.

Time fer a new generation to take the helm.

Bottom line is Spud thinks Barack Obama is a good man who is aware of the enormous responsibility of the job before him.

Spud thinks he's trust-worthy.

Spud doesn't say that a lot about pols.

The GOPhers can only be trusted to lie.

(Spud makes an exception fer Ron Paul, of course)

Spud trusts Hill too.

Spud trusts Hill to continue the Free Trade Acts that Bill started and to continue the unfortunate trends toward increased privitisation and Big Box thinking. ie Politics as Usual.

Time fer the elctorate to unchain Barack Obama and let him loose on the ills that plague the country.

"Change, Nothing stays the same
http://www.youtube.com Hit the ground running"

Seniors don't even walk fast.

Barack will hit the ground and leave skid marks.

Obama '08.

Be Well.

" Barack Obama took direct aim Thursday night at Hillary Clinton’s claim that she is the most electable Democrat in the presidential field, telling a New Hampshire crowd that the argument that “is being pushed, by the way, by a candidate who starts off with a 47 percent disapproval ratings.”

That's right, Obama. You tell them!

One of the main reasons why Obama prosperity continues to grow is that the truly sentient Americans are demanding that adults take control of our government instead of kleptocrats who undermine all that America has stood for. There aren't many times when Americans come together and coalesce around a movement and an ideal. We need to embrace the opportunity and run with it as far as we can. Who knows, it may be the last time in our lifetimes that the chance comes, and don't we owe it to our children to show them that hope is a far more powerful force of change than fear? Obama is my choice....

No one is saying that Barack is the Second Coming, its just that no politician in our lifetime has energized and inspired people to CARE about making our government work the way it was invented to oh so long ago. He isn't perfect, nor should anyone expect him to be, but he's shown that his judgments far superior to those currently in charge as well as those supposedly keeping an eye on those in charge.

The USA Today/Gallup poll shows Obama and Clinton both at 32 percent. The week old CNN poll seems a bit out of whack or something. I know that this argument of Clintons that she is the most electable is wrong-headed. So many Democrats even dislike her, especially because of her dirty politics in this campaign, that they might not even vote for her. I'm getting there, as well, if she were the nominee. I would hope for a 3rd party candidate that I could look at realistically. She just says things like Bush, and hopes that by repeating them it sticks, but she has never convinced me that she could change people's minds about her. A "Likability Tour" doesn't help. When you have to have one of those at this late in the game, you know you are in trouble. It seems so phony.

Look at these two headlines from the CNN ticker posted the same day and try to tell me there isn’t a pro-Clinton bias at CNN:

Obama hits Clinton on electability

Clinton warns voters not to go light on foreign policy experience

The latest spin from the Clinton campaign is truly shocking to me. The whole line about there not being any "surprises" with her. That she is tested. I can't think of anything further from the truth. I live in NYC, and we all know that Bill hasn't suddenly turned into a saint in the last 8 years. We all know that on any day some new rumor (or truth!) could surface about him. I think what I dread most about the prospect of another Clinton Presidency, beyond that it will do nothing to heal the rift in this country between red and blue, is that we'll have to relive their familial psychodrama. For me personally, none of that really matters, but we lived through this before with the media and the republicans. As a democrat, I honestly can't believe we want to go through it again.

In my opinion, Edwards and Obama are almost running the same campaign except Obama rightly believes that bringing antagonists together to achieve change is better than trying to bludgeon them into acquiessence. Joe Biden is too valuable in the Senate and his experience and leadership there are irreplacable imo.

I hope you can see the energy and momemtum creating a wonderful synergy around Obama which has the capability of not only transfroming the White House but likely Congress as well. Personally I think the Democratic leadership should be shunned for lack of success and newer leaders chosen to replace the old guard. Once Obama, if he does, secures the nomination, going after the Democrats in Congress will be next on the agenda. We cannot stand the kind of feckless leadership we've seen this year, and if the "O-mentum" does bring a tsunami of change, what better time to clean house and start fresh than in 2009!

We're moving into a very new world, one in which countries from Brazil to South Africa to India and China are getting richer, stronger and prouder. For America to thrive, we will have to develop a much deeper, richer, more intuitive understanding of them and their peoples. There are many ways to attain this, but certainly being able to feel it in your bones is one powerful way. Trust me on this. As a Ph.D. in international relations, I know what I'm talking about.America needs someone who can resonate with other people right now. Obama has a universal upbringing...

This might sound like an argument about intangibles, but it's been embraced by hard-nosed businessmen. Fourteen CEOs of Fortune 100 companies are foreign-born, a number that has grown by leaps in the past decade. Some of these companies have explicitly said that they chose CEOs who could penetrate foreign cultures and markets. This understanding, mind you, comes not from extensive work experience in these countries. Executives like Vikram Pandit of Citigroup and Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo have spent most of their professional lives in the United States. But they have a powerful feel for the world beyond America.

I never thought I'd agree with Obama. I've spent my life acquiring formal expertise on foreign policy. I've got fancy degrees, have run research projects, taught in colleges and graduate schools, edited a foreign-affairs journal, advised politicians and businessmen, written columns and cover stories, and traveled hundreds of thousands of miles all over the world. I've never thought of my identity as any kind of qualification. I've never written an article that contains the phrase "As an Indian-American ..." or "As a person of color ..."

But when I think about what is truly distinctive about the way I look at the world, about the advantage that I may have over others in understanding foreign affairs, it is that I know what it means not to be an American. I know intimately the attraction, the repulsion, the hopes, the disappointments that the other 95 percent of humanity feels when thinking about this country. I know it because for a good part of my life, I wasn't an American. I was the outsider, growing up 8,000 miles away from the centers of power, being shaped by forces over which my country had no control.

Bottom line, He has all what is needed today as a president with foreign policy

Obama will not be elected President. America is not ready for a black President no matter how much Oprah tries to force that 'Obama is the one' down our throats. No Southern state will vote a majority for him. None. Do not kid yourselves into thinking something wonderful might happen and America is now color blind. Obama is not that powerful of a person. I actually find him boring and dull when I listen to his speeches. He also repackages everything Clinton, Dodd, Biden, Richardson and Edwards have put forth over the years.

All of the polls are just asking a question of a small group of people or they are online questions where a person could vote numerous times. They are not scientific.

The polls that say Obama is more electable is wishful thinking. The people that will actually vote, are not going to chose Obama in large percentages.

I also find it interesting that he can go negative and it's alright; where are all of Obama supporters who complained about Hillary??

Obama is just stating what the polls have shown all through this year's presidential campaign. If Hillary can with a straight face go up against Obama on experience, he can go up against her on electability.

Obama is stating only his opinion, he is stating the reality of polling. Hillary has the highest negative ratings of any Democratic candidate running for president. Instead of all the Obama-haters knocking him for pointing this out, the Hillary-supporters should be asking why does Hillary have high negative ratings? What can she do to improve her ratings?

Like it or not, most Americans have one or two major issues in the presidential campaign that is important to them. It is the likability factor that guides most American in their voting. If people feel comfortable that Obama is open, honest, and trustworthy, these traits will go a long way to becoming president. If you look at the past eight presidential elections and the "newbies" to the Presidency (i.e. Bill Clinton, GW Bush, & GH Bush), they won based on how well liked they were. Because if you take a look at their campaign stumps on policies and promises, they achieved only a small portion what they talked about during their campaigns.

Obama in '08!

Hillary's case is obvious and perfectly defensible. She's been involved in foreign policy for eight years in the White House (though in a sideways fashion as First Lady) and then seven years as a senator. Most of the Democratic Party's blue-chip foreign-policy advisers support her. Plus, she has Bill.

Obama's argument is about more than identity. He was intelligent and prescient about the costs of the Iraq War. But he says that his judgment was formed by his experience as a boy with a Kenyan father–and later an Indonesian stepfather–who spent four years growing up in Indonesia, and who lived in the multicultural swirl of Hawaii.

Well, well, look at that, Mr. Clean is not so shiny anymore. Typical Obama attack, strike then hide the hand that holds the stone and cry foul when Clinton defends herself.

Hey buddy, how about gathering under your belt some actual work experience before assuming that you're ready to lead the free world with just 2 years as a US senator?

The "Audacity of Hope", yeah more like the audacity to think that you're ready to be president. Too funny!!!

Let's count the challenges our new president will likely face: imminent recession, military exhaustion, war with no end-point in Iraq, nuclear threats, critical climate change, runaway immigration, inaccessible medical care, divided congress....Etc. Could someone please tell me, again: WHAT MAKES OBAMA QUALIFIED TO MANAGE THIS SET OF DIRE ISSUES ON THE WORLD-WIDE STAGE?? Hillary Clinton has proven, as a twice-elected Senator, that she is highly effective at reaching across the aisle to solve problems in a bi-partisan way. In a general election, her record, intelligence, and knowledge will be an effective antidote to whichever Replublican she faces. Obama going head-to-head in a general election? That is a SCARY THOUGHT.

I picked Webb as Obama's ideal running mate months ago. Both aren't beholden to the Democratic Party, and both are united in making government work for us instead of against us. Webb adds his impressive credentials in the foreign policy area, and in my opinion puts most of the South into play.

All indicators are pointing toward an Obama landslide in the general election if the Democratic base doesn't let the fearmongering of the Clintonistas keep them from playing the best hand we've had in many generations. As mentioned above, here's just another anecdote to add to the scores that have come before it:

America will not vote for a black man for President. If Obama gets the nomination, the South will not vote for him.

All of the polls about who is more electable is theory and not fact. At one point a majority of the voters in Tennessee said they'd vote for Harold Ford, but once they got into the voting booth, they did not.

The same thing will happen with Obama.

Poll: Obama More Electable Than Clinton

The new Gallup poll finds that Barack Obama would be a stronger Democratic nominee than Hillary Clinton. Either of them could win when matched up against three top Republicans, but Obama has stronger margins and is above 50% support for himself in all three cases:

A little primer on Iowa caucus reality versus the crap you read from the poll. I will be caucusing for Biden he has alot more experience than Hillary and he will probably not have enough supporters to get a delegate to the county convention so i will go to the quorum of the candidate who will give one of us a seat at the county convention taking as many of Biden's supporters as I can with me.
This is true politics and democracy folks. You meet with the people you see every day and you discuss issues and choose who you will support. It is based on reality and not some hate advertisment you watched before heading to the polling station and therefore it is nearly impossible to get a reading on true candidate support. PS. My home phone is turned off for a month before the caucuses.

There have been a lot of misleading tactics and tricks in the last few weeks, but we've just never seen anything like this before. Either they are trying to trick people, or they've realized that on health care, John Edwards is the candidate who speaks honestly about what it really costs and what will be required to have truly universal coverage. He has led the debate on health care with the strongest, boldest plan that covers everyone and is paid for by repealing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy.

It's fine to have an honest debate about policy, but Iowans deserve better than planted questions and campaign fliers designed to fool them from Clintons political machines.

Dirty tricks time

This is about the time when you'd expect the volume of curious telephone calls and negative mail to start ramping up in Iowa, with a final wave coming in the days before the caucus, when it's too late for backlash.

And sure enough, the first (mild) wave appears to be on its way.

CNN is reporting negatives on Obama when he remind voters why they should elect him and reporting fluff with the clintons. We need balanced reporting!

"Obama talk's about Hillary Clinton's
negative number's and yet he has to
go negative to try to gain ground on
her.
If he get's the nomination, ha ha, look
for 4 to 8 more year's of a Republication White House, people would
be stupid to put a Negative Child in
charge of this country."
-Rick, Maryland

Do you know how to use an apostrophe? What is a Negative Child? And why did you capitalize it?

These message boards are a shrine to illiteracy.

Beware of Hill Clintons Internet Thugs on major political sites. They are all over the web spewing attacks and intimidating folks. Its scary

& For Heavens sake what experience does Hillary Clinton Have? She claims 35 years of experience doing what? Being Bill's "perfect" wife for 10 years as 1st lady of Arkansas, his "perfect" wife in the white house for another 8.

If this is experiences, America brace your self for LAURA BUSH 2012, Chelsea Clinton 2020

LAURA BUSH's Qualification:

1. Bush 41's Daugther in law......10yrs experience

2. First Lady of Texas...... 8yrs of experience

3. 1st lady to Bush 43.......8yrs

Boy, years and years of experience and she's even nicer.

HILLARY AMERICANS ARE ALLERGIC TO BULL

"so what serious stuff did obama say? poor obama, he says serious things and folks are only thinking, gosh, how does his ass look like? the "serious stuff"? is the news.their style of delivery is known to everyone. we the readers deserve to get more for our buck!"
-Barbara, Lowell MA

Could somebody please tell me what the hell this comment is supposed to mean? Is this written in the secret language that twins use to speak to each other?

Clinton, Nedra Pickler reports, reworks her stump speech to question Obama's experience:

It is tempting any time things seem quieter for a minute on the international front to think that we don't need a president who is up to speed on foreign affairs and military matters," Clinton said.

"Well, that's the kind of logic that got us George Bush in the first place," she said to laughter from her friendly audience at a high school auditorium. "Experience in foreign affairs is critical for ending the war in Iraq, averting war in Iran, negotiating a Middle East peace and dealing with North Korea."

And Obama spokesman Bill Burton plays what the campaign still thinks is their trump card: Iraq to draw contrast.

While Senator Clinton takes a break from her ‘likeability tour’ to go back on the attack, Senator Obama, the only major candidate who opposed both the Iraq war and the rush to war in Iran, will continue to demonstrate why he has the judgment to turn the page on the Bush-Cheney foreign policy.

So is this hitting on Hillary?

I was an Obama supporter but now he is my hero. Hillary unites the Republican party, while dividing America over a continuation of the Bush/Clinton dynasty.

Obama has the best combination of intellect, character, judgment and natural ability that can bring people together to change the status quo and move our country forward and out of the ditch we are in.

Claiming the high ground

Obama's campaign, also, seems to have noticed that he's the only one in Iowa without a 527.

From the latest faux-informal fundraising e-mail to supporters:

Right now groups supporting Hillary Clinton and John Edwards are flooding Iowa and the other early states with millions of dollars in paid ads, phone calls, and mailings.

Some of it is negative and even deceptive, and a lot of it is paid for by huge, unregulated contributions from special interests.

Taking on these groups isn't just a matter of setting the record straight about me or my positions.

It's about proving that a new kind of campaign — funded by ordinary people who want something better for all of us — can defeat the same tired, old political textbook that so many Americans just don't trust anymore.

One (perhaps minor, because it's not in Iowa, and not doing negative media) impediment to this argument: The pro-Obama group Vote Hope in California.

Obama is drawing contrast no hitting on Hillary!

I'm so sick of people calling Obama a hypocrite for responding to the negative attacks Hillary puts forth. As he has essentially said, the "politics of hope" does not mean laying down and playing dead while your opponent attempts to smear you with propaganda and factually-skewed allegations.

I'm VERY GLAD Obama pointed out Hillary's EXTREMELY HIGH disapproval ratings. She is a very polarizing individual about whom many have strong negative opinions about. I was driving the other day and saw a "Anyone but Hillary" bumper sticker. Though I don't echo the sentiment that "anyone" would be better that Hillary, it is a reminder of just how unlikeable she is to many people.

Wake up everybody, nominating Hillary is GIVING THE ELECTION TO THE REPUBLICANS. I firmly believe that Obama is a uniter who is able to transcend race, which is TRULY the only question mark on his electability. Of course, Hillary won't explicitly SAY that, but this is exactly what she's trying to plant in peoples minds. Disgusting

Hillary's poll numbers go down. That's what happened in the early primary states and that's what will happen in the rest of the nation.

...who has not run in a national campaign before. HRC is a none quantity. For most of the other candidates, all the public knows is what they have been telling about themselves. There is not much they can tells us about HRC that will move her numbers in either direction. Most of the others have nowhere to go but down.
CNN has been having a tough time getting negative comments about Obama because there is no much to pick on....

If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, by golly I think it’s a duck. Obama sounds a lot like a Republican. It is becoming clearer and clearer each day that voting for Hillary just makes more sense. What Hillary said about Obama, and his lack of foreign policy experience, is fair and just. Instead of challenging her assessment Obama is doing exactly what the right wingers do when they can’t win on the issues; they appeal to peoples emotions. Obama is being demagogic.

Emperor Bush is the right wing’s life buoy. If he didn’t have that veto power public opinion of the Democrats would be significantly different today. Likewise, if the right wing haters, liars and demagogues were not in Hillary’s grill for 15 years she’d be far ahead of her rivals in the polls.

Americans will choose Hillary because Americans are tired of the politics and the pettiness. The eight years under Bill Clinton were the best 8 years in the history of America. We can’t deny this. Twenty-two million jobs were created and poverty was in the fastest decline. Why do you think Alan Greenspan called Bill a clever chameleon? He didn’t get the name for nothing. Obama doesn’t have anything on the Clintons. Obama has charm, yes. He speaks well and he’s got deep campaign pockets. All of that should not be a part of the job description for president. We are looking for an effective LEADER; one that will make policies that will bring forth the CHANGE WE NEED.

Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate, the most experienced candidate and she’s READY TO LEAD ON DAY ONE.

In case you missed it, not only is Gallup showing that Obama easily beats all Republican contenders, Zogby released an identical result yesterday, so no matter how much CNN promotes Hillary, the people are once again proving that they are smarter.

As polarizing as Hillary can...win?

I hate the media!

Hillary Clinton has far too many negatives too many negatives to win the general election. People need to wake up and realize what we need right now to win this thing is Barack Obama.

Gotta be honest, I am a sinner – I hate George W Bush. However, my hatred, distrust, stomach-turning feelings regarding W is NOTHING compared to the hatred, distrust, spit-spewing feelings that my Republican friends, neighbors and inlaws have for the Clinton name. Nothing.

HRC promises nothing but the continued hatred that separates our families, our Congress, our nation and this world. No to Hillary, I don't support a divider. Obama, I see as a uniter, and maybe my inlaws favoring me again.

That's absurd - recent polls from red states like Kansas show Hillary is very competitive, which should assuage any doubt people have of her electability.

Throughout the speech, Obama sought to contrast the political deadlock in Washington and what Hillary has and doesn't with his belief that the country is ready to find a new governing paradigm. "There has always been a generation who stepped up and said 'yes we can,'" said Obama. "Today is our time."

Obama is not Hitting hillary what Cnn want us to think, he has kept his focus on issues. That is why I a voting for him..

Obama talk's about Hillary Clinton's
negative number's and yet he has to
go negative to try to gain ground on
her.
If he get's the nomination, ha ha, look
for 4 to 8 more year's of a Republication White House, people would
be stupid to put a Negative Child in
charge of this country.

So, Rebecca, do you work for the Clintons and not for a sorta non biased paper?
Your constant cheerleading for Clinton leads to read your column less and less as I cannot trust what I'm reading is actual unbiased commentary or if it more licking of Hillary's boots.
Careful, cause being a clintonista may not work out so well for you when Obama is up there in Jan. 09 taking the oath of office.

It's about time. Democrats really need to pay attention. Clinton will not bring the country together and a general election campaign between her and any of the Republicans will be one of the more polarizing in the nations history.

I wonder if videos of these speeches will be up on youtube so people can draw their own conclusions. Obama doesn't tend to pepper his talks with canned applause lines, and he has a sober, calm demeanor. If the "old rules" of politics were still in full force, it would be a poor speaking style. But I don't think those rules hold any more after the spin control and stupidity put out by this administration and the media. A large bloc of people, particularly younger people, want something more direct, genuine, and intelligent.

It's good to hear that Hillary is acting more "feisty." The competition is good for her. Maybe someday she'll even say something that hasn't been carefully focus-grouped first.

Mr. Obama:

Where have you been, George Bush has stood in front of the American people with no experience and basically left us without a voice and he was elected for a second term by the same people who may not find Hillary electable.

Hillary is very electable and if she becomes the nominee, the American people will have a choice between a Republican and Democrat. Luckily for the Democrats the economy is in dire need of a boost and it will be the Democrats that people trust with regaining a balanced budget and helping the working middle class and poor.

It bothers me Mr. Obama as a minority that you have allowed your advisors to brainwash you into believeing this electability issue. But that's why I am not voting for you because your inexperience will make you a PUPPET for the people you hire to tell you in selective facts, what you should do and think.

I think one of the interesting things to watch going forward is how Cnn end up catching up with Obama's campaign. Although they know he is the most electable and motivates alot of people, in many cases it appears that Obama is actually just like Chris describes: serious, calm, often somewhat casual.

Of course, that has generally worked for Obama–people often seem to get the impression that he is serious, thoughtful, sincere, not talking down to them, and not trying to pander. But as I noted, it will be interesting to see if people like Chris try to hold him to a different set of expectations.

Not that I expect it to matter–by the time they are voting people will undoubtedly end up seeing enough of Obama to form their own opinions, for good or ill.

Double Digit lead? According to a new USA Today/Gallup poll Hillary and Obama are locked in a dead heat in New Hampshire, 32% each.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4036890&page=1

Hey CNN, if you are going to report on poll numbers please use the latest:

WASHINGTON – Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are locked in a dead heat among New Hampshire voters ahead of the state's primary contest next month, according to a USA Today/Gallup Poll released on Friday.

Clinton, a New York senator and former first lady, and Obama, an Illinois senator, are tied at 32 percent, with former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards at 18 percent, according to the poll.

I never understood how any Hillary supporter could say she was more electable with a straight face. Hillary is Bill with all the baggage and without the charisma and lacking some of the intelligence. Her campaign is difficult to understand (experienced change) and she claims experience just from being married. She offers no proof of her white house activities, but we know she had no formal position and was not accountable to anyone.
She is condescending and a lot of people will show up just to vote against her.

To Barbara in lowell,ma
Rebecca journalistic idol is Matt Drudge.

What did you expect? The days of serious news is over. Gossip, low brow, third grade level news rule the WPost, network news and cable news.

Ha Ha so Obama thinks he has a better chance? The more I read about Obama the more I am amazed that people support him. Go figure. Clinton 08

Obama and Clinton were tied in the Granite State, but the New York senator has opened up a double-digit lead among primary voters there in the latest CNN poll,

It has become apparant that CNN is a Clinton Backer. What else explains the other ooficial polls saying thier tied but only CNN's showing Hillary ahead.

so what serious stuff did obama say? poor obama, he says serious things and folks are only thinking, gosh, how does his ass look like? the "serious stuff"? is the news.their style of delivery is known to everyone. we the readers deserve to get more for our buck!

In anticipation of the hundreds of pro-Obama/anti-Clinton statements that will undoubtedly follow, I would just like to point out a general election poll, at this stage, can hardly be considered telling of how things would play out in the actual general election. Obama has not really been vetted very much. He has been the media's golden boy, and has gotten very little negative press, sans the few not particularly damaging attacks from other democratic candidates. If Obama were the nominee, the kinds of attacks launched by the Republicans would, in all likelihood, destroy him. The figures he's touting, at least at this stage in the game, aren't really what matter. Flame on.

FINALLY! Obama is stating the obvious.

Hillary is "electable"? In order to win the presidency, the democrtatic candidate will have to win over people who actually voted for George Bush in 2004. These are not liberals, not "blue state" activists, and certainly not people who like or will ever vote for Hillary Clinton.

With her monstrous machine and Big Bill and all the money working at full capacity, it looks like she can barely win Iowa. And even more alarming, the more that these early-voting primary states see of her, the less they like her- in every state!

She has no chance in November. It will be worse than Dukakis. Against someone like McCain (especially after striking this "experience is everything" mantra in the primaries), she'll be luck to get 35% of the popular vote.

Please, people: jump of the Clinton ship-> it will never float and smells like rats anyway.

i heard some of what clinton said on the news on my way home. platitudes, platitudes, delivered in that nasal whine which sets my teeth on edge. she seems to research the probable reaction to everything before she says it, and then says it – bleats it – using the wording and emphasis determined by her advisors to appeal to the broadest cross section of voters. fake, fake, fake.

Give me Obama anytime!

Obama is perfectly right about this issue. It like a killer telling people to be fearful of a peaceful and harmless preacher. Hillary if you don't know, 50% of the country say NO to YOU and any BUSH family! If don't agree, see what will happen to you Jan. 3. We are here to show you what democracy means. Do you remember what happens to Chavez–the great dictator–he lost to DEMOCRACY.

I didn't think it there was much of any analysis here between the two candidates by Rebecca. Opps! This is news reporting.

CNN has become the new National Enquirer of the gasbag pundits. Haven't you had ENOUGH of this media-genereated and very silly "Clinton-Obama" fight? Can't you lazy talking heads focus on substance for a change instead of pettiness all the time????

Gosh, I'm so sick and tired of the stupid Maureen Dowd type catty attitude that is infesting the the media.

Obama is pulling a trick from the republican playbook, by emphasing the opponent's few negatives rather than her most positives.

The negative is from the biased position of obama supporters and the republicans.

Based on Obama's logic, should we vote for senator Biden, because of few voters' negative view of him?

Hillary's cup is half full, not half empty. The bottom lines is that Hillary received the most votes (more than Obama) from dem voters in the rating of: experience, qualifcations, leadership qualities, hardworking, electability, etc.

The most recent dec 19 national poll from Fox News shows Hillary is ahead of Obama by 29 points (49 vs 20). And, the early state polls show that Hillary is improving her standings there. If she wins Iowa, Obama and Edwards can start packing.

Obama is not electable because: his inexperience, his poor senate attendance and voting records, his blackness, his personal flaws, his muslim background, his flip-flopps, etc.

All this brouhaha from a Gallup Poll? What about the Fox News Poll that puts Hillary on top?

Somehow, B. Obama is beginning to sound like B. Clinton.

As John Edwards pointed out in his appearance on Hardball this week, he beats all GOP candidates in head-to-head polls and he does it consistently. _That's_ electability.

Like Seinfeld, Obama is a man about "nothing." If you read through his comments every day you think, "what did he just say?" His words on the campaign trail don't point to specific things he's done, they don't run down his qualifications, they don't talk about a track record.

What has he done that compares with Rudy Guiliani reducing crime in NYC by over 50 percent? What has Obama done that shows a willingness to cut taxes? What has he done that compares with Mitt Romney's taking the SLC Olympics organization out of the red?

Obama hasn't run anything. Not only is the Senate a bad place to train for the Presidency, but Obama is a junior Senator.

Obama has no room to talk on "high negatives." As he becomes better known, his have started to grow. I'm one voter who used to like him; now I find him dishonest and his policy positions very weak. And, CNN, could we focus on those for once?

What Obama is relying on is national polls pitting him and Hillary head to head versus the various GOP candidates. What he is not looking at is the state by state polls which we all now really matter and in this area Hillary IS doing better.

He is right and why in the hell are all these people blind to it. She is a machine and will not b abl to do anything except for her money friends. Hey is Magic going to sleep over at the White House? Why not invite a low unemployed worked to stay over?

Obama is rudiculous, No to Obama, he is the least electable in a country dealing with racial relations.

Hillary Clinton may be the average republican's biggest fear (because some of them really believe she is the devil incarnate after listening to years of republican propaganda on hate radio).
But Republican leaders know that this means that Hillary Clinton is their ticket to again keeping the White House for another years more of republican control. When you are running against the "devil" (as they believe), they can easily unite their party and have almost half the country intensely motivated to vote against her.
Having Hillary Clinton as the nominee will allow the democrats to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory (again). Also, it will limit or perhaps reverse democratic gains in congress and we can continue the wonderful "progress" our nation has had with undivided republican rule. LOL

I like Obama but it is John Edwards that fares the best against all the republican candidates. I think an Edwards/Obama ticket would be great for America and nearly impossible to defeat

That's right! Hillary's negatives are higher than those who say they'll vote for her...where's the electability?

BTW- the latest USA/GALLUP poll has the NH race in a tie...

We know how much the Clinton News Network supports Hillary, but try to keep your bias less flagrant.

Oh, he's not going to name names? How terribly "decent" and coy of him. Obama is in the ring with the big guns, and he'd better start playing the game with honesty and straightforwardness and lay off the whining. I think he's way too thin-skinned to survive a REALLY tough campaign. If, by some miracle, he becomes the Democratic candidate, the Republicans will rip him to shreds. He won't be able to keep crying and asking his supporters for more money because people are saying bad things about him. This arena is no place for a crybaby.

Mr. Obama stakes his campaign on the idea that he will do things differently than what politicians typically do in Washington. But instead of simply sticking to his own "new" ideas, he's trying the "old Washington" tactic of pointing out his opponent's weaknesses. Where's the "politics of hope" in that? I was hoping Mr. Obama wasn't like every other politician, but this shows that he's no better than the others.

TO TELL THE TRUTH ANYONE OF THE TOP CANIDATES ARE ELECTABLE BOTH ON DEMS AND REPUBLICAN SIDE NO ONE CANIDATE CAN TELL US THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHICH ONE OF THEM ARE MORE ELECTABLE THAN THE OTHER THAT IS UP TO THE AMERICAN VOTERS TO DECIDE SO MRS. CLINTON NEED TO STICK TO TELLING US HOW SHE PLANS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS FACE LIKE BARACK OBAMA HAS BEEN DOING THROUGH OUT HIS CAMPAIGN!

....and my Mommy and Daddy are the very, very, very best Mommy and Daddy in the whole wide world...and don't you say dfferent.

Obami is running scared now. Wasn't he the same guy claiming to win the election. what a loser.

please Obama don't insult us on that. There is more of question about your electbility.

The truth is in the Pudding, Hillary they like him more than you. Can YOU blame them?

so.... she has a 53% approval rate.....that's more than what got Bush elected....

it's amazing how someone with a message based on the "audacity of hope" quote ONLY the negative side of an otherwise possitive rating....talk about audacity!!!!!

right on tell them like it is

Clinton is definitely less electable than Obama. For some irrational reason, Conservatives and even Republian-leaning moderates HATE Hillary Clinton on a primal, instinctual level. I don't understand it, but it's true.

Meanwhile, while I think Obama's "changing the rules of Washington politics" rhetoric is complete b.s., he brings out a much more positive response from Republicans and independants. He might even be more liberal than Hillary, but he still does not generate that kind of ire from the right. I've even heard a few Republicans tell me they would consider voting for him.

Hillary will seriously struggle to win the general election, no matter what the polls say. If he's assertive and aggressive, Obama will win it in a walk.

But I'm still voting for Kucinich.

I am a store Manager for a multi billion dollar electronics company and we have a saying that the fresher the face the better at sales. The fresh ones do not have the built in blockers that stop them from doing their job as the more experienced tend to. In the same way Obama stole my vote away from everybody else that is running for the presidency. He inspires me and hopefully can bring about some change.

Good for Obama, he needs to swing back at the Clinton camp.

I'm tired of Bushes and Clintons running this country, and anybody who says Obama isn't experienced enough is un-informed – he was a State Senator in the Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years, plus his time in Washington equates to more time as a public servant then Hillary – America is ready.

A simple formula will suffice: Hubert Humphrey is John Kerry is Hillary Clinton. New York and California are not the only two states in the union.Whereas Obama will secure swing Republican votes and Independents,Clinton will not. All the recent palaver about the legacy and scope of former President Clinton's administration and the "experience" of Senator Clinton have become numbing and irrelevant. Why go back when we can go forward?

WE SUPPORT HILLARY IN 2008

She's the only one who can "roll up her sleeves and clean up the mess" left by the GOP — NOT dreamer boy!!

Or vote Biden or Richardson b/c heaven help our country if the newbie gets elected – who isn't even wise enough to realize what he DOESN'T KNOW yet; let alone play pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey in the Oval Office –> He clearly could have waited until 2012 or 2016. He's only 47, but he's such a baby that he's demanding to be King now Sadly the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Senator Obama is certainly NOT!! AND Oprah should stick with her own life and hawking her Book Club (which she can't even get right all the time either).

Senator Obama wants to raise the minimum age to receive maximum Social Security benefits! How much longer will our parents and elders have to wait to retire? And how much longer will we have to wait for our turn?

NO MORE having to explain to our children – why it's (NOT) OKAY for the President Of Our Nation to do drugs!!! It's time to take back our country and make America proud again.

JUST SAY NO – TO OBAMA IN '08

NO MORE EXCUSES AMERICA!!!

Obama, this country was founded on dirty camgains, SO GO GET HER.
I think you have what it takes, to show America what she is really like.
OBAMA 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obama is just a Cry Baby. He knows pretty well he does not have the experience required to lead a world power like the USA. Now he is gone into Scare Mongering. C'mon dude, talk issues. Is the sky falling over you yet?

Go Hillary....08

CNN: do you know the difference between an "attack" and pointing out factual information about differences? An "attack" to me is when someone states things that a few days later they have to apologize for. Senator Obama is answering the issue of electability with facts that have been borne out in polls for months now. Half the country has consistently said they would not vote for her under any circumstances. Many polls have consistently shown Senator Obama doing better against any of the Republican candidates than Mrs. Clinton. Electability is touted by some of the media and Senator Obama answers that. As far as I am concerned the title of this should be "CNN attacks".

Electability is really up for debate. I think that someone has a chance if they make a good show of it with good policies and charisma. That is most of the time; there are factors that will shoot down a candidate no matter how good they are in everything else.

I am waiting to hear about the Clinton's campaign to say how they are getting the negative numbers down of those that would never vote for her. I am also waiting to hear from the Obama campaign for more why people should believe that he and his limited executive experience is better than any of the Republicans who do have it (that would be Giulinai, Romney, or Huckabee).

Please reflect on the following quotes:

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

— Abraham Lincoln

"The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone; but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman. The power which the strong have over the weak, the magistrate over the employed, the educated over the unlettered, the experienced over the confiding, even the clever over the silly; the forbearing and inoffensive use of all this power and authority, or the total abstinence from it, when the case admits it, will show the gentleman in a plain light. The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He can only forgive; he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which imparts sufficient strength to let the past be put the past."

— General Robert E. Lee

Obama is a true gentleman and leader of character. Believe that there are a lot of nasty things out there Hilary Clinton can be attacked on. Yet, Obama, true to his character, has chosen to take the higher moral ground, engaging Clinton on issues, instead of wrestling in the mud with Hilary. He has the ability and power to call Bill and Hilary Clinton character (a target rich environment given their well known history of scandals) into question –and rightly so– but he chose not to. Now, tell me that this is not some extraordinary display of restraint.

On the opposite, by using racial and religious prejudice to attack a gentleman requesting nothing but the honor to save his country, Hilary demonstrates that she is beneath the dignity of the Office of the Presidency of the United States of America.

It's time to bring leadership with character, dignity, and honor back to the White House. Hilary and Bill's history demonstrate that they are not in a position to deliver on this.

Seems America's allies are concerned about Senator Obama's EXPERIENCE or lack thereof too!!!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article3080794.ece

'Stay-at-home' Barack Obama comes under fire for a lack of foreign experience:

"Mr Obama had failed to convene a single policy meeting of the Senate European subcommittee, of which he is chairman. There was also strikingly robust criticism from an independent Washington think-tank about a "disconcerting void" over transatlantic relations in Mr Obama's foreign policy, as well as from a former British Minister for Europe."

"A spokesman said that Mr Obama had held European subcommittee hearings on the nomination of two US ambassadors in the past year when he had been busy with his presidential campaign."

"But Steve Clemons, the director of foreign policy at the New American Foundation in Washington, said that such hearings were not the same as convening full meetings on pressing policy issues such as the future of Nato. "Someone who is seeking the presidency should have some facility for the most important anchor in global affairs, which is the transatlantic relationship," he said. "The major threats in the 21st century are changing but what is not changing is the vital necessity of Europe and the US collaborating in meeting those challenges with Europe, for instance, in the lead on dealing with Iran. This is a very disconcerting void in Obama's profile."

"Denis MacShane, a Minister for Europe in Mr Blair's Government, said he had been troubled by comments Mr Obama had made on the Middle East peace process and the prospect of military action in Pakistan. He added: "A lot of people are concerned that international policy is not his strongest suit, just as it was not with George Bush in 2000."

Oh well, we don't need Great Britain anyway - everyone knows they're just extra baggage in Iraq. What I want to know "Is Senator Obama Smarter than a 5th Grader" and can he find North Korea on the map

Not to worry though, that's where all those former President Clinton's staff come in Sure it's called "On-the-Job Training"

Thats the pot calling the kettle black. Hey Obam–in case you haven't noticed, you're not stirring much among established independent voters!!

The only electable candidate we've got in the Democratic party is John Edwards. Our party, and America in general is ready for some fresh ideas. And many of those middle class and poor voters who hung their hopes on the Republican plans for the economy and their fortunes–have been let down and sre seeking a candidate with the genuine passion to put them at the bargaining table with the power circles in Washington. He's the only truly electable candidate of either party. All others promis us just more of the same–under new management.

No, No to any Dem. They are the spending party, they are the cut and run party. They are the feel good party. The majority of us are reaching in the bottom of our wallets now and no end in site. Hillary does have gov experence for sure. But, Bill will be running the US. Whom ever closes our borders to the Illegals and that means all Illegals gets my vote.

Amen Obama-

There is a large percentage of people in this country that really dislike her. They will never vote for her.

If the dems want to lose the Whitehouse AGAIN, go and elect her in the primary.

I think many dems are backing her as an "up yours to R's", but the truth is that will only end up ensuring an R's taking of the Whitehouse.

Don't be stupid. Vote for either Edwards/Obama/Biden and the whitehouse is D controlled.

Merry Christmas Hillary

The TRUTH shall set America free (and ensure the lying, deceptive Clinton doesn't take the WhiteHouse)!

I'm glad that Obama is no longer taking potshots from Clinton. He has to respond to some of her inane "criticisms"!

Who really give a rats butt weather he took a hit of coke when he was a teenager. "He who is without sin cast the first stone. At least he didn't cheat on his wife with an intern. Bill can't wait to revisit the White House so he can inhale.

I'm sick of Clinton supporters saying things without any evidence to back them up.

Eg: "Obama can't win. American won't elect a black person."

Perhaps the Democratic party should set up a "Racist Outreach Committee" if you follow that sort of logic.