This is why the attacks , petty beyond belief , are just not going to stick. All it does is energize Obama supporters to keep rebutting with the lies with the truth. So, hey. It's all good.

Thanks for posting this.

ridiculous pettiness

Obama for all his help.  

Do you think it would have mattered? Honestly?

He was with Claire McCaskill the Sunday before the election and I think Jim Webb the day of?

But aiding other Democrats with visits, donations, and endorsements is expected.  That's an entry condition for consideration as a Democrat.  It is not enough.  It's taking credit for the easy things you should do.

(mea culpa, I recently accused Senator Clinton of not helping others; there is some truth to that in earlier years, particularly within NYS.  But she was very helpful to other candidates in 2006, I claimed otherwise and  I was wrong).

So, back the point: Those links to photo ops do not prove much to me.

The question is: What does he SAY at those events?  How does he describe the current political landscape?  How does he present to his audiences the challenges we face?  How does he develop the identity of the Democratic Party?

More important, now that he is standing on his own as a Presidential candidate, how does he describe the party now?

I think some folks who claim he only and significantly tarnishes the party overstate their case.  But there is more than a nugget of truth in the criticism.  You may feel that framing is helpful - I don't - but please do not pretend those links answer the issue being debated.

You are correct: Those actions matter.  But current words also matter.

Edwards more? prove it also, tommorrow I will talk about money, which cleary has Obama outpace Edwards and Clark. Also the title says most. Edwards did more than Obama using all metrics is hard to prove? I am happy to call it a tie, but just don't argue Obama doesn't care about Democrats.

I think, if what he is saying wasn't helpful, he would not be wanted? The range of where he was wanted is also valuable. I think some of his best speeches were the ones he gave at these events. But what do I know?

This is apples and oranges.

While it is admirable and absolutely worth bringing up in defense of Obama, it is NOT an answer to the critique of Obama's political style.

Let me be clear as I think I have been throughout - I do not for a moment question Obama's progressive credentials, they are there for all to see.

HE will be a progressive President, maybe even in 2009.

But this is relevant but not a response to the critque.

We shouldn't fall for the bait.  The idea behind much of what goes on here is not sincere.  It's dirty tricks.  It is quite obvious the idea is to get Edwards and Obama supporters to attack each other, to get the real sense of a brokered convention coming our way.  It is manipulation to a Nth degree and it shows the problems with privately owned and operated blogs and their manipulative ability to take free speech and frame it.  If we participate, then we should be aware, and resist the temptation to go in the direction offered.

Obama was by far the most requested democrat on the campaign trail while Hillary was being rejected by some democrats who ran in swing states and districts...

Brad Ellthworth of Indiana is the perfect example of a democrat that failed Hillary in his district would hurt him more then help since his district tilts slightly to the right.

..

He is too Conservative, that does not make for drawing in the Democrats.

Another example, that if we get one of these top tier candidates as the Dem nominee, they will then cost us another election.  The folks won't be turning up for the Dem and therefore will not be helping the Democratic ticket.

Like a young lady I saw at the Farmers Market this weekend who approached us when she saw our Al Gore buttons, she said she sure hopes he gets in, because he is our only chance...and the democrats only chance.  She said that the Dem's are making the Repubs look good.  I don't think I can go that far, but the point is, here we go with not a clear choice.  The lesser of two evils and when you have folks acting like Republicans but wear a D, people are more likely to vote for the REAL thing.