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June 6, 2008

Obama Setting Up The Wood Shed

On first pass, one wishes there was a better view of Obama putting it to Lieberman than that grainy, long-distance version of the Senate’s official feed.  (Though I do love that “We’ll be back in a minute” gesture.)

On second thought, however, Obama must have figured this broad daylight, yet quasi-private action — the march off captured on tape but the actual lecture part, although described in news reports, occurring just beyond camera view — was an effective way to start marking his turf, and laying down who’s in charge.

(For the details, check out Sam Stein’s piece containing the Roll Call report describing the body language, as well as how Obama leveraged Turncoat Joe with the press gallery.)

And the larger implication for summer and fall?  Well, for starters, we might go ahead and ditch those comparisons to Kerry.

Obama Confronts Lieberman On McCain Advocacy, Tone, on Senate Floor (Tapper – ABCnews.com)



(video: ABC via YouTube)

  • Karen

    Obama’s confidence is amazing. Capture, synthesize, deliver without missing a beat. Pretty impressive, very direct. I wasn’t particularly politically aware in the early 1990s, but even though Clinton took control of the party at that time, I tend to think he employed the smoke-filled room as middleman. Not so with Obama.

  • catfood

    Personally, I would have preferred something akin to Preston Brooks’ 1856 caning of William Sumner on the Senate floor, however Obama’s way is probably better (he can leave the caning to an assistant).

  • http://www.jaxxattaxx.com/ black dog barking

    Connecticut for Lieberman’s star is waning as all eyes shift to Obama for America. The syntactic shape of the two slogans tells a tale — Connecticut for Lieberman, Obama for America.
    Wonder if Joe ever regrets not riding off into the sunset in 2006? Karl Rove’s stain doesn’t wash off.

  • catfood

    black dog barking, Lieberman is incapable of regret. He could be deprived of food, water, and air and live for years… sustained only by his ego.

  • http://www.jaxxattaxx.com/ black dog barking

    …sustained only by his ego.
    He’s got his love to keep him warm.

  • http://www.landsedgephoto.com Emily L. Ferguson

    Kerry? Whozzat? :-) (But don’t think for a moment that this Hawaiian hasn’t ever kite surfed.)
    This one is a guy who had to choose an identity and did not take the task lightly.

  • http://www.woodka.com donna

    Senator Palpatine still thinks Darth McCain can give him the power he craves….

  • martin

    have a feeling that Bag editorial has long lingered for Hilary. I have no issues with that. Things are a little different now. For the first time, there is an unequivocal representation of loss: the Clinton machination has lost, sort of acknowledged, and should be prepared for a realisation that the game has moved on.
    Tough too for a singular, mono focus forum to acknowledge that the way that we have focussed on the former candidate whom is now the singular, oppositional candidate for the American Presidency happens to be a man. Pull his credentials into auto, multi media focus: For all it is worth.
    But this singular person, who opposed Clinton, has to the best of my knowledge, never opposed his opponent because s(h)e was either a man, or least of all because s(h)e was of designated ‘other’ colour to his opponent. Shame
    Maybe not a bad time time to suggest that the candidate however chosen has never promligated the idea of the ‘different’, the non-inclusive, or indeed, the reticent of the ‘u-tube’.
    It may well be that opponents of the future use those mediums better: bring it on Mr. McCain. By the way, your chips baked in the oven where glorious: but simply inappropriate for the challenges ahead.
    happen

  • itwasntme

    I think we’re a short step away from questioning Leiberman’s loyalty to America vs his loyalty to Israel. Leiberman had better watch it, or somebody might say this out loud, and give Obama a chance to look larger than life defending Leiberman’s patriotism.
    From my mouth to G*d’s ear…

  • Northern Observer

    I like the new Sheriff; he has a steely quality.