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AdamCarlis-FirstPaper 28 - 04 Mar 2008 - Main.AdamCarlis
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| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper%25" |
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| | | Introduction | |
<
< | Concerns about Obama's experience introduced by Clinton during the primary will be amplified by McCain during the general election. Given Obama's resume, age, and race, it will be difficult for him to assuage voters' concerns about his readiness to govern; costing him potentially decisive votes. | >
> | During the general election, McCain? will amplify the concerns Clinton has raised about Obama’s experience. Given Obama's thin resume, age, and race, it will be difficult for him to assuage voters' anxiety regarding his readiness to govern; costing him potentially decisive votes. | | | The Experience Argument
The Meaning of "Experience" | |
<
< | "Experience" can mean any number of things and so it means precisely nothing. Therefore, it is a winning word for politicians crafting a message the masses can support. It works because it's vague. Its ambiguity allows voters to interpret the candidates' message according to their own worldview. When Clinton raises her own experience as a foil to Obama, Americans picture a young man not quite ready for the oval office. Voters are allowed to define the word and the speaker benefits. Despite legitimate questions about Clinton's experience, she has successfully painted Obama as inexperienced. In fact, "inexperienced" is the most common word voters use to describe him. | >
> | "Experience" can mean any number of things and so it means precisely nothing. Therefore, it is a winning word for politicians crafting a message the masses can support. It works because it's vague. Its ambiguity allows voters to interpret the candidates' message according to their own worldview. When Clinton raises her own experience as a foil to Obama, Americans picture a young man not quite ready for the oval office. Voters are allowed to define the word and the speaker benefits, allowing Clinton to paint Obama as inexperienced. In fact, "inexperienced" is the word voters most commonly use to describe him. | | | The Liability of Inexperience | |
<
< | In any election cycle, being viewed as inexperienced is a handicap. Because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failure of the Bush administration, that reality is heightened during this campaign. Security concerns drummed up since September 11 and a crumbling economy only increase the public's desire for an "experienced" candidate. Being seen otherwise will cost votes. Unfortunately for Obama, voters see McCain? as more experienced. | >
> | In this election, being viewed as inexperienced is a handicap. Because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failure of the Bush administration, security concerns drummed up since September 11, and crumbling economy, the public want a president who steps into the office ready to lead. Being seen otherwise will cost votes. Unfortunately for Obama, voters see McCain as more experienced. | | | Experience in the General Election | |
<
< | Unlike Clinton, who could reasonably argue she has more experience than Obama (and potentially McCain, given her eight years in the white house), Obama cannot credibly claim the experience mantle in the general election. Instead, McCain’s lengthy time in Congress, popular military service, and nine additional months to hammer away position him to further entrench the nation’s questions about Obama’s readiness to lead. Additionally, McCain’s "maverick" persona allows him to acquire the experience mantle without being portrayed as a Washington insider or party crony. As a result, portraying Obama as inexperienced will be easier for McCain that it was for Clinton. | >
> | Obama cannot credibly claim the experience mantle in the general election. Instead, McCain’s lengthy time in Congress, popular military service, and nine additional months on the attack, position him to further entrench the nation’s questions about Obama’s readiness to lead. Moreover, McCain’s "maverick" persona allows him to acquire the experience mantle without being portrayed as a Washington insider or party crony. As a result, McCain is well-positioned to portray Obama as inexperienced. | | | Barriers to Overcoming the Criticism
Obama's Inexperience | |
<
< | As Karl Rove has shown, all it takes to make a charge stick is a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a disciplined attack. Just as the Republicans questioned Max Cleland's patriotism and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's readiness for the job. Unfortunately for Obama, he lacks the "little bit of truth" necessary to effectively claim the experience mantle. Unlike during the Democratic primary, where real questions could be raised about Clinton's readiness, a head to head resume battle clearly favors McCain and could be Obama's undoing. His best hope in the general election will be to mitigate the damage of McCain? ’s attacks by shifting the focus while deemphasizing the importance of experience. | >
> | As Karl Rove has shown, all it takes to make a charge stick is a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a disciplined attack. Just as the Republicans questioned Max Cleland's patriotism and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's readiness for the job. Unfortunately for Obama, he lacks the "little bit of truth" necessary to effectively fight back. A head to head resume battle favors McCain? and could be Obama's undoing. His best hope is to mitigate the damage of McCain’s attacks by shifting focus and deemphasizing the issue. | | | Thus far, Obama has tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." While perhaps "masquing treason," the voters have given him the benefit of the doubt. However, if the long campaign prevents him from dodging the issue altogether, even his best defense, a comparison to Lincoln, acknowledges his inexperience and could cost him votes.
| | | Thus far, Obama has tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." While perhaps "masquing treason," the voters have given him the benefit of the doubt. However, if the long campaign prevents him from dodging the issue altogether, even his best defense, a comparison to Lincoln, acknowledges his inexperience and could cost him votes.
| |
<
< | | | | Obama's Age | |
<
< | Voter focus on age, while an impediment to Obama during the Democratic primary, would be at least a draw during the general election; the issue's ability to entrench the perception of Obama as inexperienced is balanced by voters' hesitancy to elect a 72 year old president. In fact, fear of being portrayed as an aging Washington insider and Obama's surgical use of the term "half century of service" have forced McCain to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes experience. Old is the word voters most commonly associate with McCain and pundits are beginning to draw allusions to Bob Dole. If Obama can stay ahead of McCain? on the age issue, the experience argument is likely to be less damaging. While voter’s may still elect the inexperienced (George W. Bush comes of mind) or the young (JFK, Bill Clinton), they have yet to put someone in the white house who is both. | >
> | When the 60 and over crowd was at Woodstock, Obama was only eight years old. It is hard to convince people you are ready to lead the country when you are their little brother’s age. Nevertheless, the issue's ability to entrench the perception of Obama as inexperienced is balanced by voters' hesitancy to elect a 72 year old president. In fact, fear of being portrayed as an aging Washington insider and Obama's surgical use of the term "half century of service" have forced McCain to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes experience. "Old" is the word voters most commonly associate with McCain? and pundits are beginning to draw allusions to Bob Dole.
If Obama can stay ahead of McCain on the age issue, the experience argument will be less damaging. While voter’s may still elect the inexperienced (George W. Bush) or the young (JFK, Bill Clinton), they have yet to put someone in the white house perceived to be both.
| | | Obama's Race
In a nation with embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Passionate, intelligent, and well-spoken, maybe, but, experienced, likely not. Just as race makes it easier for voters to believe Obama is inexperienced, it will make it harder for him to convince voters that he is ready to lead. | |
<
< | Additionally, voting on "experience" provides cover for people unwilling to vote for a black man. While most people who vote based on race wouldn't support Obama's policies in the first place, there are some Democrats and Independents searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. Whether they are the elderly white voters highlighted by the Times or the say one thing, vote the other way racists, these voters can use the experience issue to justify their discriminatory vote. This is not to say that, without the cover of experience they would bite their tongue and vote for Obama, but that they now have an excuse to justify their otherwise discriminatory vote.
| >
> | Additionally, "experience" provides cover for people unwilling to vote for an African American. While most people voting based on race wouldn't support Obama's policies, there are some Democrats and Independents searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. Whether they are the elderly white voters highlighted by the Times or the “Bradley Effect” voters who say one thing and vote another, they can use the experience issue to justify their discriminatory vote. Without the cover of experience, these voters would not support Obama, but using experience to justify their otherwise discriminatory vote adds fuel to the inexperience argument. As evidenced in posts on the white, racist message board Stormfront and frank conversations with white voters (including my own grandmother), white fear of a black president is sometimes hiding behind experience. | | | | |
>
> | While, by itself, his race may not spontaneously raise mainstream concerns about experience, when combined with his thin resume and the positive public perception of his opponent’s experience it helps sustain the argument. By making it harder for white voters to picture as ready to do the job and adding voices to the claims of inexperience, Obama’s race then makes that argument stick. | | | Conclusion | |
<
< | Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment trumps lengthy experience and turn the age issue against McCain? . However, on race, to borrow from Ghandi, Obama is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, Obama will be waging an uphill battle to cast off the shroud of inexperience.
While he was able to stay afloat during the primary season, given the shifting demographics in the general election and the strengths of the McCain? campaign, overcoming the experience question may prove too high a hurdle. | >
> | Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment trumps experience or turn the age issue against McCain. However, on race, to borrow from Ghandi, Obama is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, Obama will be waging an uphill battle to cast off the shroud of inexperience. In what is shaping up to be a close election, this is one of many issues that could decide the race. | | |
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- I am worried that I am no longer saying anything interesting in this essay ...
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AdamCarlis-FirstPaper 27 - 03 Mar 2008 - Main.AdamCarlis
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| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper%25" |
|---|
| | | Introduction | |
<
< | Clinton has raised questions about Obama's experience that will be amplified by McCain during the general election. Given Obama's actual experience, age, and race, it will be difficult for him to assuage voters' concerns about his readiness to govern; potentially costing him crucial votes what will likely be a close race. | >
> | Concerns about Obama's experience introduced by Clinton during the primary will be amplified by McCain during the general election. Given Obama's resume, age, and race, it will be difficult for him to assuage voters' concerns about his readiness to govern; costing him potentially decisive votes. | | | The Experience Argument
The Meaning of "Experience" | |
<
< | "Experience" can mean any number of things and so it means precisely nothing. Therefore, it is a winning word for politicians crafting a message the masses can support. It works because it's vague. Its ambiguity allows voters to interpret the candidates' message according to their own worldview. Obama uses the term "quarter century of experience" to denigrate old man McCain and Americans picture an aging Washington insider. Clinton raises her own "experience" as a foil to Obama and those same Americans picture a young man not quite ready for the oval office. Voters are allowed to define the word and the speaker benefits. Unfortunately for Obama, the experience mantle is being carried by Clinton and McCain, leaving him as the inexperienced ying to their "ready on day one" yang. | >
> | "Experience" can mean any number of things and so it means precisely nothing. Therefore, it is a winning word for politicians crafting a message the masses can support. It works because it's vague. Its ambiguity allows voters to interpret the candidates' message according to their own worldview. When Clinton raises her own experience as a foil to Obama, Americans picture a young man not quite ready for the oval office. Voters are allowed to define the word and the speaker benefits. Despite legitimate questions about Clinton's experience, she has successfully painted Obama as inexperienced. In fact, "inexperienced" is the most common word voters use to describe him. | | | The Liability of Inexperience | |
<
< | In any election cycle, being the inexperienced candidate is a handicap. Because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failure of the Bush administration, that reality is heightened during this campaign. Security concerns drummed up since September 11 and a crumbling economy only heighten the public's desire for an "experienced" candidate. Being seen otherwise will cost votes. Unfortunately for Obama, voters see both Clinton and McCain as more experienced. | >
> | In any election cycle, being viewed as inexperienced is a handicap. Because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failure of the Bush administration, that reality is heightened during this campaign. Security concerns drummed up since September 11 and a crumbling economy only increase the public's desire for an "experienced" candidate. Being seen otherwise will cost votes. Unfortunately for Obama, voters see McCain? as more experienced. | | | Experience in the General Election | |
<
< | While Clinton's attacks couldn't prevent Obama from claiming frontrunner status in the Democratic primary, McCain’s lengthy time in Congress, popular military service, and nine additional months to hammer away give him an advantage Clinton lacked. Unlike Clinton, whose own experience has been questioned (and Here and Here), McCain, with nearly 30 years of Congressional experience, is assumed to be ready for the job. Also, his "maverick" persona allows him to acquire experience without being portrayed as a Washington insider or party crony. Finally, as a white male, he fits the mold of every former president. As a result, portraying Obama as inexperienced will be easier for McCain that it was for Clinton.
Additionally, as Karl Rove has shown, all it takes to make a charge stick is a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a disciplined attack. Just as the Republicans questioned Max Cleland's patriotism, convinced the American public that there was a pre-war link between Al Qaeda and Iraq, and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's readiness for the job. | >
> | Unlike Clinton, who could reasonably argue she has more experience than Obama (and potentially McCain, given her eight years in the white house), Obama cannot credibly claim the experience mantle in the general election. Instead, McCain’s lengthy time in Congress, popular military service, and nine additional months to hammer away position him to further entrench the nation’s questions about Obama’s readiness to lead. Additionally, McCain’s "maverick" persona allows him to acquire the experience mantle without being portrayed as a Washington insider or party crony. As a result, portraying Obama as inexperienced will be easier for McCain that it was for Clinton. | | | Barriers to Overcoming the Criticism
Obama's Inexperience | |
<
< | Obama's record is too thin for him to tackle the issue head on. Instead, his campaign has tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." While perhaps "masquing treason," the voters, thus far, have given him the benefit of the doubt. However, if the long campaign prevents him from dodging the issue altogether, even his best defense (a comparison to Lincoln) acknowledges his inexperience and could cost him votes. Unlike during the Democratic primary, where real questions could be raised about Clinton's readiness, a head to head resume battle clearly favors McCain and could be Obama's undoing. | >
> | As Karl Rove has shown, all it takes to make a charge stick is a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a disciplined attack. Just as the Republicans questioned Max Cleland's patriotism and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's readiness for the job. Unfortunately for Obama, he lacks the "little bit of truth" necessary to effectively claim the experience mantle. Unlike during the Democratic primary, where real questions could be raised about Clinton's readiness, a head to head resume battle clearly favors McCain and could be Obama's undoing. His best hope in the general election will be to mitigate the damage of McCain? ’s attacks by shifting the focus while deemphasizing the importance of experience.
Thus far, Obama has tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." While perhaps "masquing treason," the voters have given him the benefit of the doubt. However, if the long campaign prevents him from dodging the issue altogether, even his best defense, a comparison to Lincoln, acknowledges his inexperience and could cost him votes.
| | | Obama's Age | |
<
< | When the generation that votes in this country was at Woodstock, Obama was eight years old. It is hard to convince people you are ready to lead when you are younger than their little brother. While voters have looked beyond years in past elections, both John F. Kennedy Jr. and Bill Clinton had longer resumes than Obama when they were elected. However, because of questions about his own age, McCain will have to deemphasize the issue as much as he emphasizes experience. Voter focus on age, while an impediment to Obama during the Democratic primary, will likely be at least a draw during the general election (the issue's ability to entrench the perception of Obama as inexperience is balanced by voters’ hesitancy to elect a 72 year old president). | >
> | Voter focus on age, while an impediment to Obama during the Democratic primary, would be at least a draw during the general election; the issue's ability to entrench the perception of Obama as inexperienced is balanced by voters' hesitancy to elect a 72 year old president. In fact, fear of being portrayed as an aging Washington insider and Obama's surgical use of the term "half century of service" have forced McCain to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes experience. Old is the word voters most commonly associate with McCain and pundits are beginning to draw allusions to Bob Dole. If Obama can stay ahead of McCain? on the age issue, the experience argument is likely to be less damaging. While voter’s may still elect the inexperienced (George W. Bush comes of mind) or the young (JFK, Bill Clinton), they have yet to put someone in the white house who is both. | | | Obama's Race
| |
<
< | In a nation with embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Passionate, intelligent, and well-spoken, maybe, but, experienced, likely not. Assuming he has to face the experience issue head on, race will make it harder for Obama to convince voters that he is ready to lead. | >
> | In a nation with embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Passionate, intelligent, and well-spoken, maybe, but, experienced, likely not. Just as race makes it easier for voters to believe Obama is inexperienced, it will make it harder for him to convince voters that he is ready to lead.
Additionally, voting on "experience" provides cover for people unwilling to vote for a black man. While most people who vote based on race wouldn't support Obama's policies in the first place, there are some Democrats and Independents searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. Whether they are the elderly white voters highlighted by the Times or the say one thing, vote the other way racists, these voters can use the experience issue to justify their discriminatory vote. This is not to say that, without the cover of experience they would bite their tongue and vote for Obama, but that they now have an excuse to justify their otherwise discriminatory vote. | | | | |
<
< | Additionally, voting on "experience" provides cover for people unwilling to vote for a black man. While most people who vote based on race wouldn't support Obama's policies in the first place, there are some Democrats and Independents searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. Whether they are the elderly white voters highlighted by the Times or the say one thing, vote the other way racists present in every election that pits a person of color against a white, these voters can use the experience issue to justify their discriminatory vote. | | |
Conclusion | |
<
< | Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment trumps lengthy experience and point to popular presidents who were his age (or younger) when elected. However, on race, to borrow from Ghandi, he is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, Obama will be waging an uphill battle to shed the cloud of inexperience that follows his campaign. | >
> | Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment trumps lengthy experience and turn the age issue against McCain? . However, on race, to borrow from Ghandi, Obama is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, Obama will be waging an uphill battle to cast off the shroud of inexperience. | | | While he was able to stay afloat during the primary season, given the shifting demographics in the general election and the strengths of the McCain? campaign, overcoming the experience question may prove too high a hurdle.
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AdamCarlis-FirstPaper 26 - 29 Feb 2008 - Main.AdamCarlis
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| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper%25" |
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| | | Obama's Experience Problem | |
<
< | -- By AdamCarlis - 26 Feb 2008 | >
> | -- By AdamCarlis - 29 Feb 2008 | | |
Introduction | |
<
< | Clinton's attacks on Obama have raised questions about his experience that will be amplified by McCain throughout the general election. Given Obama's actual experience, age, and race, it will be very difficult for him to assuage voters' concerns about his readiness to govern.
-
- So what ... there are many factors in a presidential campaign, why is this issue important?
| >
> | Clinton has raised questions about Obama's experience that will be amplified by McCain during the general election. Given Obama's actual experience, age, and race, it will be difficult for him to assuage voters' concerns about his readiness to govern; potentially costing him crucial votes what will likely be a close race. | | | The Experience Argument
The Meaning of "Experience" | |
<
< | In politics, "experience" can mean any number of things and so it means precisely nothing, making it a winning word for politicians crafting a message the masses can support. It works because it's versatile. The word's ambiguity allows voters to interpret the candidates' message according to their own worldview. Obama uses the term "quarter century of experience" to denigrate old man McCain and Americans picture an aging Washington insider. Clinton raises her own "experience" as a foil to newcomer Obama and those same Americans picture a young man not quite ready for the oval office. Voters are allowed to define the word and they do so to the benefit of the speaker. Unfortunately for Obama, the experience mantle is being carried by Clinton and McCain, leaving him as the inexperienced foil to their "ready on day one." | >
> | "Experience" can mean any number of things and so it means precisely nothing. Therefore, it is a winning word for politicians crafting a message the masses can support. It works because it's vague. Its ambiguity allows voters to interpret the candidates' message according to their own worldview. Obama uses the term "quarter century of experience" to denigrate old man McCain and Americans picture an aging Washington insider. Clinton raises her own "experience" as a foil to Obama and those same Americans picture a young man not quite ready for the oval office. Voters are allowed to define the word and the speaker benefits. Unfortunately for Obama, the experience mantle is being carried by Clinton and McCain, leaving him as the inexperienced ying to their "ready on day one" yang. | | | The Liability of Inexperience | |
<
< | No one brags about their inexperience on the campaign trail. It is not a characteristic sought by voters choosing the next president. In any election cycle, being the inexperienced candidate is a handicap. That reality is heightened during this campaign because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failures the Bush administration as well as heightened security concerns drummed up since September 11, 2001. Now, more than any time in recent memory, being pegged as inexperienced will cost a candidate votes. | >
> | In any election cycle, being the inexperienced candidate is a handicap. Because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failure of the Bush administration, that reality is heightened during this campaign. Security concerns drummed up since September 11 and a crumbling economy only heighten the public's desire for an "experienced" candidate. Being seen otherwise will cost votes. Unfortunately for Obama, voters see both Clinton and McCain as more experienced. | | | Experience in the General Election | |
<
< | The RNC has released their talking points for the general election. They plan to pick up where Clinton left off, hammering Obama on experience and questioning his readiness to serve as commander in chief. While these claims didn't slow Obama down in the primary, McCain? is better positioned to raise these issues given his lengthy time in Congress, well-known military service, and nine additional months to hammer away.
* This doesn't mean that he will be more effective. What risks are their in raising inexperience for McCain that did not exist for Clinton? | >
> | While Clinton's attacks couldn't prevent Obama from claiming frontrunner status in the Democratic primary, McCain’s lengthy time in Congress, popular military service, and nine additional months to hammer away give him an advantage Clinton lacked. Unlike Clinton, whose own experience has been questioned (and Here and Here), McCain, with nearly 30 years of Congressional experience, is assumed to be ready for the job. Also, his "maverick" persona allows him to acquire experience without being portrayed as a Washington insider or party crony. Finally, as a white male, he fits the mold of every former president. As a result, portraying Obama as inexperienced will be easier for McCain that it was for Clinton. | | | | |
<
< | As Karl Rove has shown, all it takes to make a charge stick against a Democrat is a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a relentlessly focus and disciplined attack. Just as they questioned Max Cleland's patriotism, convinced the American public that there was a pre-war link between Al Qaeda and Iraq, and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's readiness for the job.
-
- This reads like a partisan attack and an unfounded assertion, rather than a logic-based argument.
| >
> | Additionally, as Karl Rove has shown, all it takes to make a charge stick is a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a disciplined attack. Just as the Republicans questioned Max Cleland's patriotism, convinced the American public that there was a pre-war link between Al Qaeda and Iraq, and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's readiness for the job. | | | Barriers to Overcoming the Criticism | |
<
< | Current Perceptions
Obama starts behind the eight ball. Clinton earned 94% of voters in Virginia's open Democratic primary who cited experience as their top issue. While currently the economy, health care, and the war on terrorism rank as the top political issues of the campaign, recent polls and the past two presidential elections indicate that the race may come down to a few votes in a single swing state. If that is the case, the public's perception of Obama's readiness cold be the difference in the election.
-
- This feels out of place. I need a transistion between this paragraph in the next or simply to cut this thing out. At the very least, it needs to be said in fewer words.
| | | Obama's Inexperience | |
<
< | Obama's record is too thin for him to take the issue head on. While his resume is comparable to Lincoln's, when standing next to John McCain? , who was in a POW camp while Obama was in grade school, it might be hard for voters to see the comparison. The Obama campaign has, instead, tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." While perhaps "masquing treason," the voters thus far have seemed to buy it.
-
- This doesn't seem to be giving enough deference to the very real questions about Obama's experience. It is true he was able to slide past those questions by averting the question, but will that continue to work? What happens if he is forced to tackle the issue head on?
| >
> | Obama's record is too thin for him to tackle the issue head on. Instead, his campaign has tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." While perhaps "masquing treason," the voters, thus far, have given him the benefit of the doubt. However, if the long campaign prevents him from dodging the issue altogether, even his best defense (a comparison to Lincoln) acknowledges his inexperience and could cost him votes. Unlike during the Democratic primary, where real questions could be raised about Clinton's readiness, a head to head resume battle clearly favors McCain and could be Obama's undoing. | | | Obama's Age | |
<
< | When the generation that votes in this country was at Woodstock, Obama was eight years old. It is hard to convince people you are ready to lead when you are younger than their little brother. While voters are often willing to look beyond years, both John F. Kennedy Jr. and Bill Clinton had longer resumes than Obama when they ran for the president. Nevertheless, McCain will have to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes experience. In fact, the more the public is focused on age, the better for Obama; McCain would be the oldest person ever elected to the presidency. | >
> | When the generation that votes in this country was at Woodstock, Obama was eight years old. It is hard to convince people you are ready to lead when you are younger than their little brother. While voters have looked beyond years in past elections, both John F. Kennedy Jr. and Bill Clinton had longer resumes than Obama when they were elected. However, because of questions about his own age, McCain will have to deemphasize the issue as much as he emphasizes experience. Voter focus on age, while an impediment to Obama during the Democratic primary, will likely be at least a draw during the general election (the issue's ability to entrench the perception of Obama as inexperience is balanced by voters’ hesitancy to elect a 72 year old president). | | | Obama's Race
| |
<
< | In a nation with embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Passionate, energetic, intelligent, and well-spoken, maybe, but, experienced, likely not. | >
> | In a nation with embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Passionate, intelligent, and well-spoken, maybe, but, experienced, likely not. Assuming he has to face the experience issue head on, race will make it harder for Obama to convince voters that he is ready to lead. | | | | |
<
< | Additionally, voting on "experience" can provide cover for people unwilling to vote for a black man. While certainly most people who wouldn't vote for a black person wouldn't support the policies that Obama advocates, there are some Democrats and Independents searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. These voters will likely cling to the experience issue.
-
- I have to depict these voters more convincingly. Now they sound like someone I made up to further my argument.
| >
> | Additionally, voting on "experience" provides cover for people unwilling to vote for a black man. While most people who vote based on race wouldn't support Obama's policies in the first place, there are some Democrats and Independents searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. Whether they are the elderly white voters highlighted by the Times or the say one thing, vote the other way racists present in every election that pits a person of color against a white, these voters can use the experience issue to justify their discriminatory vote. | | | | |
<
< | These voters will be the hardest to persuade. While Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment is more important than lengthy experience or point to popular presidents who were his age and younger when elected, on the race issue he, to borrow from Ghandi, is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, he will be waging an uphill battle to shed the cloud of inexperience that follows his campaign. | | | Conclusion | |
<
< | Moving into the general election, Obama, if he is the Democratic nominee, will have an uphill battle convincing the public that he is ready to govern. While tackling the issue head on enabled him to stay afloat during the primary season, given the shifting demographics in the general election and the strengths of the McCain campaign, overcoming the experience question may prove to be too much for Obama. | >
> | Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment trumps lengthy experience and point to popular presidents who were his age (or younger) when elected. However, on race, to borrow from Ghandi, he is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, Obama will be waging an uphill battle to shed the cloud of inexperience that follows his campaign.
While he was able to stay afloat during the primary season, given the shifting demographics in the general election and the strengths of the McCain? campaign, overcoming the experience question may prove too high a hurdle.
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- I am worried that I am no longer saying anything interesting in this essay ...
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AdamCarlis-FirstPaper 25 - 27 Feb 2008 - Main.AdamCarlis
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| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper%25" |
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| | | Introduction | |
<
< | Clinton's attacks on Obama have raised questions about his experience and, assuming he is the Democratic nominee, those concerns will be amplified by McCain throughout the general election. Given Obama's actual experience, age, and race, it will be very difficult for him to assuage voters' concerns about his readiness to govern. | >
> | Clinton's attacks on Obama have raised questions about his experience that will be amplified by McCain throughout the general election. Given Obama's actual experience, age, and race, it will be very difficult for him to assuage voters' concerns about his readiness to govern.
-
- So what ... there are many factors in a presidential campaign, why is this issue important?
| | | The Experience Argument
The Meaning of "Experience" | |
<
< | In politics, "experience" can mean any number of things and so it means precisely nothing, making it a winning word for politicians crafting a message the masses can support. It works because it's versatile. The word's ambiguity allows the candidates' message to be interpreted in concert with the voter's own worldview. Obama uses the term "quarter century of experience" to denigrate old man McCain? and Americans picture an aging Washington insider. Clinton raises her own "experience" as a foil to newcomer Obama and those same Americans picture a young man not quite ready for the oval office. Voters are allowed to define the word and they do so to the benefit of the speaker. Unfortunately for Obama, the experience mantle is being carried by Clinton and McCain, leaving him as the inexperienced foil to their "ready on day one." | >
> | In politics, "experience" can mean any number of things and so it means precisely nothing, making it a winning word for politicians crafting a message the masses can support. It works because it's versatile. The word's ambiguity allows voters to interpret the candidates' message according to their own worldview. Obama uses the term "quarter century of experience" to denigrate old man McCain and Americans picture an aging Washington insider. Clinton raises her own "experience" as a foil to newcomer Obama and those same Americans picture a young man not quite ready for the oval office. Voters are allowed to define the word and they do so to the benefit of the speaker. Unfortunately for Obama, the experience mantle is being carried by Clinton and McCain, leaving him as the inexperienced foil to their "ready on day one." | | | The Liability of Inexperience | |
<
< | No one brags about their inexperience on the campaign trail. It is not a characteristic sought by voters choosing the next president. In any election cycle, being the inexperienced candidate is a handicap. That reality is heightened during this campaign because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failures the Bush administration as well as voters heightened concerns about national security drummed up since September 11, 2001. | >
> | No one brags about their inexperience on the campaign trail. It is not a characteristic sought by voters choosing the next president. In any election cycle, being the inexperienced candidate is a handicap. That reality is heightened during this campaign because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failures the Bush administration as well as heightened security concerns drummed up since September 11, 2001. Now, more than any time in recent memory, being pegged as inexperienced will cost a candidate votes. | | | Experience in the General Election | |
<
< | The RNC recently released talking points for the general election. They plan to pick up where Clinton left off, hammering Obama on experience and questioning his readiness to serve as commander in chief. While these claims didn’t slow Obama down in the primary, McCain? is better positioned to raise these issues given his lengthy time in Congress, well-known military service, and nine additional months to hammer away. | >
> | The RNC has released their talking points for the general election. They plan to pick up where Clinton left off, hammering Obama on experience and questioning his readiness to serve as commander in chief. While these claims didn't slow Obama down in the primary, McCain? is better positioned to raise these issues given his lengthy time in Congress, well-known military service, and nine additional months to hammer away.
* This doesn't mean that he will be more effective. What risks are their in raising inexperience for McCain that did not exist for Clinton? | | | | |
<
< | As Karl Rove has shown, all it takes for them to make a charge stick against a Democrat is a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a relentlessly focus and disciplined attack. Just as they questioned Max Cleland's patriotism, convinced the American public that there was a pre-war link between Al Qaeda and Iraq, and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama’s readiness for the job. | >
> | As Karl Rove has shown, all it takes to make a charge stick against a Democrat is a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a relentlessly focus and disciplined attack. Just as they questioned Max Cleland's patriotism, convinced the American public that there was a pre-war link between Al Qaeda and Iraq, and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama's readiness for the job.
-
- This reads like a partisan attack and an unfounded assertion, rather than a logic-based argument.
| | | Barriers to Overcoming the Criticism
Current Perceptions | |
<
< | Obama starts behind the eight ball. Clinton earned 94% of voters in Virginia's open Democratic primary who cited experience as their top issue. While currently the economy, health care, and the war on terrorism rank as the top political issues of the campaign, both the recent polls and the past two presidential elections indicate that the race may come down to a few votes in a single swing state. If that is the case, the public’s perception of Obama’s readiness cold be the difference in the election. | >
> | Obama starts behind the eight ball. Clinton earned 94% of voters in Virginia's open Democratic primary who cited experience as their top issue. While currently the economy, health care, and the war on terrorism rank as the top political issues of the campaign, recent polls and the past two presidential elections indicate that the race may come down to a few votes in a single swing state. If that is the case, the public's perception of Obama's readiness cold be the difference in the election.
-
- This feels out of place. I need a transistion between this paragraph in the next or simply to cut this thing out. At the very least, it needs to be said in fewer words.
| | | Obama's Inexperience
Obama's record is too thin for him to take the issue head on. While his resume is comparable to Lincoln's, when standing next to John McCain? , who was in a POW camp while Obama was in grade school, it might be hard for voters to see the comparison. The Obama campaign has, instead, tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." While perhaps "masquing treason," the voters thus far have seemed to buy it. | |
>
> |
-
- This doesn't seem to be giving enough deference to the very real questions about Obama's experience. It is true he was able to slide past those questions by averting the question, but will that continue to work? What happens if he is forced to tackle the issue head on?
| | | Obama's Age | |
<
< | When the generation that votes in this country was at Woodstock, Obama was eight years old. It is hard to convince folks you are ready to lead when you are younger than their little brother. While voters are often willing to look beyond years, both John F. Kennedy Jr. and Bill Clinton had longer resumes than Obama when they ran for the president. Nevertheless, McCain will have to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes experience. In fact, the more the public is focused on the candidates age, the better for Obama, given McCain would be the oldest person ever elected to the presidency. | >
> | When the generation that votes in this country was at Woodstock, Obama was eight years old. It is hard to convince people you are ready to lead when you are younger than their little brother. While voters are often willing to look beyond years, both John F. Kennedy Jr. and Bill Clinton had longer resumes than Obama when they ran for the president. Nevertheless, McCain will have to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes experience. In fact, the more the public is focused on age, the better for Obama; McCain would be the oldest person ever elected to the presidency. | | | Obama's Race
In a nation with embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Passionate, energetic, intelligent, and well-spoken, maybe, but, experienced, likely not.
Additionally, voting on "experience" can provide cover for people unwilling to vote for a black man. While certainly most people who wouldn't vote for a black person wouldn't support the policies that Obama advocates, there are some Democrats and Independents searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. These voters will likely cling to the experience issue. | |
>
> |
-
- I have to depict these voters more convincingly. Now they sound like someone I made up to further my argument.
| | | These voters will be the hardest to persuade. While Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment is more important than lengthy experience or point to popular presidents who were his age and younger when elected, on the race issue he, to borrow from Ghandi, is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, he will be waging an uphill battle to shed the cloud of inexperience that follows his campaign. | | | Moving into the general election, Obama, if he is the Democratic nominee, will have an uphill battle convincing the public that he is ready to govern. While tackling the issue head on enabled him to stay afloat during the primary season, given the shifting demographics in the general election and the strengths of the McCain campaign, overcoming the experience question may prove to be too much for Obama. | |
>
> |
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- I am worried that I am no longer saying anything interesting in this essay ...
| | |
- I think this might be moving in a better direction than your last paper. I think part of the danger with your topic is making it seem as if candidates are conspiring to put forth a racist argument. Obviously that's not only an inelegant summary of your point, but, well, not a summary of your point, since you make clear that you don't think any of this is (probably) some sort of evil master plan to play the race card. In any case, what I'm trying to say is that I think your paper rests on safer ground when it looks at what the voters are hearing, not what the candidates are trying to make the voters hear. Do other people agree? |
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AdamCarlis-FirstPaper 24 - 26 Feb 2008 - Main.AdamCarlis
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| META TOPICPARENT | name="FirstPaper%25" |
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Paper 1 Redux - Starting again, seeking feedback (see diffs for background). | |
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< | A second outline has been added to the bottom, thinking of going that way instead. Comments encouraged. | >
> | Comments encouraged. | | | | |
<
< | Raising Race | >
> | Obama's Experience Problem | | | | |
<
< | -- By AdamCarlis - 18 Feb 2008 | >
> | -- By AdamCarlis - 26 Feb 2008 | | | | |
<
< | Introduction
In politics, "experience" can mean any number of things and so it means precisely nothing, making it a winning word for politicians crafting a message the masses can support. It works because it's versatile. The word's ambiguity means the candidates' message will be interpreted in concert with the voter’s own worldview. Obama uses the term "quarter century of experience" to denigrate old man McCain? and Americans picture an aging Washington insider. Clinton raises her own "experience" as a foil to newcomer Obama and those same Americans picture a young man not quite ready for the oval office. Voters are allowed to define the word and they do so to the benefit of the speaker. During this campaign, Clinton has harnessed the power of "experience," casting an air of uncertainty around Obama. If he, nonetheless, prevails in the primary, that uncertainty will carry over to the general election, be compounded by McCain, and threaten his electability.
Part 1: Speaking Broadly Lets Voters Assume the Best (and the Worst)
When Clinton speaks about experience, she speaks in generalities. Her campaign website glosses over the 15 years she spent at a major corporate law firm in a single sentence, giving it the same treatment as her one year, part-time stint on the board of President Carter’s Legal Services Corporation. The average voter not deeply immersed in the campaign would have difficulty objectively analyzing her experience. | >
> |
| | | | |
<
< | This is not an accident. Generalities allow Clinton to capitalize on voters' positive association with experience and, without details, voters can assume she has the right experience for the job. This is a particularly powerful tactic since Democratic voters associate George W. Bush with inexperience, blaming (among other things) his lack of preparation for the war in Iraq, crumbling economy, and mismanaged bureaucracy. | >
> | Introduction | | | | |
>
> | Clinton's attacks on Obama have raised questions about his experience and, assuming he is the Democratic nominee, those concerns will be amplified by McCain throughout the general election. Given Obama's actual experience, age, and race, it will be very difficult for him to assuage voters' concerns about his readiness to govern. | | | | |
<
< | Part 2: Obama the Foil | >
> | The Experience Argument | | | | |
<
< | Clinton’s argument distinguishes her from Obama. The tactic is working, earning Clinton 94% of voters citing experience as their top issue. Since questions about Obama’s experience seek to stick, he has all but conceded the experience torch to Clinton, contrasting her “ready on day one” with his “right on day one.” | >
> | The Meaning of "Experience" | | | | |
<
< | Obviously, there may be legitimate concerns about a one-term Congressmen and former state senator assuming the presidency (don’t tell Lincoln), but, given the media’s treatment of the Edwards campaign, other factors seem to be contributing to this characterization. Despite their remarkably similar background (both were single term senators and lawyers) Clinton can claim that Obama has not done enough to be president, but couldn’t make similar charges stick against Edwards. Perhaps Edwards’s eight additional years on this planet granted him immunity from the experience argument. There is certainly something in Clintons “35 years of change” that implies more is better. Maybe, Edwards’s prior run for the presidency cemented him as a candidate in voters’ mind and maybe, had Edwards achieved frontrunner stature, the criticism might have stuck to him as well. It is also possible that the charge of inexperience sticks to Obama because of his race. In a nation with embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Passionate, energetic, intelligent, and well-spoken, maybe, but, experienced, likely not. Either way, as the primary season draws to a close, the electorate is left with lingering questions about Mr. Obama’s readiness to assume the presidency and, if he is the nominee, those doubts will carry into the general election. | >
> | In politics, "experience" can mean any number of things and so it means precisely nothing, making it a winning word for politicians crafting a message the masses can support. It works because it's versatile. The word's ambiguity allows the candidates' message to be interpreted in concert with the voter's own worldview. Obama uses the term "quarter century of experience" to denigrate old man McCain? and Americans picture an aging Washington insider. Clinton raises her own "experience" as a foil to newcomer Obama and those same Americans picture a young man not quite ready for the oval office. Voters are allowed to define the word and they do so to the benefit of the speaker. Unfortunately for Obama, the experience mantle is being carried by Clinton and McCain, leaving him as the inexperienced foil to their "ready on day one." | | | | |
>
> | The Liability of Inexperience | | | | |
<
< | Part 3: Experience, the General Election, and Race | >
> | No one brags about their inexperience on the campaign trail. It is not a characteristic sought by voters choosing the next president. In any election cycle, being the inexperienced candidate is a handicap. That reality is heightened during this campaign because of the perceived inexperience and subsequent failures the Bush administration as well as voters heightened concerns about national security drummed up since September 11, 2001. | | | | |
<
< | Obama After the Primaries | >
> | Experience in the General Election | | | | |
<
< | “Obamamania,” the media tells us, is beginning to wane. After months of questions about Obama’s experience, there is a growing sense that washing into the white house on a wave of exuberance is not how one should become president. While Obama has laid rightful claim to the mantle of hope, it appears that a general election campaign will require an equal part substance. Since Clinton’s campaign highlighted her experience, and, by contrast, his inexperience, this will be a challenge for Obama. The voter’s have made meaning of Clinton’s words and will move into the general election with a vision of Obama’s inexperience ingrained in their heads. | >
> | The RNC recently released talking points for the general election. They plan to pick up where Clinton left off, hammering Obama on experience and questioning his readiness to serve as commander in chief. While these claims didn’t slow Obama down in the primary, McCain? is better positioned to raise these issues given his lengthy time in Congress, well-known military service, and nine additional months to hammer away. | | | | |
<
< | McCain's Capitalization on Experience | >
> | As Karl Rove has shown, all it takes for them to make a charge stick against a Democrat is a little bit of truth, a willingness to obscure the issue, and a relentlessly focus and disciplined attack. Just as they questioned Max Cleland's patriotism, convinced the American public that there was a pre-war link between Al Qaeda and Iraq, and turned John Kerry into a waffling opportunist, they will exploit the public perception of Obama’s readiness for the job. | | | | |
<
< | The RNC recently released talking points for the general election. The Republicans plan to pick up where Clinton left off, hammering Obama on experience and questioning his readiness to serve as commander and chief. While these claims didn’t slow Obama down in the primary, McCain? has more “experience” than Clinton and, after another nine months of raising the issue, it is possible that enough traction will be generated to make a dent in Obama’s popularity. | >
> | Barriers to Overcoming the Criticism | | | | |
<
< | Racism Will Hurt Obama's Ability to Fight Back Effectively | >
> | Current Perceptions | | | | |
<
< | The best politicians are able to reshape voters’ reality. Karl Rove convinced half the American people that there was a pre-war connection between Iraq and Al Qaeda. Saxby Chambliss convinced voters that Max Cleland, a triple amputee and decorated veteran was unpatriotic. All the skilled politician needs is a willing public, a little bit of truth, and a readiness to put political goals above common decency. | >
> | Obama starts behind the eight ball. Clinton earned 94% of voters in Virginia's open Democratic primary who cited experience as their top issue. While currently the economy, health care, and the war on terrorism rank as the top political issues of the campaign, both the recent polls and the past two presidential elections indicate that the race may come down to a few votes in a single swing state. If that is the case, the public’s perception of Obama’s readiness cold be the difference in the election. | | | | |
<
< | The American people’s resistance to the war was eroded by misinformation, a crackdown on dissent, and honest fear generated by the attack on the world trade center. Those same factors … | >
> | Obama's Inexperience | | | | |
<
< | To fight back … | >
> | Obama's record is too thin for him to take the issue head on. While his resume is comparable to Lincoln's, when standing next to John McCain? , who was in a POW camp while Obama was in grade school, it might be hard for voters to see the comparison. The Obama campaign has, instead, tried to shift the argument from "experience" to "judgment." While perhaps "masquing treason," the voters thus far have seemed to buy it. | | | | |
<
< | Harder for Obama because an “inexperienced black man” being ready for the presidency is tough to swallow … | >
> | Obama's Age | | | | |
<
< | Conclusion | >
> | When the generation that votes in this country was at Woodstock, Obama was eight years old. It is hard to convince folks you are ready to lead when you are younger than their little brother. While voters are often willing to look beyond years, both John F. Kennedy Jr. and Bill Clinton had longer resumes than Obama when they ran for the president. Nevertheless, McCain will have to deemphasize age as much as he emphasizes experience. In fact, the more the public is focused on the candidates age, the better for Obama, given McCain would be the oldest person ever elected to the presidency. | | | | |
<
< |
| >
> | Obama's Race | | | | |
<
< | Obama's Experience Problem | >
> | In a nation with embarrassingly few African Americans in government and backlash against affirmative action engrained into the psyche of white America, it is harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man. Passionate, energetic, intelligent, and well-spoken, maybe, but, experienced, likely not. | | | | |
<
< | Topic: Clinton's attacks on Obama have somewhat succeeded in raising questions about his experience. Those concerns will be amplified by McCain during the general election and, given Obama's race, particularly difficult to overcome. | >
> | Additionally, voting on "experience" can provide cover for people unwilling to vote for a black man. While certainly most people who wouldn't vote for a black person wouldn't support the policies that Obama advocates, there are some Democrats and Independents searching for a socially acceptable reason to justify their anti-Obama vote. These voters will likely cling to the experience issue. | | | | |
<
< | Origin of the Problem
- Clinton used “experience” to depict both her and Obama
- Questions of readiness stuck to Obama
- People predisposed to think inexperience is bad
- Plane meaning of the word
- Bush
| >
> | These voters will be the hardest to persuade. While Obama can plausibly argue that good judgment is more important than lengthy experience or point to popular presidents who were his age and younger when elected, on the race issue he, to borrow from Ghandi, is the change he wants to see in the world. As a result, it will be next to impossible to convince some voters that he is ready and capable until he does it and does it well. Until then, he will be waging an uphill battle to shed the cloud of inexperience that follows his campaign. | | | | |
<
< | Experience in the General Election
- McCain? will pick up where Hillary left off
- More Experienced
- Older
- Veteran
- More Time to Hammer
| >
> | Conclusion | | | | |
<
< | Barriers to Overcoming the Criticism
- Obama’s Inexperience
- Lincoln
- 2 potential considerations:
- Obama and Lincoln had v. similar political experience. But what about other kinds of experience? I know very little about Lincoln's biography, other than that he, too, was a lawyer. But did he have any kind of "experience" that Obama didn't?
- What about the fact that Lincoln and Obama come from very different times? Is experience more important now than then? Is a different kind of experience now than then? - Amanda
- Voters are willing to look past inexperience (Bush)
- But isn't part of the problem that people felt burned by Bush, and are now looking for someone with a little more experience (or intelligence, or something)? -Amanda
- Obama’s Age
- Voters are willing to look past youth (Kennedy, Clinton)
- With McCain? as a too-old foil, youth might be an asset
- Obama’s Race
- Harder to picture an experienced black man than an experienced white man – difficult to dig out of the hole.
| >
> | Moving into the general election, Obama, if he is the Democratic nominee, will have an uphill battle convincing the public that he is ready to govern. While tackling the issue head on enabled him to stay afloat during the primary season, given the shifting demographics in the general election and the strengths of the McCain campaign, overcoming the experience question may prove to be too much for Obama. | | | | |
<
< | Conclusion | >
> |
| | | - I think this might be moving in a better direction than your last paper. I think part of the danger with your topic is making it seem as if candidates are conspiring to put forth a racist argument. Obviously that's not only an inelegant summary of your point, but, well, not a summary of your point, since you make clear that you don't think any of this is (probably) some sort of evil master plan to play the race card. In any case, what I'm trying to say is that I think your paper rests on safer ground when it looks at what the voters are hearing, not what the candidates are trying to make the voters hear. Do other people agree?
Also, interesting sidenote: Clinton's "ready on day one" spiel? Allegedly stolen from McCain? 's website. -Amanda | |
>
> |
- I really appreciate it, Amanda ... what do you think of the new draft? -- AdamCarlis 26 Feb 2008
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