[ryberg]

Originally Posted by roni

Poll: Clinton takes charge in New Hampshire

Story Highlights
• New poll has Sen. Hillary Clinton leading among New Hampshire Democrats
• New York Democrat's lead has grown since Democratic presidential debate
• New Hampshire primary voters view Clinton as strongest leader
• Sen. Barack Obama viewed as more likeable than Clinton

But can she be elected? Democrats think so. They see Clinton as the candidate with the best chance of beating the Republicans next year.

Do Democrats think she's likeable? Not really. Clinton runs third on likability. [ ] Obama comes across as the most likable Democrat.

It's become a sort of likeability gap issue for her, I'm afraid, especially if now even Dems are pointing it out...

Here's how he answered a question about making English the official language: "When we get distracted by those kinds of questions, I think we do a disservice to the American people."

OH, MY! Thank you! That makes a linguist and language teacher happy.

Originally Posted by MWC

I think Obama handled the "infatuation" stage of his campaign in a very sober, mature fashion. I think his answers to questions in the debates have shown a lot of thought, and I hope the media gives people a chance to process that -- instead of criticizing Obama for not being "outfront" or "macho" enough in his responses, attitudes which I have read recently. I like that he is not an instinctive glad-hander or smiley-face; he is taking his calling seriously -- I like that a lot.

And to all that as well I would say

I'm in agreement. And I don't think it's easy at all, the position he's been in. Indeed, he may be in some ways the most mature candidate, imo, of all of them, or certainly may be as mature as them most mature among them, in a lot of ways. Is he the youngest in the race?

I also like the fact that he spent some time growing up outside the U.S, which I guess must be really rather rare in Presidential candidates but which is without equal in terms of perspective, and the fact that he's spent so much time on legislation and travel related to security issues, on everything from dismantling nuclear weapons in the old Soviet Bloc to improvements to border fence systems in the Southwest. Check out the Wikipedia sections on his Senate legislation and official travel for a summary (if you dare, disbelievers!).

I didn't find anything specific on it immediately, but can anyone clarify precisely how much or what type of security or international experience Bush had before taking office? You see some past work on the link about him in his brief stint as Texas Governor, there, as well, but it's a pretty mixed bag, including

Under his leadership, Texas executed a record 152 prisoners.

which I guess some would more or less applaud, perhaps, and

He proclaimed June 10 to be Jesus Day in Texas, a day where he "urge[d] all Texans to answer the call to serve those in need." [source/more]

Not exactly the ideal pedigree for service on the national or international level, there...

I think it would be ironic -- nay, just downright funny! -- if Barack Obama, oft criticized for lack of experience in particular by those on the right, actually had more experience already in international affairs and security issues than the right's own man Bush had when he took office. But that's the way it appears...

Geez, Obama is even a member of the Senate Veteran' Affairs Committee, alongside his standing on the Foreign Relations and Homeland Security Committees.

Steve