Posted by
Logical Party on Sunday, April 27, 2008 9:00:00 AM
“NO DEBATE” OBAMA SEEKS BACK IN NOMINATION?
What is he afraid of? This will be the new lament if Barack Obama stubbornly seeks to avoid “yet another debate.” It’s coming from a candidate stunned by the fact he is no longer the darling of the political climate, who took body blows over the past seven weeks from the Wright debacle to the misspoken “bitterness” remarks.
Obama, in sports terms, is trying to win the nomination by playing defense; like last year’s Mets who played great ball for 75% of the season and then prayed the Phillies would lose because New York lost their winning ways, Barcak is seeking a Rose Garden defense without the benefits of the office.
Washington Week moderator Gwen Ifill feels Obama has nothing to gain by debating. This is wrong, especially after weeks where Barack has put his foot in his mouth or had one put in it for him. He has finally faced some tough questions; pressure from the electorate has forced the media to remove the pillow from behind his back. He needs to debate to get back on track and show he can win. The season isn’t over and protecting a lead is no path to victory. He has lost voters, White middle class Democrats, Catholics and more white women he previously had due to the Wright issue and the slip of “bitterness” quote. He needs to stop the hemorrhaging and get momentum back.
If he doesn’t debate, he runs the risk of losing 1 to 2% of the vote by those who see him as licking his wounds, hoping this will all just go away. He will be viewed as weak if he remains the passive candidate praying the clock runs out. Questions will arise if he doesn’t debate now; how will he handle McCain come fall? He risks losing that percentage not only in North Carolina, where he will have a comfortable cushion, but in neighboring states yet to vote, which might secure the margin of victory for Clinton.
Obama has to get back on message and stop playing scared. Ducking for cover plays into the hands of those who say this process needs to go through until the end, so all states have spoken and a true result formed. As in sports, contests last four quarters, nine innings or three periods and the candidate needs to put this one away.
David DiBello