Democratic National Convention '08

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

I really like your post, CP. I really, really do.



With that being said, I worry that the Obama camp and many of his supporters are being overly optimistic at his chances of winning. McCain has been in Washington DC for as long as he has because he knows what it takes to thrive there. I don't think he'll be bashful at all in his campaign. There will be a late in the game card played by him or some Swift Boat-esque PAC that I feel Obama's camp will be unprepared for. That is what worries me. That is what causes me to watch his speech with a glaze over my eyes. It's a great speech, he's a great speaker but will he be able to overcome what will inevitably be thrown at him? I don't know.

I think what Obama and his supporters should be doing is looking at this whole thing as a huge challenge and not be as assured in themselves that winning is no problem. They need to look at this from the eyes of Karl Rove and think about what someone like him will be throwing at them and hitting back with the same intensity. That is the way to win.

There were some pretty intense words said about McCain by Obama in his speech.

I don't feel that this is a landslide, which is why I'm trying to raise money.

I know you're concerned, Brad, and so am I. If you're really worried, try to help, in any way you can. Talk to people. Make phone calls or write letters to the editor. Winning takes bravery in the face of adversity. We have to keep our eyes on the goal, not the ground.

Kerry, Dole, Dukakis, Mondale - none of them were confident in themselves and their message. They backed down from attacks. No one believed in them, because they didn't believe in themselves. If the Obama campaign didn't exude confidence to lead, no one would believe that they can lead. Don't mistake the confidence for surety that they will win.

Worrying about something won't change it. If there is hand wringing to be done because Obama doesn't win, I'll do it in November. Part of the power of this campaign is that we have been hopeless for so long - now is our chance to prove that America can right itself. We need to stand strong!

Be positive, Brad. Stop that naysaying this minute. Yes, We Can!

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Be positive, Brad. Stop that naysaying this minute. Yes, We Can!

I hear you, but I'd rather be surprised by good news than have my smile wiped from my face when I wasn't expecting it.

I think it's realistic to think that he doesn't have this election in the bag.

But I admire your positive attitude, J. It's just that I had that same positive attitude for Kerry and Gore and well...we know what happened with those guys.

And please don't think I'm putting you down personally in any way. I admire what you're doing. I want Obama to win.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

I think it's realistic to think that he doesn't have this election in the bag.

But I admire your positive attitude, J. It's just that I had that same positive attitude for Kerry and Gore and well...we know what happened with those guys.

I just don't see "positive attitude" and "confident he's going to win" as the same thing. We have in Barak Obama one of the most exciting, intelligent, inspirational public figures this country has seen in a long time. I'm THRILLED that he's even been nominated. And whether I think he's going to win or not, the prospect of him winning has me energized.

Is that positivity going to cause him to win? Maybe, maybe not. But it's a sure bet that it will give him better odds than, "Ooooh, I dunno. What if he doesn't win?"

His campaign is different than any I've seen. His positivity hasn't lead to over confidence or complancy. It's lead to momentum and motivation. That's what it's going to take to win.

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I just don't see "positive attitude" and "confident he's going to win" as the same thing. We have in Barak Obama one of the most exciting, intelligent, inspirational public figures this country has seen in a long time. I'm THRILLED that he's even been nominated. And whether I think he's going to win or not, the prospect of him winning has me energized.

Is that positivity going to cause him to win? Maybe, maybe not. But it's a sure bet that it will give him better odds than, "Ooooh, I dunno. What if he doesn't win?"

His campaign is different than any I've seen. His positivity hasn't lead to over confidence or complancy. It's lead to momentum and motivation. That's what it's going to take to win.

I understand. There is a distinction between "positive attitude" and "confident..." But the optimism was the same when Gore and Kerry were running.

I agree, Obama's is a very exciting campaign. And I'm not saying to throw in the towel or to mope, what I'm saying is that starting a dialogue about "what if it isn't in the bag" or "he could lose" can help as much as wishing for a win.

I heard many people say "I am energized by Gore" and "I've never volunteered for a candidate before until Kerry's nomination".

In my opinion, I do think Obama has to outdo Gore and Kerry in order to win. And it's gotta be more than just positivity that's going to get him there because both of those campaigns had it too.