1. Being pro-legal immigration and anti-illegal immigration is NOT the same as being "anti-immigrant." So the words are manipulative and chosen to distort the positions and character of those who differ with Obama.
Being in favor of trade policies that benefit the U.S. or that at least level the playing field is not being "anti-trade," so, again, the words are inaccurate, manipulative character assassinations of an entire state's populace. Make that all "rural" people. (What's "rural" code for?) They are crafted in an attempt to intimidate debate and to silence discussion.
My dear David, and each of you "Young Turks," You're SO out of touch. And I care what's elitist and what isn't. See, "elitist" is a privilege most of us can't afford.
Neither you nor Obama has the courage to touch the realities of illegal immigration, the fact that there is a very large and real underground economy that is putting many "documented workers" at a disadvantage, including African American workers, and that is stretching the fragile national (NOT international) welfare and healthcare nets beyond their limits, that is displacing the rights of legal American citizens and all legal immigrants, because a largely laissez-faire CONSERVATIVE, sold-out government wanted to assuage big international business and the oligarchy, and in the process allowed 12 to 20 million people to "sneak" across the border-- the IMPACT on the environment alone is mind-boggling!--and because those who consider themselves to be more intelligent and less divisive, like yourself, but who are actually just the other side of the O'Reilly blowhard pundit coin, want to feel "charitable" and "nice" towards Mexico.

National borders? Divisive! National security? Jingoistic! Low and middle income Americans? Screw them!
Again, legal immigration is not the same as illegal immigration. Immigrant is not even the same word as Immigration, Surprising facts! but I suspect Obama knew EXACTLY what words he was using. He does it all the time, portraying those who want FAIR, BI-LATERAL trade policies to be drafted and enforced, and who want regulated LEGAL immigration policies to be enforced (since we already have the most liberal immigration policies in the world), portraying, in other words, the MAJORITY of American citizens as xenophobic, protectionist and bigoted, when in fact we are simply reasonable and we want ISSUES discussed, U.S.-friendly policies made and enforced, rather than the pablum and personality-politics and hyperbole we usually get from politicians and the media.
In fact, Obama shows NO signs of toughening our stances on trade in terms of U.S or international environmental or worker protection with China, Mexico, India, or Dubai. He behaves more like a Utopian internationalist than like someone who seriously understands the economic, environmental, and social impact of globalization (both outsourcing and insourcing), and who is ready and willing to take on, or negotiate with, the rest of the world if and when necessary.

Most folks in the media make far more money than the average American; most politicians do, too. You are supposed to inform the electorate, not indoctrinate us, and the politicians are supposed to serve our needs.
Instead most of you kiss each others' asses whenever you manage to take your heads out of your own. And you're so busy being sanctimonious and superior, you're likely to get a repeat performance of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. The Democratic party has sold out the low and middle class American citizen to international corporations and an international oligarchy; so has the Republican party.

No candidate looks great, but Senator Clinton comes closest to getting it and to having a real chance at untangling the mess GW has made with the economy and the war, balancing common sense with compassion, and facing some of the tough choices without being pie-in-the sky or hawkish. You've spent months trying to destroy her chances and now you want "issues' and unity.

When Obama’s not avoiding discussing issues and being above it all, he seems to use race more to stereotype and divide than to unite. In fact he seems to follow an example opposite that of MLK, closer to Huey Long.
I hope we get an African American president in my lifetime, but mostly I want a GOOD president. I'd vote for Stephanie Tubbs Jones or Cory Booker, but they’re not running. And the U.S. is at a crisis point.

Like the many people facing possible or probable home foreclosure (most of whom were downright cheated by unscrupulous mortgage companies-- can you say "bring back anti-usury laws?"), we are getting the final notices on our national debt, and if we don’t change course there may BE no U.S.A., certainly not as we want it.
This is not fear-mongering; it is economic fact. We need government to GUIDE our country through globalization by making trade agreements that IMPROVE our economy and standard of education, environment, and living.
It is not a one-world economy. The world is still made up of sovereign nations, most of which are doing a MUCH better job of protecting their economies and citizens (and that includes Mexico, that damn well protects its southern border) than our Government has-- and this country and its citizens and constitution are still worth saving.

And one more reality check: MANY voters who did not vote for Bush either time, who find him to be odious and reprehensible, don't want Obama. So quit with the false dichotomies. You're one of the few obsessed with guns, gods, or gays.
Most of us are trying to get by, and are VERY much in touch with the realities of economic necessity. Many of us, and that includes Pennsylvania-- I've seen several town meetings and the people were neither bigoted nor bitter-- know the issues and what's at stake, and the stakes for us are far higher than they are for the wealthiest few.

You have spent the entire campaign avoiding issues till now. All of a sudden you're taking on China instead of Hillary. Too little too late.

gunless at 6:22AM on Apr 13th 2008

2. That's not why they didn't vote for Kerry and a vote against Kerry was not a vote to "keep your guns". LOL It's a constitutional right. Only 30% of the Republican Party is Evangelical and worried about gay marriage. Kerry did not run on the policy of regulating the housing industry so the recession would have happened regardless. I'm astounded they let you write for AOL, you're so naive and frankly not that bright. The last thing Obama needs is hysterical blamers like you trying to help. Please stop.

Mel at 9:23AM on Apr 13th 2008

3. Obama – Black is Wright

Obama attracts thugs and bullies to his campaign and personal life and is able to do so with impunity.
If Obama where Caucasian, he would have been bulldozed by the media long ago.

Look at Obama’s affiliations:

- Senator Meeks who openly hates whites and gays and is listed prominently on Obama’s campaign website as a major Obama supporter and backer and is one of Obama;s super-delegate. Mr. Meeks has been integral in helping Mr. Obama succeed in politics.

- Mr. Ayers of the Weather Underground, a group that killed police and tried to bomb the US Capitol, served with Obama on the board of the leftist foundation called the Woods Fund.

- Robert Malley a close senior adviser to Obama who advocates negotiations with Hamas and providing international assistance to the terrorist group.

- Larry Sinclair alleges in 1999 Senator Obama’s arranged to meet him in a limousine, sold Senator Obama cocaine and then gave Senator Obama oral sex. Larry then claims that he and Obama went to a hotel and preformed oral sex again. Mr. Sinclair is testifying in court under oath that these allegations are true.

- Mr. Auchi is an Iraqi billionaire and major financial sponsor and closely connected to Obama’s rise to power.
While working with Saddam Hussein, Auchi made his fortune through the selling of arms in Iraq and the funneling off of money from the Oil for Food program.

- Mr. Rezko an Iraqi citizen and Obama’s and Auchi’s long time friend of 17 years and a major mob figure. Rezko is NOT known for his civic sense of duty and does not do favors without asking something in return. Coincidently in the Chicago Times today it was reported that Rezko was negotiating to purchase rehab buildings in Obama’s district.

- Mr. Wright a racist who hates America and whites with Hitleresque triads. Mr. Wright has been Mr. Obama’s spiritual mentor for over 20 years. Before the media exposed Mr. Wright, Mr. Wright was on Obama’s campaign staff as Obama's chief religious advisor. Mr. Wright and Mr. Meeks are ideologically closer to Karl Marx and Black Nationalism, than to Christianity.

- Rashid Khalidi a fundraiser for Obama and is one of Obama’s close friends. Khalidi Khalidi claim Israel as a "catastrophe", and supports Palestinian terrorist groups.

- Mr. McPeaks is Obama’s military adviser and national campaign co-chairman who publicly states that American Jews are the "problem." and “Christian Zionists were driving America's policy in Iraq to benefit Israel.”

- Michelle Obama trumpets Obama as “the second coming of the messiah,” and also states that she “has never been proud to be an AMERICAN in her adult life".

The list goes on…

How can Obama’s bad judgment to choose to affiliate with criminals and fanatics be justified?

Had Hillary Clinton had any of the above ghosts in her closet, she would have been thrown out of the election long ago.

Hey everybody - am I missing something here?

Are we so in love with the color black that we forget to see the man?

Carlie Stevens at 11:36AM on Apr 13th 2008

4. PLEASE - DONT TRY AND GET OBAMA OFF THE HOOK AGAIN-ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...HE MEANT EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID-AND MUCH MORE AND IS SORRY HE GOT CAUGHT SAYING IT. WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A PRIVATE CONVERSATION-- YOU CAN BET SOMEONE IS GOING TO PAY. OBAMA HAS AN AGENDA IN MIND-- AND THE SMALL TOWN PEOPLE ARENT EVEN A PART OF THAT... HE WAS AND IS ANNOYED THAT HE CANNOT ROPE IN THE SMALL TOWN WORKING PEOPLE.. THIS IS WHY HE CANNOT. PEOPLE DESERVE TO KNOW ALL THEIR IS TO KNOW ABOUT OBAMA-= AND THE MEDIA HAS CHOSEN TO HIDE AND COVER UP EVERYTHING THEY CAN-=THEY ALL SEEM TO BE SO AFRAID OF GOING AGAINST HIM[ WHY BECAUSE SHARPTON WILL BE RIGHT THERE TO PULL THE RACE CARD... AND MAKE NO MISTAKE THEY WILL AND INTEND TO USE TO THEIR FULL ADVANTAGE- HOW SAD.. EVEN THE SUPERDELEGATES HAVE ALL BUT SAID THEY CANT CHANGE THEIR MINDS BECAUSE OF ???? THEY ARE AFRAID-WHY CANT A BLACK MAN LOOSE BECAUSE HE IS JUST NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB OF PRESIDENT...???THERE IS MUCH MORE THE VOTERS DO NOT KNOW ABOUT OBAMA -HE IS SLY= SNEAKY- DOUBLE TALKING- LYING AND ALREADY IS THE SAME OLD WASHINGTON POLITICS... HE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT CLOSELY...SHOW OBAMA THE AMERICAN VOTERS ARE NOT NIEVE AS OBAMA LIKES TO THINK THEY ARE....

CC at 11:56AM on Apr 13th 2008

5. Of course Obama was right. Too bad that speaking the truth is not the way to get elected President in this land of the touchy redneck.

Captain Negative at 12:34PM on Apr 13th 2008

6.
The Young Turks think the average American is out-of-touch with political issues. (We conclude: TYT is elitist)
They mention the folks who vote based on ‘God and gays.’ That’s quite a steryotype of the religious right. TYT selectively avoids the main religious issue: abortion. More children are killed every single day than the number of soldiers who died in Iraq during the entire war. (We conclude: TYT is anti-religious)
Have you ever watched Cenk on youtube...talk about condescending!
So, TYT is elitist, out-of-touch with voters, anti-religious and condescending...that’s why they endorse Obama!

Dan Proctor at 12:47PM on Apr 13th 2008

7. In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, "You're getting a little thin up there." McCain's face reddened, and he responded, "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt." McCain's excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days.

Um...yeah. Makes me wonder how he treated her when no one else was around. Jeez.

Pamela at 1:06PM on Apr 13th 2008

8. I'm an independent leaning toward Libertarian. If the Dems want to dull the Republican sword, then they need to stop shoving the Gay Bone up the American Butt. Ibid with feminist, Hispanic and immigration issues. They need to carefully consider what is really important to the average American. If they can think and behave neutrally on other social issues such as those, then they will have more power to do something about the slide toward a two-class society.

W. B. Wilhite at 1:23PM on Apr 13th 2008

9. ARE YOU ON DRUGS ? SNOBOMA : VOTE FOR ME. YOU CORNCOB SMOKIN, BANJO STROKIN, CHICKEN CHOKIN, COUSIN POKIN, INBRED, HILLBILLY RACIST MORON....IF ANY OTHER POLITICIAN HAD SAID THE THINGS OBAMA SAID, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE RACE YESTERDAY ! WHY DOES HE CONTINUE WITH ALL THE CONTROVERSIES AROUND HIM AND NOW THIS ? SOMETHINGS VERY WRONG WITH THE OBAMA PICTURE. WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON ?

chloe pickering at 1:31PM on Apr 13th 2008

10. Anytime Obama or his friends reveal themselves for the elitists or bigots they really are there is always an eloquent speech with some sort of elaborate explanation. It's getting old.

And Barrack Obama is a typical liberal: He excoriates people of faith and gun owners while he and his wife sit in some crazy black-supremacist church where Michelle Obama probably has a pistol tucked away in her purse.

And Cenk's litany of unfounded charges about torture and spying is typical of the liberal arm-chair critics who do nothing to safeguard our security except scream at those who try to safeguard the country. Think about this: If the Islamic radical are ever successful in blowing up a major US city, all of our civil liberties will vanish in an instant.

And here's an idea: If you think China is a danger, how about not helping them with their nuclear missile program like we did in the nineties. The truth is that both parties have coddled China. This is a brutal country where party thugs rule the day, doctors forcibly extract vital organs from prisoners and dissidents are brutally suppressed and systematically murdered.

Dave at 2:56PM on Apr 13th 2008

11. Would the Liberal Media give a pass to a White Republican Conservative half-term Senator running for President? Would the Liberal Media fall silent and allow any Republican to spend 20 years in the Church of the Fiery Cross, make statements of how 'Drug Dealing and Stealing' are bread into Black People then insult the Religious and Constitutional choices of millions of American Citizens?

The answer is: NO-Bama!!!!!!!

Paul Sparcello at 3:31PM on Apr 13th 2008

12. why doesn't he just come out and say that redneck america will never vote for him and that's why his wife has never been proud of this country. that would be refreshing.

dick myhers at 4:08PM on Apr 13th 2008

13. Elitism. You can be a liar, an idiot, wrong on every issue and still be elected. But if you appear to be elitist you'll lose.

Case in point. Al Gore. Smart guy. In 2000 over 78% of the voters agreed with him on the issues. He was experienced, good looking, spoke well, had pioneered legislation that resulted in the internet and was Vice President under an administration that left America with a good economic future. Shoo in, yes? Well no, he apparently didn't connect with the voters. He left people feeling that he knew that he was smarter than they were. In his first debate he sighed at Bush's answers. He showed that he felt that he was smarter than Bush. Well we all are but Gore was the elitist that was making fun of Bush.

Now do your own examination of Kerry the windsurfer in 2004. Elitist, definately. Winner, no.

Perhaps the winner in 2008 will be the one that convinces us that he/she is one of us not smarter than us.

Steve Seivers at 4:04PM on Apr 13th 2008

14. Obama's comments were perfect! In tune, in touch... right on! I wish he would have added "It's time to kick corporate ass" "It's time to dismantle the evil empirical republican oligarchy"... (Although, more people would probably understand better if he just said republican evil empire)... "The starting point will be reversed... Reagan's law will be reversed... striking workers will not be replaced... jobs are the property of the people!" "The robber barons, the elitist homogeny will be brought down to their right position as facilitators of the people" " Stealing from the workers to give to the rich is just what it sounds like, a crime." "We've witnessed every facet of government come under the tighter control of this evil tyrannical darkness... NO MORE!" "The constitution isn't just a piece of paper... it is the United States of America!" It's the pinnacle of our law... government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" How's that for Antipathy and Bitterness? I'm -f'ing- fed up with the way things are, it sucks. Analogy -All I see or hear, that is today's America, is the screeching and I'm waiting for the crash.

he said April 6, referring to people living in areas hit by job losses: “[I]t’s not surprising, then, that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.” if I worded things in a way that made people offended, I deeply regret that. ... The underlying truth of what I said remains, which is simply that people who have seen their way of life upended because of economic distress are frustrated and rightfully so."

JackRider at 11:20PM on Apr 13th 2008

15. If either Democrat wins, I will be bitter for the next four years, just as I was bitter from 1976 to 1980 and 1992 to 2000.

And Barack needs to watch his tongue about religion, since he attends a church that seems to think that every ill that affects the black community today is still purposefully caused whites, or the Man, or honkies.

Now Cenk, I can tell you that, as an econimics major, no economy can grow perpetually. It will vary in its rates of growth, and will contract from time to time. Remember that economics is pretty much a reactive science, and not proactive. Yes, there were many things done after the Great Depression to make our economy depression proof, but we can't make it recession proof.

As for the current financial crisis, I still say that a lot of the blame belongs to people who bought houses that they couldn't afford. If you can't afford a house on a 30-year fixed mortgage, when rates are at historic lows, then buying with an ARM is suicidal, because rates cant' stay at historic lows.

If once can't afford a house with a 30-year fixed, then one should stay in the apartment until the income increases.

The good side of the crisis is that housing prices had increased well above the rate of inflation and needed to come down. People in my town were upset that houses were no longer affordable, and that the children of homeowners couldn't afford to live here. As housing prices decline, the cry for creating affordable housing will subside.

Remember that this kind of decline isn't new. My parents bought their house in 1964 for $31,000. The sellers bought the house in 1959 for $36,000. So, they took a 13.8% loss on their investment.

As for the war,remember that our men and women in uniform are supposed to protect the general population of the U.S. While they are in Iraq, terrorists are fighting our soldiers, rather than bringing the Isalamic war to our shores.

Kent at 11:45PM on Apr 13th 2008