Re: Obama Obroad
 

this is purely anecdotal and unscientific, but i live in a suburb of atlanta, georgia, and this area is one of the most hardcore conservative christian areas you'll ever run across. let me put it this way, this area was one of the absolute last areas of the country where GWB's approval rating dropped to the historic lows he's enjoyed in the last couple of years.

that said, i am seeing overwhelming (considering the area) overt support of the obama campaign. i see obama signs and bumper stickers all over the place. it's one of those things where if you didn't live here you might not notice any at all. but living here and knowing the political leanings of the region, it's almost shocking how much signage i've seen in favor of obama. and much of what i'm seeing is an increase since clinton dropped out of the primary so it doesn't appear to be simply holdover from an exciting and divisive primary season.

also notable is the absolute lack of ANY mccain signage. not a bumper sticker, lawn sign or t-shirt anywhere.

just a little personal observation from the scarily conservative south.

Re: Obama Obroad
 

I'm just curious if this article was posted in response to the issue of people saying Obama supporters view him as a "Jesus"-like figure? If so, I'm not sure I would personally count it as such since it's more about the racial progress his nomination signifies. It seems less about Obama and more about the fact that people are elated that an African-American has been nominated whoever they may be.

Either way, it was an interesting link. Thanks for posting.

Re: Obama Obroad
 

So I found this interesting. First, it's reported that Iraq's Prime Minister has publicly stated that he supports and agrees with Obama's timetable for troop withdrawl. Then, he gets a call from Bush's people, and suddenly, the Prime Minister's office claims he was misquoted and didn't agree as strongly as reported.

But then, the New York Times gets it's hands on an audio recording of the Iraqi Prime Minister's comments, and provides these direct quotes:

"Obama's remarks that — if he takes office — in 16 months he would withdraw the forces, we think that this period could increase or decrease a little, but that it could be suitable to end the presence of the forces in Iraq."

and

"Who wants to exit in a quicker way has a better assessment of the situation in Iraq."

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/...ca/21obama.php

So as long as people hear the direct quotes, I think I'd say that visit played in Obama's favor. But if all they hear is that the Prime Minister is backing off the comments, then I think it may not play in his favor.

Re: Obama Obroad
 

Well I find that encouraging at least.

Re: Obama Obroad
 

Didn't something else like this happen recently with the Iraqi prime minister? He said something, there was some outrage in Washington, and suddenly his position was retracted or at least greatly watered down, and people were saying the same thing - he'd obviously "received a call".

Can't remember what it was now...

Re: Obama Obroad
 

...and listening to his comments last week it sounds like jesse'd be first in the queue to crucify him!

(was there a big hoo-ha when mcain did the foreign statesman thing right after his nomination?)

Re: Obama Obroad
 

That statement about crying was actually Jesse Jackson Jr. - son of the Jesse Jackson that said he wanted to cut Obama's nuts off. JJ Junior is a Congressman and actually spoke out against his Dad immediately after the offending statements were released.

Re: Obama Obroad
 

i want to know what the hell he was thinking saying that within what was basically enemy territory. jesse jackson saying he wants to castrate obama within the fox news den. yeah that's not going to get picked up, all the mics are turned off everywhere :rolleyes:

the embarrassment of the whole thing is funnier than anything else. especially the advance retraction. "wide, deep, and uneqivocal... but his nuts are mine"

Re: Obama Obroad
 

And it looks like McCain's trying to steal back some of the Obama trip limelight with this:

Sources close to Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign are suggesting he will reveal the name of his vice presidential selection this week while Sen. Barack Obama is getting the headlines on his foreign trip. The name of McCain's running mate has not been disclosed, but Mitt Romney has led the speculation recently.

Re: Obama Obroad
 

you know you have nothing to lose when the only way you can get attention is by telling everyone you're going to announce your running mate just to stave off the attention obamas getting for taking a meaningless trip.

cant wait to see what he does when obama announces his own running mate. probably have a public boxing match with uwe boll. i doubt romney is mccains VP though, he doesnt seem like the kind of guy whos content with being given a consolation prize by the winner. if he is then i guess it he just ate it, smiled, and is now planning for the 2012 elections.

since the news networks seemed unusually reticent to publish a full quote of what was said, i went digging a bit and stumbled on this.
jesse jackson conspiratorially whispering to the guy next to him about his plans for castration. that's some 'best week ever' shit.