With primaries over, challenges are clear for Barack Obama

The political drama of the day seems to be when will Hillary Clinton quit, but the real issue facing the Democrats now is how to retool themselves for the fall showdown with John McCain. And as our colleague Doyle McManus points out in today's paper, Barack Obama has some clear strengths, and some decided weaknesses, to work on -- many of them exposed by the same primary and caucus process he narrowly survived to claim he has enough delegates to win the nomination at the August convention. Writes McManus:

"Even while celebrating his improbable achievement Tuesday night, Obama faced stinging reminders of challenges he has yet to overcome.

"He lost the primary election in South Dakota, as senior citizens and working-class white voters defiantly stuck with a fading Hillary Rodham Clinton, exit polls showed. Both voter groups are considered crucial to victory in November.

"After controversies over his former pastor and other issues, Obama has lost ground among the independent voters who are important in any presidential election. In February, 63% of independents said they had a favorable impression of the Illinois senator; last month, that number was down to 49%, the Pew Research Center said."

It's worth taking a moment to recall what's happened so far, because sometimes the full weight of history is hard to feel when you're in the midst of it. With the nation at war and the economy teetering on recession, a white woman -- a former first lady no less -- and a biracial man were the last two serious nomination contenders in a Democratic primary battle that lasted five months, burned through $400 million and shattered state voter-turnout records for primary elections and caucuses.

On the Republican side, we could well have witnessed the end of the dominant influence of social conservatives within the party, a role that has had a deep effect on national policies going back to the rise of Ronald Reagan a quarter-century ago.

And the fall general election could well be just as historic, as the Vietnam War generation squares off against those for whom that war exists in textbooks rather than personal memory. It also will likely be a fight over class -- the white working-class -- as well as Latinos, and independent and moderate Democratic women.

And, after eight years of an increasingly unpopular administration, and with Congress already shifted from Republican control to Democratic, the Fall could complete a realignment that began with the 2006 midterms -- a shift just as radical as the change between Jimmy Carter and Reagan, and between Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

History unfolds, and as Walter Cronkite used to intone, "You are there."

-- Scott Martelle

Obama photo: Rick Loomis/Los Angeles Times
McCain photo: Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Sue]

Barack Obama has more challenges that he can imagine. One of them is standing next to him - his wife who has allienated many, many people with her arrogance which is superior to his - and his is pretty much in your face.

As a former Democrat, I hope to see the Obama campaign go down in flames and surpass the debacle of 1972 when I voted for George McGovern. The Democratic Party decided for some unknown black guy preaching "hope and change" over a tried and tested politician. They deserve the biggest defeat in their history.

[Sue]

Barack Obama has more challenges that he can imagine. One of them is standing next to him - his wife who has allienated many, many people with her arrogance which is superior to his - and his is pretty much in your face.

As a former Democrat, I hope to see the Obama campaign go down in flames and surpass the debacle of 1972 when I voted for George McGovern. The Democratic Party decided for some unknown black guy preaching "hope and change" over a tried and tested politician. They deserve the biggest defeat in their history.

[GM from Riverside]

Who cares about pastors? And for those that say "I do," I only ask "Why?" My question is - and it's one we should all be asking - "What are either of these two candidates going to do about the economy?" They both need to come up with some economic proposals, and fast. We know where they stand with the war - issue #1- but the other big issue is our economic status. I have heard neither put together anything resembling an economic plan, and my vote very well could swing to the candidate with the best economic policy. As of right now, my vote goes to Barack (I wish I could vote for Paul but I'm afraid I would just be throwing my vote away, unfortunately).

[Nordstrom]

So, Sue, the Obamas are "arrogant"? Why don't you just say what you really mean — "uppity."

As a young black man said to me recently, in reference to racism in this election: "Once the grass is mowed, the snakes start to show."

Sue, you're a snake. As a current and lifelong Democrat, I think I speak for many when I say we're happy to lose you.

[nick]

Biracial exactly, and his black father left them high and dry when he was a young boy. He was raised by his white mother and white grandparents.

[Raul Pedraza Latino Veteran]

CONGRATULATIONS SENATOR OBAMA TOW DONW AND ONE TO GO!

Barack Obama has blazed a historic trail for sure. He championed a tremendous campaign organization with leaders as sharp as a Gillette razor blade to overtake the Clintons and their well known brand.

Hillary displayed once again her deluded narcissism in not being able to admit defeat just like she cannot admit that voting to authorize the war in Iraq was a mistake.

Fellow Obamanots take a deep serve yourself a well deserved drink and prepare for the John Mc Cain machine which will try to instill fear of Barack into your minds and hearts. We know what is coming since the Republicans have showed their playbook and have no new strategies save trying to steal the CHANGE mantle.
Here is what you can expect:

Barack is a muslim
Barack will be soft on terrorists
Barack is willing to speak to oh my God tyrants
Barack is not a friend of Israel
Barack cheated Hilary out of the election
Barack has the media on his team
Barack associated with bad people who said bad things

Blah Blah Blah.

Remeber ladies you are surrendering your womb to Supreme Court Justices appointed by John Mc Cain if you vote to elect him POTUS as so many threaten when their gal Hillary lost.
Your sons and daughters may be fighting the Iraq war for five or six more decades.
Our country will be bankrupt because we can no longer send over 12 billion dollars a month to Iraq and achieve nothing for it to say nothing of the continued lives we lose and the ones we maim.

Food for thought: Now get on board the Obama train FOR CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN. YES WE CAN SI SE PUEDE

[Greg from Riverside]

Wow, Sue. That's a pretty racist post. Why did you have to include the word black? Was that really necessary?

[Stu]

She said "arrogant". You are the one that said "uppity". I see what you're trying to imply but if that's the way YOU think then who is the one who is really racist?

[bob]

The Obamas are quite arrogant. I have never been proud of my country till my husband started winning????

And to call sue a racist is an idiot comment. Obama is in no way qualified to be president, and does not have people's confidence, except for people in their 20's.

Again The democrats find a way to lose. Kerry, Dukasis, Gore, next is Obama.

This is a huge bummer, as we really needed a democrat this time.

Want to help prevent this? Join a 'get out the vote effort'
More young voters is Obama's (and our) only hope.

[Greg from Riverside]

Hey Stu (rhymes with Sue), she said "the Democratic Party decided on some unknown black guy..." Did she really need to say that? Could she have found ANY other way to describe the Junior Senator from Illinois?

[Tom J]

Whya re you showing an old photo instead of the one from last night? It's misleading.

[BPS]

I find it interesting that senior citizens and working-class white voters are considered 'crucial' to victory in November.

Obama won the nomination in spite of the people who 'defiantly stuck' with Clinton, and while there will be Democrats who vote for Senator McCain rather than support Obama, the voting blocks shape up somewhat differently when it is Democrat against Republican.

The pundits haven't got much right during the primaries; there's no reason to expect their crystal balls to have cleared in time for the general election.

[jay]

Sue: You're a bitter old thing. It's senior citizens with dismissive racist sentiments that will hold up this election and threaten Obama's candidacy for more of the same divisive, tried-and-no-longer-true policy making rather than a progressive, more inclusive and self-reflective America that my generation and those younger than I wish to see characterized as the renewed America. One with deliberate, noble policies with respect to the advent of the global century as opposed to the American-centric one. One that, at the same time, will renew respect for America and upgrade its power standing, without abusing it, in the world. But you can't think that far ahead and why should you, as you and McCain are both too old to appreciate the value of the future, the new world stage, as it is. (I know you're old because you say you could vote in 1972 when I wasn't even born). Face it: this "unknown black guy" is possibly the most well-known figure in the world right now, after your President Bush. And he was only ever unknown to those who didn't want to know -- with 2 autobiographical books published by his mid 40s, a lengthy policy record in one of the country's most populous states, Illinois, and as an alumnus of three of your precious country's most illustrious universities, anyone who didn't know of him wasn't paying attention to the world much further off than around the block or simply didn't want to know. Face it Sue: your day is over. If only all of you racist hillbilly seniors could just expire fast enough so as not to ruin this election for those of us who are more likely to live through it, and several following. Don't let us have to pay for your cataract short-sightedness, vintage racism and out-moded provinciality.

[dwc]

THe TIME IS NOW
THE FUTURE IS NOW

AMERICA WE CANOT WAIT!

AND WHEN THAT TIME COMES
OH YUES FOR IT WILL COME

WE WILL NOT BE DIFINED BY OUR RACE
THE COLOR OF OUR SKIN
OUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

BUT THE FACT AND THE TRUTH AND THE HISTORY
THAT HAS MADE US AND MAKES US
AND WILL CONTINUE TO DETERMINE HOW
WE LIVE AND DIE WE ARE
THE AMERICANS
WE ARE AMERICA
WE ARE AMERICAN!
GOD BLESS AMERICA
GOD BLESS HER CHILDREN

LET US START ON THAT NEW ROAD TO DAY
AS ON IN ONE AMERICA

BARACK OBAMA OUR NEW COMMANDERING CHIEF!!!!!

GOD BLES WEST VIRGINA
KENTUCKY
OHIO
PENSLYVANI

WE ALL LOVE YOU AND BACK WILL BE YOUR PRESIDENT OUR PRESIDENT AMERICAS PRESIDENT!
GOD BLESS THIS GREAT NATION
AND HER PEOPLE THAT HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH
AND RECIEVE SO LITTLE!

[Kirsten]

Yay for Jay!

[jmr]

Along with his trouble winning over Hillary-loyalists such as blue-collar workers and senior citizens, Obama will have to find a way to win over Jewish voters, along with anyone who cares about Israeli Security.
http://www.greenfaucet.com/hanlons-pub/aipac-speech-highlights-a-big-obama-problem
Maybe without this block of voters he's screwed?

[nmt]

My congratulations to Obama who has just clinched the nomination by tactical wins. However I am not convinced that you can run this country by just tactics. You have barely survived the Democrat Primary by maneuvering on rules as you have done back in 1996 in Chicago politics. I am one of the 18 millions who have voted Hillary. As you know, we have outnumbered your supporters but , with your skill, you are declared winner. However, winning in real life is more than that. Your next challenge is John McCain and his democrats or Reagan democrats. I still don't see why I should vote for you. McCain is a Republican but he understands our needs. I will vote for him.

[Greg from Riverside]

NMT,
Like our need to sacrifice innocent American lives for absolutely nothing - "We will stay in Iraq for 100 years. That would be fine with me," - John McCain.
Or maybe it's the need to stabilize our economy - "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as much as I should," - John McCain.
Maybe it's your frequent trips to the bathroom you're referring to? I don't exactly know what you mean by "understands our needs."

[BJ]

I love it!

Hillary is Obama's worst nightmare, and we, her supporters are his 2nd... John McCain is his 3rd!

The wagons have surrounded you Obama, time to surrender!

[S. A.]

Hey Nordstrom,

I agree with everything (Sue) said. The Obamas are arrogant and uppity and don't belong in the white house. They will not get the votes of many of Hillarys supporters.

[Alessandro Machi]

I noticed that all the states surrounding South Dakota were caucus state victories by Barack Obama. Funny how once they hold an actual primary in the same part of the country Hillary wins easily.

http://www.CaucusCheating.com
http://www.CaucusConfession.com
http://www.Hillary-Wins.com
http://www.Florida-Michigan.com

[Greg from Riverside]

Alessandro, even funnier how those states DON'T hold primaries but caucuses. And even funnier still is how Hillary and her campaign knew this yet didn't play to it. Hardy harr harr.

[armjoint1]

Who cares about pastors? And for those that say "I do," I only ask "Why?"
Posted by: GM from Riverside | June 04, 2008 at 10:52 AM
=========
I care about pastors as that indicates to me that Obama has been BRAINWASHED by this pastor for 20-years into his way of thinking; you just don't see it because Obama is a SMOOTH MANIPULATIVE speaker, just like his pastor.