What Obama needs to say

Posted: Monday, October 29, 2007 5:01 PM by Cathy Finkler

On Monday's "Hardball," host Chris Matthews offered his opinion on what Sen. Barack Obama needs to do tomorrow night at the Democratic Candidates Presidential Debate in Philadelphia. Matthews, a former speechwriter, thinks Obama can help himself against Sen. Hillary Clinton in the polls. Read his suggested speech.

Matthews spent 15 years in politics, working in the White House for four years under President Jimmy Carter as a Presidential speechwriter, as the top aide to Speaker of the House Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, Jr. for six years and in the U.S. Senate for five years on the staffs of Senator Frank Moss (Utah) and Senator Edmund Muskie (Maine).

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Comments

Mr Mathews should be paid by all the candidates Democratic and Republican who are running against Senator Hillary Clinton for his efforts on their behalf. This speech is a prime example of how his personal agenda is dramatically influencing his commentary. He is so obviously anti Hillary on EVERY show and Every blog. He makes sexist remarks about her voice and her dress. Does he make those kind of comments about the other candidates... No. Did you give Senator Clinton equal time by telling your audience what you would have her should say in response to your speech. At one time I respected Chris Mathews for although "hard" hitting he was fair and objective to all sides. It appears from his show tonight and this blog that the Obama campaign needs to pay him for his efforts on its behalf.

Vicky, Chicago Illinois (Sent Monday, October 29, 2007 7:34 PM)

That's a great way to contrast the difference, although I thought Bush-Cheney lite was good too. He has to spell out the differences in simple language and directly point out how they're different. This isn't name calling, it's differentiating clearly. Hillary's doing well in the groups without college degrees because she's dumbing down her message vs. telling them the truth of how hard any of these changes will be.

Jestin, Dallas, TX (Sent Monday, October 29, 2007 7:47 PM)

Chris, you were over the top tonight with your open dislike for Hilary Clinton. Let us loyal Dems make up our own minds - we depend on you for unbiased views but you cannot be objective when it comes to her. I am disappointed in you and now have to spend all day tomorrow defending you to the other 2 Democrats that reside here in Monmouth County.

Claire Skelton, Port Monmouth, NJ (Sent Monday, October 29, 2007 7:50 PM)

CHRIS MATHEWS WATCHING YOUR SHOW TONIGHT MAYBE OBAMA SHOULD SHOW UP FOR A VOTE BEFORE HE COMES DOWN ON THE VOTE OF OTHERS ALSO ANYONE WITH ANY BRAINS KNOWS WE JUST CANT PULL OUT OF IRAQ AS MUCH AS YOU AND I AND MOST AMERICANS DONT WANT TO BE THERE AND SENATOR CLINTONS POSITION ON IRAQ WAS WITHDRAWL, BUT STILL BEING IN THE REGION TO PROTECT AMERICAN INTERESTS WHY THE STRONG NEGATIVITY ON SENATOR CLINTON SHE IS BEING REALISTIC ABOUT SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT CAN AND SHOULD BE MADE ANYONE CAN MAKE STRONG PROMISES BUT ITS NOT REALISTIC IN MOST OF THE ISSUES THANKS RICH A

RICH AMABILE (Sent Monday, October 29, 2007 8:15 PM)

Great speech (I love the last paragraph the most). The time is long overdue for Obama to distinguish himself from Hilary. As a student of politics, its not hard for me to be disappointed in Obama's campaign. On one hand, I have an enormous amount of respect for any man who is principled, which he is. But he's up against a woman who plays true hardball: she'll say ANYTHING, no matter how much of a lie, to maximize the number of votes. When youre up against an opponent like that, the bitter truth is that you have to be willing to do some things you may not otherwise be inclined to (not necessarily lie, but at least be aggressive and in attack mode for crying out loud!). Thinking otherwise is naive, and its the reason that, at this juncture, Obama is still trying to differentiate himself from Hilary. This should have been done months ago, and I hope its not too late...

Aly K (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 1:17 AM)

Chris, This is what Barack Obama needs to do: Talk to his wife, Michelle. If ever there was an opponent to a campaign, she is it. I have read many of her comments regarding her husband's defiencies, but it wasn't until I saw her on TV with other spouse's of candidates, saying that her husband knows that SHE is always right. Apparently, she would be the one residing in the oval office, and I would never vote for her; therefore, I will not be voting for him.

Rhonda Caywood, Park City, UT (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 11:52 AM)

Oh, come on people.. Obama needs the push to say the things that he is thinking. What we all are thinking.
We need to mix things up and if Obama takes the free advice, this may do it. If we get the status quo, lets just keep Bush's policies another four years and we'll see more billions of treasure gone, we'll see more world clot gone, and more of our young people.... dead and gone.

J. Steven Collie, Major, USAF (ret) Collinwood, TN (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 12:03 PM)

Chris, What happened? Why are you so obsessed with bringing down Senator Clinton? If you really "hate" her . . . tell us why. You pick on her laugh, dress, handclapping, etc. but what is the substance of your ridicule? Your show is not very informative, interesting or fun (rather boring) since you have started this very biased name calling and nitpicking. I hope you get back on track soon . . . I miss the old Hardball.

Marilyn Keithley, Granite Bay, CA (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 12:14 PM)

I agree that the people want a change from thier goverment but a change for the better not worse. I also agree that govt. has been constantly heading in the same direction and its not a good one. But Im afraid that the politcal system is against change no mater who is president.

john (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 12:16 PM)

And by the way, when did America become a monarchy? Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton!! I must have missed something! When did America become such a degenerate society that they can only choose their leaders from two families? Who is next? Laura Bush, Jeb Bush, Chelsea Clinton?

ayo olurin (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 12:33 PM)

I have been listening all day to the msnbc broadcast all day. Why after 6 years of Bush/Cheney shenanigans,disgraceful conduct, and unethical behavior towards those offering alternative choices would the media spend the majority of todays focus on Obama taking shots at Clinton. Haven"t we had enough of that kind of unnecesary behavior. Am I the only one sick of this kind of junk

Sharon Hairgrove (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 12:54 PM)

Just a note to Chris:
"Let us loyal Dems make up our own minds - we depend on you for unbiased views but you cannot be objective when it comes to her" as stated by Claire in a previous post.
Actually, it says more than the words imply. You are a lot more unbaised and objective with Clinton and the Democrats than you ever are when the Republicans are included. You're not a reporter of the news at all - simply a horn for your own left leaning views. Views that even get you in trouble among your own kind. Reporting is hell isn't it.

Bill Scott (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 1:13 PM)

I hope like hell someone sent a copy of this to Obama.

I saw Mathews say this on tv and thought then is was PERFECT.

You're a great speechwriter, Chris!

I think Obama's downfall will be his opaque talking style.

Obama has great ideas, but public speaking sure doesn't seem to be his forte.

Too bad americans seem to want a slick bull$#!er than a thoughtful president.

jds, slc (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 1:24 PM)

Chris, you are right on target. Obama may be the best hope for the Dems and must get serious. Face it, a good president can't be Mr Nice Guy. Every single poll shows a high negative rating for Hilary, especially among women. The Democrats need to wake up to that fact or they'll be looking at 4 more years of Republican rule.

Bill Steele, Phoenix, Az (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 1:30 PM)

I just read the other posts....

It's Mathews' own show. It's not the nightly news. Chris calls it like he sees it, like he always does.

Vicky, from what i understand, Mathews invited Clinton onto the show but since Chris wouldn't play "softball" with her, she wouldn't come on. It's hard to garner up tons of respect for someone who refuses to have an open dialogue about the issues.

If some of you Hillary supporters paid attention, you'd see that the conclusions Chris Mathews came to are based in fact and by Clinton's record. It's not overly harsh, it's not mean, it's based on the real political record of Hillary's, and the fact that she won't give interview's unless she tightly controls them, and supresses information she doesn't want heard (like the GQ article and the clinton library). You CANNOT DENY FACTS. It's not unfair to draw a conclusion based on fact.

Not only do i think Mathew's is dead on in his assesment, he has every right to say whatever he wants. It's his show, not your nightly news.

jds,slc (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 1:36 PM)

I think we need an independant! They are all alike on both sides! They all lie and say what who they are speaking to wants to hear. Isn't anyone else out there just Dam sick of both sides of this sloppy filthy isle? I have never seen such a bunch of crooked folks in Washington in all my forty seven years. That goes for the Dems, and the GOP. Everyone talks about Bush, what about the Congress where THEYALL SUCK and have UNDER 20% approval?

jimmy Lancaster SC (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 1:43 PM)

I agree 100% with Chris Matthews. He is right on target with the pulse of America! It is truly a time of change and challenge for all Americans. I pray that the American people will get out of their comfortable chairs and vote for CHANGE...

Cheryl Smith, Grand Prairie, Texas (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 1:47 PM)

I totally disagree with you on this one, Hilary is the only Democrat who can beat the eventual Republican nominee and then accomplish something meaningful, like healthcare, when she gets to Washington. Obama even if he did win would encounter the same brick wall Jimmy Carter did when he ran against Washington in 1976 and then was unable to effectively govern even with his party the majority party in the Congress. Chris you worked for Carter and should remember that attacking the status quo can get someone elected, if the public mood is right as it may be now, as it was in 1976 after Watergate but will not make a sucessful Presidency. Carter's accomplishment was in foreign policy not things domestic. This country needs another pragmatist to help us dig ourselves out of the mess we are in. Bill Clinton did it in 1992 and Hilary Clinton can do it in 2008 if we grow up and make the rational not the emotional choice.

David (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 2:17 PM)

in a nutshell. Although i support Joe Bidden myself Obama is my second choice for precisely the reasons Mathews mentions. Bush/Cheny lite not my cupa-tea....

rst, GRpids, MN (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 2:54 PM)

This was great material! It is exactly what should be said. The only thing that bothers me is that it may be showing the Hillary camp the "playbook" too early before the debate so they can get their comebacks ready. Otherwise, it is what needs to be said.

Margaret, Columbia, SC (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 3:11 PM)

Chris,if you gave every canidate the same amount of time that you give Clinton how would the polls look.The more i listen to her i learn nothing,because she says nothing .I sure hope she is not the future leader of our precious country for then it will be no different than the passed six plus years. She has not earned my vote.

Mary Stinogel (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 4:03 PM)

Chris I agree with the majority of your analysis regarding what Sen. Obama need to say in the debate. Although, there's one thing you and the rest of the political pundits fail to realize when you comment on how far Sen. Clinton is ahead of Sen. Obama in the national polls. All of the people who are contributing $5.00 and $10.00 to Sen. Obama's campaign, have never been polled by anyone. There are literally thousands of these people. The good news for Sen. Obama, it seems as if all of them are determined to vote in this election. In every election, it's always an unknown to make the expert political pundit looks as if they don't know what they're talking about.

Jackie, Vallejo, CA (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 4:09 PM)

I was shocked by Chris' speech suggesting what Obama should say to bring down Hlllary becausse it was always my opinion that he adored Hillary along with the rest of the Pundits; his commentary seemed to me to be biased in her favor. I can't imagine why other's opinions of himn were that he hated Hillary. He always seemed to say that she did best in the debates and after one had Hillary's campaign manager on the show, and I wondered why he did't have someone there to speak for Barack. I must have been watching a different show, because I would come away being frustrated at what seemed to be bias against her opponents. I would never have thought that he was anti Hillary.

Sarita Johnson,Saratoga, California (Sent Tuesday, October 30, 2007 4:51 PM)

Chris, it's not "the gender card," it's "the victim card," going all the way back to the vast right-wing conspiracy up to the latest, the old boy's club is out to get me.

Jamie Berry, Phoenix, Arizona (Sent Friday, November 02, 2007 10:14 AM)

Bill Clinton is always saying Hillary is the best
person to be president. Will someone please ask Hillary what his definition of IS is.

Peter A. Roderick, Providence, Rhode Island (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:27 PM)

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