.
August 28th, 2008
12:06 PM ET

Wasn't ready then, isn't ready now

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/08/28/art.obamadnc.jpg]

Leslie Sanchez | Bio
CNN Political Contributor
Republican Strategist

Once again, the Democrats shoot themselves in the foot. In a half-baked effort to establish “unity” within their own ranks, they haul out Bill and Hillary Clinton – probably the only two people in politics who can, by their mere presence, unite Republicans.

Bill Clinton gave a slick speech tonight. His wife couldn’t bring herself to say that Barack Obama is ready to be President, so Bill overcompensated: he said “ready” so much, you’d think he was trying to convince himself.

But with Bill Clinton, the question always is, “is he lying now, or was he lying before?” All through the Primaries, Bill went around the country telling everybody who’d listen that Obama is ill-prepared for the White House. Which is it then?

I especially liked the point in the speech when Clinton recalled how, in his 1992 run, his opponents charged that he was too inexperienced for the nation’s highest office.

They were right. Bill’s first two years in office were such a disaster – careening from crisis to crisis – that by 1994, Americans were so disgusted that they elected Republicans to a majority in both Houses of Congress for the first time in more than 4O years.

Bill Clinton wasn’t ready then, and Barack Obama is not ready now. America can’t go through another two years like we sustained while Bill Clinton was riding around with training wheels.

soundoff (68 Responses)
  1. warner

    I am amazed by the contradictions and mixed messages I hear from the republicans, how is it possible that all the republicans can say negatively about Obama are unsubstantiated insults. Is attacking a man and his dignity the only argument they’ve got. Give me a brake! Obama is what this country is all about, coming from nowhere working hard and making something out of oneself. No political party has the exclusive rights on values, patriotism and moral character. Insults against a man who has worked hard and succeeded, and is able to enjoy the fruits of his labor are the kind of things Fidel Castro and the communist ideology preaches; since when success, brilliance and independent thinking became a crime in this country? Don’t we live in the land of the free and the home of the brave? The last time I checked Republican president Ronald Reagan was a celebrity… Governor Arnold schwarzenegger is a celebrity, but no republicans are accusing them of being what they are. But Obama, a hard working man, a responsible father, a loyal husband, a man of faith, and a success story is being accused of being a celebrity. By the way have you considered that maybe Obama is a celebrated leader. Everything rises and falls with leadership, anyone who says they are a leader and has no followers is an imposter. Obama, he is a leader because people are glad to follow him, they don’t need to be bullied or intimidated into doing so. Obama is the leader that will take this nation into the future of a better tomorrow.

    Warner, Queen, New York

    August 28, 2008 at 9:52 pm |
  2. Robert Brugeman

    Leslie:
    At least democrats aren't running in the opposite direction from a sitting president. Both Clintons have been universally hailed by media gasbags and the general public alike for hitting home runs.

    I look forward to your pathetic excuses as to why next weekend's grand old party convention doesn't seem to include a celebration of George Bush and Dick Cheney.

    Finally, even though this will probably prevent you from posting my comments I'd also like to say if you are going to carp about Michelle Obama's wardrobe you should really lay off the Escada knock offs circa 2002.

    Who are trying to look like? Libby Dole?

    August 28, 2008 at 9:42 pm |
  3. CAA

    Anyone who thinks the Republicans are capable of handling what the future may bring, or that they are looking out for the interests of the average person, needs to get back on their meds.

    Claiming that Ronald Reagan set up Clinton for his successful administration is a stretch, at best; at worst, it's absurd. If I remember correctly, Bush Sr. had some nasty things going on with the Savings and Loan debacle of the late 80's and early 90's as a result of shady investments, inflated property values, and poor money management from the banks and other investors, largely done over a period of time during the mid 80's–hmmm, sound familiar?

    Any time the people of the US vote for Republicans they give their financial and social trust to a group of self serving vultures who do not hesitate to make policies destined to kill their children. We got that with Bush, from Iraq to Katrina and everything in between. I'm living middle America, and it ain't pretty right now. Another four years of that insanity may lead us too far to recover.

    August 28, 2008 at 8:47 pm |
  4. Kerrigan from Indy

    The republicans have mislead us into a war, let millions of Americans down after Katrina, weakened national security by leaking a CIA operatives name and then LYING under oath about it, used the justice department to further their own political agenda, borrowed tons of money from China to help finance this illegal war...I can go on and on. How many members of your party Leslie are now indicted or in jail? Clinton was impeached for lying about a sexual relationship, Bush lied about a war that has cost thousands of American lives and billions of dollars, and he expects us to elect his sidekick. You are all INSANE

    August 28, 2008 at 7:34 pm |
  5. Heather

    Leslie,
    I understand what you are saying. The one difference I can think of in regards to experience is that Clinton was a Gov . He had the legislative and economic experience, but he of course didn't have any foreign policy experience. He wouldn't as a Gov. Obama obviously has none of that experience. I am a Dem my husband is a former Rep turned Lib changed to non party Lou Dobbs Ind. I'm a mod Dem more with Clinton. I think you are right about Obama. I also think that when Oprah tells the world she wants Obama to run and he does, and we all remember his speech in the 04 election. The thing is Hillary was right,great orator great speech but no substance. When Obama says he has better judgement,judgement usually means you are directly involved in a issue and only you have all the intel and information and you are the one to make the ultimate decision. To me when I hear Obama mention having better judgement on anyhing I think to myself that's his way of saying I feel my OPINION was right. That's all. Obama is incredibly arrogant and full of himself. He acts like he is the cure to all that ails the world. He doesn't realize that Kennedy didn't get any where with the Russians. It took others and lots of high level diplomats to help. He also doesn't realize or maybe even know the reason why Reagan was able to do what he did with ending the cold war. For well over 20 year's we had been spying on them. I'm not talking CIA. I'm talking sending our submarines into their harbors where the their subs and ships were. We found their telephone line on the ocean floor and tapped it.We listened for over 20 years. We found out that they had no intention of attacking us. They were only concerned with protecting themselves from any attack from us. So because of the spying we prevented WWIII and we knew more about them than they knew. So it was easy for Reagan to say what he did. So Obama continues to show he does not know what he is talking about. I recommend he reads some history books or watch the history channel of course only after watching cnn. He is totally unprepared! You are right Leslie!

    August 28, 2008 at 6:36 pm |
  6. fanofann

    Seven years ago, Osama bin Laden and the al Qaeda organisation attacked our country. The hijacked planes flew over my head and the heads of my students.

    Recently John McCain got a big round of applause because he said he would follow Osama bin Laden into the Gates of Hell.

    Did he think those gates were in Baghdad? He was the first one leading the charge to Iraq. Seven years.

    And what if they had captured him in December at Tora Bora?
    Would the American people have been eager to support their war in Iraq?
    Lies, Bribes, Forgeries, more lies

    John McCain believes the American people should shut up and do what the Generals tell them to do because we are at war.
    We are always at war.

    Even if he has to stage an attack on a poor little place like South Ossetia, with 70,000 people, in order to look presidential.
    We will always be at war if John McCain is president.
    God help us.

    August 28, 2008 at 6:29 pm |
  7. Marian

    It is one thing to back your party of choice, but another to come off as somewhat delusional about the achievements of the Republican party for the past years under the Bush administration. You have even gone so far as to make negative comments about Mrs. Obama's wardrobe, i.e. "the so-called cocktail dress." You really have to get down in the mud to make these kind of comments on national TV about anyone, but it is quite apparent that this is about all you have, just petty catty remarks and nothing of substance. Also, I would hope that the Democrats at the convention have treated you with respect and have not made remarks about you choice of clothing. You might try to be a more respectful as you are a guest at the Demo convention.
    Also, you could refrain from being quite so childish, it is not a good thing and you come off quite unprofessional.

    August 28, 2008 at 6:29 pm |
  8. Annie Kate

    Leslie,

    I'm sorry but I do not agree with you. Bill Clinton's speech was really good – not perhaps as good as Hillary's but it did everything it was suppose to do and then some. The GOP needs to get over itself about the Clintons – Republicans railed about the Clintons the entire time they were in the White House and then again during this campaign – open your eyes though and look at the response they get from the people in the audience. Bill Clinton for all his faults is one of the best loved politician and most respected of our time.

    And changing your mind about someone's readiness to lead is just that – changing your mind. There is no apparent lie there. Have some charity.

    The GOP helped put in a man not ready to be President and still not ready after 8 years. I sometimes think Bush goes to bed each night planning just how much more he can mess the country up before his term is over.

    Annie Kate
    Birmingham AL

    August 28, 2008 at 5:40 pm |
  9. Reena , Phoenix AZ

    Anyone who thinks they are "better off" in the Bush Administartion is either in the top 1% income bracket or is delusional.

    A massive deficit , an unwinnable and unncecssary war, econiomic catastrophe, a sharp decline in standard of living, high food and gas prices – the list is endless.

    Would some one please tell me ONE SINGLE thing that is better under the Bush administration, . The only people "happy" under Bush are the ignorant,, that think being american is about waving flags and firing guns, -NO, this country is about doing the right thing, freedom for ALL to live, love and prosper

    I would gladly have Barack Hussein Obama than a war mongering imbecile who cannot even speak in setences and needs his daddy's friends to run this country for him

    August 28, 2008 at 5:12 pm |
  10. Laura, Lacey Washington

    The repubs want to raise strawmen in the Obama campaign, what about the Republican candidate's own real skeletons. Of course there is the knee deep into it corruption of McCain and the Savings and Loan debacle. That kind of experience we don't need.

    And if CNN should look deeper into the lies the Republicans like to tell, then open the book the adultery, the drug addiction the stealing from charity-Cindy McCain it is open season, baby!

    August 28, 2008 at 5:02 pm |
  11. jim

    Barack Hussein Obama is not ready for the presidency. If he does win, he will be President in Training. He has issues the American people are concerned about. Jeremiah Wright, Typical white person comment (racist) supporter of William Ayers (terrorists and Bill Rundell the slumlord he supported in Chicago. He cannot govern the city of Detroit much less the country. As for my "BUDDY" Jack Cafferty, I am a lot better off in the Bush administration than I was in the Clinton presidency.

    August 28, 2008 at 4:27 pm |
  12. Jim ,

    Was Bill Clinton Lieing? After Monica Gate for me I would ask- Were His Lips moving? if Yes then He was lieing. If Anyone belived Him I've got 500 acres of Lush Rain Forest in Death Valley ,California I'd like to sell them.
    They ask the Question- Are You better off than you were 8 years ago?
    I was fine until the Democrats took the Hill 2 years ago & i'ts been a down hill slide since. All I've witnessed is a lot of talk & very little action. In my 45 years on this earth, I have seen my father work & be albe to afford a house. Today I make the same amount of money my Father Did back in 1975 & that house that cost only $32,000 that was sold in 1983 for $40,000 today cannot be touched for less than
    $ 350,000 I'ts not Just the President's But the Congress, State & Local Governments that have allowed this to happen. & we the voters have put them there.

    August 28, 2008 at 3:56 pm |
  13. HL

    Get real Leslie. Under the current GOP administration, the US is enduring the horrific Iraqi war, the greatest burden of national debt and deficit in the history of this country, the stranglehold of foreign oil and advent of torture in a nation with the most populated prison system in the world. What "America can't go through" is an additional second of the GOP "leadership" that produced this total failure of responsibilty to the citizens of the US. The US is so far down the GOP-created rabbit hole, that the only way left is up even if it's with someone new on a bicycle with training wheels.

    August 28, 2008 at 3:54 pm |
  14. Matt, Texas

    They've gotten Vetoed by Bush, Dennis.

    August 28, 2008 at 3:53 pm |
  15. Dennis

    How will the democrats make our lives better? They've been in control of the congress & House for the past two years, what have they done?

    August 28, 2008 at 3:51 pm |
  16. Cynthia

    Here we go again another Republican trying to tell Democrats something about themselves. After President Bush's Administration the Republicans need to go and hide for a while. Senator McCain truly scares me and I guess it is because of the experience he has as a POW.

    August 28, 2008 at 3:37 pm |
  17. Reena , Phoenix AZ

    I find it hard to take Leslie seriously . Anyone who does not look back on the last eight years as an unmitigating disaster, and thinks that change is not urgently needed does not have any credability.

    It will be intersting to see what Lleslie says during the republican convention, and if we will have the same "what they said then" comparisons .

    August 28, 2008 at 3:37 pm |
  18. C. Wiley

    Just a comment on your last paragraph. "can’t go through another two years like we sustained while Bill Clinton was riding around with training wheels". I'd rather the president get it together after a two year adjustment then for him to not have it together after 8.

    August 28, 2008 at 3:30 pm |
  19. Matt, Texas

    People say all kinds of things that they regret in political campaigns.

    I can't wait for McCain to pick Romney already for VP so the pundits can go crazy and take your EXACT report, change the names out, and claim they're smart and provocative, just like you Leslie. I can't wait. It'll be like Christmas.

    @Mark: Why is his middle name a controversy? He was named after his own father who left the family when he was TWO YEARS OLD. He only met his father one more time before he died. He was raised by his white Kansas mother and grandparents (whom I'm sure are Islamic radicals). He had nothing to do with his father or his heritage. Unless of course you believe that a 2-yr-old can study and embody the doctrines of ANY religion.

    The reason no one talks about "why his name sounds funny" is because it doesn't matter. How petty and paranoid is it to never consider a candidate because his name isn't John, William, George, Ronald, or James?

    August 28, 2008 at 3:20 pm |
  20. Michele of down-state Illinois

    Leslie...What do you mean "call out the Clinton's"?? This is a Convention!! That's what you do!! Where have you been? You bring together inluential people of your party who will inspire others to vote. Yes, President Clinton and Senator Clinton are great influential speakers, so they definitely qualify for speaking at the Convention and what a great job they did! I am an Independent, but will be voting Democrat. Oh, let Lou Dobbs know will you? Thanks!

    August 28, 2008 at 3:12 pm |
  21. Marlon

    Poor Leslie Sanchez. She must have bumped her! If she thinks the Clinton era was a disaster then surely she must see the Bush era has completely finished what Clinton started. And thankfully to Bush, we definitely know we don't want another republican in the White House.

    We have to consider the choices we have at hand. Hot headed senator who, even his closest associates say they wouldn't want McCain near a "red button". This is the senator who doesn't have much respect for his wife let along women in general. His abundance of experiences has led him to vote with Bush almost 95% of the time. He's so experienced that he can't remember how many homes he has. And where did he get all this experience from? Let him tell, what being a prisoner of war in Vietnam! Why even hold an election? Obviously, being a pow makes him extremely qualified...for disability benefits!

    Obama, however, is a person who started out rebuilding communities that were devastated by job loss and economic hardships. He could have been about the money but he wanted to better communities. That's the difference between him and McCain. McCain wants to continue the Bush program and drive the country futher into oblivion and Obama was to restore it and renew it.

    August 28, 2008 at 2:58 pm |
  22. suki

    Leslie – if you think that McCain is the best choice you are a fool – nothing else can be said

    August 28, 2008 at 2:55 pm |
  23. Melissa, Los Angeles

    @ Jackie great post! Thank you so much for the laugh too regarding his reaction on receiving news with 9/11.

    August 28, 2008 at 2:55 pm |
  24. Desire - Michigan

    For everyone who still hesitate to vote for Obama in November I have a question. How can you vote for McCain when you know that things won't change? Inexperienced Obama will at least try to make things better, McCain will just continue more of the same. He sits in one of his 7 or 8 homes, while young soldiers are losing their lives in war in Iraq and Afghanistan . Why would he care, G.W. Bush did everything for him. With Obama we at least have hope that things will make turn for better. And yes, Clintons will help to.

    August 28, 2008 at 2:54 pm |
  25. xtina, chicago IL

    Whether you're conservative or liberal, the right way to vote is to look at someone's track record. Just as you hire a person for a job based on what they HAVE ALREADY DONE, not what they promise, we have to vote based on the candidates' voting record.

    August 28, 2008 at 2:08 pm |
  26. Kelvin

    Just to clarify my point, I believe Obama will be an outstanding Commander-In-Chief (CINC) whether I'm in the military or not.

    thanks

    Kelvin

    August 28, 2008 at 1:57 pm |
  27. Kelvin

    I do not believe John McCain is ready to lead. I do not believe he has the temperament to be President. To me he seems "crusty" and "ticked off" about something. I do not want McCain making snap judgements when the "chips are down". Senator John Kerry's speech pointed that out last night. I believe Obama is ready to lead this country out of this mess President Bush got us in. Barack Obama is showing leadership and judgement by making the right, not the popular choice in selecting Biden when everyone else wanted Clinton. Also, he opposed the war from the "get go" when that was the unpopular thing to do.

    Leslie whether you like it or not Barack Obama gets it, McCain does not.

    Oh and by the way, I'm a registered Independent and voted Republican on a lot of issues over the years; however; I've regretted to this day that I voted for George Bush.

    In closing, Barack Obama has the temperament, judgement and charisma to be the next President of the United States. And if I was still active in the military, I would have all the confidence in the world that Obama would be an outstanding CINC.

    Go Obama/Biden!

    Kelvin
    USAF Retired

    August 28, 2008 at 1:53 pm |
  28. Presley

    Oh let the atomic mud fly..........
    Clinton is such an easy target, isn't he? Sure, take the shots at him but like Barbara Vaughn posted, the Clinton years were in my life time, the best so far.
    And what has G. Dubya really done? Besides mangling the English language, that's some mighty fine strateegery right thar, what has he done and what qualified him more than Clinton?
    At least Bill Clinton is still RELEVANT. What are the Republicans going to pull out of their sleeves? Don't they wish they could resurrect their high holy Political Ace God, Reagan. Instead who, who will rally for them? The Governator? Papa Bush? Hell, I'd prefer to see Babs Bush, at least she's interesting.
    Face it, Clinton is still the best! Why else would you take time to pen this frustrated blog, all about Clinton.
    Don't worry, I will tune in for your week next week. You guys better have it all worked out though, you have a lot to follow.

    August 28, 2008 at 1:49 pm |
  29. Mindy Chatsworth, Ca.

    Leslie,

    Your article is filled with so many erroneous points that I almost don't know where to start, but I guess the best way is to remind you that Bill Clinton did get reelected in 1996, so I guess the country wasn't as fed up as you seem to think.

    I would be careful about the lying charge, too, especially since we have a sitting president and vice president who blatantly misrepresented the facts to get us into an illegal war in Iraq. At least Bill Clinton gave us peace and prosperity. The same can certainly not be said for Bush.

    Republicans hated Bill Clinton because he was too smart for them and always managed to take their attacks and turn them around and throw them right back in their face. Which is precisely what he did last night. As he said so very well, now the Republicans want us to reward them after eight years of the most horrendous record ever in our history by giving them another four years? No thanks, and guess what – the third time is not the charm. The man is just the best there is when it comes to making speeches that remind us why we are Democrats.

    All the Republicans have to run on is fear, pure and simple. Smear tactics, swift boating, the usual slash and burn garbage. Compared to the state this country is in now, Bill Clinton's eight years looks like paradise. If he was running around on training wheels, then he sure is a fast learner,

    Cindy, please get your facts straight. Ronald Reagan left a huge deficit that George Bush Sr. made even bigger. It was Bill Clinton who paid down the deficit and left us with largest surplus in our history. At least state the facts.

    August 28, 2008 at 1:44 pm |
  30. Teri, Arkansas

    I don't know if we were watching the same speech or not, but for me and my democratic family, Bills speech was very honest and inspirational. The only thing the republicans are offering for us is the same. We need a change.

    August 28, 2008 at 1:36 pm |
  31. Jenny Rome Georgia

    Barbara, I am 46 and I remember those first two years of Bubba in the big house. Not to good. I remember the other six years as ok but not great. I remember the health care disaster, every kind of gate you can imagine, Vince Foster (Suicide?), Bill and his libedo, Hill are her temper(throwing lamps at POTUS where was the Secret Service?) the renting of the Lincoln Bedroom. The of course Monica and the impeachment. Yeah those were the good old days. Maybe you and Mccain both suffer from alshymers or you inhaled when you shouldn't have.

    August 28, 2008 at 1:21 pm |
  32. dee

    I am an INDEPENDENT voter and am willing to give anyone a chance from any party. Leslie, you all need to work on your talking points.
    Seeing the childish way McCain has ran his campaign has made me and so many people I know; become so excited about voting for Obama. Keep believing your polls that negativity and not stating your clear vision for our country works; not this time. All your candidate does is whine, patronize, and focus on superficial things about Obama. For example, maybe Obama needs a stadium to give a speech in, because so many people, for the first time in their lives, want to see someone who is ethical, inspires others, and has new and creative ideas to solve the problems created by republicans in the past eight years. Ya know leslie it is really funny that most of the right believes they are more christian then others. Yet, I guess the commandment about not bearing false witness against you neighbor doesn't apply to the righteous such as those in your party. Every silly and jealous comment that McCain makes; helps us realize he is merely defining himself, not Obama.

    August 28, 2008 at 1:17 pm |
  33. Sue

    Bush wasn't ready and after 8 years... he still isn't ready.

    August 28, 2008 at 1:16 pm |
  34. Reed

    I literally can't imagine anyone holding this belief.

    Bill Clinton's record may be somewhat debatable on the specifics, but the general truth is he was handed a train wreck by a previous Republican administration, and by the end he was presiding over prosperity.

    It's just worse this time around.

    And while we're on the experience issue. My perception is that 'experience' does not equal skillful governance. Have a look at Dick Cheney.

    The amazing thing to me is the folks, like ms. Sanchez, who still are willing to give Republicans the helm. It's sheer insanity.

    I have a 26 pound terrier that I'd rather see as president – over ANY Republican.

    August 28, 2008 at 1:10 pm |
  35. mark hoffman, Phoenix AZ.

    And we certainly can't go through with another 4-8 years of a replay of the Dubya years. I'll take that learning curve over no change at all anytime.

    August 28, 2008 at 1:09 pm |
  36. Susan

    Anybody that has ever had to work for their money will tell you (if they are honest) that they were better during the Clinton term than ever before. This election is about our children's future and we can not afford to keep turning these elections into elections about Abortion and Guns. The problems we face economically and globally are real issues that we should be concerned about for the sake of our children. John McCain needs to retire and let somebody like Barack Obama move this country forward again instead of setting us back another decade like George W. Bush has done.

    August 28, 2008 at 1:08 pm |
  37. Mike Thumb

    Is Obama going to tarnish the Democratic brand like Bush tarnished the Republican brand? Obama may not make the same mistakes as bush, but he may make just as many. Inexperienced people make mistakes.

    August 28, 2008 at 12:47 pm |
  38. Saad, Ramsey, NJ

    Leslie, WOW!!!! So strong – and so outright in making Obama and/or Democrats not worthy of winning the White House at the moment. Wow but my dear, what is the alternative? Senator McCain/Republicans? If so, no problem at all but can you also make as strong a case for support of Senator McCain and Republicans as you did against Obama, Bill, and Democrats.

    By default, I respect each and every single person who is associated with CNN in some way or another, whether they are right or wrong about a certain subject. The level of my respect for CNN and its reporters goes even higher when I watch Fox News.

    That said, I may not be in love with Senator Obama and/or Democrats but when I compare him or them to the alternative, they deserve a chance, in my opinion.

    August 28, 2008 at 12:46 pm |
  39. Jennifer

    Thank you Barbara. I'm not sure if Leslie Sanchez looked at the national budget and deficit figures for the past few decades and did comparisons before posting.

    Personally, I think Obama is very ready.

    But I will indulge with your perspective, I would much rather have a president with training wheels than one who is going to sink us even further economically and decrease our standing in the world.

    Work in any corporation with grandfathered-in employees... experience does not equal to expertise or quality, nor does it mean having innovative ideas / solutions!!! And boy, do we need solutions.

    August 28, 2008 at 12:42 pm |
  40. Deborah Andulini

    Obama wasn't ready to lead our nation yesterday and he is not going to be ready in Jan 2009. President Clinton is a gifted speaker and McCain is going to win the election. When people go to the polls to vote, they will think twice, then vote for McCain (Candidate x). Do you really think President Clinton really wants to campaign for this man, Obama. I don't think so. And if he does, it is only a minimum to show his presence for Senator Clinton to run in 2012, but also run for Gov in 2010 in New York. By the way, I am a Dem and I'm not voting in the fall.

    Peace!

    August 28, 2008 at 12:41 pm |
  41. Dennis

    Bill Clinton wasn't hit by the terrorist attacks on 9/11 but you can be sure that they were being planned during his administration.

    August 28, 2008 at 12:40 pm |
  42. Dave

    You're a strategist for a party that having finally achieved control of two branches of our government, proceeded to fail at *every* significant challenge. You've made a mockery of conservative economics, driving the county into massive debt and mortgaging the future for generations to come. You've failed to prevent the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the latter a nuclear state. McCain may be slightly more intelligent than Bush, but then so are the boulders in my backyard.

    Hypocrisy, incompetence, and slime are your party's true values. You have *nothing* positive on which to run. All that's left is sniping, and you can't even do that effectively.

    August 28, 2008 at 12:39 pm |
  43. I Agree

    I think the Clintons said what the Democrats wanted to hear. I don't believe the Clintons meant what was communicated - they did what was right in the eyes of Democrats. There is nothing that needs to be done here; American's watched as this party threw Hillary under the bus, and failed to remember all that the Clintons did while they were in office. While the media reports that Hillary's supporters are now for Obama; depends on who you talk to, but it's not happening for a large number of voters. Democrats will vote McCain into the White House.

    The DNC is mom and apple pie. I felt as if the speeches lacked substance, and the media has so many missed opportunities. Every thing is great, we are making history, Bill closed the deal, blah, blah, blah...

    August 28, 2008 at 12:38 pm |
  44. Mark Cowan

    Obviously McCains supporters are frasping at straws here. The Democratic party is united- get over it, and please ,please,please work on the republican party unity, of which I am a member. If you try to appease all the extreme right wing republicans too the nth degree you will definitely lose the moderate republicans to Obama, and they number alot more than the extreme right wing conservatives who will probably vote for McCain no matter what. That is unless you don't stop the terrible attack adds that make McCain look more and more dishonest and lacking in Christian values everyday. Republican in PA.

    August 28, 2008 at 12:30 pm |
  45. Victoria

    Wrong! Obama is ready to lead!

    Bill and Hillary were trying to win a primary and during that time, things were said to try and achieve that goal. We all know the truth gets distorted in these situations.

    Hillary lost the primary, she has accepted it, and now she and Bill are supporting Obama. In the end, Democrats have pulled together in an effort to move this country forward.

    Obama/Biden '08

    Oh, and I can't wait to see what McCain has said in the past about his VP choice.

    August 28, 2008 at 12:25 pm |
  46. Mark

    Well, Barack O Bama's middle name is Hussein,

    August 28, 2008 at 12:25 pm |
  47. Mark

    Well, Barack O Bama's middle name is Hussein, and I think that his muslim heritage should be brought in to the light. CNN did it with Mitt Romney, now they shoud give equal coverage to This controversy, that way we can get it into the open and everyone can better understand the situation. Is there a reason the O Bama campaign is hiding this fact, and why is the media helping to conceal critical information from the American Voters? Payola?

    August 28, 2008 at 12:25 pm |
  48. jackie

    I love when people point out Barak's lack of leadership experience and really love the GOP 3 o'clock in the morning commercial.

    Bush had some leadership experience, was surrounded by a whole whack of experience with Cheney and Rumsfeld on his team yet he still has lead the country down the proverbial toilet...and why you ask...how did this happen? Because the man lacks judgement, common sense and quite frankly the brains to lead himself out of a paper bag. McCain is a carbon copy.
    He will be a war president...he is not a diplomat, he is not charismatic and he couldn't charm the pants off of a man who's pants were on fire.

    The 3 o'clock in the morning commercial is a classic. Have you ever woken up a 70 year old man up at 3 in the morning...they're lucky if they know what year it is let alone ready to make any kind of judgement call (I work with the elderly so I know where of I speak)
    Another thing...remember 9/11...that didn't happen at 3 in the morning...it happened at 8am – George was awake and coherent yet he sat there, in that school with his face twisting in so many different directions you'd think hurricane Gustav was blowing in. You could see the balls bouncing around in his head and they weren't hitting anything but each other.

    August 28, 2008 at 12:21 pm |
  49. Barbara Vaughan

    Leslie Sanchez is not very informed. The years Clinton served were certainly the most prosperous 8 years I can remember and I'm 56. Do your homework.

    August 28, 2008 at 12:21 pm |
  50. Cindy

    Leslie,
    LOVE your article! It is SO very true!! The only reason that the country did well during Bill's time was because of all of the things that Ronald Reagan sat up and they came to term and fruition during Bill's reign. He wasn't as great as they think. He ran from every conflict that arose. That is the real truth!

    Cindy...Ga.

    August 28, 2008 at 12:12 pm |
1 2