Quote:
Originally Posted by ryberg
Naturally I may be all wrong -- it happens!  -- but I have the feeling that this is no quirk, this is a real moment, a history moment, and I'm calling my son over to take a (slightly bewildered) look at it, much in the same way grown-ups called me over to watch Apollo launches when I was little. I haven't read what the pundits or the populus are saying, but even if it turns out to be a sort of awkward, fumbling step, I find it momentous that we have now had a debate of candidates on the Internet and not just over TV.
And I personally am glad that Democrats did it first -- I think it probably scores them some points in terms of being more modern and forward-looking and so on in a general way, and/or suggests a certain stodginess or overly staid character on the part of Republicans, by contrast. Just vague images, but still, maybe something.
Anyway, I was going to point out that at least Mark gets his answer on the issue of Obama's view on reparations, with a surprise chiming in from Mr K!
I must say that those 3 answers give me typical reactions to those 3 candidates: straightforward, sensible, valuable idea worthy of greater consideration and focus; idea for which something might be said philosophically but which is really out of whack with political reality, imo, and will thus never fly; and just a garden variety, vague, empty-sounding platitude. 
Did Hillary not answer this one? I'd be interested...
Steve |
Actually, of the three, only Edwards gave an answer to the question. He said no. Well, he didn't actually say no, but he said he was against the idea. Obama sidestepped the "yes or no" question, and launched into education. I guess we could take it to mean "yes", but not in a way that many would consider straight up reparations. In essence, a political answer.
Having spent part of the past weekend reading some of Obama's books, on line, I was warming to him. There are times when he comes across as genuine and anti-politician. Then, he goes dodging one of the most important questions I have, and he ends up looking no better than the rest of them. There is still hope, but he needs to stump like he writes. If I am presented with Obama, the political double speaker, then I would be inclined to go with someone with more experience. BTW, that isn't Hillary. Her experience is not as extensive as she wants to make out. For example, not reading any intelligence reports before voting on the use of force in Iraq, is experience I can do without.
So, anyone know what Obama's position on reparations is? I know he is for improving schools, but that doesn't answer my question. A simple internet search didn't yield a "yes or no" answer, either.
Also, Obama's quick answer to the idea of meeting with the leaders of Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, etc. was a little too off the cuff. He came off sounding naive, and Hillary jumped on that. Of course, Obama probably meant to say that he would meet with these guys if the circumstances were right. But, thats not what he said. Maybe he will clear that up, today.