The Nation: Obama For President

Editors Say Democrat's Ability To Forge Progressive Majority Makes Him The Best Choice

(The Nation)  This column was written by the editors of The Nation

---

As this year's front-loaded primary calendar took shape, capped off with the February 5 Super-Mega-Duper Tuesday, many voters once again resigned themselves to watching from the sidelines as a few early states got the privilege of choosing the party's nominee. Yet despite a schedule tailor-made to benefit the establishment candidate and confer an early victory, we are, somewhat miraculously, in the midst of the most contested primary race in 24 years. We are all Iowans now.

This state of affairs is thanks almost entirely to the campaign of Barack Obama, who, because of his background and his relatively brief time in the national spotlight, is a truly improbable contender for the presidency. This magazine has been critical of the senator from Illinois for his closeness to Wall Street; his unwillingness to lay out an ambitious progressive agenda on health care, housing and other domestic policy issues; and for post partisan rhetoric that seems to ignore the manifest failure of conservatism over these past seven years. But as Christopher Hayes argued in our cover story last week, Obama has also exhibited a more humane and wise approach to foreign policy, opposing the Iraq War while Hillary Clinton voted for it, and has been a reliable progressive ally over the course of his career. While his rhetoric about "unity" can be troubling, it also embodies a savvy strategy to redefine the center of American politics and build a coalition by reaching out to independent and Republican voters disgruntled and disgusted with what the Bush era has wrought. Most important, we feel his candidacy, in its demonstrated investment in organizing and grassroots activism as well as his personal appeal, represents the best chance to forge a new progressive majority. For these reasons we support Obama for President.

Obama's brand of grassroots politics should serve him well in the coming weeks. He has already galvanized a new class of supporters, delivered on the promise of turning out new voters and raised an astonishing amount of money from hundreds of thousands of small donors. In the February contests in caucus states, he can leverage his superior organizing, and in liberal primary states like Maryland and Wisconsin, he can leverage his progressive support in the wake of John Edwards's exit. But the Obama coalition is relatively weak among Latino voters, as well as among the core Democratic constituencies of the elderly and the working class, who are most focused on bread-and-butter basics: making the economy work for the non-rich. As a moral and political imperative, he would do well to seize the mantle of equitable redistribution and broad economic security for those who live their lives on the precipice of bankruptcy and disaster.

While some will fret about the effect on the eventual nominee of a prolonged battle, the upwelling of small-d democratic enthusiasm in this primary — all those impassioned e-mails, phone calls, canvassing sessions and Facebook postings — has reaped real results: record turnout in the first four contests and on Super Tuesday. While the GOP appears to be on the verge of nominating old war (mongering) horse John McCain, Democrats will likely remain divided, and that's quite all right. Primaries are more than just the means of choosing a nominee; they are an opportunity to weave together networks capable of pushing the country, inch by inch, in a new direction. There's nothing quite like the novel experience of casting a meaningful vote to stoke the aspirations and energies of citizens of conscience. As we move toward November, we'll need all the energy we can get.

[x32792]

Not to worry, we still have Super Delegates and these could allow us to enjoy four more years of the Bill and Hillary Show.

The accomplished insincerity, indignant hissy fits, contrived PR stunts, Bill wagging his finger in our faces and the adoring Media reporting every out of wedlock emission of his bodily fluids.

What''s not to like?

Forget about the Special Interest Fluffing, continued devaluation of the American Dollar (aka New World Peso), no organic growth or jobs and the fact your great-great grandchildren will be born in debt.

Don''t question the non-representative Agenda, just sit back and enjoy four more years of the Bill and Hillary Show.

[jaykay221]

People - for real - Obama is the choice - and you can believe in him as much or as little as you like. I can only ask that you believe in yourselves. There is only one power that can overcome that status quo we have painted in front of us as inevitable - and that is the people and their voice as collective.

[nolajaw1]

I find it really interesting that Obama keeps stating that he is the best candidate for pulling in disgruntled Republicans and Independents. I am a registered Republican, retired Marine, and currently a civil servant. I will NOT vote for McCain under any circumstances. I could care less about demographics and the appeal of having someone different running our powerful nation. I''ve listened closely to the debates for both parties. Obama thinks he has my vote versus McCain. He does NOT! Senator Clinton will have my vote in the primary and all the way through to the Presidency. The last democrat I voted for was Carter.

[nolajaw1]

Obama tries to tout change as his big selling point. Change for change sake is ridiculous and youthful naiveti. At least with Senator Clinton, I understand the direction of that change and her decisions are based upon deep experience. Obama might want change but I really believe he is over his head and I really think having Sen Ted Kennedy in the wings "helping" him make decisions is laughable. During the debates, he didn''t seem to have much original thought and mimmiced Clinton''s points all night. She convincingly provided a basis for her platform. Obama did not. Obama as my Commander-in-chief? I somewhat understand that the African American community really thinks it is more important to have Obama break that barrier. However, I question that Obama can really step in as a global leader of the most powerful nation on earth. I bet Osama bin Laden is licking his chops over that prospect right now. I think that is scary. Obama is glaringly weak in experience and that is probably what our country needs most right now. I think Clinton brings the right balance between savvy international policy and a strong domestic agenda. We need BOTH! Rookies and old men need not apply.

[cbs4me3]

Obama frenzy. Someone yells free beer and we all come running. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Oh, we are young and the generation of "me" so this is America today. Do we want this America for the Presidency of the U.S. of America. Need to get back to class; the lecture is almost over.

[paris1969]

NOBAMA NOBAMA NOBAMA

[bookout2]

I don''t blame Bill Clinton for wagging his finger
in the face of reporters. The whole national media
is trying the get Osama elected president. Thats
because the CEOs are either all black or Jewish. The
reporters are trying to keep their jobs. And, Donna
Brazzile says she will quit, if the election is
decided in Congress. Good, good, good ridence Donna.

[grazinggoat]

NOBAMA NOBAMA NOBAMA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by paris1969 at 10:10 AM : Feb 09, 2008

- 11 yrs teens are not allowed to post on this thread. Did you ask your parents?

[l8c6]

The republican party ended up with serious nut groups on its back that has severely tarnished it. The democratic party was wiped out by nut groups that got on its back in the past. What the nut groups of the democratic party think they have here is a candidate they can push around. It will be a swirling mass of confusion for a man with a slogan but no solidly stated concrete plans to bring focus to his presidency. Much of the time will be spent contending with the special interests some of who have contributed large sums of money to his campaign, that will demand to have it their way.

Does it mean anything that Obama says he will work with democrats and republicans? Isn''t that what the democrats did in the 90''s when it was the party of moderates? Obama is a great inspirational spirit having the voice and inflection but what really has he said that is concrete. Change, change, change. If Kennedy''s wanted change they''d step down. No, they want to lead this man around and so to the other nut groups of the democratic party.

[alain10-2009]

Im neither for Obama nor Clinton. I voted way back for Biden.
Right now Hillary has the experience thing against Obama. She won''t against McCain.
She voted for the war and the surge is working. War is off the table and McCain will and can claim that he is better on National Security.
Obama can come with the argument that the whole mindset about the middle east is wrong and that is why we never succeed. Wrong or right he comes with a fresh approach, Clinton can''t. This is why I want the not so experienced candidate coming with a new attitude, new approach about politics within the country and foreign policies and diplomacy. As they say, I am more than willing to roll the dice with him.
I am almost certain McCain will beat Clinton. With Obama I like our chances.

[summit1515]

I, too, have come to the point where I support Barack Obama for President. He repeatedly has articulated good sense -- not a regurgitation of survey data, not wonkish numbers, but just good solid sense -- and the American people are hearing it. As a Democrat, I think our party needs to hear it.

[jrsweld]

Following law school, while First Lady of Arkansas, Clinton conducted a number of largely unsuccessful campaigns for education & other family issues in Arkansas (much like her unsuccessful health care program as First Lady). At the same time, she parlayed $1,000 into $100,000 and more by trading futures online, and cranked in big fees at the Rose Hill law firm. Obama, after law school, worked as a civil rights attorney and taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago (not a shabby institution). Take a look at their Wikipedia writeups & see who has more experience to face the issues as Leader of the Free World?

[l8c6]

In history it has been many a time that just when the worst was thought to be over, things got a lot worse.

[serrano338]

Barak Hussein for President? NOT! I''ll never vote for anybody with Hussein in their name. If Obama is really American he will drop Hussein from his name and join a church that does not say that it is dedicated to Africa and African peoples. I went to the website for that Chicago church and found it very troubling. Obama supporters and the media are worshipping this guy and calling his movements a grass roots movement. Well we know Obama was a grass smoker and cocaine user when he was younger, but it;s all been played down because the Obamacans have formed a cult around this man and they are willing to drink the Obama Kool-aid without regard to the consequences. Obama reminds me of the arrogant Wall Street types I used to encounter in New York. He belongs in the VP spot. Stay on the scene, get more experience, let us see what you are made of for a few more years.

[serrano338]

What if Hillary is right and Obama is all preachy sixties talk. Obama is not anything new, it''s just that people need a messiah figure. What happens when we find out he''s a Jerry Falwell, he has sinned and tarnished the evangelical cloak people are giving him. I prefer someone less ministerial for president. If I want a sermon I''ll go to church on Sunday. Anyway Hillary will pull it out and beat McCain because all Obama offers in a different skin color, that''s not change. The way to change Washington is to have a female president, that''s the trend around the world. Be courteous and supportive of MADAME PRESIDENT. WAKE UP DEMOCRATS BEFORE IT''S TOO LATE. BARAK HUSSEIN IS A GEORGE BUSH DISASTER IN CHOCOLATE SKIN. He''s not that bad. HILLARY for PRESIDENT, OBAMA FOR VP. OK!

[l8c6]

The right wing is most concerned with Hillary. Politically Hillary makes better sense. If she doesn''t make it, it will likely be worse not for the democrats or republicans but for the working middle class of this nation which is the vast majority.

[l8c6]

tuckerndfw

My concern is that Obama will be more like Bush in that he''ll be led around by special interest groups because he has no concrete stated plans to bring about all this change he talks about. Right wingers are for Obama.

Whenever the right wing makes corporate media announcements that they''d vote for Hillary over McCain....if you can''t smell a rat, you haven''t learned to distrust the right wing enough.

[destardi]

Oh PLEASE

He made his grand speech 15 days AFTER the vote for the Iraq Resolution, he backed JOE LIEBERMAN against Ned Lamont, he constantly attacks fellow progressives and Gingrich compares him to JFK.

GINGRICH. When your opponent and the media is building someone up, you''d better prick your ears up and pay attention; that can''t be good.

He cannot win against McCain....The same media liberals have ******* about (me include) for the past 7 years of giving Bush a pass on his policies are now rooting for Obama.

SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE.

[madmaciii]

Obama will be elected by the 60''s media folks who feel they were robbed by the assassination of JFK. He has their firm support - if he can''t win handily with them, which he does not seem to be doing, then there is someting wrong. In the end, Kennedy was more symbol than substance. These are different times, we are not emerging from the relative innocence of the 50''s, the world is more complex - there is no return to there. Obama is bound to disappoint.

[forthepeopl1]

[edit] Criminal and Civil Prosecutions
Two provisions of the MCA , MISERY HILLARY GOT THIS PAST INTO LAW...WHY

First, the MCA changed the definition of war crimes for which US government defendants can be prosecuted. Under the War Crimes Act of 1996, any violation of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions was considered a war crime and could be criminally prosecuted. Section 6 of the Military Commissions Act amended the War Crimes Act so that only actions specifically defined as "grave breaches" of Common Article 3 could be the basis for a prosecution, and it made that definition retroactive to November 26, 1997. The specific actions defined in section 6 of the Military Commissions Act include torture, cruel or inhumane treatment, murder, mutilation or maiming, intentionally causing serious bodily harm, rape, sexual assault or abuse, and the taking of hostages. According to Mariner of Human Rights Watch, the effect is "that perpetrators of several categories of what were war crimes at the time they were committed, can no longer be punished under U.S. law."[32] The Center for Constitutional Rights adds:

The MCA%u2019s restricted definitions arguably would exempt certain U.S. officials who have implemented or had command responsibility for coercive interrogation techniques from war crimes prosecutions.
. . . .
This amendment is designed to protect U.S. government perpetrators of abuses during the "war on terror" from prosecution.[33]

[l8c6]

tuckerndfw

Was there a republican candidate you had thought about voting for?

I think right wingers fear Hillary most.

[l8c6]

When the right wing think tank makes uniform talking points that they''ve vote for Hillary before McCain it stands to make one wonder what they are up to. It''s there divide and conquer the left ploy. Confuse the left. Right wingers are like individuals with borderline personality disorder. They attempt to create chaos and division amongst others in order to take control.

[bluefusion2]

If you think that having health insurance through your job means you won''t have to pay Hilary''s mandatory health insurance premiums - think again! According to a September 18 Associated Press article, Clinton said in an interview with the AP: "... she could envision a day when ''you have to show proof to your employer that you''re insured as a part of the job interview -- like when your kid goes to school and has to show proof of vaccination,'' but said such details would be worked out through negotiations with Congress."

Go Obama!

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20070918-0856-clinton-apinterview.html

[runningralph]

I liked Edwards better than either Hillary or Barack, but I guess either one of them will do OK. I don''t really care for liberals or Democrats but most of them are trying to do what their constituency wants. I think Jimmy Carter was and is a man whose heart is in the right place. Harry Truman was a good man. All I want to know is how will they fight Islamic jihad, crime, welfare, illegal immigration, high fuel consumption, etc. I''m seeing a lot of vagueness when it comes down to the details.

[l8c6]

tuckerndfw

If you''d vote for Ron Paul you are a long standing "repub".

When the right wing corporate media talking point is to universally make comments that McCain is baaaad and they''d vote for Hillary so much as to imply she is more conservative they are like an individual with a borderline personality disorder attempting to create chaos, confusion and division amongst voters in order to control their environment.

Hillary is the one the right wing corporate neo cons have been concerned about for several years. It''s likely she does have some traditional republican values but not the neo con right wing fascist ones that are condoning torture and the destruction of our borders to the benefit of global capitalists who demand no voice for the majority of human interest.

Hillary has a better capacity to begin restoring the middle class and bringing the nation together.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by l8c6 at 01:20 PM : Feb 09, 2008

Well said! And right on!

It''s the Neocons that try to make people think she is more conservative because they don''t want to face her in an election.

Obama is all blow and no show! Look at HIS RECORD! A vote of ''Present'' is useless in the White House!

[rowdytexan2]

But, I really don''''t care because if the choice comes down to Billary or Mad Dog, I''''ll just sit this one out. I have said I''''d vote for the GOP candidate, but there is no way I could ever look myself in a mirror if I voted for Mad Dog McCain

Posted by tuckerndfw at 12:50 PM : Feb 09, 2008

Spoken like a pouty child or a guy that just plain hates women.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by tuckerndfw at 01:49 PM : Feb 09, 2008

And you would allow this country to be put in the hands of an incompetent who hasn''t a clue?

A guy who evaded taking a stance when he was an Illinois senator, who up until two months ago did not even have a PLAN??? Who as a US Senator has sponsored SIX pieces of legislation?

Your personal hate for the Clinton''s overlooks the fact that during Mr. Clinton''s presidency this country prospered!!! And that Hillary Clinton was a huge part of that???

You would let your personal hatred move this country into backwards instead of forward?

[croft777]

But the Obama coalition is relatively weak among Latino voters, as well as among the core Democratic constituencies of the elderly and the working class, who are most focused on bread-and-butter basics: making the economy work for the non-rich.

This is the most stupid phrase I ever heard. Bread and butter basics, are they kidding. For the non rich? What is this Obama as a Republican? Why do you people at CBS continue to think that those supporting Hillary are the uneducated and poor? The Nevada exit polls show that Hillary beat obama in the 18-29 yrs of age, the 30-44 years of age,the 45-59 yrs of age, and the 60and over. By these polls, Hillary won Obama in every "Total Family Income" The highest being $100,000 or more which she got 49% of those votes and he got 33%. She also got more college graduates and post graduates then Obama. Get the facts straight, that Obama makes me sick, you people want him to win so we''ll have another Republican in office. I''m supporting Hillary and I know many more of us 40 and over college grads are going to do the same.

[croft777]

But the Obama coalition is relatively weak among Latino voters, as well as among the core Democratic constituencies of the elderly and the working class, who are most focused on bread-and-butter basics: making the economy work for the non-rich.

This is the most stupid phrase I ever heard. Bread and butter basics, are they kidding. For the non rich? What is this Obama as a Republican? Why do you people at CBS continue to think that those supporting Hillary are the uneducated and poor? The Nevada exit polls show that Hillary beat obama in the 18-29 yrs of age, the 30-44 years of age,the 45-59 yrs of age, and the 60and over. By these polls, Hillary won Obama in every "Total Family Income" The highest being $100,000 or more which she got 49% of those votes and he got 33%. She also got more college graduates and post graduates then Obama. Get the facts straight, that Obama makes me sick, you people want him to win so we''''ll have another Republican in office. I''''m supporting Hillary and I know many more of us 40 and over college grads are going to do the same.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[croft777]

Tucker is a muslim, he wants Obama.

[croft777]

I was on Yahoo Islam chat line, the muslims want Obama, go figure. See I told you he a muslim.

[croft777]

I consider them to be two of the most corrupt, self-centered and divisive politicians of our time. I cannot think of anyone more corrupt and divisive. George Bush is their equal, but he doesn''''t get lower than them.tuckerndfw

tucker, why you worrying about it , you can''t vote on a visa anyways. Go home to Saudi.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by croft777 at 01:56 PM : Feb 09, 2008

Exactly Croft777, evidently most of the CBS news team did NOT read the exit polls!

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by tuckerndfw at 02:04 PM : Feb 09, 2008

Then God bless your hatred! Because it is as vile as the vituperation you wage against them! In fact it is nonesense!!!

[croft777]

I despise them both because they are contemptible human beings with no self-respect. If they do not respect themselves, why should I?tuckerndfw

you despise everyone whos not a muslim anyways, so what does it matter? There is nothing in the Clintons record that is not already known, or proved for that matter. They went on witch hunts. The Republicans are jealous of the Clintons. There Jealous of Bill because he got us out of the deficit and we even had a surplus. There Jealous of Hillary because she has helped so much concerning the average american,which by the way is the majority in this country. The Republican could care less about the average American, all they care about is more money for the very rich. Those greedy evil people.

[rowdytexan2]

Had Bill Clinton been an incompetent a/s/s/ like George Bush, he would have waited and stood back and vetoed every bill that came across his desk out of spite and sent it back to be bullied and written his way.

Instead of doing that, he worked across party lines to get it done right the first time!

And that will be HIllary''s working stance also! Legislation cannot be enacted without cooperation between the president and the legislature, it''s called a balance of power, Tucker!

[croft777]

The Nation: Obama For President
Editors Say Democrat''s Ability To Forge Progressive Majority Makes Him The Best Choice


The Title is also a bash to Hillary. Like Obama already won. Right! Who cares what the editors say, I believe their uneducated job is to edit the stories. Who are they to speak on this educated issue, if they were doing their homework right , they would see that Hillary has the most popular votes in the most important states. Obama winning in these small states that go Republicans is not going to help in in the long run, he''ll lose to the republicans, you can bet everything you ever owned on that.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by tuckerndfw at 02:15 PM : Feb 09, 2008

And I think that you seriuously underestime the will of the people in this election. Democrats are not going to stand back and settle for more years of Neocon regimism.

The election results already show that. Had you read the exit polls you would know that a majority of the pollsters said they would back the party!

[notopennshut]

Bless those hatred-mongers. That''s what is wrong with the country today, PLUS the fact that we seem to be electing the same old, same old faces that have been there for a gerzillion years. They have done nothing to advance the cause of the everyday man and woman. The longer they have been there, the more millions they have stockpile into their personal accounts. How many of us can claim to be able to lend ourselves millions?? Open your eyes, vote them out and let''s vote for someone fresh and untainted. We need a new leader who can and will help move us forward. Another 100 years in Iraq won''t do it, nor can we allow the Billaries to run us around while they run around the white house.

[croft777]

If Obama isn''''t in the race, his supporters will stay home. If Billary isn''''t in the race her supporters will vote for Obama.tuckerndfw

Well there you go again running your mouth concerning things you don''t know. I will not vote for Obama if he is chosen the canidate for the DEM party. I won''t vote REP either, I just won''t vote. And believe all the people I know, which is alot, say the same thing. Not to mention all the people on the internet that feels the same. OBAMA could not win if he is elected, with people not voting at all he is sre**d!!!

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by notopennshut at 02:26 PM : Feb 09, 2008

Bush has us mired in the Iraqi occupation so deep no one is going to get us completely out of there. And Bush still has eleven months to wreak hovoc in Iran and he''ll do it for spite just to show us he can.

Obama who SAYS he''ll do it the first day! That statement along is as scarey as hell. Bush took us in there without a plan, and Obama thinks he can get us out of there without a plan!

That comparison is mind boggling!

[ramos937]

I am still waiting. Obama has been running for months and has an excellent chance at winning the WH. Yet, no major media outlet has published a through analysis of his years in public life to include his stints at the Illnois Legislature and the US Senate. This is a very important part of the evaluation process. We know a great deal about Hilliary but darned little about Obama.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by tuckerndfw at 02:28 PM : Feb 09, 2008

I have already studied the Clinton years! Give me a break! There was a huge amount of great legislation passed in those years. Any president is going to encounter the problems of this country! And he still came out on top!

[croft777]

tuckerndfwYou have no knowledge of the Clinton years

If you got to look up ionformation about Bill Clinton in office, then I''d say you were in diapers or not yet born when he was in the white house. I, on the other hand had a small baby during that time and life was good. NO PROBLEMS WITH MONEY, NO LOSS OF JOBS. THERE WAS PLENTY OF JOBS. Hey where are they now? That impeachment, was bull, I don''t really care how many BJ''s he had, it was no ones business anyways. he still was a great president.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by ramos937 at 02:33 PM : Feb 09, 2008

Exactly!!! All the press has done is harp on his guts and glory talks! Where''s the substance?

[croft777]

ramos937

the information is all over the net.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by croft777 at 02:35 PM : Feb 09, 2008

Well said!

[croft777]

Obama who SAYS he''''ll do it the first day! That statement along is as scarey as hell. Bush took us in there without a plan, and Obama thinks he can get us out of there without a plan!

That comparison is mind boggling! RowdyTexan2

VERY TRUE ROWDY!!!! Actually Obama will have the soldiers deported to Kenyan, they won''t get to go home.

[joanne111111]

Obama is the biggest propoganda machine ever. Thanks for jumping on the Obama bandwagon of "no substance." The Nation has lost all credibility in my eyes by endorsing the less qualified candidate and the least qualified candidate to unite the Republicans and Democrats. Why on earth would anyone beleive a candidate conservatives refer to as a communist is the middle ground?????