Wolfson For Obama

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:10:55 AM EST
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Howard Wolfson explains how Obama's speech in Denver made him a solid Obama supporter:

For 18 months, I listened to Obama on television, sometimes intently, often just barely -- background noise to a running series of conference calls and meetings and e-mails. In person, my attention undivided, I saw something of what so many others had seen for so long.

Progress in America is never cheap, and even today history exacts a price for Obama's victory -- the dreams of electing the first female president, the dreams of so many who rushed toward Hillary Clinton on rope lines across America and refused to give up her hand and their hopes. Today these dreams are giving way to another kind of progress.

For me, the presidential campaign began in a crowded Iowa hall, where I saw a man my age lift up a daughter around my daughter's age and tell her that one day she could be president. Last week things came nearly full circle, when I saw another man my age lift up another child and say the very same thing.

Nice piece by Howard.

By Big Tent Democrat

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Wolfson For Obama | 48 comments (48 topical)

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The (5.00 / 2) (#3)
by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:14:19 AM EST

speech was good. Can Obama get the voters to trust him? Will he continue to tout these values or fall back on hopey/changey? Will he do a better job responding to the GOP than he has?

I guess all these questions will be answered in the next few months.

What I still don't get is that if Obama is such a great candidate then why isn't it showing up in the polls?

It's the 15% rule, from recent polls: (5.00 / 5) (#5)
by steviez314 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:24:33 AM EST

15% of Americans think Obama is a Muslim AND has a crazy Christian pastor.

15% of Americans, when asked if the media was biased for Obama, did not know what "bias" meant.

65% of Americans are in favor of offshore drilling. BUT, only 50% of Americans think offshore drilling will lower gas prices. Therefore, 15% of Americans have been convinced to drill just for the hell of it.

Look at the internals of every poll. There's always 15% of people whose responses just make no sense.

I have no idea what those 15% are going to do this year.


those 15% (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by frenly on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:28:22 AM EST

are the ones who rule the world of politics. And we wonder why our political discourse is always dumbed down


And the only question is (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by steviez314 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:30:23 AM EST

Can McCain get them more scared of Obama and the Dems than Obama can get them more pissed off at McCain and the Repubs?


Eh (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:32:50 AM EST

finally you see what's going to happen in Nov. Who do you hate worse? McCain or Obama?


once again, the lesser of two evils, blah (none / 0) (#18)
by PssttCmere08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:38:37 AM EST

blah, blah. Looks to me like we will have a split government and if that is the case, the dems better damn well do their jobs in congress!


: Or what? (5.00 / 0) (#27)
by hookfan on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:12:07 AM EST

We'll vote them in again? Oh, wait. That might be a real threat!

Well (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:30:09 AM EST

what you are saying is that Jeremiah Wright might cost him the election? He does have a crazy pastor. Or did rather.

BTW, i just had a back and forth with a friend of mine who is voting for Obama. I find it interesting that the ONLY reason that she can come up with for Obama is SCOTUS and being against Bush. Obama certainly needs a better message if this is the only reason his own supporters can come up with.


I once had to tell ... (none / 0) (#8)
by Robot Porter on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:28:49 AM EST

a pollster who called me how to pronounce "bias."

May he called that 15%.


: "Maybe he" (none / 0) (#10)
by Robot Porter on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:29:37 AM EST

that is

Good question....basically no bounce (none / 0) (#16)
by PssttCmere08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:36:09 AM EST

from the convention for obama; thought he might get a few points. Obviously, he has alot more work to do.


the average bounce (5.00 / 4) (#23)
by ccpup on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:58:58 AM EST

is 6.1 points. The highest was Bill Clinton in 1992 who went up 16 points with his Convention bounce. The lowest was McGovern who got no bounce at all. Al Gore got a solid 8% bounce.

I assume Team Obama anticipated and counted on an 8 to 10 point bounce to give them a fairly comfortable lead. A lead which could help soak up some of the 527 stuff coming their way as well as help to make up for the fact that he still only has support from the Party lingering in the low- to mid-70% range (Kerry had 87% at this time in 2004). But it appears as if that didn't happen.

I'm not sure when these bounces usually show in the Polling, but, since Obama's Top Adviser was very recently telling USA Today that they never anticipated a Convention Bounce at all, I think we have our answer to the How Big Was Obama's Bounce question.


: To be fair (5.00 / 1) (#35)
by gyrfalcon on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 12:09:49 PM EST

Obama and his people are surely smart enough to know that whatever bounce he would get from the convention would be anywhere from partially erased to totally obliterated by McCain's bounce from his convention. Unless one or the other convention is a complete disaster, there's always a bit of bungee-ing in the post-convention polls.
And the Palin announcement plus the hurricane have obliterated the media replays and ecstatic "analysis" of Obama's greatest convention speech in the history of the universe. Any bounce he gets and can maintain through these circumstances is fairly significant, seems to me.
Remains to be seen how the GOP convention will play out this week in the wake of Gustav. Looks so far like it's not as bad as feared, so they may well be able to go on with the main events later in the week.

Blech ... emotions not issues ... (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by Robot Porter on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:21:16 AM EST

pass the barf bag.

Duh, what's he gonna do? (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by Stellaaa on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:28:20 AM EST

Bill and Hillary went over.

: I imagine prominent Clinton supporters (5.00 / 1) (#44)
by Valhalla on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 01:20:05 PM EST

are under quite a bit of pressure, explicit and implicit (eg, do you want to end your career right now?) to publicly support Obama, from both the Clinton and Obama camps.
For me, I never took my cues from Wolfson before, so his endorsement is neither here nor there.

Hillary Must Have Had A Few Words (5.00 / 2) (#9)
by JimWash08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:28:53 AM EST

with Howard in recent days.

It's interesting how these top Clinton campaign officials are suddenly falling in line after one speech.

I expect Harold Ickes and -gasp- even Mark Penn to put out statements shortly of their full support for Obama.

Mark Penn? (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:31:24 AM EST

Will heads then explode or will the apologia and pretzel logic take over?


: Look out for exploding heads: (5.00 / 2) (#25)
by steviez314 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:01:13 AM EST

http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/its-your-turn-john-mccain/index.html

It's Your Turn, John McCain
By Mark J. Penn

Harold Ickes is a good Democrat (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by andgarden on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:33:11 AM EST

I don't think he considered for a second not supporting Obama.


: I am a good Democrat-- have voted D (none / 0) (#49)
by magnetics on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:06:49 PM EST

in every presidential contest since McGovern, think Reagan was a worse president than Bush (whose ascent RR enabled) -- and (tho' I wouldn't vote for McCain for dogcatcher) I have considered (am considering) non-support of Obama.
Call me what you will. I have not left the Democratic party; it has left me.

Wolfson is one of the few people (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by andgarden on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:36:26 AM EST

who managed to change the first impression I had of him.

When I first saw him on TV after a debate in the early stages of the campaign, he seemed really gruff and borderline nasty, but his writing voice is better than his speaking voice.

Yeah that's why I found his piece (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by CaptainAmerica08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:47:34 AM EST

so jarring and I didn't see it coming. He wasn't just being a "good Dem" he stated that he was in a bubble and now he recognizes that Obama is not some guy off the street that just got "lucky". He also made a subtle reference to the obvious blacks vs women affirmative action undercurrent. I'm 48 years old. I ain't dumb or ignorant of history, like many other people. Progress is progress, and it doesn't come at the total expense of a few. Wolfson came to the understanding as I have that progress doesn't come through division.


Ask Fannie Lou Hamer. (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by oldpro on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:19:12 AM EST

Sometimes progress does come through division.

Progress isn't always a straight line forward. Short term/long term as the Mississippi integrated delegation of 1964 can tell you. Four years ago they were celebrated at the Democratic National Convention.

Freedom Summer was instructive on many levels...but one must be willing to stand up to the party, the president, the powers that be.

And THAT is what Hillary meant in her final convention speech by "...keep going..."


Uh...what I thought I was making (none / 0) (#37)
by CaptainAmerica08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 12:20:47 PM EST

was a point about perpetual division. What Wolfson was getting at and what a majority of women to date get is that even if you believe that Obama's election doesn't help women, it won't hurt women either. Minorties on the other hand...


: Ahhh...perpetual division.... (none / 0) (#39)
by oldpro on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 01:01:15 PM EST

Re your final comment...keep in mind that minorities are peopled by women just as non-minorities are. In fact, women are in the majority, period.
Funny how often that seems to be overlooked.
The instructive thing is, women are the only majority who still suffer the bulk of descrimination in nearly every culture, worldwide, including our own.
Hard to sell Democracy on that basis...much less unity following this primary.

To me, when you work as high up (none / 0) (#48)
by zfran on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 04:21:42 PM EST

and Wolfson did for Hillary's campaign and you are a do or die not matter what dem. and your candidate doesn't make it, then of course you support the dem who is the nominee, especially in public. What else would he have said. Nice sentiment with the pick up of the children, however, I believe I've heard that before he said it. It may not even be his quote. Anyway, guillable is a gullable does. Sometimes we can just read stuff and either just believe it because, or just not believe it because. Look at the person speaking. Again, what else would he say?


: Ah, Howard Wolfson! Vous aussi? (none / 0) (#50)
by bridget on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:03:55 PM EST

The Power of the Obama speech knocked over Mr. Wolfson like the powerful storm our old oak tree.
So he decided to go all the way. Why not. Might as well. But that bit with the children? Wasn't that putting it on a bit too thick? Was it nec.? Of course, it was.
Ah, Mr. Wolfson. Another one down ...
So I thought he was made of sterner stuff. Put another bottle of the Kool Aid in the fridge. Cheers ;-)

Wolfson just gave his (5.00 / 6) (#19)
by waldenpond on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:42:23 AM EST

coming to Obama testimonial. Too funny. Sounds like he went through his 'Fellows' training. I'm sorry, but I didn't even hit nauseating... I just went straight to laughing. This is the exact stereotype of what Obama supporters were told to share. Did Wolfson say 'go to Obama's website' like people were doing here yesterday? haha!

Let's watch Obama people pretzel themselves as they accept the converted 'Fellow' in to the bosom of the movement. haha!

I can't wait for morning testimonials. It will be like having a morning prayer. Oh, sunny day.

: Maybe (none / 0) (#47)
by waldenpond on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 01:53:55 PM EST

I am not opposed to the Obama/Biden ticket in the least. I live in CA and my state will go blue so I am somewhat indifferent about the result from a personal perspective. I like looking at the political strategies and the polls. I think of my commenet as mocking politics, but go right ahead and count it as one attacking Obama or Biden if that's what makes you happy.

: Waldenpond, you just went all the way to 11 :) (none / 0) (#51)
by bridget on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:05:46 PM EST

this was too funny ... have a five :)

This is self preservation (5.00 / 4) (#20)
by cmugirl on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:46:06 AM EST

If Obama wins, and his takeover of the Democratic Party is complete, Wolfson and others will want to play a part and have job opportunities available.

That's all this is about.

And if he loses (5.00 / 5) (#26)
by domerdem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:07:03 AM EST

He wants to be able to say that he supported the ticket, so that he would not be pariah next time out


That's all? (5.00 / 0) (#28)
by A DC Wonk on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:15:10 AM EST

Perhaps he considered how awful the alternative would be (McCain/Palin)?


Sorry, I'm much more cyncial (5.00 / 5) (#30)
by cmugirl on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:20:29 AM EST

I'm convinced all this blustering is really BS and politicians are much more closely aligned than they let on privately. It's good TV, makes for great stump speeches, and more importantly brings in the money.

Case in point: the Carville and Matalin marriage.


You don't believe in love? (none / 0) (#31)
by oldpro on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:22:33 AM EST

That IS cynical.


: Oh, I believe in love (5.00 / 3) (#33)
by cmugirl on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:24:59 AM EST

But I believe they had to get there first. Maybe they could beat the odds, but since their jobs were to tirelessly and endlessly work against each other's interest (and livelihood), I think it would take more than love to get past a first date. Hence, I think a bunch of this is a smokescreen and plays the rest of us for suckers.

hmm (5.00 / 3) (#43)
by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 01:19:53 PM EST

it seems that you are doing more for McCain than any poster here is. If you want blind cheerleading then perhaps this isn't your site. There are plenty of others that do that.

As far as issues, it's up to Obama to convince the voters that those issues are important and that he can deliver. Don't blame the voters.


Exactly. Which Is Mainly Why (5.00 / 3) (#32)
by JimWash08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:23:48 AM EST

Hillary is so vocal in her support for Obama. She may not believe a word she's saying, but she knows where her passions and bread-and-butter source lie -- in American politics.

The same for Bill Clinton, Wolfson, Ickes et. al.

I will not fault them for it because they have to do what they have to do to continue their current careers.

And for Hillary's sake, I'm really glad that she's stepping it up, because I want her to be seen as a powerhouse in the Senate and American politics. I want her to hold on to the clout that she's gained to push for universal health care, children's health care and the best care for U.S. troops.

And if Obama loses in November, she will be in a good position to launch another bid for 2012.


I guess I am (5.00 / 3) (#34)
by Bluesage on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:33:36 AM EST

Pretty cynical but I believe that people in Wolfson's positon have more concern for future career opportunities than they do deep convictions. I thought Obama gave a good speech at the convention and it moved me a little but it wasn't a "come to Jesus" moment by any stretch. He still has work to do to get me because of FISA, drilling, faith-based initiatives, etc. I haven't seen or heard much since the convention that has moved me either. They did not handle the Palin pick very well. He needs to get some control over his surrogates speaking to the media.

It depends which polls you're looking at (5.00 / 0) (#40)
by Valhalla on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 01:14:40 PM EST

Here's Gallup -- 4 pt bounce for Obama from convention, 2 point bounce for McCain for VP pick:

Comparing Obama's current 49% support with the 45% he received immediately before the start of the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week suggests he received a 4-point bounce out of the convention, fairly typical of past convention bounces. Aside from the past few days, Obama has only once previously attained 49% support from national voters, and that was in late July.

In the head to heads, Gallup has Obama up by 6 and Ras has him up by 3.

The USA Today poll Jeralyn discussed yesterday had Obama up by 1, I think. (too lazy to check right now).

Not just for their careers (5.00 / 0) (#41)
by sallywally on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 01:16:27 PM EST

but for the party and nation. All these people can strongly advocate for progressive values, but it will come to nothing if a Dem is not in the White House this time.

Obama was shown the light at least for his acceptance speech not just by his advisors but by Clinton's having won 18 million voters who did not back down, by the DNC (remember the NYT story on this), by the speeches at the convention given by so many progressives, esp the Clintons, Al Gore, Kerry, etc. Progressive speeches, all seen and accepted by the Obama campaign and the DNC. They apparently know they need this to win.

I figure the Clintons want a Dem in the WH this time and I love them and want to stand with them in this.

The Obama sign goes in the yard today.

I think.. (5.00 / 1) (#42)
by Chisoxy on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 01:17:26 PM EST

there are more polls showing no/minimal bounce (cnn, ras, usatoday) than there are showing a bounce. Gallup daily is the only one Ive seen showing a bounce.

nicely said (4.66 / 3) (#24)
by DandyTIger on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:59:44 AM EST

now let's get back to making this election about experience and the candidates pastors. snark.

Will KO retract his "Tokyo Rose" (4.00 / 1) (#22)
by myiq2xu on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:48:33 AM EST

comment and apologize now?

say what you will (none / 0) (#1)
by ccpup on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:12:39 AM EST

about Wolfson, in the end he's a good Democrat.

Wolfson??!!! Wow. (none / 0) (#2)
by CaptainAmerica08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:13:52 AM EST

Nice, but what the heII is Wolfson (none / 0) (#52)
by Exeter on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:05:45 PM EST

working on a presidential campaign with a young child?!?