The notion that you can't speak honestly without damaging yourself …

[carpe diem]

… that's the worst thing about politics….

We create such fear among our elected officials they can't be heartfelt without being punished…. If I sacrifice my ability to be honest, then I shouldn't aspire to these offices in the first place.


http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-op-obama13mar13,1,3623176.story?ctrack=3&cset=true


Good Obama interview from few days ago...

[tuvor]

1. That's why I liked Jimmy Carter so much. n/t

[saltpoint]

2. Sad but true and very pertinent to this current climate.

I lay most of the blame at the door of the GOP and especially the Republicans who pander to the far right. In that allegiance they have is the ignorance and fear and intimidation that makes it so hard for people even within their own party to take an open-minded position on gay marriage or a progressive view on a woman's right to choose.

Down the line i hope Sen. Obama can help lead the charge. His speech at our convention last summer was a knockout.

Good post.

[babylonsister]

3. Thanks for the link. I have to admit, I

have high hopes for Mr. Obama. And I needed some background on him!

[InvisibleTouch]

4. Ever notice that politicians never answer a Yes/No question with...

Yes or No? Instead they give some tangential answer that kinda sorta addresses the question, or turns the conversation to another point entirely. I've seen this without exception in interviews, even from those I admire. It must be an unspoken rule: never answer with a direct and simple Yes or No. While in some cases it may be smart strategy (the question is unfairly loaded so that either answer can be held against them), it also makes them look indirect and weasely. What's wrong with a direct and forceful Yes or No, and then saying why?

[babylonsister]

7. What you say and do in your 'youth', especially

as a politician, could revisit you to bite you in the ass. Look at Kerry, and yes, he knows the art of dodging and weaving. But he volunteered for a war and then denounced it; both instances were used as weapons against him. I personally respect him that much more for both those actions, but a lot of people don't feel that way.
It sure would be refreshing if someone actually said what they believed, damn the consequences.

[ElectricIron Sweeney]

5. Politics

Politics are necessary for any organization; But organization
blunts every good effort and sharpens every bad effort. We
think to turn the venom against the viper, but the
organization is the cause of evil and not its solution. Turn
individualism against those who stand it up as a blessing. If
you think you know right, do it. If you see evil resist it;
just don't think you need to organize to achieve anything
important. Don't tolerate politics or politicians.

[annabanana]

6. Good Post ElectricIron Sweeney!

And Welcome to DU!
:toast:

[blogbear]

8. Best to Obama!