´What is good for Obama is good for Democrats´
Rizwan Ghani
February 21, 2008
´If we win in Hawaii, it will be ten straight victories -- a streak no one thought possible, and the best position we can be in when Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island, and Vermont vote on March 4´.
This is what Obama´ mail read, as I checked my daily mails. But the news strip running on my TV was already showing that Obama had won Hawaii. I should have guessed it earlier because grumpy Hillary camp was all out to get Obama. I think both camps should redouble their focus on issues than mudslinging because infighting will only benefit McCain.
The latest Obama wins have added depth to his victories across America. The pledged delegate count showing Obama gains is a positive sign because it will keep the super delegates away. Moreover, if things come down to Super Delegates the current voting pattern siding Obama will favor him. I would support that decision will be made on number of pledged delegates even if magical number of 2025 is not reached.
The independent observers are of the view that Hillary needs a huge 65/35% win in Ohio to reset the pledged delegate numbers if she is to stay in the race. Her Hawaii defeat has only made matters worse for her. In my view with Media calling McCain´s campaign as 3rd Bush Term it will be difficult for Hillary to post a comeback because every time media dubs McCain´s policies as Bush´s 3rd term, inadvertently Hillary pops up in the background who stands for ´continuation of current policies´ and status quo.
She supports continuation of US Cuban policies including ban despite expert opinion suggesting otherwise. It is opined that lifting of US sanctions against Cuba will be good for American business. There is little logic in continuation of decade´s old Cuban policies in post-Castro Cuba. Obama on the other end promptly supported bilateral talks with Cuba as pundits predict development of Cuban democracy. Hillary has violated basic principle of trade and commerce- economic interests´ not political interests determine trade policies. Every dollar that US loses due to such shortsighted rigid policies, deprives US economy of some sixteen dollars. The pending joint gas exploration in the Cuban waters is another blow to people of both countries and rest of the world economies dependent/linked to US economy.
McCain is also accused of ´stuck in the past´ candidate who is stuck on Iraq war, country´s fiscal and immigration. Hillary campaign is also affected by media spillover against McCain´s who is being labeled as ´old vs. next generation´. She has failed to convince America that she will end Iraq war and bring US troops back because despite her efforts, an average American is not clear when and how Hillary will end US Iraq invasion and bring the troops back. On the other end America knows Obama´ Iraq plan, if not detailed roadmap including troop withdrawal timetable. But for a start, Obama´s plan reflects will of the public. Democrats won back control Congress in 2006 by promising to withdraw troops from Iraq.
Democrat led Congress´s failure on Iraq has disappointed over 70% (opinion poll) of Americans supporting end of Iraq war. Obama campaign will not only have to deal with the issue but will also need extra work to undo the damage that Democrats have brought onto themselves by failing to end Iraq issue. The fewer than 19% approval rating of Democrat lead Congress shows the extent of damage caused due to Congress´s failure on the issue. The timing of trial of ´terrorist board and their CEO´ clearly shows that Republicans will use these trials for gaining political mileage. No wonder national security and Iraq form core of McCain´s election campaign as country grapples with widening recession.
Interestingly McCain plans to leave the economy to his managers. I would suggest that America should get rid of the ´middleman´ and opt for the managers instead. Logically it seems a better option to end country´s economic woes because voters will hold them accountable for their performance. They will not be able to walk away from the economy mess that their predecessors have left the country and rest of the world in.
Democrat camp should base their positions on facts as part of preparation to beat the Republicans in the national election campaign. Similarly, it is unwise to raise clamors over Michelle Obama´s comments in isolation (without considering the context).
Finally, as presidential race heads for national election it is important for Obama (and Hillary) to fine-tune their principle distinctions to help average voter make informed choice. There is an emerging consensus that ´what is good for Obama is good for Democrats´. It is widely expected that in coming days this view will catch on.
Michelle Obama´s authentic style is an advantage for Obama campaign against Hillary camp. Michelle could well be an asset for the Obama campaign during national campaign with ´straight talking´ McCain on the Republican side. Obama´s successive wins have put super delegates on hold for now. Lastly, Democratic Party leadership should take precautions to avoid a dirty and public spillover on ´super delegate funding´. Ideally, the issue should be settled immediately to avoid any repercussion during national campaign.
Lastly, I would urge my readers in Pakistan and America to donate to Obama campaign because it is peoples campaign for peoples government. This is what Sen. Obama told me, "Rizwan one million people donating to this campaign. Think about that ... nearly one million people taking ownership of this movement, five dollars or twenty-five dollars at a time. We're already more than 900,000 strong, including over half-a-million donating so far this year. This unprecedented foundation of support has built a campaign that has shaken the status quo and proven that ordinary people can compete in a political process too often dominated by special interests. Unlike Senator Clinton or Senator McCain, we haven't taken a dime from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACs. Our campaign is responsible to no one but the people".
I have donated twenty five dollars (http://www.barackobama.com/index.php) because I support people empowerment, peoples government and Democratic Party because they stand for peoples rights. I also know that when Democrat president will sit in White House there will be peace, troops will be withdrawn from Iraq, there will be progress on Palestine, respect for civil and constitutional rights, human rights and international law will be restored. If the world believes in hope, unity and change it should come forward to strengthen Obama because what is good for Obama is good for Democracy.
This is what Obama´ mail read, as I checked my daily mails. But the news strip running on my TV was already showing that Obama had won Hawaii. I should have guessed it earlier because grumpy Hillary camp was all out to get Obama. I think both camps should redouble their focus on issues than mudslinging because infighting will only benefit McCain.
The latest Obama wins have added depth to his victories across America. The pledged delegate count showing Obama gains is a positive sign because it will keep the super delegates away. Moreover, if things come down to Super Delegates the current voting pattern siding Obama will favor him. I would support that decision will be made on number of pledged delegates even if magical number of 2025 is not reached.
The independent observers are of the view that Hillary needs a huge 65/35% win in Ohio to reset the pledged delegate numbers if she is to stay in the race. Her Hawaii defeat has only made matters worse for her. In my view with Media calling McCain´s campaign as 3rd Bush Term it will be difficult for Hillary to post a comeback because every time media dubs McCain´s policies as Bush´s 3rd term, inadvertently Hillary pops up in the background who stands for ´continuation of current policies´ and status quo.
She supports continuation of US Cuban policies including ban despite expert opinion suggesting otherwise. It is opined that lifting of US sanctions against Cuba will be good for American business. There is little logic in continuation of decade´s old Cuban policies in post-Castro Cuba. Obama on the other end promptly supported bilateral talks with Cuba as pundits predict development of Cuban democracy. Hillary has violated basic principle of trade and commerce- economic interests´ not political interests determine trade policies. Every dollar that US loses due to such shortsighted rigid policies, deprives US economy of some sixteen dollars. The pending joint gas exploration in the Cuban waters is another blow to people of both countries and rest of the world economies dependent/linked to US economy.
McCain is also accused of ´stuck in the past´ candidate who is stuck on Iraq war, country´s fiscal and immigration. Hillary campaign is also affected by media spillover against McCain´s who is being labeled as ´old vs. next generation´. She has failed to convince America that she will end Iraq war and bring US troops back because despite her efforts, an average American is not clear when and how Hillary will end US Iraq invasion and bring the troops back. On the other end America knows Obama´ Iraq plan, if not detailed roadmap including troop withdrawal timetable. But for a start, Obama´s plan reflects will of the public. Democrats won back control Congress in 2006 by promising to withdraw troops from Iraq.
Democrat led Congress´s failure on Iraq has disappointed over 70% (opinion poll) of Americans supporting end of Iraq war. Obama campaign will not only have to deal with the issue but will also need extra work to undo the damage that Democrats have brought onto themselves by failing to end Iraq issue. The fewer than 19% approval rating of Democrat lead Congress shows the extent of damage caused due to Congress´s failure on the issue. The timing of trial of ´terrorist board and their CEO´ clearly shows that Republicans will use these trials for gaining political mileage. No wonder national security and Iraq form core of McCain´s election campaign as country grapples with widening recession.
Interestingly McCain plans to leave the economy to his managers. I would suggest that America should get rid of the ´middleman´ and opt for the managers instead. Logically it seems a better option to end country´s economic woes because voters will hold them accountable for their performance. They will not be able to walk away from the economy mess that their predecessors have left the country and rest of the world in.
Democrat camp should base their positions on facts as part of preparation to beat the Republicans in the national election campaign. Similarly, it is unwise to raise clamors over Michelle Obama´s comments in isolation (without considering the context).
Finally, as presidential race heads for national election it is important for Obama (and Hillary) to fine-tune their principle distinctions to help average voter make informed choice. There is an emerging consensus that ´what is good for Obama is good for Democrats´. It is widely expected that in coming days this view will catch on.
Michelle Obama´s authentic style is an advantage for Obama campaign against Hillary camp. Michelle could well be an asset for the Obama campaign during national campaign with ´straight talking´ McCain on the Republican side. Obama´s successive wins have put super delegates on hold for now. Lastly, Democratic Party leadership should take precautions to avoid a dirty and public spillover on ´super delegate funding´. Ideally, the issue should be settled immediately to avoid any repercussion during national campaign.
Lastly, I would urge my readers in Pakistan and America to donate to Obama campaign because it is peoples campaign for peoples government. This is what Sen. Obama told me, "Rizwan one million people donating to this campaign. Think about that ... nearly one million people taking ownership of this movement, five dollars or twenty-five dollars at a time. We're already more than 900,000 strong, including over half-a-million donating so far this year. This unprecedented foundation of support has built a campaign that has shaken the status quo and proven that ordinary people can compete in a political process too often dominated by special interests. Unlike Senator Clinton or Senator McCain, we haven't taken a dime from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACs. Our campaign is responsible to no one but the people".
I have donated twenty five dollars (http://www.barackobama.com/index.php) because I support people empowerment, peoples government and Democratic Party because they stand for peoples rights. I also know that when Democrat president will sit in White House there will be peace, troops will be withdrawn from Iraq, there will be progress on Palestine, respect for civil and constitutional rights, human rights and international law will be restored. If the world believes in hope, unity and change it should come forward to strengthen Obama because what is good for Obama is good for Democracy.
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