Rachel Maddow and Barack Obama

[thoreau]

Two of my most favorite people on camera at the same time.

What a brilliant interview - talking about how even if Obama wins:

Maddow: "You criticize the Bush administration frequently - but you almost never criticize the Republican Party itself."

Obama: "Much to your chagrin (laughs)"

Maddow: "(laughs) well yeah actually - other democrats you'll hear them talk about the GOP has been wrong on all the big stuff - saving social security, civil rights, the war in Iraq. but you've not done that - do you not think there is stark difference between the parties?"

Obama: "Well, I do think there is a difference between the parties - but here's my belief that I am talking to voters. I think there are a lot of republican voters out there - self identified - that think that what the Bush Administration has done has been damaging to the country. and what I'm interested in is - how do we build a working majority for change? and if I start off with the premise that it is only self identified democrats who I'm speaking to - then I'm not going to get where we need to go. If I can describe it as not a blanket indictment of the republican party. but describe as the republican party having been kidnapped by an incompetent highly ideological subset of the republican party. that means I can reach out to a whole lot of republican moderates who I think are hungry for change as well."

They talked a lot about how Obama is running a different kind of campaign - "people are tired of the tit for tat ideological approach to problem solving."

watch the first half of the interview here

Who is Rachael Maddow?Maddow received a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Stanford University. She earned her doctorate in political science at Oxford University, which she attended on a Rhodes Scholarship. She is currently working on a book on the changing role of the military in U.S. politics, due out next year. She lives in New York City and Massachusetts with her partner, artist Susan Mikula. She hosts a show on Air America - and on television since September on MSNBC.com.

Comments

[inbhirnis.livejournal.com]

I LOOVE her! She's doing really well in the ratings, apparently - knocking the socks off that old coot Larry King.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

yeah - I was at the gym last night - which had CNN on (ugh!) and Larry King ended his show with a happy birthday tribute to Billy Graham. several booes from the treadmills and wretching sounds. LOL!

[joebehrsandiego.livejournal.com]

Thinking about a biracial President-to-be, being interviewed by an out lesbian on (cable) network TV ...

It's pretty amazing.

[hereticsoul.livejournal.com]

I agree...it was a great interview. I adore Rachel!

[blt4success66.livejournal.com]

Actually I like the fact that Obama has directed his attacks directly at this administration and directly at those who would be at fault for bad policy. Why throw the baby out with the bathwater? It does not make good sense.

On that same vein, Tom Brokaw, the boy from South Dakota, was here to speak to our local Chamber of Commerce. He hinted rather heavily that the next administration (Obama) will need to get beyond polarized party politics if it wants to see any success. I think that's why Obama looks good because he is willing to reach across the aisle and consider ALL ideas as a solution, not just a Democratic solution.

I think Obama is right for this sole reason.

We can only hope the rest of America feels the same way.

BTW...good luck on Tuesday regarding #8. It got some press last night on CBS news. I sent some money earlier in the month...I hope it fails and you guys prevail.

HUGS!

[joebehrsandiego.livejournal.com]

I saw this too. It was a great interview ... on both sides, representing the shift of power and visibility to groups who haven't had much or any of either in the past. That's so cool.

I had no idea she was a Rhodes Scholar ... but am not suprised. :)

[anziulewicz.livejournal.com]

Rachel Maddow is one of the best things to happen to TV in a LONG time.

[phreddd.livejournal.com]

Rachel is the shit!!!!!, and some other commentators are really average by comparison.