tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post5667618254861294816..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: American Election Reader SurveyIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-251027643751935622007-12-19T07:02:00.000+00:002007-12-19T07:02:00.000+00:00Verity - am I deluded or are you in denial?:)Verity - am I deluded or are you in denial?<BR/><BR/>:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-87884175700010549012007-12-19T00:40:00.000+00:002007-12-19T00:40:00.000+00:00Sea Shanty - Thanks for your reading, but I still ...Sea Shanty - Thanks for your reading, but I still think you're off base about Obama. Of course, I'm not there, and you may well be right that middle class and rich black people will support him. I can see the reasoning.<BR/><BR/>Yet this is a dangerous man. Way, way over-ambitious in an unrealistic sort of way. The man has zero experience and he thinks that others will make him the most important person in the world. I sincerely hope you are wrong. He hasn't even been a one-term governor. He's a fresher senator, for God's sake! He's done nothing!<BR/><BR/>He's not even a black (50% white) American in the traditional sense. His family weren't taken by Arab traders as slaves; he isn't involved in the unique strand of American history that is the black slave civilisation. His family had nothing to do with developing the underground railroad in the late 19th Century and preparing for the day black people would be free citizens. His family history is not woven into the society of what black slaves achieved through their own efforts, which is extraordinary.<BR/><BR/>I don't like the guy and he makes my hackles rise.<BR/><BR/>(At least FDR had served four years as the Governor of a populous and difficult state. John Kennedy, of course, had no background except his Daddy's ambition. I'm glad the toxic stream of the Kennedys is almost out of American politics. Do you realise that more people died in Ted Kennedy's car than died in Three Mile Island? I wonder why Jane Fonda never made a movie about Teddy Kennedy's car.) <BR/><BR/>I am sorry to hear that professional class and rich black voters may go for Obama because they are the smart ones and should be able to spot a phony. And suspect they can.<BR/><BR/>This is a dangerous invidual. Much more toxic than Keith Ellison, although they're in the same stream.<BR/><BR/>Our one hope, the boy from Hope. Unlike you, I think he has the ability to stay focussed and these two are a tight team. Hillary for the Dems.<BR/><BR/>If Obama, by some bizarre quirk, got it, the Dems have lost. He has CHANCER written all over his face. Let's hope he gets the nomination and a Rep sails in.<BR/><BR/>Canvas writes above: "Obama is the US version of David Cameron." That is one of the most delusional things I have ever read on the internet. And that's going it some.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-34037535832055674592007-12-18T23:04:00.000+00:002007-12-18T23:04:00.000+00:00Why is the (ridiculously useless on Newsnight just...Why is the (ridiculously useless on Newsnight just now) Clegg advertising for members at the bottom of this post?<BR/><BR/>Whatever would the Maidstone Association say?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-29216425627660985872007-12-18T21:34:00.000+00:002007-12-18T21:34:00.000+00:00OK, here is what Ron Paul is reported as saying t...OK, here is what Ron Paul is reported as saying today by LGF:<BR/><BR/>"In a rare campaign appearance in Iowa, Congressman Ron Paul said going to war with Iraq was ‘one of the worst things’ the country has done under the rule of President George W. Bush. <BR/><BR/>"We were told it had something to do with 9/11. We were told the Iraqis had weapons of mass destruction, that they were a threat to us, and that our national security was threatened. And none of these were true," the 10-term Texas Congressman continued. <BR/><BR/>The Republican also reminded the audience that while the White House has been favoring hostile action since World War II, America has not even managed to win a single war.<BR/><BR/>What a patriot, eh? Well, he's just made enemy of every military family in the United States,and those folks are Republican voters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-39542124806287228872007-12-18T18:20:00.000+00:002007-12-18T18:20:00.000+00:00Re: the graphic. You do know that Vilsack dropped...Re: the graphic. You do know that Vilsack dropped out 10 months ago? (Is now supporting Clinton.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-45817829618339870642007-12-18T16:43:00.000+00:002007-12-18T16:43:00.000+00:00to GREGG - you are right, I was wrong re: Gov Mitt...to GREGG - you are right, I was wrong re: Gov Mitt & stand corrected, see bellow.<BR/><BR/><BR/>to VERITY - thank you for your appreciative critique BUT think you are off-base re: BARACK OBAMA on several counts:<BR/><BR/>Historically in the USA, having ANY African ancestory ancestory menat that a person was most definitely Black UNLESS so light-complected as to be able (and want) to "pass for White".<BR/><BR/>Rest assured, Bull Connor or David Duke would have ZERO doubt but that Obama is Black (though they would use a word starting with N) And back in Alambama 1863-1963 he'd have ridden in the back of the bus . . . . or risked getting lynched as being way too "aspirational".<BR/><BR/>Re: Obama's support among upwardly-mobile Blacks, you are 180 degrees off here, in that his greatest support from African Americans comes from the beter-educated, higher-income middle class. Core of his Black opposition is old civil rights establishment which resents the "Young Turk" at least as much as you do, Verity. <BR/><BR/>As for working & lower middle-class Blacks, they LOVE Bill and like Hilary. BUT if Obama actually shows he can win votes from White people in places like Iowa & New Hampshire . . .<BR/><BR/>re: his lack of experience, note that FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT was dismissed as a lightweight by the puntocracy AND the Democratic establishment right up to the day he was first inaguarated. FDR only served 4 years as Gov of NY and before that in the NY State Senate.<BR/><BR/>Similar sitation with JOHN F. KENNEDY his record in the US Senate was hardly earthshattering. Most politcos & pundits wrote him off as a pretty boy overpromotted thanks to his daddy's ill-gotten gains.<BR/><BR/>As for Obama's own burning ambition, this is not noticably more than any other candidate. ONE difference: the huge number of eager Dems who URGED him to run. In part because he is TRULY inspirational; I at the 2004 Dem convention when he made that speech, and the way he lighted up that jaded yet still in their hearts still idealistic crowd was absolutely amazing. Not quite Wm Jennings Bryans "Cross of Gold" in 1896 or FDR's acceptance speech to the 1932 convention, but not far off.<BR/><BR/>re: BILL CLINTON, he's definitely Hilary's ace in the hole. BUT he's not a guaranteed trump card. Because Bill naturally likes to talk about HIMSELF as much as he talks about Hilary, and more about the PAST than the future. Now Democrats LIKED that past (more than the present, anyway) BUT they are focused upon the FUTURE . . . which is what Obama is all about.<BR/><BR/>re: RUDY GIULIANI way too early to write him off. He's too tough, articulate and bankrolled. Also, no about of debunking (even by FDNYers) will EVER take away his shining moment as the Fighting Mayor of New York<BR/><BR/><BR/>to RUSH-IS-RIGHT - you are way off-base re: Dems & illegal immigrants stuffing the ballot boxes. Just ask "B-1 Bob" Dornan, former GOP congressman from California, who lost a close race in the late 1990s and claimed it was due to just what you allege. Now at that time the GOP controlled the US House, and could have conducted its own recount (as occurred in Indian 8th Dist in 1986) and overturned the result. EXCEPT they looked into it, and decided Dornan was full of it. Course they didn't issue a press release to that affect, because they still want to beat the "voter integrity" drum to rally the faithful AND help depress Democratic turnout. OF course, most GOPers are sincere when they beat that drum . . . and EVERY eligble voter has the inalienable right to have her or his vote counted fairly WITHOUT being diluted by illegitimate votes OR disenfranchised by vote suppression.<BR/><BR/><BR/>to GREGG - I stand corrected, you are right about Romney being one-term Gov, thanks for catching that error. How could I forget the unforgettable (?) Gov. (and later Amb. to Canada) Paul Cellucci???<BR/><BR/>BUT my basic point remains: that the string of GOP govs from William Weld (who was considerably more liberal than the 1992 Democratic nominee) thru Mitt Romney was the result of the arrogance & incompetence of the State House Dem establishment. Note: current Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick (1st Black gov of Mass) was elected to succeed Mitt by a landslide partly in large measure because he is NOT a State House Dem.<BR/><BR/>Fact that Mitt lost to Ted Kennedy for US Senate NOT a demerit; EMK is Senator-for-Life.<BR/><BR/>FYI - see link for great piece by CARL LEUBSDORF the DC colunmist for the Dallas Morning News<BR/>http://www.dallasnews.com/<BR/>sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/<BR/>columnists/cleubsdorf<BR/>/stories/121307dnedileubsdorf.<BR/>fa149de.htmlSea Shanty Irishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02962821593752274830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-65149048163240291102007-12-18T05:16:00.000+00:002007-12-18T05:16:00.000+00:00Sea Shanty Irish: W clearly despises #42I find tha...Sea Shanty Irish: <I>W clearly despises #42</I><BR/><BR/>I find that unlikely, given W's involvement with his father's campaign in 1988. Although... I seem to remember him being key to the selection of Dan Quayle as running mate, so maybe you're right.<BR/><BR/>Sea Shanty Irish: <I>BTW, reason [Romeny] got elected twice as Gov of Mass had (at least) as much to do with hubris of state Democratic officialdom as with his own qualities.</I><BR/><BR/>He was only elected once, and served one term. He did run for Senator a few years before that, losing convincingly to Ted Kennedy.Gregghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06317276919466733442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-84665394954431503082007-12-17T23:53:00.000+00:002007-12-17T23:53:00.000+00:00Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul. All the rest are eithe...Ron Paul Ron Paul Ron Paul. All the rest are either bad, mad or damned right evil.<BR/><BR/>If that lunatic wife of lunatic lying two faced BBC pin up boy Bill Clinton gets anywhere near it, I think I will have a heart attack.<BR/><BR/>If it has to be a Democrat, Obama might at least turn out to be sane.<BR/><BR/>I tried to read that womens book. <BR/><BR/>I have never read such utter insanity since..............sorry In fact I have never read such insanity ever in my entire life. <BR/><BR/>If she were not so rich and well connected she would be weaving baskets for a pass time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-2915359063856540912007-12-17T22:11:00.000+00:002007-12-17T22:11:00.000+00:00If a Republican is going to win he's going to to h...If a Republican is going to win he's going to to have to find an answer to the systematic voter fraud that the Democrats have set up in relation to the illegal immigrants. <BR/><BR/>It's not unlike the Labour Party postal vote scam really, But even worse.Rush-is-Righthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12860467341217977185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-26376198987346659102007-12-17T20:24:00.000+00:002007-12-17T20:24:00.000+00:00My money is Romney, to win in 2008. He's organise...My money is Romney, to win in 2008. He's organised, he's got money, and his track record as governor in a normally Democrat state speaks for itself.John Trenchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18212068575561254839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-32891482489388602192007-12-17T19:43:00.000+00:002007-12-17T19:43:00.000+00:00At least if Hilary plays with the staff there will...At least if Hilary plays with the staff there will be no stained dresses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-89853707428987607442007-12-17T19:38:00.000+00:002007-12-17T19:38:00.000+00:00I just saw this post...Iain, As Ken Clarke said on...I just saw this post...<I>Iain, As Ken Clarke said on Question Time a couple of weeks ago when talking to James Rubin - if he were in the USA he would consider himself a Democrat.</I><BR/><BR/>That tells you everything you might want to know about Ken Clarke doesn't it? Jeremy Cardhouse lives!Rush-is-Righthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12860467341217977185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-11809735796444505682007-12-17T19:01:00.000+00:002007-12-17T19:01:00.000+00:00From a U.S. conservative: Gov. Huckabee's recent ...From a U.S. conservative: Gov. Huckabee's recent rise comes from the (totally warranted) conservative dissatisfaction with the other top-tier candidates. But reservations are climbing as people learn more about his politics--tax-and-spend big-government expansionism, in-state tuition for illegal aliens, pardons and paroles for violent felons. Now it's being reported that he lied about having a theology degree. I predict he'll be coming down to earth pretty soon. Thanks to all U.K. conservatives who are paying attention to our election. It's nice to know we have some support from across the pond.Leslie Carbonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04815114606174971282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-13023268075337261592007-12-17T17:42:00.000+00:002007-12-17T17:42:00.000+00:00If Mrs Clinton wins the Dem nomination then the GO...If Mrs Clinton wins the Dem nomination then the GOP have the election in the bag.Rush-is-Righthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12860467341217977185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-54912629417470490892007-12-17T17:22:00.000+00:002007-12-17T17:22:00.000+00:00To my neighbor RAINCOASTER up in beautiful BC:You ...To my neighbor RAINCOASTER up in beautiful BC:<BR/><BR/>You think that YOU Canucks are tired of the endless presidential campaign? Imagine how us Amuricans feel!<BR/><BR/>As for the antics of Huckabee's brood, please note that Americans are quite used to stupid, criminal and/or downright vicious presidential relatives. Remember the sons of FDR? Don Nixon? "Billy Beer"? Not to mention faux pas of W's daughters? <BR/><BR/>Except as tabloid fodder, zero impact of misdeeds by kinfolk UNLESS the candidate is directly involved.Sea Shanty Irishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02962821593752274830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-13715372471954635282007-12-17T17:17:00.000+00:002007-12-17T17:17:00.000+00:00Canvas - Obama is am amazingly vain and greedy per...Canvas - Obama is am amazingly vain and greedy person. To be running for president with all the worldly experience of two years as a freshman senator is just too absurd.<BR/><BR/>He also claims to be "black". Gosh, I wonder what voting group he is after ...? But he's 50% white. BTW, middle class and rich black people won't vote for him.<BR/><BR/>Also, his background is much too exciting.<BR/><BR/>I have a Republican soul and I could go for Romney. McCain would be my first choice. <BR/><BR/>Sea Shanty Irish - Interesting analysis. Thank you. I'd be interested in your personal opinion of Obama, who I loathe. I don't see professional-class black people, or rich black people for voting for such an inexperienced, overly-aspirational individual.<BR/><BR/>The Guiliana-Ed Muskie comparison - right on the button! Walter Mondale, Mr Nowhere, would be a good comparison, too. <BR/><BR/>Lisa - Agree, but if it has to be a Dem, I am hoping for Hillary. At least she has some experience as does her husband. Also, I cannot see how she can lose with Bill C shilling for her. <BR/><BR/>I used to think Hillary was the American politician I hated most, but then along came freshman senator Obama, posing as "black".<BR/>Why doesn't he pose as "white", as he is 50% white?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-53269786908652016312007-12-17T17:11:00.000+00:002007-12-17T17:11:00.000+00:00BULLETIN - US Senator Joe Lieberman (Ind-CN) has j...BULLETIN - US Senator Joe Lieberman (Ind-CN) has just announced his endorsement of JOHN McCAIN for President. Minimal impact on Iowa (where JMcC is tied with Ron Paul at 7%) BUT should help McCain in New Hampshire.Sea Shanty Irishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02962821593752274830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-21020647142686599322007-12-17T17:02:00.000+00:002007-12-17T17:02:00.000+00:00The RON PAUL for President 2008 campaign is an ama...The RON PAUL for President 2008 campaign is an amazing phenomenon, and was EVEN before RP shattered the internet fundraising record.<BR/><BR/>BUT so was the HOWARD DEAN for President 2004 campaign.<BR/><BR/>And HD had way more than the 7% support garnered by RP in the latest Iowa polling.<BR/><BR/>Biggest differences between Paul & Dean:<BR/><BR/>--Dean was a viable candidate for the nomination BEFORE he crashed & burned; Paul is NOT.<BR/><BR/>--Dean was REALLY running to be the next President; Ron Paul is running to show the flag for libertarian conservatism (or conservative libertarianism if you prefer).<BR/><BR/>--Dean believed his own (and Joe Trippi's) hype UNTIL "the Howl heard 'round the world"; Ron Paul (as contrasted with his zealots) has his eyes on the stars BUT his feet on the ground.<BR/><BR/>--Dean garnered the lion's share of his support from Democrats; whereas a significant portion of Paul's backing comes from Democrats and Independents who (except for some of the zealots) are MUCH less likely to actually attend a GOP precinct caucus (though on the other hand, zealots are more likely to turn out on a cold night in Davenport, Decorah or Dubuque).<BR/><BR/>--Dean had to settle for consolation prize as chair of DNC; Paul will indeed be nominated and elected . . . to another term in the US House.Sea Shanty Irishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02962821593752274830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-74729012535392861232007-12-17T16:53:00.000+00:002007-12-17T16:53:00.000+00:00It's a pity Brad Pitt has no political ambitions.I...It's a pity Brad Pitt has no political ambitions.<BR/><BR/>If he did, he could be the running-mate for Mike Gravel. The dream team.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15984396354633891857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-19787141053339129302007-12-17T14:49:00.000+00:002007-12-17T14:49:00.000+00:00The Clinton crime family must never again be allow...The Clinton crime family must never again be allowed in the White House and I say that regardless of whatever party Hillary professes to support today.<BR/><BR/>It'll be Obama vs Romney, but remember it's rare for a Senator to be elected President as there's usually too much baggage and a paper trail tho' in Obama's case it's limited as he's only a first term Senator who hasn't done much.Yak40https://www.blogger.com/profile/10391635243252561168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-56771757037636550142007-12-17T14:25:00.000+00:002007-12-17T14:25:00.000+00:00Ron for the Reps, Richardson for the Dems. Heart ...Ron for the Reps, Richardson for the Dems. Heart / betting reasons respectively.Croydonianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14670533609622717223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-81048909890912883642007-12-17T14:22:00.000+00:002007-12-17T14:22:00.000+00:00Who will run in 2012, because I can't see anyone i...Who will run in 2012, because I can't see anyone in this field being a two term presidentWilfmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10117568987288178083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-23280427154071574032007-12-17T13:03:00.000+00:002007-12-17T13:03:00.000+00:00Ron Paul raised $6 million in 24 hours yesterday. ...Ron Paul raised $6 million in 24 hours yesterday. Freedom and liberty are waking up. The Welfare-Warfare hegemony represented by the rest of the Tweedledum Tweedledee candidates can and must be defeated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-12125087830650736592007-12-17T12:55:00.000+00:002007-12-17T12:55:00.000+00:00Giuliani won't win because he is from metropolitan...Giuliani won't win because he is from metropolitan New York. Whatever his politics, native New Yorkers living in New York are just perceived as different from the rest of America, by both sides. He is not perceived as New Englander, and would probably struggle in upstate NY.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13775753218753337766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-81952550501627874142007-12-17T11:22:00.000+00:002007-12-17T11:22:00.000+00:00Mike Huckabee is witty, charming, eloquent..."Ther...Mike Huckabee is witty, charming, eloquent...<BR/><BR/>"There are no primates in my family tree."<BR/><BR/>Right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com