Barack Obama

"So I noticed you're now against the war on terrorism. You ruined our beautiful disagreement ratio :(" Yeah, sorry. I decided I can't support this administrations "war on terror". It sends the wrong message. "1) He's not debating the issues often enough. Hillary is obsessed about her health care plan and she talks about it everywhere she goes, however, Obama doesn't risk to talk about what he wants to do. I watched a whole speech and the only thing he talked about has how he opposed Iraq from the beginning, which is easy to do when you're not in the Senate." I've watched quite a few debates and I've seen and heard Obama talk about real issues. As a matter of fact, he addressed almost every issue I'd like for him to address at the rally I went to at my school. I hate when people say that Obama is only about hope and feeling words. That's not true, he just happens to be good at inspirational speaking. That may not be the most important thing but it is one of the most important things. Obama's message of hope and change is a huge reason that young people are voting for the first time and that people who usually don't care about politics are following this election. We need to think of a 100% turn out for elections as the norm, not the exception. THAT is what this country was suppose to be founded on. If we're going to toot democracy at every opportunity we need to start thinking of it as a priority. In my view, it is more important to elect someone who has similar values and worldviews as I do, rather than someone who has a fully developed plan on absolutely every issue. Don't get me wrong, I support most of his plans for foreign policy, education and health care, but it's not enough to see eye to eye on JUST programs. Hillary Clinton may or may not have a better health care plan but she's been working on it for about twelve years. Given the opportunity, I'm convinced his would evolve to be more inclusive and have more potential for success. About the war...Yes, he has been against the war since the beginning, yes, it's getting a little old. BUT, it has to be said to every new audience. It isn't easy to be against the war if you're not in the senate. How about all the people who were in support of the war that weren't even involved in politics? It's important for someone, especially someone who may potentially lead our country, to have the ability to wait before going to war. To think of war as the last resort, not the immediate solution. With all of her "experience" why didn't Hillary Clinton have that ability? "2) His health care plan is terrible from the economy. I read Paul Krugman all the time because he's always dead on on his predictions like the crash of the housing market. And Paul Krugman believes Obama's plan is not going to work because people will be showing up to the hospitals without insurance, and their costs will then be absorbed by doctors and hospitals that treat them, doctors and hospitals will then have to cover that expense so they include things like crutches and aspirins on their medical bills, and then insurance companies, having to cover that expense, higher the price of their premiums. That's why health insurance is so expensive, but if everyone has health insurance this won't happen." First, no one is ever dead on about the economy, if they are, they're lucky. However, for the most part I agree with you here. That is something I've struggled with. He doesn't have the greatest health care plan. I know this gives you a great 'in' for your rebuttal but remember we're debating about the candidates as a whole, not on this one issue. What I'm keeping in mind here is that a president is not just his thoughts and plans but his entire cabinet and a plethora of other advisers. I am confident, that as president, Obama will develop a better health care plan that will work for more people and cover all the bases. He is an extremely intelligent guy who has worked in run-down communities for many years. This gives me some bases to believe he cares enough about the downtrodden and poor to develop a better system with some help and time. Yes, we want a president to get it right from day one, but that's unrealistic. His views on other just as important issues are better than Hillary's. That is why this particular issue doesn't dominate. "3) Obama is living a pipe dream, he thinks that once president he can work out the good intentions he has for this country. I think that even if he does get in the white house, he's not going to handle it as well as Clinton would because Clinton has her husband and her own experience." I believe he can as well, intentions ARE important. If they weren't I'd be voting for Ron Paul. "Clinton has her husband"....ouch. The Clinton's have proved to be a badly oiled muckraking machine. I consider it a negative that he's involved at this point. He has shown us he will make mistake after mistake on the campaign trail and never admit to anything. Do we need another administration that doesn't admit when they're wrong??? Hillary wont admit she made a mistake voting for the war either. We need HUMANS in the white house. They make mistakes but they own up to them and fix them. Not machines like the Clintons and Bushes. "Not to mention that in a campaign against McCain, McCain will throw dirt at him like there's no tomorrow. For example, Larry Sinclair (I'm not saying I believe him but he could change a lot of people's minds). Hillary Clinton will pound McCain because McCain has nothing new to say about her. Bill Clinton now has a 70% approval rating. If McCain says "Hillary will just be Bill Clinton all over again!" like the Republicans said when she ran for Senate, Americans will say "Great! It's better than Bush all over again!" and Hillary wins." Yeah, McCain will, that's what republicans do most of the time, so what? People are tired of that, they want honest, transparent government with integrity. I think you're oversimplifying this. It's not as easy as A) McCain says she will be Bill Clinton B) People like Bill Clinton C) Hillary wins presidency. They will be Bush all over again. They will change and are already changing the view people have of the Democratic party. We're not supposed to be campaigning this way. We should be given two proper, honest candidates to choose from, not the one who can throw more mud. Obama is getting votes not just from Democrats but from Republicans as well. He is changing the minds of Independents. He is able to do this because people don't just want another president but they want a new way of electing one and a new kind of government. One controlled by people not, I hate to use the line, but not special interest groups. Most of the money he has collected has been from individuals, contributing small dollar amounts. Hillary is collecting money from anyone and everyone, including huge corporations and special interest groups. You think they give out they're money because they're kind? No, they want things in return, she hasn't even been elected and she's beeing controlled by money. I'm cutting out that last quote from you because this has gotten very long. I will address it by saying I don't think it's true that either one or the other is attacked more by the media, and if people care more about Hilary's slips of the tongue than Obama's, it's just an indicater of how much people like him. Neither one of those instances matter. Being president isn't about being perfect. I'm very excited to hear your reply, after all, I am open to having my mind changed, regardless of how unlikely that is at this point. I know I digressed on some points but I figure as the debate goes on we'll gather our thoughts and points more clearly.