Obama and the Olympics

patty,sd,ca — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:14:39 GMT

what's new?

OBAMA NEVER answers questions.He tries to change the subject or copies Hillary Clintons answer.

Obama and the Olympics

Jon, TX — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:17:37 GMT

He is a rambling guy. But you know what, we all ramble when he are unsure how to respond at the moment.
For Obama, he clearly does not want to give in to Clinton's pressure and the pressure of others to do the same as toehrs. He simply cannot follow others and must formulate his own stance on the issue of Chinese human rights absues. Being an avid ball player and sports fan, it would be strange if he gave an answer saying he opposes or supports the boycott.
Now, the media needs to shut up and stop tryng to extract petty political opinions.

Obama and the Olympics

Demarcus Jackson, Columbia, Tennessee — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:20:33 GMT

Obama did not give a "long rambling answer". He provided a well-thought out response to a very complex issue. In short, he provided the kind of answer that media types like Aswini Anburajan don't like: Answers that go over 30 second sound bites! How refreshing...to have a politician actually use their brain when pondering difficult issues related to foreign affairs. By the way, Obama makes a good point about not ticking off your banker. China has loaned us a lot of money and we are in serious debt to the country. You can thank Bush and little Bush (McCain) for that. I personally think the human rights violations by the Chinese Government are a serious matter that warrant serious thought and action. I would support leaders boycotting the opening ceremonies.

Obama and the Olympics

Frank, Missouri — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:24:41 GMT

"It's very hard to tell your banker that he's wrong, all right?"

That is correct ! Plus we should not be yelling the loudest while we are putting people into our Gitmo concentration camp and keep spying on our own people.

We have to work for the world to respect us again!

Obama and the Olympics

Treet Rollins, Baltimore — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:25:50 GMT

Obama can't boycott the summer Olys. Too many blacks would be angry.

Obama and the Olympics

Jamil, Dearborn, MI — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:25:55 GMT

You didn't need to use the word "rambling." The guy's just being honest - we can't be too harsh on China if we want to keep borrowing money from them. Besides, what would boycotting the Olympics accomplish anyway? It is not a Chinese event - it is a world event that takes place in different countries every four years and just so happens to be taking place in China this year. Boycotting the Olympics won't change anything and would probably only hurt our economy.

Obama and the Olympics

sharon — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:24:31 GMT

Obama is a smart man ok, he doesn't need to copy anything from that lier Hillary, If that woman wins the nommination I would never vote for her.

Obama and the Olympics

Kim M--AZ — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:31:14 GMT

I agree with Obama
that we need to tread lightly and see what comes up
in regards to the Olympics. This is also about the
athletes not just about China.

Obama and the Olympics

Zoe Fort Lauderdale — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:31:37 GMT

Again, he is speaking to people like adults instead of coming up with simplistic sound bites. How do you think we are funding the war in Iraq? It's not through taxes, folks. This is the first war in American history that has NOT been funded through a tax increase. The $12 billion monthly price tag is being paid through accruing more debt and borrowing. And guess who holds the chits on our debt? China for the most part.

China has a miserable human rights record. But the issue is much more complex than meets the eye.

Obama and the Olympics

KEVIN SEATTLE, WA — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:35:09 GMT

What a surprise another politician with a roundabout answer. I am amazed at how my fellow patriots and americans are allowing the "wool to be pulled over their eyes" by a "silver tounged devil" That's right folks, what we have here is a man who has 1) No experience in foreign policy.. I dont't even know how many foreign exchange students he may have talked to!!, 2)no experience at all in running an economy even at the burger king level, 3) He sounds like a used car salesman trying to close a deal on a car that he doesn't have!. I AM ASHAMED that we are so self serving, that People in the gulf will lose our help. That IS the reason. They do need us. China needs US. Darfur needs us. Why does the left say we can't be in Iraq, but demand sanctions and all kinds of other hellfire for China? Riddle me that Demos....Back to the question, it was a simple one. He was asked if he would boycott it....we did not need the plethera of incidental info. Yes or friggin no. Pretty simple. But I guess a true waffler cant give a yes or no question. Its not in HIS best interest. Oh and by the way...you can have change without progress, but you cannot have progress with out change. (in other words..I am tired of the change crapola...what kind of change?)

Obama and the Olympics

Dave, Millburn NJ — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:37:54 GMT

He answered this very clearly. He said he wants to say china's wrong but can't because it would hurt a relationship that is feeding the hurting American economy. A relationship that is only in place because of bad decisions in the past. Clinton can say the popular answer and makes everyone happy. Obama is looking out for the people of America.

Obama and the Olympics

Samuel, FL — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:59:54 GMT

It was a long rambling answer designed to allow him to cover his butt whichever way the wind blows. If he didn't think the president should skip the opening ceremonies, why didn't he just say so? It's a yes or no question that he could easily have answered no to and explained why.

Obama's answer was the equivalent of voting "present". Purposely designed not to mean anything so he can go back and later and explain what he REALLY meant.

Obama and the Olympics

Ed30041 - Cumming, GA — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:50 GMT

If I was Obama, this would be my response: The Olympic Games is an opportunity when ALL nations can set aside their political and religious ambitions and participate in the comming together of peoples of all nations, of all races, of all religions, as a reaffirmation that each and every one of the inhabitants of this planet we call "earth", are as human as the next person on the fields and in the stands. Politics do not belong in the Olympics. Terroism does not belong in the Olympics. Issues of how a nations governs their population belong within that nation and between governments/nations that may not agree and NOT between athletes (ask the Dali). Let the games proceed and I hope that America will proudly stand with all participating nations in the opening ceremonies.

From: a 54 yr. old life-long (white, if that matters), democrate, who shook Bill's hand in ATL and Al's in Monterey, CA, but believes Mr. Clinton betrayed me and the country (why couldn't you just admit what you did) and has no confidence in Hillary's decisions (should have left him after Lewinsky, too bad) and wonders what influence her significatn other would have on her policies.

Obama and the Olympics

SouthCentralDel — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:05:49 GMT

Olympics are not the place for official protest. Even those raised fists in '68. Discord and protest, unofficially, brings pressure on government to act. Which is how it should be.

Obama should be guarded in thinking about boycotting an Olympics as President. 1980 didn't do us any good when Carter how our whole team skip out.

Obama and the Olympics

Ian — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:08:54 GMT

It's easy for Hillary Clinton to tell President Bush what to do on this subject since she's not going to be the president in August and probably won't be the president in January '09. The fact is that Bush would look like even more of a hypocrite than he already is with this toothless demonstration of pandering lip service.
Either the Chinese are ruthless perpetrators of egregious human rights violations and we care about it or they aren't and we don't. Judging by Wal-Mart’s bottom line, and the true scarcity of any tangible pushback against borrowing billions from them to prosecute the war in Iraq, I'm guessing we don't really care what the Chinese do. It probably says more about our own apathetic hypocrisy to some degree.
By boycotting the opening ceremonies we manage to alienate our Chinese bankers and little more. Had decades of our own actions remotely resembled our supposed principles we'd be in a far better position to claim the moral high ground.
BTW, Bill Clinton once stated that we needed to bring the Chinese into the WTO because it was the only way in which we could improve their human rights record. That, of course, was the BS reason used by those wishing to access the world's largest emerging economy and outsource that manufacturing job you thought you'd always have.

Obama and the Olympics

June — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:21:51 GMT

Barack Obama made a good point. We can't just boycott, because we have agreements and have been depending on the Chinese- borrowing money. I used to think that we should definetly boycott, but hearing other points of views-that if we boycott we could possibly ruin our relationship with China. and while we don't agree with everything(human rights issues) they (china) have improved. we can work with them and made our voice heard. we can still let it be known that we disagree with some of the things they're doing.

Obama and the Olympics

Rob CA — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:27:36 GMT

Sounds to me like he thoroughly and honestly covered the subject. Refreshing. I'm fed up with politicians treating the public like we are ignorant and cannot handle anything over a sound bite. The way most pols treat us is insulting. We can follow sentences, truly; even paragraphs.

Obama and the Olympics

Jonathan, Pittsburgh — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:28:39 GMT

Another refreshingly honest answer from a politician. This pattern of honesty seems to be scaring a lot of people. It's time for the anti-Obama folks to start calling him names or making up rumors.

Obama and the Olympics

Anthony, San Diego, Ca — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:37:25 GMT

Sen Obama is right again. What if your Bank cuts off your funds what do you do? You can not go to England because they don't have to give that is why we had to get it from China. Sen Obama is right again we a running up a debt with China so what can you do or say with your back against the wall. Ask yourself if you have a friend that lends you money and let's you run up a debt to pay your rent every month with that friend and he beats up someone you know what are you going to do tell that person that is lending you the money that if he does not stop you are going to beat him up? Do you think you are going to get the money for your rent the next month? No I don't think so and if you do you better have a plan to pay your rent or else you will be homeless. Sen Obama is not stupid in the lease to burn any bridges. That is part of our problem now we stick our noses in othe countries affairs which wound up costing the American Taxpayers more money.

Obama and the Olympics

Margaret, Torrance, CA — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:41:14 GMT

While we all may be rightly unhappy that George W. Bush is still the President, it is his right to decide how he wants America to respond to the Tibet crisis. It is just like Hillary to try to decide for others what they should or should not do (wage attachments for health care, for example).

Obama and the Olympics

brandy — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:51:56 GMT

Obama left himself some room on this issue. You can tell that he is not willing to support an Olympic Ban. His answer was political. The ? is leading and he didn't take the bait.
First of all, I don't think boycotting the Olymics over Tibet is going to increase our reputation throughout the world. If anything it will make us look like idiots and it will be a detriment to our Olympians who have trained most of their lives and only get to show what they've got to the world each 4 years.
Congrats Obama for not letting the media push you into a corner!
Bush, if you boycott the Olympics you are a fool. That is one way to show we are not about unity is by boycotting the only Universal sport on earth!

Obama and the Olympics

Anthony Tacoma, Wa. — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:52:35 GMT

This is simply a Candide who is acting like a president should. I applaud Sen. Obama for his answer. We Americans think that all countries think and act like we do. News flash they don't. China has different cultures than we do. To snub them at the opening ceremonies is on of the most egregious things we could as a country do. Their biggest thing is saving face and showing respect and curtsy. It's their culture different but theirs and we mus respect it them as much as we want them to respect us as a country. Hmmm...Sounds like Sen. Obama would make a great President.

Obama and the Olympics

Amy — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:57:02 GMT

Obama's initial remarks on the topic were pro-China with their humanitarian abuses, essentially saying there was nothing America can do. This is diplomacy? This inspires the American people?

Leave the race, Obama. America will be stronger without you.

Obama and the Olympics

lizzy,seattle,wa — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:00:13 GMT

This is so sad, we have taken so much money from, and made so many deals with China . . . truth is we can't boycott the Olympics.

So, I'm boycotting the companies that are sponsoring the Olympics.

We need to pay off our debts and use another banker.

Obama and the Olympics

Nic, US Army, Burlington, VT — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:24:50 GMT

Although I don't like Obama's "Neutral" answer, he does make a point. We can't really force China to clean up their acts when our hands are in their pockets, and what does boycotting the Olympics accomplish? We'll just have that many more countries hating us.

And you know, I am kind of sick of the US having to be the ones to police the world. Let's concentrate on our own problems and shortcomings before we start telling another country how to do things.

Obama and the Olympics

Derek, Duluth, MN — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:37:08 GMT

Apparently Obama can't take a stand on ANYTHING

Obama and the Olympics

Steve P, Medford, MA — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:44:08 GMT

Long and rambling? I'd rather make my own opinions about his answer instead of someone force-feeding their opinions on it, thank you very much.

Obama and the Olympics

Barbara Snowberger — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:47:34 GMT

I wish someone had done some boycotting when our kids were chewing on lead based painted toys, and our pets were dying from contaminated pet food from China. Why does it always have to be the Olympic Teams that take the political hit. Obama talks and thinks at the same time, resolving the issue in his mind. He stated it correctly. We owe our soul to the Chinese and Wal Mart..of which Mrs. Clinton served on the board in another day and time and did nothing blah blah blah..and the beat goes on and on...

Obama and the Olympics

Thomas Hopkins, Salt Lake, Utah — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:54:01 GMT

Obama is right! America not only in dept with China, but we also depend on the surplus of money that comes from trade with china. Do you people know how much recycled steal we send to china. There is no excuse for alot of things that go on in China, but I think there is a more diplomatic solution to solving those problems. I don't think you can solve them by insulting the country and its people that we so despratly are depending on.

Obama and the Olympics

Dwaine, CO. — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:11:48 GMT

The "rambling" part was shorthand for "millions displaced, over 100,000 dead, Blackwater etc..."

You know where he's coming from?

Obama and the Olympics

Mon — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:20:39 GMT

Hey this is not an easy issue and we need to weigh both opions...not act impulsive...and that's what Obama is doing..........

Obama and the Olympics

Mary, Phx, AZ. — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:23:51 GMT

I do think Bush shouldn't go. I don't think he should appear anywhere in public. He is a disgrace and an embarrassment to this country. He should just go back and walk in the cattle droppings on his ranch in Texas and take Cheney with him. We wouldn't miss him one little bit and neither would anybody else. Obama can't say it and remain civil but I can and I do.Come together Dems and get the whole bunch of them out of there!

Obama '08

Obama and the Olympics

Jeff, Highland CA — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:24:00 GMT

patti.sd.ca had to come back - I thought you gave up on the losing democrat. I thought the answer was poignant. Do we value the people of Tibet more than Sudan - why boycot now when China has been active in violating human rights in Africa?

Obama and the Olympics

Hope — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:25:04 GMT

Didn't answer directly, huh? Well maybe it's simply because he doesn't find this issue as important as Iraq and domestic issues. Or maybe he feels like dealing with Iran and Iraq right now is a priority and that Tibet issue can wait. That is our problem now. We interfere too damn much. Obama realize this.

Obama and the Olympics

molly — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:25:21 GMT

Stand up for what is Right - and take a stance - stop being so vague - on all issues!
Wright - War - Olympics, etc.... We Need A Leader!

Obama and the Olympics

Kathy, HI — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:25:37 GMT

Athletes train so hard and for politicians to think they're accomplishing something is just wrong. Bush has financed a large portion of his war by borrowing from the Chinese - that's just bad behavior and will likely come back to bite us. And if our Senate is holding hearings on the meaning of water boarding as torture - like maybe they can't decide? - we can add hypocrisy to the list of stupid things our leaders do.

As for Obama's answer being "rambling". I guess some pundits prefer their sound bites ready made so they don't have to actually think for themselves.

Obama and the Olympics

carol g — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:38:21 GMT

There is no point for the president to boycott the game since he is just as guilty as China when it comes to human rights. That is like a pot calling the kettle black.

Clinton might have forgotten about all those tortured prisons under our watch but the rest of the world have not. She will say anything to be seen as a good gal anyway.

One thing about Obama, he knows when to call it and he knows when to fold. This is the president's game and Obama is not playing it..... yet!

Obama and the Olympics

Harmony — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:05:07 GMT

Obama was smart not to anger our "bankers". It is the diplomatic and presidential thing to do. We need allies - ANY allies.

Hillary would just piss them off by trying to make a show. This could prove a dangerous problem if she becomes president. She is a bit of a rogue.

Obama and the Olympics

Bettie John, Iowa — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:12:51 GMT

Give Obama a chance, personally, I'm sick of hearing the Obama bashes. Look at Hillary and how many lies she tells. She really gets the red carpet. This Obama thing is not a biggie. I decided to campaign and vote for him.

Obama and the Olympics

Clairissa, Austin, TX — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:28:33 GMT

How is this rambling? He gave out a well thought out answer. Not as many silly sound bites from this guy. He talks to us as if we were adults. What a novel idea!

Obama and the Olympics

Sonya — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:53:31 GMT

No matter what Obama do or say, Obama haters will always run off at the mouth

Obama and the Olympics

Jon — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:23:31 GMT

"rambling"? How is that a fair assessment?

The complexities of US-China relations can't be boiled down to a 10-second sound bite. And who would seriously believe that the Tibetan conflict could be resolved by a symbolic boycott. Dude, friends have more leverage in advancing a change agenda then enemies!

Your lowbrow is showing, Anburajan.

Obama and the Olympics

Katya, Pueblo, CO — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:33:49 GMT

Dear Mark Murray...your assesment and commentary (coverage ????)here are unsettling at best. That you chose to so poorly represent what was said (thus overtly leading public understanding astray) by wrongly asserting your personal opinion as to the signifigance of what was actually said by Senator Obama is, in my view, irresponsible and reprehensible. To my understanding, Obama carefully, thoroughly and intelligently responded to the question. He lays it out: 1.)we are poorly viewed in the eyes of the global community & we must change this inherently dangerous position; 2.)changing how we are perceived will return us to a more harmonious relationship with the world community (as opposed to being "the big, bad bully on the block") which in turn makes us safer; 3.)in order to change how we're viewed by the world, we must demonstrate admirable behavior, like taking a stronger, more consistent stance against the deplorable, unacceptable human rights abuses on China's part; 4.)this has not occurred to date, due to the impediment(engineered by the Bush administration's private war in Iraq) of being hugely financially indebted to China. Not all readers are fully informed about the pertinent facts regarding the question, so he shares these with us. In so doing, I feel he tacitly lends his support to those demonstrating against China (per the torch), since these actions DO inform the world community that THE PEOPLE of the USA are NOT PUSHOVERS! (To Mark Murray: Is it an attention span thing with you? A lack of background information upon which to rest this new information? If you are not up to the task of processing intelligent information bigger than a soundbite, I respectfully request that you reserve your commentary in order to allow others to come to their own conclusions.

Obama and the Olympics

Jing Li — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:37:53 GMT

There was an article on the Same MSNBC website about Obama's stance toward Olympics in China. He has already answered that he will not support boycotting Olympics, it's more about sports than it is politics.
So all this rubbish about he's unclear on his stance is another MSNBC flap

Obama and the Olympics

Jing Li — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:39:38 GMT

Clinton's long support of trading with China made us what we are today in that relationship. Now she wants boycottng olympics, whatever

Obama and the Olympics

Adam, St. Louis, MO — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:40:22 GMT

Time for an update. Obama did say Bush should boycott the opening ceremonies "if the Chinese do not take steps to stop the genocide in Darfur and respect the human rights of Tibetan people."

It's pretty amazing how quickly the press was ready to jump all over him for his long, thoughtful answer, especially considering he wasn't even specifically asked about whether he supported the boycott, as far as I can tell.

Obama and the Olympics

Nick, Austin, TX — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:53:30 GMT

This is the most detailed and well thought out answer I've heard. Out of the original candidates Obama, Biden, Dodd and (I really hate to say this as a loyal Democrat) Huckabee seem to be the only ones who were or are aware of the vast sums of money we have on credit from China. I think it is a good sign that Obama isn't completely on board with the 'hold our breath until China changes their ways' method and didn't give the overly political sound bite about the issue like everyone else. The last thing our economy can handle is a new face off with China while we are in Iraq, trying to watch and police Pakistan and Iran and in a presidential election to go back to 'good-bad' foriegn policy.

Obama and the Olympics

Jon Pettit, Olympia WA — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:36:08 GMT

It is a shame that a person seeking the Presidency of the United States, should make comments about how to run another countrys internal affairs, when he has no personal knowledge nor ever visited and experianced what that country like or met with the residents thereof. Obama does nothing but reflect answers to different groups, that make him appear as acceptable as a represntation of the groups interest. The more he talks....The more his lack of moral character exposes itself.

Obama and the Olympics

Rhj — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:01:48 GMT

Guys, just give obama a few days to ponder this issue and write a speech about it. It will come to be known as the "Great Olympic Speech". It will touch the hearts and minds of obamanoids worldwide.
It is terribly unfair, the way you media people continue to act like obama is just a mere politician, like Clinton and McCain.

Obama and the Olympics

mona,richmond,ca — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:20:13 GMT

Maybe it's time to call Senator Patrick. Seriously, that sounds like a Reverend Wright answer. Now read that again, and imagine Reverend Wright saying that with animation. You gotta love it, when asked a question about human rights, wait, let's use that as an opportunity to be negative about the U.S. As president he is not going to defend the U.S. but tell the whole world what he really thinks about his country. Its really obvious how unpatriotic this man is and people are considering him to be the president of the United States?

Obama and the Olympics

FRANK — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:50:47 GMT

Obama has given a clear answer to this issue, it's left for the wise people of USA to use their tongue and count their teeths. he said and I quote

It's very hard to tell your banker that he's wrong, all right? And if we are running huge deficits and big national debts and we're borrowing money constantly from China, that gives us less leverage. It give us less leverage to talk about human rights, it also is giving us less leverage to talk about the uneven trading relationship that we have with China."

meaning that USA has enslaved Herself to China. It's high time USA should stop borrowing to throw away in the never-ending wars. If USA should regulates their constant borrowing from China, they will then have a full stand of themselvs and avoid the fear of not been lend money by China. They will work with their resourses, thereby having a stand to TELL CHINA... YOU ARE WRONG HERE AND THERE , AND THIS SHOULD STOP.

i THINK OBAM HAS A GOD'S GIVING KNOWLEDGE (GYNOSCO) IT'S A KNOWLEDGE BY INTITIATION OF HOLY SPIRIT. PEOPLE SHOULD LEARN TO PRAISE AND NOT CONDOMME COS THE NEVER WANTED TO SEE THE REAL PERSON TALKING, JUST BECAUSE THE CONCENTRATE ON A SHADOW

Obama and the Olympics

ILOVEAMERICA — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:48:21 GMT

Yet another example of Obama unable to forumlate a plan of his own. All that repackaging of other candidates ideas is great experience. He should apply for one of Santas Helpers.

Obama and the Olympics

Carl Field, Cleveland UK — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:08:22 GMT

You (or Hilary) got it wrong: Gordon Brown is not boycotting anything. He never intended to go to the Opening Ceremony. He's going to the Closing ceremony to be present when the torch is handed over to London. If Britain condones the wrecking of this Olympics then the same will happen to the London 2012 Olympics.

Obama and the Olympics

Doles, Miami, FL — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:50:42 GMT

I so happen to be with Hillary on this one. It is a pity when Journalists use words that reflect their opinions instead of reality. To think that will influence others, that is scary. When you say rambling, do you not understand others will rather see it as "thought out"? I think it would've been better journalism had you cited the quote and let people judge whether it's rambling or not.

Obama and the Olympics

GDI in Michigan — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:53:25 GMT

"After speaking for a few minutes, he circled back to China and the Olympics, but didn't really answer the question."
Wow its the same thing he does every time.

Obama and the Olympics

billary hater — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:16:44 GMT

americans are so stupid. why can't we see the forest? there's no black and white in this issue. this is not a minute thought process. it's a complicated issue that needs to be think over before we make a decision. Hillary is such a typical no brain quick mouther. doesn't she know that i have so mcuh debt from china? what if china asks us to pay back the debt tomorrow? do we have money? we need more power and respect in the world first. china looks down on Bush right now. let's wait until Obama gets elected and then start to pay off the debt first!

Obama and the Olympics

Dr.Strangedog,MI — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:23:55 GMT

**Obama can't boycott the summer Olys. Too many blacks would be angry. **

Why would we care? Do we have some vested interests in the Olympics? How come you got the newsletter and I didn't??? I'm telling Sharpton on you!

Obama and the Olympics

DL — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:25:16 GMT

Can you update the fact that the dalai Lama and the Tibetan government has said "don't shut us/them up" but "respect the games in beijing"...or that the Prime Minister Brown is going to the closing ceremonies...

so who had the better judgement on this one? Once again Sen Clinton uses an important issue to change the subject for her own advancement and Obama chooses the right statement..."make some changes or we will boycott"

Sen Clinton is strong and unabashedly forceful when it effects her polls but her choices are based politically in elections more than the good of America.

Obama and the Olympics

Rochester, NY — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:28:24 GMT

I'm pretty sure if Obama was the first to come out and say Bush should boycott, you Obama supporters would be right there saying how great he is for speaking up and taking the lead on boycotting the ceremonies. Now that he won't give an answer to the question, the Obama kool-aid drinkers, just say, "Oh, what a well thought out answer." Giving him every excuse to make him look great instead of realizing that he is way behind the curve just like Bush when it comes to this topic. The leaders of Germany, Britain and France are not going to the Olympics and yet you Obama supporters love this guy so much that you can't even admit when he's wrong.

I think this shows who really is beholden to China and corporate greed. That would be Obama. Why else would he have voted for the Energy bill that is giving huge tax breaks for the oil companies that are now charging $4.00 a gallon for gas and $112.00 for a barrel of oil. You call that good judgment?

Obama and the Olympics

jane-pa — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:36:30 GMT

jon,Tx where do you get off saying shut up.The presidency of America is not a game where some tell all what to do. It is our job and our responsabilty to ask and probe. Not doing so would be very unintellagent and childlike. The fact he isnt to be questioned tells us he isnt ready yet to be pres. He and you apparently have no idea about the political responsabilty of voters. I can see his followers believe as you . Follow blindly cause he can read a speech well is not a reason to become leader of greatest country on earth. He is always pointing out its faults and that alone should tell us something.He has had a free pass to long by media and it is only the opening ceramony suggested to be boycotted not the sports of it. Get real .I can see today he really needs protecting and thats your job but look again at what is happening ok.

Obama and the Olympics

KJ, Dallas, TX — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:40:43 GMT

Yes I agree Sen. Obama, we do have to take a stronger stance, with more consistency. How does a simple meaningless statement of boycotting help in the long-term??? This administration is all "show" and no substance.

Obama and the Olympics

C.Myles; Atlantic, VA — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:41:56 GMT

Obama ... a person with great leadership potential. While Hillary is a loser that just wants to get PR when she has nothing to say except what had already been said by 3 dozen others before her. Bye, bye Hil..... watch the NC blowout by 20 points.

Obama and the Olympics

Jo, Chicago — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:43:33 GMT

I'm with Mr. Jackson in Tennessee. Obama's answer was well-thought out and right to the point. At this stage we need to maintain a certain amount of decorum when it comes to dealing with China, especially since we can't keep our own house clean....Quantanimo Prison, anyone? I do agree that boycotting the opening ceremony, which is the traditional venue for showing off the host country, would be enough of a statement. This will in no way affect the athletes and the non-partisan sporting events.

Obama and the Olympics

phila,PA — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:52:10 GMT

Exactly what is boycotting the beginning of the olympics games going to accomplish. The chinese don't care if you boycott it or not. The games will still go on and two days later, everyone is going to be cheering for their country and not care if their president boycotted it or not. Some other SERIOUS measure needs to be taken. We don't need face saving nonsense here. The worlds leaders need to come together to let china know what they are doing is simply unacceptable.

Obama and the Olympics

Mac, Tampa FL — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:52:50 GMT

Another non-answer from Obama. So what else is new?

On the tough issues he does not have any new, fresh ideas because he would not want to risk actually having to take a stand for anything.

Wake Up America!!

Hillary 2008.

Obama and the Olympics

davidconnell — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:54:10 GMT

This post just confirms that the media is obsessed with sound bites "It's a yes, or no answer, Senator!" Well, guess what? It's not a yes or no answer, and Obama brings up all of the points that make it complicated. Like he did in the Patraeus hearings earlier this week, he is getting at the heart of the issue. Here it's America's economic reliance on China and that country's abysmal human rights and environmental record; there it's the political and military entanglement between Iran and Iraq. THESE are the issues that need to be resolved, and they need to be resolved with real diplomacy, real dialog and real action -- not hollow gestures that make a a good news clip just as you return to business as usual.