Obama is sweating.

[IMAGE via coxandforkum.com]

Barack Obama has to win South Carolina in order to gain the needed momentum to pull him through "Super Tuesday" on February 5th.

The democratic debates in South Carolina were a heated argument between front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Obama being on the defense most of the night. With only one win in Obama's pocket, it is easy to see why he is getting nervous.

Perhap's his immature attacks on Bill Clinton, and his defensive attitude towards the Clinton's in general, is infact a reaction to the idea that Hillary is now a threat. This isn't to forget that Hillary, herself, came out just as foolish during the debates. She certainly was the one to start the mud slinging. However, she has done this far more strategically than Obama has. She attacks Obama on his voting record in the senate, and on his lack of experience. Justafiable attacks, even gaining the suprise support of Edwards during the debates. Obama counter-attacks Hillary on her corporate ties and her husband. Well, the problem with that, her corporate ties were short lived (despite her lobbyist connections), and well made up for. While her husband, well every democrat loves him! Obama's biggest problem with Hillary is simple, that type of confidence and wit is the thing pulling her to a comfortable front of the race, and that just ain't right to him.

Click "read more" to continue...


Clinton has a much better chance in states such as New York and California, where she has been campaigning vigerously. This of course, leaving the January 26th South Carolina Primary for her Husband to do the work "on her behalf". She is practically giving the state to Obama, and maybe that type of kindness isn't what Obama needs. He needs to win against Hillary in order to gain momentum, not because she let him.

It may seem an unfair advantage for Bill and Hillary to be practically running as a duo, but everyone knows Hillary Clinton originally gained her fan base because of her husband. How many people planned to vote for her simply by assoctiation? Alot. Besides, there are no rules against it, and maybe Hillary needs it. America is ready to accept the first Black American President to the white house, but not the first female President. So if electing Hillary, a viable, and honorable candidate means getting Bill too, what undecided voter wouldn't realize this advantage and play along as well?

Well, the Obama voter thats who. Luckily for Obama most of the state of South Carolina is black, a major leg up for him, but a win could be just as much of a loss in the long run.

Bill Clinton recently accused Obama of playing the "race card" in his campaigning "on behalf of Hillary" in Nevada. Obama promtly dismissed his remarks as false, but his defensive attitude towards the Clinton's is making him look more guilty. With a win much needed in the Obama camp, and conveniently in a state mostly made up of black communities, how does this make him look? Well, it appears as though he is infact depending on black, and minority voters to lead him to the oval office. Even if that isn't exaclty true, the illusion is there.

Whether he is doing it or not, Bill and Hillary Clinton are brilliant politicians, and Obama is trapped in a corner.

A win in South Carolina could boast his numbers on February 5th, or it could hurt him, leaving the undecided to vote for Hillary. Why? Because they get two for the price of one, and because Obama got caught up in the dirty politics of some publically loveable, and viable people.


Written by: Jessica Erven (c) 2008





For more visit:

Washingtonpost.com (article)

Read more!

Democratic Debates: South Carolina

[IMAGE: cnn.com]

The Democratic debate in South Carolina quickly developed into a nasty battle of “suitability” between Clinton, and Obama. While Edwards, to a thankful crowd, rolled his eyes.

The debate took place in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on January 21, 2008 at 5pm PT. CNN broadcasted the event, with timid moderators Wolf Blitzer, Joe Johns, and Suzanne Malveaux heading the debate.

The first question's, regarding the Economy and Health Care, became a personalized bickering between the two front-runners Clinton and Obama, both sliding off-track and boasting their own idea of what needed to be said. Edwards, at one point had to jump in saying, "Are there three people in this debate, not two?" gaining Edwards an enormous applause from the audience. He later continued his criticism of the bickering duo with the statement, "This kind of squabbling -- how many children is this going to get health care? How many people are going to get education because of this? How many kids are going to get to go to college because of this? I respect both of my fellow candidates, but we have got to understand this is not about us personally." Maintaining his moral stand, and professionalism, Edwards was seen, united from an Obama favored crowd, as the winner of the debate. But would this do anything to boast his numbers at the voting booth? Sadly, probably not.

Click on the "read more!" link to continue...

This debate focused less on political issues and more on defensive differences between the three candidates. Obama addressed the impact with Bill Clinton's prominent existence in Hillary Clinton's campaign. Addressing the issue in many different opportunities, the only positive remarks Obama made towards the former president regarded, “his [Bill Clinton's] important, and respected presence in the black community.” This was offered following the odd, yet charming question of “Do you think Bill Clinton was our first black president?” Referring to remarks made by the Nobel Prize-winning African-American author, Toni Morrison, who famously observed this about Bill Clinton in the 1990’s.

The issue of the past week’s feud between Former President Bill Clinton and Senator Obama, remained a minor focus in the debate. Most of the debate was spent in policy differences amongst the candidates in a bitter battle to snag the voter’s hearts.

When it came to the economy, both Clinton and Obama agreed on a quick fix tax rebate for the American people upwards of $650.00 to immediately stimulate the economy. Edwards, on the other hand, was for long-term goals, and did not believe in a quick tax rebate. Later gaining the support of Obama in his long-term plan.

Senator Edwards has been known in past pubic forums to side towards Obama, and has subsequently become the “anti-Hillary” vote for Democrats. For the first time seen publicly in the campaign, Edwards and Clinton ganged up on Obama, and his inability to be tough on issues. This following a prominent booing from the audience towards Hillary Clinton and an attack she made on Senator Obama about why over 100 times he voted present on a number of important issues in the senate, instead of yes or no. Clinton’s original approach to draw up the issue was regarded as distasteful from viewers, but with the interaction of Edward’s it became a moment of observation on the reality that Obama has been a little less than honest, and fair on his past voting record. He took it shamefully and the issue was moved on, Obama one down.

John Edwards stood true to his campaign forum, once again reminding voters that he is a man of honest footing, who is not a fan of lobbyist deceit. He attacked Hillary Clinton for her support of lobbyists, and her potential intent to include them in her cabinet, if elected into office. Her defense was little more than ‘let it go, you’re wrong.’ While she came out foolish in the end with an intersection from Obama, siding with Edwards on Hillary and her lobbyist ways.

The South Carolina debates proceeded far more heated than intended, fewer questions were asked than in previous debates, and no new answers were provided. Clinton, Obama, and Edwards all stood true to there original campaign idea’s but the persistent combativeness between Clinton and Obama surely did nothing more than aggravate listeners, and possibly turn off undecided voters.

The strategies of each candidate were easily determined. Obama focused on the black voter’s of South Carolina, the pre-determined winner of the South Carolina Primary. While, Clinton fought in a more national debate, knowing her wins were in such states as New York, to be seen at a later date. Edward’s, being the good contender he is, focused his attention on his honest beliefs, convictions, and concerns, being truly a candidate of the people. It has now been made clear that Clinton is running as the anti-bush, while Obama is standing as the un-bush. So, where does this leave Edwards? Well, he is the American voice.

Written by: Jessica Erven (c) 2008

The Official CNN Debate Transcript

Read more!