Obama sweeps Saterday Primaries(LA, NE,WA)

[Battlehymn Republic]

From an 2007 profile in Rolling Stone:

Yes, I've read that before. But it still doesn't confirm he's a YEC or not. He may very well be one, but it seems like that people are labeling him that baselessly just to use it against him, when there's already a wealth of things that have a basis in reality to use against Huckabee already. And besides, do YECs even believe that the Earth was created in 4004 B.C. nowadays?

Anyways, I think people are missing the point. Falwell's dead, Robertson nominate Rudy, Dobson was floundering and being badmouthed by FreeRepublic of all places for his threats to pull out the Religious Right from the party. The posterboys of evangelicalism are changing in the U.S., as well as the agenda. I'm not going to claim that it'll necessarily be kinder, softer, but people should realize that Huckabee is no Robertson; they have different messages, different methods, and different goals. Just because he has the same religiously extreme views on some issues doesn't mean that he and his ilk are the same as the fundies of the past. The economic populist schtick is a powerful one. He's been calling for a slightly less hawkish foreign policy. And the new evangelicalism is spearheaded by younger, less abrasive preachers like Rick Warren, Kenneth Copeland, and so on. Your political adversary is changing; it's best to accept that.

[Durandal]

This could wind up being the weekend that Hillary began a downward spiral. She lost every state by a 2-to-1 margin, her fundraising numbers pale in comparison to Obama and she just axed her campaign manager. These are not the signs of a campaign which has legs, and the donors recognize that.

Hillary is still well-entrenched in the Democratic establishment, and the super-delegates are going to feel a lot of pressure from the top. The question is whether the Democratic Party wants to disavow its brand name. One of the most dependable Democratic voting blocs, blacks, already have. All it took was one stupid comment from Bill Clinton preceded by a series of hatchet attacks on the first viable black presidential candidate in this country's history.

But Obama's picking up steam, and if he wins Virginia on Tuesday, which poll numbers are indicating is what will happen, he won't just be a weekend winner. He'll have a series of landslide victories in states with widely-varying demographics, and that'll be damn hard for the DNC to ignore, no matter what kind of pressure Hillary supporters at the top put on. He's gone very broad appeal, and he doesn't bring any of the baggage to the table that Hillary does.

If he can secure Edwards' endorsement, he'll have a lock on the nomination.

[Plekhanov]

Yes, I've read that before. But it still doesn't confirm he's a YEC or not. He may very well be one, but it seems like that people are labeling him that baselessly just to use it against him, when there's already a wealth of things that have a basis in reality to use against Huckabee already. And besides, do YECs even believe that the Earth was created in 4004 B.C. nowadays?

Anyways, I think people are missing the point. Falwell's dead, Robertson nominate Rudy, Dobson was floundering and being badmouthed by FreeRepublic of all places for his threats to pull out the Religious Right from the party. The posterboys of evangelicalism are changing in the U.S., as well as the agenda. I'm not going to claim that it'll necessarily be kinder, softer, but people should realize that Huckabee is no Robertson; they have different messages, different methods, and different goals. Just because he has the same religiously extreme views on some issues doesn't mean that he and his ilk are the same as the fundies of the past. The economic populist schtick is a powerful one. He's been calling for a slightly less hawkish foreign policy. And the new evangelicalism is spearheaded by younger, less abrasive preachers like Rick Warren, Kenneth Copeland, and so on. Your political adversary is changing; it's best to accept that.

Huckabee is an evangelical preacher who recently called for the US constitution to be rewritten to suit the bible, he's every bit as bat shit insane as the old guard theocrats (even if he doesn't agree with them on everything) and is on record as repeatedly denying evolution, including in nationally televised debates. Just check out this video and deny again that he's a young earth creationist.

[Battlehymn Republic]

He may be insane, but he's insane in different ways. Some of which may appeal to segments of the electorate previously unappealed to by the evangelicals. That's the key.

Also, in the video he's basically once again weaselling out about whether or not he's a YEC, or one of those creationists who believe in the big gap or whatever, or just a creationist who doesn't bother to rationalize it at all. Point is, he's still a creationist and all that entails, but you can't necessarily nail him for believing that the Earth was created in 6000 years. Because he's purposefully being hazy with that.

[Plekhanov]

He may be insane, but he's insane in different ways. Some of which may appeal to segments of the electorate previously unappealed to by the evangelicals. That's the key.

In what significant ways is he differently insane? They're all misogynist, homophobic, theocrats who think the government has every right to force people to live their lives according to some old book.

Also, in the video he's basically once again weaselling out about whether or not he's a YEC, or one of those creationists who believe in the big gap or whatever, or just a creationist who doesn't bother to rationalize it at all. Point is, he's still a creationist and all that entails, but you can't necessarily nail him for believing that the Earth was created in 6000 years. Because he's purposefully being hazy with that.

So he was trying not to appear too zealous on a show which relatively few young earth creationists watch, he's clearly a YEC hence the need to him to try to avoid answering Maher's questions.

[Battlehymn Republic]

In what significant ways is he differently insane? They're all misogynist, homophobic, theocrats who think the government has every right to force people to live their lives according to some old book.

Again, the economic populism, the willingness to use big government for things other than social issues, the calling for a humbler foreign policy, all the bluster against reliance on Saudi oil, saying that Republicans need to care about the fate of kids after they're out of the womb, etc.

Sure, it may all be (and probably is) empty rhetoric. But empty, moderate-sounding rhetoric worked for Bush back in 2000 when he played the no foreign nation-building compassionate conservative card. And so a nation may yet vote for the Huckster. All this "lolz he's totally nutz" dismissal is dangerously ignoring that Huckabee isn't just a loon.

(Not to mention that half the country already doesn't believe in evolution. They may not all care for ID getting taught in schools, but Huckabee being a creationist isn't necessarily going to alienate them.)

In any case, the economy is getting more play this evolution than social issues did in 2004. Health care, as well. That gives Huckabee an advantage over the old guard theocrats who were all into limited government. Did you even read the DailyKos article I linked to?

So he was trying not to appear too zealous on a show which relatively few young earth creationists watch, he's clearly a YEC hence the need to him to try to avoid answering Maher's questions.

He may be a YEC, but again, I'm just saying it's not necessarily true. In any case, there are plenty of other ways to attack his rationality without insisting that he believes the world is 6000 years old. FairTax, anyone?

[Plekhanov]

In what significant ways is he differently insane? They're all misogynist, homophobic, theocrats who think the government has every right to force people to live their lives according to some old book.

Again, the economic populism, the willingness to use big government for things other than social issues, the calling for a humbler foreign policy, all the bluster against reliance on Saudi oil, saying that Republicans need to care about the fate of kids after they're out of the womb, etc.

And those positions are 'insane' how exactly?

Huckabee is still insane in all the same ways as the old guard he just differs with them on areas where there are more legitimate grounds for debate.

Sure, it may all be (and probably is) empty rhetoric. But empty, moderate-sounding rhetoric worked for Bush back in 2000 when he played the no foreign nation-building compassionate conservative card. And so a nation may yet vote for the Huckster. All this "lolz he's totally nutz" dismissal is dangerously ignoring that Huckabee isn't just a loon.

I wasn't aware that anyone had said he was 'just a loon' simply that he is a loon, which he undoubtedly is and that most of his support comes largely from 'ultraconservative hicks', which is does. That's not to say that he insane on all issues or an incompetent campaigner, why do you keep on arguing against things people simply aren't saying?

(Not to mention that half the country already doesn't believe in evolution. They may not all care for ID getting taught in schools, but Huckabee being a creationist isn't necessarily going to alienate them.)

And when did anyone say it would? Stating a personal reason for disliking somebody is not the same thing as making hard and fast claims about what the best political strategy is.

In any case, the economy is getting more play this evolution than social issues did in 2004. Health care, as well. That gives Huckabee an advantage over the old guard theocrats who were all into limited government. Did you even read the DailyKos article I linked to?

I didn't need to because I already know about his political sophistication and overall populist position.

[Battlehymn Republic]

And those positions are 'insane' how exactly?

Huckabee is still insane in all the same ways as the old guard he just differs with them on areas where there are more legitimate grounds for debate.

True enough, perhaps I was wrong when I said that he's "insane differently." But what I meant is that he has enough positions different from the traditional Republican orthodoxy to make him into a different kind of insane from them.

I wasn't aware that anyone had said he was 'just a loon' simply that he is a loon, which he undoubtedly is and that most of his support comes largely from 'ultraconservative hicks', which is does. That's not to say that he insane on all issues or an incompetent campaigner, why do you keep on arguing against things people simply aren't saying?

What I mean is that he has the potential to gain support outside of ultraconservative hick demographic, and thus isn't just a simple loon so much as a loon who may very well see office again.

And when did anyone say it would? Stating a personal reason for disliking somebody is not the same thing as making hard and fast claims about what the best political strategy is.

Fair enough. It's just a lot of times people tend to go "oh, he's a young-earth creationist, who would elect that?" and it tends to conflate with their dislike for him. What I'm saying is that you can very well dislike the man, but he may very well be more electable than his detractors are giving him credit for.

I didn't need to because I already know about his political sophistication and overall populist position.

Okay, though it's still a recommendable read with some good insights. And the points are all so-helpfully bolded in black, too.

[Havok]

P.S. Obama also won a Grammy.

Link

Obama also beat two former Democratic presidents to win a Grammy award on Sunday night.

His recording of his book, "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream," took the recording academy's award for best spoken word album -- topping former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

Heh. He beat out a Clinton again too.

[Stravo]

I read that Clinton let out yet more tears at a campaign Q&A session. Christ I can see her calculating when would be the best time to let it out. I wonder when women groups will start to complain to her that she's living up to the unspoken stereotype of women in leadership positions and should cut the shit out.

[Xisiqomelir]

Hillary is still well-entrenched in the Democratic establishment, and the super-delegates are going to feel a lot of pressure from the top. The question is whether the Democratic Party wants to disavow its brand name.

Dean will never let that happen. Several supers have already said that if they're used to select a different candidate from the people's choice, they'll leave the party.

[Eris]

I read that Clinton let out yet more tears at a campaign Q&A session. Christ I can see her calculating when would be the best time to let it out. I wonder when women groups will start to complain to her that she's living up to the unspoken stereotype of women in leadership positions and should cut the shit out.

I'm a woman group of one, but I'll do it for you right now. I have been a supporter of Obama since the start of the primaries, but I was hoping that the campaign would be conducted with some modicum of taste. Clinton's theatrics have torpedoed that thought, even if they don't come as a particular surprise. It's exactly this sort of thing which made me support Obama in the first place. I want a president with a strong sense of moral certitude, and a set of principles that they can articulate reasonable and defend vigourously even in the face of disapproval or adversity. Clinton's opportunistic stabs at anything that might secure her spot in the White House have left me with a foul taste in my mouth that makes me hope quite a lot I don't have to hold my nose and vote for her just to prevent another Republican term.

Really, I'm aware that Obama might not be all that much better once he actually gets elected, but even when he was far behind in the polls in the runup to this, he looked like he was going to take losing with class. It's a sense of civility I think it is important to the leader of a civilised nation, and one that's for the most part sadly lost. If you must fail, do so with dignity.

[Shroom Man 777]

See. Like I said. She's practically waving her bloody tampon for everyone to see. All to gain an advantage.