Momen Thinks

This defense and reminder is way overdue.  The mere fact that he is being labelled an elitist and out of touch is completely against his story.

I was making his exact point today with my father.  He asked me about Obama, and usually that would spark great passion and interest in me, however today I was simply not in the mood to discuss the state of the race.  The fact is this election was so exciting and about so much just a couple of weeks ago.  Even after the Rev. Wright controversy where Obama made that breathtaking speech we all thought that perhaps we were not going to talk about the same old crap like racism and flag pins.  Even then I thought we would have a proper dialogue of race.  Sadly that has not been the case.

The fact of the matter is this, the United States for the sake of themselves and the rest of the world needs to be having a dialogue about Iraq, their economy, climate change, and other important issues that effect us all.  Instead we’re back where we always get with politics.  To a place where people simply tune out.

The Clinton’s play this game very well and have of late been very successful in bringing Obama to their level.  I hope that Obama realizes that he was better when he didn’t participate in the Clintonian style of hit em’ hard politics.

Sadly I have a sinking suspicion that Clinton will win Indiana next Tuesday, and day by day I’m feeling more and more like she’s going to take this thing somehow.  It scares me a lil’.  It should scare us all.  Because you think the Republicans can go wild on Obama?  Wait until you open the Clinton can of worms. 

Today: 

NBC/NJ: “Sir, what did you mean yesterday when you said that the Obama campaign was playing the race card on you?”

CLINTON: “When did I say that, and to whom did I say that?”

NBC/NJ: “On WHYY radio yesterday”

CLINTON: “No, no, no. That’s not what I said. You always follow me around and play these little games, and I’m not going to play your games today. This is a day about election day. Go back and see what the question was, and what my answer was. You have mischaracterized it to get another cheap story to divert the American people from the real urgent issues before us, and I choose not to play your game today. Have a nice day.”

Yesterday:

Bill Clinton said, “they played the race card on me…and we now know from memos in the campaign that they planned on doing it all along.”

Here’s the full audio, and him cursing the interview at the end not knowing he was still on the phone.

Just go 2:20 into this and you will notice Barack Obama doing a lil’ ode to Jay-Z.  He’s feeling like a pimp! Seriously though in a bizarre way this proves just how much Obama is the first true candidate of my post boomer generation.  Unlike so many candidates when he speaks to the youth he seems incredibly sincere.  Anyways, just notice how some people in the crowd clearly get the Jay-Z reference while others don’t.  It’s just hilarious!

So I’m off to see “All The Things You Are” at Sheridan tonight.  I’m very excited.  Marc Richard directed “Berlin to Broadway” when I was in first year and it was one of the most beautiful works I’ve seen at school or out.  I’m sure that Marc will once again reimagine the show and with the talented cast he has will make this evening quite enjoyable.

On another note, Urinetown if you haven’t seen it already, is wonderful.  I really think it’s some of the best stuff to come out of that school since…well… Candide.  

Something I didn’t write about last night – Did anyone notice just how many times Hillary Clinton managed to used 9/11 as a political tool?  You know this election is really coming down to a choice between old cut-throat do whatever it takes politics vs. issues over distraction politics.  

Interestingly, Republicans have chosen John McCain, who regardless of what you feel about his policies and ideals is one of the classiest politicians.  He rarely goes to the gutter much like Obama.  After 16 years of Bush/Clinton hit em’ where it hurts politics an Obama/McCain election would really be as substantive an election could be, and that is something that America needs right now.  

So this whole debate is simply ridiculous.  Obama is being hammered on Rove non-issues like Rev. Wright, “bittergate”, and now William Ayers.

There’s something “bitter”sweet about it all.  I know personally a myriad of issues he can raise in regards to Clinton but for some reason he’s not.  This was most telling when he decided to not even hammer Clinton on her Bosnia flap.  Either he is tired or he simply just doesn’t want to go there.  It demonstrates his class I guess, but on the other hand it is his responsibility even in this joke of a forum to enlighten those voters who are using this opportunity as their only moment to tune in.

This whole campaign now seems like a movie that started out real great that has just run 40 minutes too long.  I already know the ending, but I just want it to end already!  Furthermore, I’m rather disappointed with ABC, and a big part of me wishes I watched American Idol.

The editorial board of the New York Times, which previously endorsed Hillary Clinton has just written an editorial asking Washington, “to make Iran a serious offer to talk about everything, including security assurances and diplomatic and economic relations if Iran is willing give up its fuel program and cooperate fully with inspectors.”

This is interesting as Barack Obama has been advocating such a measure even before he ran for office.  This is once again another example of Obama’s tempered, creative and forward thinking judgement.  He opposed the war in Iraq, and he warned about putting all our eggs in Musharref’s basket.  On all these matters Mr. Obama has been right, and Clinton and McCain have been wrong.  

If this coming election is going to be a clean move away from the terrible policies of the neo-con movement, and the negligence that is George Bush, then there is no doubt that Barack Obama is the candidate of…I’m going to say it…CHANGE.

After so many questions that just sound the same and redundant , Senator Ben Cardin has just asked General Petraeus about the 5 Million Iraqis that have been displaced.  Look, over 4,000 American soldiers have died and they’re lives are meaningful and they are leaving behind families that will miss them dearly.  Furthermore, we can’t neglect the sacrifice they are making for their country.  Nevertheless, I’m quite astonished the not enough coverage is given to the Iraqi sacrifice.  The fact is over 300,000 Iraqis have died.  Moreover, 5 million have been displaced.  There is an immense humanitarian crisis that is taking place right now there.  I think as much as it is important for American senators and politicians to discuss the American sacrifice in terms of American deaths and dollars it is important to register the Iraqi cost.  Wasn’t this war dubbed “Operation Iraqi Freedom”??  

The Hillary Clinton Deathwatch