Obama Sucks...

Barack Obama missed 179 of 1088 votes (16%) since Jan 6, 2005). Conversely, Hillary Clinton missed 145 of 2396 votes (6%) since Jan 23, 2001
Says that Social Security is in a "crisis" state. And is not above cutting benefits to offset, said "crisis".
While criticizing Hillary on her initial support of the Iraq War, Obama is also supporting the war by agreeing to every one of George Bush's increases in spending on the war. He has her exact same voting record in regards to the Iraq War.
Much like most of his voting record, he's been non-committal about what to do with No Child Left Behind.

And then there is this controversy about the Michigan Primary:
http://iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1264

Now I'm sure there would be other issues I disagree with Obama on if the media didn't coddle him and would pin him down on saying something more substantive than, "We're ready for a change and an end to the bi-partisanship that's torn this country apart."

My biggest problem with the man outside of the same political answers that all candidates of every ilk gives, is the fact of his, "kumbaya" attitude towards, "the other side of the isle".

Blessedly I haven't heard from Hillary about how much the other side of the isle will have a voice. She's said she's willing to work in the spirit of bi-partisanship...but if you read between the lines...what she's really saying is, "I'm willing to work with everyone who's willing to work with me, but if I have to kick ass to get shit done, I'm going to do that."

What have I heard from Obama and how he will thwart the stall tactics of the very Republicans he seems to be courting? In the last debate I watched he talked about how he would make it known to the American people who is voting for what so that they are held to account on every vote they make. How this reads to me is, "I'm going to tattle tell on everyone that hampers the process so that you guys know that it's not my fault when things don't get passed or get tied up endlessly in debate."

So at the end of the day, Obama for all his flowery speech and statuesque stature...is a weakling. And the Republicans know this.

Which brings me to my next point.

Obama brags incessantly about being able to get the "independent" (I'm independent and he won't/didn't get mine) and republican vote.

As far as the youth and independent vote, it can be broken down as simply as this.

Hillary pissed off a lot of young people with her erroneous stance on the gaming industry and violence in the media. These people see her as nothing but the typical Washington politico who is out of touch. Given Obama deftly avoids the issue (watched him dodge it outright in the last debate) he can't be held to account on his views on Hollywood and the gaming industries responsibilities for violence and sex in the media. However, she can and that has come back to bite her on her ample ass.

The other portion of independent voters, are those who I like to call the "feel good" liberals...now I'm not downing liberalism. I'm very liberal myself...I could almost be a libertarian but a lot of them are whacked out druggies.

But the feel good liberals are voting for Barack because they want to seem progressive enough that they'd vote for a black man for President. It's those same "feel good" liberals that have (thus far) effectively silenced any real criticism of Obama. He's been a Teflon man of sorts, because no one wants to be labeled a racist for criticizing him.

Now I find this to be very harmful for this country in the end...it will be the very thing that ushers in McCain...because the Republicans don't care about being called racists. This is the party of fear mongering and you can bet that if Obama gets the party nomination, that free ride he's been enjoying in the media? Will end day one. He will NOT be prepared.

Which brings me to why I think Republicans are voting for him. No doubt if they have a lick of sense in their heads, a lot of Republicans are disenfranchised with their party and want something else. But the cynic in me also tends to think that a lot of Republicans are just voting Democrat tickets to get the candidate they think is most beatable to run against their guy so they stand a chance at getting back into the White House.

It's okay to vote for the black man in the primary but when it comes down to the "real" election, I see them, despite the supposed hatred of McCain, backing him because he is Republican after all.

Is it any surprise that Hillary is largely winning in Democratic states while Obama is getting the mainly Republican ones? More true blue Democrats are voting for Hillary.

Which brings me to my next point...there seems to be an undercurrent in the media and Democratic party, that Hillary continuing to run will hurt the Democrats in the long run, because as I heard today on Air America (listen regularly) it will disenfranchise the youth, independent and newly won over Republican voters.

Which illustrates to me, that while, "feel good" liberals are totally against racism, real or imagined, they're quite okay with sexism. It certainly smacks to me that the woman should step aside for the man and do what's best for the "family". I see no one calling for Obama to back down off his campaign because after all he is trailing in over all delegates.

Now before I see a litany of posts about how out of touch I am because I'm a white male...let me correct you, I am not.

I am an African-American woman who's 35 years of age. I was raised in Detroit, Michigan a majority of my life...I've voted for democrats and republicans...I even to my chagrin voted for that worthless Nader at one point (I am ashamed to admit that given he was full of shit but in the interest of full disclosure...whoomp there it is.).

No I'm not suffering from a 'bout of self hatred. I'm not one of those stupid people that thinks Barack isn't black enough...from what I've seen he looks African-American to me, I think he's a great speaker, (but his wife is better) but I see nothing substantive in his message.

If you'll indulge me for a bit of gross and HOPEFULLY errant speculation...

I already proposed that many of Obama's new found supporters would jump ship back to McCain (cause for whatever reason he's getting a lot of the independent vote, I guess they want 4 more years of the same shit) when the race for Presidency happens. And once that Republican attack machine gets rolling, he can forget it...but let's say he remains the Teflon man he's been thus far...and makes it to the White House...

I see him having a Jimmy Carter presidency. I mean when you have a guy who basically says he'd just going to tattle on those that hamper the process, he's pretty much a toothless lion. He's got a mighty roar...but no bite. And the Republicans are always looking forward to the next election cycle. Unlike Democrats they don't sit on their laurels. They will see to it that Obama is as big a lame duck as poor principled Jimmy was...and usher in (hell probably the Anti-Christ at the rate they're going) something far worse than we've had before...and that's saying a lot. He's probably going to be a one-termer. I mean Obama has basically assured them that they will have a voice in the process, right? And you damned well better be sure they're going to use it to their ends.

Now, I could be wrong. I'm sure there are many people out there that think I'm talking out of my asshole and I'm out of touch...but I don't see backbone with this guy. I see a guy who is probably more about making history than actually affecting change. And I see nothing wrong with making history...either way it goes, woman or African-American, this is historical (and hot damn it, I say it's about damned time). But you know what? I'm not Oprah. I have to worry about things like gas in my car. My bank account isn't large enough to be an idealist. I want someone who is ready for the fight that he or she will have. Clinton's have been there done that. It's old hat...this guy doesn't seem like he has the chops.

I hope I'm wrong. But I don't think so, I am sad to say.