Obama on Iowa, Clinton, Sanders and 2016

[aceplace57]

Obama is pretty candid in this interview. He doesn’t have a dog in this fight. I found his observations about the two candidates and the direction of the election very interesting. There’s a 40 min podcast too. I just read the excerpts. I’ll listen to the podcast when I have more time to focus on it.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/obama-iowa-2016-sanders-off-message-218166

“Bernie came in with the luxury of being a complete long shot and just letting loose,” he said. “I think Hillary came in with the both privilege — and burden — of being perceived as the front-runner. … You’re always looking at the bright, shiny object that people haven’t seen before — that’s a disadvantage to her.”

And he gently suggested that his own ’08 message might be a pretty good mantle for his would-be successors to don. “My bet is that the candidate who can project hope still is the candidate who the American people, over the long term, will gravitate towards,” he said.

[Esox_Lucius]

@aceplace57

He doesn’t have a dog in this fight.

Not officially, but I thought it was fairly obvious that he was promoting one over the other without coming out and saying it. And I think he’s absolutely right.

[LSLGuy]

It sure is refreshing to have a politician speak in complete sentences.

[adaher]

Well, you’re in luck because this cycle they all can.

[Simplicio]

@Esox_Lucius

Not officially, but I thought it was fairly obvious that he was promoting one over the other without coming out and saying it. And I think he’s absolutely right.

Yea, “no dog in this fight” seems like a pretty big stretch. He won’t make an official endorsement, but as the article itself notes almost immediately, there isn’t any question who he’ll be voting for.

[BobLibDem]

@adaher

Well, you’re in luck because this cycle they all can.

I agree with the caveat that complete sentences need not be sensible.

[adaher]

Or truthful, if you’re an Obama fan.

[Jayhawker_Soule]

@aceplace57

Obama is pretty candid in this interview. He doesn’t have a dog in this fight.

Nonsense. Clinton poses as continuity - as Phase II of a progressive yet practical Obama-Clinton leadership. Obama sees Clinton as validation.

[Stuffy]

I disagree, I think to some extent Obama’s future finances will be beholden to the Democratic establishment. Clinton is clearly the establishment candidate.